Apple AirTags are bulky and not ideal for wallets. This SmartCard I tested is thin and lightweight enough to fit in your wallet or luggage.

For professional photographers, photo editing software is critical to their workflow. Some types of image software focus on traditional edits including tweaking exposure, contrast, grain, or adding bokeh and blur effects. Others rely on artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance images or even generate them on your behalf. You can also download apps focusing on creative effects, combining art and photography.Adobe apps are often considered the gold standard in photo editing, but they are not the only options in the market, nor are they the only solutions that provide tools for automating your editing workflow. Whether you are a professional, enjoy photography as a hobby, or want to dip your toe into the field, there is a photo editing suite out there for you.What is the best photo editing software right now?ZDNET has tested dozens of photo editing software solutions throughout the years, and we monitor the market to find the best solutions available.Our favorite photo editing software is Adobe Photoshopsince it has all of the photo editing tools you could ever need for advanced image editing and workflow management. Subscriptions start at $23 per month, or you will need to sign up for a Creative Cloud plan.To reduce your professional workload or to bring your photography to life, check out the rest of our top picks for photo editing software below. Sort by All The best photo editing software of 2025 Show less View now at Adobe Adobe Photoshop is the gold standard for many photography professionals -- and for good reason. Adobe's photo editing suite has dominated the market for years. It is well-known for having an advanced, wide variety of tools and options for image creation and manipulation.Photoshop can be used for color adjustment, resizing, masking, layering, and more. Every professional tool is at your disposal, from minor corrections to layer adjustments, color tweaks, and generative fills to object removal. New features added to the latest update include distracting object removal, background generation, and workflow enhancements. In addition, Photoshop has now launched an iOS app with Android due to land later this year.Customers consider Adobe Photoshop to be intuitive, fast, and one of the best options on the market. I've used Adobe Photoshop for everything from photo editing to creative projects for over a decade, and I agree.In the early days, Adobe Photoshop was standalone software, but it's now offered on a subscription basis -- a change that is not exactly popular with long-term users. You will need to pay $23 per month, or you can combine your plan with other apps through the $60 per month Creative Cloud subscription. This option includes all of Adobe's creative apps such as Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign. You can also combine Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom for $14.98 per month.Adobe Photoshop specs: Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, online | Mobile? Yes | Cloud backup? Yes | RAW support?Yes | Price: Subscription model, free trial Pros Extensive library of tools Professional standard Bridge applications Workflow-friendly Cons A steep learning curve Subscription-only Adobe Photoshop is the gold standard for many photography professionals -- and for good reason. Adobe's photo editing suite has dominated the market for years. It is well-known for having an advanced, wide variety of tools and options for image creation and manipulation.Photoshop can be used for color adjustment, resizing, masking, layering, and more. Every professional tool is at your disposal, from minor corrections to layer adjustments, color tweaks, and generative fills to object removal. New features added to the latest update include distracting object removal, background generation, and workflow enhancements. In addition, Photoshop has now launched an iOS app with Android due to land later this year.Customers consider Adobe Photoshop to be intuitive, fast, and one of the best options on the market. I've used Adobe Photoshop for everything from photo editing to creative projects for over a decade, and I agree.In the early days, Adobe Photoshop was standalone software, but it's now offered on a subscription basis -- a change that is not exactly popular with long-term users. You will need to pay $23 per month, or you can combine your plan with other apps through the $60 per month Creative Cloud subscription. This option includes all of Adobe's creative apps such as Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign. You can also combine Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom for $14.98 per month.Adobe Photoshop specs: Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, online | Mobile? Yes | Cloud backup? Yes | RAW support?Yes | Price: Subscription model, free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Adobe Lightroom is specifically designed to reduce the workload during batch image editing. When I need to edit photos taken at events, including weddings, I always use this software to manage my workflow. It has handy tools including batch contrast and refinement tweaks, presets, and masking for applying effects like bokeh. These tools drastically reduce the amount of time you need to edit hundreds of photos.Between the cloud-based system and desktop-based Classic version, I find that the former works best for mass editing. I prefer Classic's wider range of tools including brushes and editing effects. Both are great when paired with a Loupedeck.Other users say that Adobe Lightroom's tools and efficiency are a bonus, but many report that customer service needs serious improvement.Subscriptions begin at $12 per month. Like Photoshop, you can opt for the full Creative Cloud plan for $60 per month to access all of Adobe's creative apps. You can also combine Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom for $14.98 per month. A trial is available.Adobe Lightroom specs: Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, online |Mobile?Yes |Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?Yes |Price: Subscription model, free trial Pros Workflow management Impressive user interface Professional tools App bridging Cons Web version has fewer tool options than Classic Subscription only Adobe Lightroom is specifically designed to reduce the workload during batch image editing. When I need to edit photos taken at events, including weddings, I always use this software to manage my workflow. It has handy tools including batch contrast and refinement tweaks, presets, and masking for applying effects like bokeh. These tools drastically reduce the amount of time you need to edit hundreds of photos.Between the cloud-based system and desktop-based Classic version, I find that the former works best for mass editing. I prefer Classic's wider range of tools including brushes and editing effects. Both are great when paired with a Loupedeck.Other users say that Adobe Lightroom's tools and efficiency are a bonus, but many report that customer service needs serious improvement.Subscriptions begin at $12 per month. Like Photoshop, you can opt for the full Creative Cloud plan for $60 per month to access all of Adobe's creative apps. You can also combine Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom for $14.98 per month. A trial is available.Adobe Lightroom specs: Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, online |Mobile?Yes |Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?Yes |Price: Subscription model, free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Affinity Affinity Photo 2 could be the best subscription-free alternative to Adobe's Creative Cloud on this list.It supports raw image format (RAW) and comes with a wide range of user-friendly image editing tools. These include photo retouching functions, layering, cropping, object removal, color adjustments, brushes, and filters.During testing, I found Affinity Photo 2 to be a powerful photo editor without the learning curve I experienced with Adobe products. Users say that Affinity Photo 2 is a reasonable editor but lacks some of the comprehensive tools of its rival. Still, the one-time payment is very attractive if you want a photo editor but don't plan on subscribing. Due to this, I would recommend Affinity Photo 2 to anyone who likes editing photos and images as a hobby as well as photography professionals on a budget.The price point is certainly likely to lure in photography enthusiasts and professionals alike: Excluding tax, you will pay only $70 for a desktop lifetime license. Alternatively, you could opt to pay $165 -- plus tax -- for a universal license including access to Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2, and Affinity Publisher 2. IPad-only licenses are available for $18.49, alongside a seven-day trial.Affinity Photo 2 specs: Platforms: Mac, Windows, iPad |Mobile?iPad only|Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?Yes |Price: One-off, $70, trial Pros Fast Lifetime license RAW image support Reasonable set of tools No subscription required Cons No Android compatibility Affinity Photo 2 could be the best subscription-free alternative to Adobe's Creative Cloud on this list.It supports raw image format (RAW) and comes with a wide range of user-friendly image editing tools. These include photo retouching functions, layering, cropping, object removal, color adjustments, brushes, and filters.During testing, I found Affinity Photo 2 to be a powerful photo editor without the learning curve I experienced with Adobe products. Users say that Affinity Photo 2 is a reasonable editor but lacks some of the comprehensive tools of its rival. Still, the one-time payment is very attractive if you want a photo editor but don't plan on subscribing. Due to this, I would recommend Affinity Photo 2 to anyone who likes editing photos and images as a hobby as well as photography professionals on a budget.The price point is certainly likely to lure in photography enthusiasts and professionals alike: Excluding tax, you will pay only $70 for a desktop lifetime license. Alternatively, you could opt to pay $165 -- plus tax -- for a universal license including access to Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2, and Affinity Publisher 2. IPad-only licenses are available for $18.49, alongside a seven-day trial.Affinity Photo 2 specs: Platforms: Mac, Windows, iPad |Mobile?iPad only|Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?Yes |Price: One-off, $70, trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Skylum Skylum's Luminar NEO is an artificial intellience-first photo editor that focuses on usability. It has a clean, easy-to-understand interface with photo editing tools that encourage experimentation and having fun with creative projects.You can use simple sliders to enhance your images, play around with contrast, tweak an image's composition, crop, tint, and change clarity. Ready-made filters are available to change everything from color selections to grain levels.I find Luminar enjoyable to use, but it should be considered a compromise between basic photo editing tools and professional suites. It lacks some of the more intricate features used in professional editing, but that's not an issue, as the software shines for creative projects, quick editing, or beginning photographers.Users like how easy Luminar NEO is to learn and use as one of the few AI-first photo editing solutions on the market. It is not considered anything close to an Adobe alternative, and workflow management can be slow.As of publication, Luminar NEO is currently on sale. We like that you can choose between an ongoing subscription or a one-off payment for a perpetual license. A one-year subscription costs $69 and comes with a license for the software,100 add-ons, and a starter course. Alternatively, choose a lifetime license for $119. A 14-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee is available.Skylum Luminar NEOspecs: Platforms: Windows, macOS|Mobile?Yes |Cloud backup?Manual only|RAW support?Yes |Price: Subscription or one-off payment, trial Pros AI tools Plugin option 14-day trial Perpetual license available Easy to use Cons Some processes could be streamlined Limited OS support Skylum's Luminar NEO is an artificial intellience-first photo editor that focuses on usability. It has a clean, easy-to-understand interface with photo editing tools that encourage experimentation and having fun with creative projects.You can use simple sliders to enhance your images, play around with contrast, tweak an image's composition, crop, tint, and change clarity. Ready-made filters are available to change everything from color selections to grain levels.I find Luminar enjoyable to use, but it should be considered a compromise between basic photo editing tools and professional suites. It lacks some of the more intricate features used in professional editing, but that's not an issue, as the software shines for creative projects, quick editing, or beginning photographers.Users like how easy Luminar NEO is to learn and use as one of the few AI-first photo editing solutions on the market. It is not considered anything close to an Adobe alternative, and workflow management can be slow.As of publication, Luminar NEO is currently on sale. We like that you can choose between an ongoing subscription or a one-off payment for a perpetual license. A one-year subscription costs $69 and comes with a license for the software,100 add-ons, and a starter course. Alternatively, choose a lifetime license for $119. A 14-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee is available.Skylum Luminar NEOspecs: Platforms: Windows, macOS|Mobile?Yes |Cloud backup?Manual only|RAW support?Yes |Price: Subscription or one-off payment, trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Gimp First published in 2018, Gimp is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It's free, open source, powerful, and customizable -- from the plugins you can implement to the user interface. It's available for download for Windows, MacOS, Android, and Linux operating systems.If you're looking for a flexible option, Gimp could be the right choice. You will need to learn how to edit photos properly, but the team behind this software provides a set of how-to guides and tutorials.You can perform various editing tasks such as retouching and photo enhancement. Gimp supports a variety of file formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PSD, and BMP. If you want to work with raw image format (RAW), you'll likely want to use a standalone editor or converter before opening the file in Gimp. The hardware support also includes USB and MIDI controllers -- giving you more control over your workflow.Users say that this solution is powerful and fast but lags behind many paid options in terms of its user interface. You may need to demonstrate some patience while you learn how to use the software effectively.Its latest release, Gimp 3.0, includes new file format exports, text editing improvements, improved layer management and creation, and enhanced color management.GIMP specs:Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |Mobile?Android|Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?Minimal, plugin|Price: Free Pros Free Open source Plugin support Customizable interface Cons Learning curve First published in 2018, Gimp is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It's free, open source, powerful, and customizable -- from the plugins you can implement to the user interface. It's available for download for Windows, MacOS, Android, and Linux operating systems.If you're looking for a flexible option, Gimp could be the right choice. You will need to learn how to edit photos properly, but the team behind this software provides a set of how-to guides and tutorials.You can perform various editing tasks such as retouching and photo enhancement. Gimp supports a variety of file formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PSD, and BMP. If you want to work with raw image format (RAW), you'll likely want to use a standalone editor or converter before opening the file in Gimp. The hardware support also includes USB and MIDI controllers -- giving you more control over your workflow.Users say that this solution is powerful and fast but lags behind many paid options in terms of its user interface. You may need to demonstrate some patience while you learn how to use the software effectively.Its latest release, Gimp 3.0, includes new file format exports, text editing improvements, improved layer management and creation, and enhanced color management.GIMP specs:Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |Mobile?Android|Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?Minimal, plugin|Price: Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Procreate Procreate is image editing software for those who want to add artistic flair to their photographs rather than more traditional edits. The software includes hundreds of brushes, numerous effects, and is suitable for use with a stylus and an iPad.If you are looking for a solution that combines photo editing and art, Procreate is a fantastic, affordable option available with a lifetime license. While it doesn't natively support RAW, it does handle file types, including PSD, JPEG, PNG, and PDF.Customers like Procreate as a polished, flexible, fast, and intuitive art and image editing app, especially for the iPad. I find the range of tools, brushes, and actions a lot of fun to work with. Plenty of users wish there were a fair Android alternative, but there doesn't seem to be on the market at the moment.A benefit of this software is how cheap it is -- a $13 one-off payment for the app. It's a pity that Procreate is limited to the Apple ecosystem, though.Procreate features:Platforms: macOS, iOS|Mobile?iOS only|Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?No (major file types)|Price: One-off payment, $13 Pros Ease of use Hundreds of effects to choose from Active user community Affordable Cons Some tools need further development No Android app Procreate is image editing software for those who want to add artistic flair to their photographs rather than more traditional edits. The software includes hundreds of brushes, numerous effects, and is suitable for use with a stylus and an iPad.If you are looking for a solution that combines photo editing and art, Procreate is a fantastic, affordable option available with a lifetime license. While it doesn't natively support RAW, it does handle file types, including PSD, JPEG, PNG, and PDF.Customers like Procreate as a polished, flexible, fast, and intuitive art and image editing app, especially for the iPad. I find the range of tools, brushes, and actions a lot of fun to work with. Plenty of users wish there were a fair Android alternative, but there doesn't seem to be on the market at the moment.A benefit of this software is how cheap it is -- a $13 one-off payment for the app. It's a pity that Procreate is limited to the Apple ecosystem, though.Procreate features:Platforms: macOS, iOS|Mobile?iOS only|Cloud backup?Yes|RAW support?No (major file types)|Price: One-off payment, $13 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Best photo editing software, compared Photo editing softwarePlatformsCloud services, backups?AI capabilities?PriceAdobe PhotoshopWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, onlineYesYes$23 per month+Adobe LightroomWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, onlineYesYes$12 per month+Affinity Photo 2Mac, Windows, iPadYesLimited$70 or $18.49 iPad-onlySkylum Luminar NEOWindows, macOSManualYes$69 per year or $119 one-off paymentGIMPWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidYesNoFreeProcreatemacOS, iOSYesNo$13one-off payment Show more What is the best photo editing software for you? I've worked previously as a professional wedding and event photographer in the U.K.. I always take my setup abroad with me. My interests have now evolved to include candid street photography and portraiture.I have over a decade of experience in this field, so I understand that editing is just as important as shooting raw images. Personally, it's my favorite part of the process.It is worth investing in photo editing software that is frequently updated and developed if you'll be using it professionally, and even more so when the software includes means to reduce the burden of editing workflows. If you are editing for fun or for small projects, a budget-friendly or free option could be just what you need to get started.Choose this photo editing software...If you want...Adobe PhotoshopThe best photo editing software overall. Adobe Photoshop is the gold standard in image editing and has a variety of professional editing tools. There is a learning curve and a cost, but you can't go wrong with this editor.Adobe LightroomThe best photo editing software for managing workflows. Adobe Lightroom has an impressive and intuitive user interface and makes batch editing easy. Whether you go for classic or the cloud, Lightroom is a fantastic solution for professionals.Affinity Photo 2A powerful Adobe alternative. Affinity Photo 2 provides a good selection of editing and retouching tools in its suite and won't rope you into a subscription, giving you more freedom.Skylum Luminar NEOTo experiment with AI. Skylum Luminar NEO is an excellent option for exploring the capabilities of generative AI in photo editing. It's simple to learn and has an attractive interface but won't likely be the right choice for workflow-based professional work.GimpA free option. There is a learning curve to using Gimp, but it is very customizable with different tools and plugins. Consider this option if you want to explore and learn about photo and image editing.ProcreateTo combine art and photography editing. Procreate is a popular and successful service with a massive variety of creative tools. Unfortunately, it is only available for macOS and iOS. Show more Factors to consider when choosing photo editing software When you are deciding on what type of photo editing software to try out, consider the following factors:The learning curve: You might want to test out a beginner-friendly solution if you are new to the world of photo editing. If you dive straight into a professional suite -- such as Adobe Photoshop -- it might be overwhelming.Plugins: This one is for professionals. If there are plugins you enjoy using to streamline your workflow or enhance your photos, check that the solution you choose supports their usage.Downloadable tools: Just like plugins, if downloadable styles, brushes, and layering tools are something you enjoy using, not every photo editing software solution will allow this. It's worth checking, first.Synchronization, backups: You might want a solution that provides backup facilities, syncing, or cloud storage options -- but these features are not always available -- especially if you use free software. If these functions are important to you, check that the solution you are interested in provides them.Free options: If you are a casual user and only want photo editing software for hobbies, a free solution might be enough. However, keep in mind that advanced editing features or cloud services might be locked behind paywalls.Platform: Do you want a more traditional photo editing suite for your desktop PC or do you want a compact mobile app? Check software compatibility before you buy.Price: You need to think about your budget and whether you want to sign up for a subscription to photo editing software. Many photo editing providers have made the transition from one-time purchase models to monthly or annual plans, and while this ensures you receive updates and improvements, it's still a cost to consider. Show more How did we choose these photo editing solutions? Photo editing solutions created by dominant players in the photography market, like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, have existed for years. However, there are also exciting developments and software options from younger vendors worth considering.When we were compiling our top picks for the best photo editing software of 2025, we considered the following factors:Platforms: It's important to us that our photo editing software recommendations support a wide range of operating systems, platforms, mobile types, and cloud services.Licensing: Subscription models are now standard, but not everyone wants to add yet another subscription to their monthly or yearly budget. We included a range of subscription and licensing options.Image file type support: We want to see photo editors able to process and handle different kinds of file types, including RAW, PNG, JPEG, and PSD.Workflows: Not everyone needs tools or features focused on improving editing image workflows. However, we ensured that some of our recommendations included these functions, as they can be crucial for professionals.AI use: We like to see photo editing software developers exploring new technologies and techniques for improving editing. AI is a buzzword for many industries, but we have seen some genuinely useful applications in the creative space.Free options: We included free options and alternatives that do not employ a subscription-based model for casual use. They may offer some paid premium features, but you won't have to pay if you do not want to. Show more Photo editing software FAQs Should I buy or subscribe to photo editing software? If you're going to use photo editing software on a frequent basis or for business purposes, it's worth subscribing to receive new updates and features. However, if you're dipping your toe in to learn the trade, you might want to stick to a trial run or practice with free photo editing options first. I'd also suggest that you look at tutorials and guides on the photo editing software you are considering buying to see if its interface and tools are right for you. Show more What do photographers use to edit photos? Professional photographers, including myself, typically rely on Adobe editing software suites, including Photoshop and Lightroom. However, some of us may also use standalone RAW file processors -- the gold standard for photo image types -- or software designed for studio setups including CaptureOne Pro. While expensive, we will use subscription-based tools as they are crucial to our workflows. Show more Is there a free version of Photoshop? Adobe Photoshop isn't free and there is no free, legal version. However, you can access the software and try it out for free by signing up for its free seven-day trial. If you aren't going to go ahead with subscribing to a plan, remember to cancel the trial before it ends. Show more Does Microsoft have a photo editor? Yes. Microsoft has a Photos app on the Windows operating system. However, this app isbest used for viewing images and very basic editing, such as image rotation, tweaking brightness and contrast, adding filters, and cropping, rather than any advanced editing tasks. Show more Is Canva good for photo editing? As a design tool, Canva has real value,especially for small business owners. It provides a host of free and premium tools for design and marketing and includes a photo editor. However, I would say that Canva is best used for basic batch image work rather than intricate photo editing. Show more What does AI have to do with photo editing software? Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are algorithms based on data sets that are now commonly integrated with creative applications.These technologies can be used to make minor adjustments and improve consistency, thereby optimizing workflows. You may also be able to use AI to automatically optimize photos, alter backgrounds, or even fully create images based on a few prompts.In my experience, AI can be a lot of fun to work with and can perform some fantastic editing, but alone it doesn't replace traditional editing tools and techniques. Show more Can ChatGPT edit photos? Yes, ChatGPT can edit photos. However, you are limited to very basic edits such as cropping, rotation, and minor adjustments. It can be handy in a pinch if you just need a small tweak, but it doesn't replace standalone photo editing software. Show more Alternative photo editing software to consider Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Mondays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:I was on Twitter (ahem, X) earlierreally, saying I was on X earlier sounds like I was using drugsand it struck me that people are awfully nasty and mean-spirited a lot of the time. I wish more people would take Bill and Teds maxim to heart and be excellent to each other. I also like to invoke Elwood P. Dowd from Harvey. He was played by Jimmy Stewart, and my favorite of his many quotations is:Years ago, my mother used to say to me, shed say In this world, Elwoodshe always called me ElwoodIn this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.And so I do, and I try to follow in Elwoods footsteps, and in Bill and Teds, and it really isnt easy, because people can be stupid and infuriating (often while making big, enormous, potentially calamitous decisions for the rest of us) and on social media its hard to ignore. But I try, and all we can do is try.Play Puzzles & Games on ForbesAnd now, dearest Wordlers, lets solve todays Wordle!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: Where the Christmas elf lives when hes not in the North Pole.The Clue: This Wordle has far more consonants than vowels.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. I knew BRICK was going to be a bad opening guess, but I had my reasons for picking it, and while those werent very good reasons (and while I cant share them because of confidentiality) I stuck to my guns. All grey boxes and 897 remaining solutions later, I questioned those guns. SLATE cut that number by 890 and I really thought I might strike gold with SHELL, but I was one letter off. SHELF was the Wordle, and I snagged it in four.Competitive Wordle ScoreToday's Wordle BotCredit: Erik Kain0 points for me and for the Bot since we both guessed in four and tied one another, leaving our monthly totals at . . .Erik: 23 points.Wordle Bot: 7 points.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word shelf comes from Old English scylfe or scelf, meaning a ledge or a flat piece of wood or rock projecting horizontally. It likely has Germanic roots, related to Old Norse skjalf (bench) and Middle Low German schelf (shelf or ledge). The original sense was something projecting or protruding, which evolved into the modern meaning of a flat surface for storage or display.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

On her first visit to orbit, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers has just introduced herself to three robots stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS).We hit the ground running (or floating??) here on the space station, Ayers, who arrived at the ISS just over a week ago, wrote in a post on X. In addition to data collection for one of the studies, I got to help load some software onto the Astrobees. This is Bumble!Recommended VideosWe hit the ground running (or floating??) here on @Space_Station! In addition to data collection for one of the studies, I got to help load some software onto the Astrobees. This is Bumble! These robots are a technology demonstration meant to help astronauts with routine pic.twitter.com/RBTQPkphyx Nichole Vapor Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) March 24, 2025Please enable Javascript to view this contentAs Ayers said in her post, the Astrobee robots are a technology demonstration and are designed to assist the ISS astronauts with routine duties that include taking inventory, documenting experiments, or moving cargo, freeing up the astronauts to take care of tasks that require a human touch.The compact, cube-shaped flying robots were developed and built at NASAs Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley, and were sent to the orbital outpost in 2019.NASA astronaut Anne McClain unpacked the first Astrobee robot Bumble on the ISS in 2019. NASAThe floating bots include various cameras and sensors for navigation, and also come with a touchscreen, speaker, and microphone. They even have a mechanical arm to which various tools can be attached.Instead of floating freely, the Astrobee robots use a fan-based propulsion system to move in a specific direction, with power for the fans and the rest of the robot provided via an onboard battery. When power runs low, the robot automatically navigates to a nearby dock to recharge.Robots will play a significant part in the agencys mission to return to the moon as well as other deep space missions, NASA says on its website. Robots such as Astrobee have the capacity to become caretakers for future spacecraft, working to monitor and keep systems operating smoothly while crew are away.One of the space stations best known robotic devices is the Canadarm2, a 17.6-meter-long robotic arm thats been attached to the exterior of the ISS since 2001, performing tasks such as moving supplies and equipment, and assisting with spacewalks. Earlier this year, NASA shared video footage of astronaut Suni Williams taking a ride on the Canadarm2 during a spacewalk 250 miles over London, England.Editors Recommendations

Sonos is one of the best wireless audio brands on the market. For years, the company has produced top-notch powered speakers with web-connected capabilities, and it just so happens that most Sonos hardware is on sale this week. You know what that means: significant discounts on popular AV devices. Were always thrilled to come across Sonos deals, and heres one that stood out from the rest:For a limited time, when you purchase the Sonos Era 100 Wireless Speaker at Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield, and a handful of other retailers, youll only pay $200. The full MSRP on this product is $250.We tested the Era 100 back in March 2023, and reviewer Simon Cohen said, Once again, Sonos extracts magical amounts of sound from a tiny speaker. Whether you plan on using the Era 100 as a dedicated music-listening speaker or youve got plans to invest in a pair for a wireless surround sound configuration, the Era 100 is capable of wearing whatever hats you deem necessary.RelatedIn our testing, the Era 100 delivered a full-bodied sound with terrific midrange articulation. iOS users can use TruePlay to calibrate the Era 100 to best align with your room acoustics, but youll also find manual bass and treble adjustments in the Sonos S2 app. Other noteworthy features include a built-in Alexa voice assistant, optional Bluetooth connectivity, and AirPlay 2 support for iOS devices.Its hard to say how long this sale is going to last, but were willing to bet this week of Sonos savings will be wrapped up by the end of the week. That being said, today might actually be the last day to save $50 on the Sonos Era 100.It may also be worth it to look through our collections of the best Bluetooth speaker deals and best soundbar deals for more suggestions on top audio devices.Editors Recommendations

Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that its co-Chief Executive Han Jong-hee has died of cardiac arrest. He was 63.

The DNA-testing companys site was slow in responding to some deletion requests, leading customers to be uncertain about the process.

no cash for you! After borking my Pixel 4a battery, Google borks me, too The devil is in the details. Nate Anderson Mar 24, 2025 5:01 pm | 88 The Pixel 4a. It's finally here! Credit: Google The Pixel 4a. It's finally here! Credit: Google Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreIt is an immutable law of nature that when you receive a corporate email with a subject line like "Changes coming to your Pixel 4a," the changes won't be the sort you like. Indeed, a more honest subject line would usually be: "You're about to get hosed."So I wasn't surprised, as I read further into this January missive from Google, that an "upcoming software update for your Pixel 4a" would "affect the overall performance and stability of its battery."How would my battery be affected? Negatively, of course. "This update will reduce your batterys runtime and charging performance," the email said. "To address this, were providing some options to consider. "Our benevolent Google overlords were about to nerf my phone batterypresumably in the interests of "not having it erupt in flames," though this was never actually made clearbut they recognized the problem, and they were about to provide compensation. This is exactly how these kinds of situations should be handled.Google offered three options: $50 cash money, a $100 credit to Google's online store, or a free battery replacement. It seemed fair enough. Yes, not having my phone for a week or two while I shipped it roundtrip to Google could be annoying, but at least the company was directly mitigating the harm it was about to inflict. Indeed, users might actually end up in better shape than before, given the brand-new battery.So I was feeling relatively sunny toward the giant monopolist when I decided to spring for the 50 simoleons. My thinking was that 1) I didn't want to lose my phone for a couple of weeks, 2) the update might not be that bad, in which case I'd be ahead by 50 bucks, and 3) I could always put the money towards a battery replacement if assumption No. 2 turned out to be mistaken.The navet of youth!I selected my $50 "appeasement" through an online form, and two days later, I received an email from Bharath on the Google Support Team.Bharath wanted me to know that I was eligible for the money and it would soon be in my hands... once I performed a small, almost trivial task: giving some company I had never heard of my name, address, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth, and bank account details.About that $50...Google was not, in fact, just "sending" me $50. I had expected, since the problem involved their phones and their update, that the solution would require little or nothing from me. A check or prepaid credit card would arrive in the mail, perhaps, or a drone might deliver a crisp new bill from the sky. I didn't know and didn't care, so long as it wasn't my problem.But it was my problem. To get the cash, I had to create an account with something called "Payoneer." This is apparently a reputable payments company, but I had never heard of it, and much about its operations is unclear. For instance, I was given three different ways to sign up depending on whether I 1) "already have a Payoneer account from Google," 2) "don't have an account," or 3) "do have a Payoneer account that was not provided nor activated through Google."Say what now?And though Google promised "no transaction fees," Payoneer appears to charge an "annual account fee" of $29.95... but only to accounts that receive less than $2,000 through Payoneer in any consecutive 12-month period.Does this fee apply to me if I sign up through the Google offer? I was directed to Payoneer support with any questions, but the company's FAQ on the annual account fee doesn't say.If the fee does apply to me, do I need to sign up for a Payoneer account, give them all of my most personal financial information, wait the "10 to 18 business days" that Google says it will take to get my money, and then return to Payoneer so that I can cancel my account before racking up some $30 charge a year from now? And I'm supposed to do all this just to get.... fifty bucks? One time?It was far simpler for me to get a recent hundred-dollar rebate on a washing machine... and they didn't need my SSN or bank account information.(Reddit users also report that, if you use the wrong web browser to cancel your Payoneer account, you're hit with an error that says: "This end point requires that the body of all requests be formatted as JSON.")Like Lando Calrissian, I realized that this deal was getting worse all the time.I planned to write Bharath back to switch my "appeasement," but then I noticed the fine print: No changes are possible after making a selection.Sono money for me. On the scale of life's crises, losing $50 is a minor one, and I resolved to move on, facing the world with a cheerful heart and a clear mind, undistracted by the many small annoyances our high-tech overlords continually strew upon the path.Then the software update arrived.A decimation situationWhen Google said that the new Pixel 4a update would "reduce your batterys runtime and charging performance," it was not kidding. Indeed, the update basically destroyed the battery.Though my phone was three years old, until January of this year, the battery still held up for all-day usage. The screen was nice, the (smallish) phone size was good, and the device remained plenty fast at all the basic tasks: texting, emails, web browsing, snapping photos. I'm trying to reduce both my consumerism and my e-waste, so I was planning to keep the device for at least another year. And even then, it would make a decent hand-me-down device for my younger kids.After the update, however, the phone burned through a full battery charge in less than two hours. I could pull up a simple podcast app, start playing an episode, and watch the battery percentage decrement every 45 seconds or so. Using the phone was nearly impossible unless one was near a charging cable at all times.To recap: My phone was shot, I had to jump through several hoops to get my money, and I couldn't change my "appeasement" once I realized that it wouldn't work for me.Within the space of three days, I went from 1) being mildly annoyed at the prospect of having my phone messed with remotely to 2) accepting that Google was (probably) doing it for my own safety and was committed to making things right to 3) berating Google for ruining my device and then using a hostile, data collecting "appeasement" program to act like it cared. This was probably not the impression Google hoped to leave in people's minds when issuing the Pixel 4a update. Removing the Pixel 4a's battery can be painful, but not as painful as catching fire. Credit: iFixit Cheap can be quite expensiveThe update itself does not appear to be part of some plan to spy on us or to extract revenue but rather to keep people safe. The company tried to remedy the pain with options that, on the surface, felt reasonable, especially given the fact that batteries are well-known as consumable objects that degrade over time. And I've had three solid years of service with the 4a, which wasn't especially expensive to begin with.That said, I do blame Google in general for the situation. The inflexibility of the approach, the options that aren't tailored for ease of use in specific countries, the outsourced tech supportthese are all hallmarks of today's global tech behemoths.It is more efficient, from an algorithmic, employ-as-few-humans-as-possible perspective, to operate "at scale" by choosing global technical solutions over better local options, by choosing outsourced email support, by trying to avoid fraud (and employee time) through preventing program changes, by asking the users to jump through your hoops, by gobbling up ultra-sensitive information because it makes things easier on your end.While this makes a certain kind of sense, it's not fun to receive this kind of "efficiency." When everything goes smoothly, it's finebut whenever there's a problem, or questions arise, these kinds of "efficient, scalable" approaches usually just mean "you're about to get screwed."In the end, Google is willing to pay me $50, but that money comes with its own cost. I'm not willing to pay with my time nor with the risk of my financial information, and I will increasingly turn to companies that offer a better experience, that care more about data privacy, that build with higher-quality components, and that take good care of customers.No company is perfect, of course, and this approach costs a bit more, which butts up against my powerful urge to get a great deal on everything. I have to keep relearning the old lesson as I am once again with this Pixel 4a fiascothat cheap gear is not always the best value in the long run.Nate AndersonDeputy EditorNate AndersonDeputy Editor Nate is the deputy editor at Ars Technica. His most recent book is In Emergency, Break Glass: What Nietzsche Can Teach Us About Joyful Living in a Tech-Saturated World, which is much funnier than it sounds. 88 Comments

You've got mail Trump administration accidentally texted secret bombing plans to a reporter "Shocking recklessness" in leak of detailed Yemen bombing plan in Signal chat. Jon Brodkin Mar 24, 2025 4:43 pm | 78 Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) speaks to reporters after a presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump at the Georgia Institute of Technology campus on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: Getty Images | Andrew Harnik Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) speaks to reporters after a presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump at the Georgia Institute of Technology campus on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: Getty Images | Andrew Harnik Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreA prominent journalist knew the US military would start bombing Houthi targets in Yemen two hours before it happened on March 15 because top Trump administration officials accidentally included the reporter on a Signal text chain in which they discussed the war plan.Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, described the surprising leak of sensitive military information in an article today. The National Security Council confirmed that the messages were real and said it is investigating how Goldberg was added to a thread in which the war information was discussed."The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen," Goldberg wrote. "I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing."Goldberg's article quotes numerous messages that appeared to come from Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth, and other Trump administration officials. Goldberg was first added to the text chain on March 11 by Michael Waltz, Trump's national security adviser.Goldberg initially "didn't find it particularly strange that he might be reaching out to me," though he considered that "someone could be masquerading as Waltz in order to somehow entrap me." But over the next few days, Goldberg became increasingly convinced that the messages were authentic.Vance: I just hate bailing Europe out againThe text chat was labeled "Houthi PC small group," and a message from Waltz indicated that he was convening a principals committee for top officials to discuss plans."I had very strong doubts that this text group was real, because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans," Goldberg wrote. "I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior US officials, up to and including the vice president."Using Signal in this way may have violated US law, Goldberg wrote. "Conceivably, Waltz, by coordinating a national-security-related action over Signal, may have violated several provisions of the Espionage Act, which governs the handling of 'national defense' information, according to several national-security lawyers interviewed by my colleague Shane Harris for this story," he wrote.Signal is not an authorized venue for sharing such information, and Waltz's use of a feature that makes messages disappear after a set period of time "raises questions about whether the officials may have violated federal records law," the article said. Adding a reporter to the thread "created new security and legal issues" by transmitting information to someone who wasn't authorized to see it, "the classic definition of a leak, even if it was unintentional," Goldberg wrote.The account labeled "JD Vance" questioned the war plan in a Signal message on March 14. "I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now," the message said. "There's a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc."The Vance account also stated, "3 percent of US trade runs through the suez. 40 percent of European trade does," and "I just hate bailing Europe out again." The Hegseth account responded that "I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It's PATHETIC," but added that "we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this."An account apparently belonging to Trump advisor Stephen Miller wrote, "As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return. We also need to figure out how to enforce such a requirement. EG, if Europe doesn't remunerate, then what? If the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return."Shocking recklessnessGoldberg was mostly convinced that the text chain was real before the detailed war plans were sent. "After reading this chain, I recognized that this conversation possessed a high degree of verisimilitude," Goldberg wrote. "The texts, in their word choice and arguments, sounded as if they were written by the people who purportedly sent them, or by a particularly adept AI text generator. I was still concerned that this could be a disinformation operation, or a simulation of some sort. And I remained mystified that no one in the group seemed to have noticed my presence. But if it was a hoax, the quality of mimicry and the level of foreign-policy insight were impressive."Goldberg declined to directly quote from the Hesgeth message containing war plans. "The information contained in them, if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East, Central Command's area of responsibility," Goldberg wrote. "What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing."The Vance account responded, "I will say a prayer for victory," and two other users posted prayer emoji, according to Goldberg. Shortly after the bombings, Waltz posted in the Signal chat that the operation was a success, and several members of the group responded positively."The Signal chat group, I concluded, was almost certainly real," Goldberg wrote. He removed himself from the group and contacted administration officials about the information leak.NSC reviewing how inadvertent number was addedArs contacted the White House today, and we quickly received a response containing two statements about the Goldberg incident. The statements are the same as those included in The Atlantic article."This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain," said a statement attributed to a National Security Council spokesperson. "The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security."The other statement came from a spokesperson for Vance. "The Vice President's first priority is always making sure that the President's advisers are adequately briefing him on the substance of their internal deliberations," the statement said. "Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administration's foreign policy. The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement."According to Goldberg, The Atlantic spoke with several former US officials who said they used Signal to share unclassified information, but "they knew never to share classified or sensitive information on the app, because their phones could have been hacked by a foreign intelligence service.""I have never seen a breach quite like this," Goldberg wrote. "It is not uncommon for national-security officials to communicate on Signal. But the app is used primarily for meeting planning and other logistical mattersnot for detailed and highly confidential discussions of a pending military action. And, of course, I've never heard of an instance in which a journalist has been invited to such a discussion."Jon BrodkinSenior IT ReporterJon BrodkinSenior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 78 Comments

Business Insider's senior defense reporter Jake Epstein met up with an air defense unit on the outskirts of Kyiv to see how it defends against Russian drones.Read the original article on Business Insider