Find the links between the words to win today's game of Connections.gettyLooking for Saturdays NYT Connections hints and answers instead? You can find them here:Hey, everyone! I hope youre having a great weekend so far.In a recent edition of the column, I recommended Hi Ren by an artist named Ren. Its an incredible performance piece in which the artist confronts his inner voice, his health and his self-doubt with a resounding, inspiring message of hope and purposeful optimism.Im late to the party with Ren. Ive been devouring his other work lately and devouring many, many Hi Ren reaction videos. To be honest, reaction videos arent something I typically spend a lot of time watching, but I couldnt help myself. The original work is so astonishing and captivating, and its remarkable to see it having an immediate emotional impact on those experiencing it for the first time.Art is good. Art is vital. And as many of those reacting to Hi Ren will attest, no matter how advanced A.I. might get, it will never get anywhere close to the authenticity of a human being eloquently pouring their heart out to the world.Before we begin, Ive set up a discussion group for NYT Connections and this column on Discord. We have a great little community over there and we chat about more than NYT games. Everyone who has joined has been lovely. Its a fun hangout spot.Its also the best way to give me any feedback about the column, especially on the rare(!) occasions that I mess something up since I dont look at the comments or Twitter much.Todays NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 9, are coming right up.How To Play ConnectionsConnections is a free, popular New York Times daily word game. You get a new puzzle at midnight every day. You can play on the Youre presented with a grid of 16 words. Your task is to arrange them into four groups of four by figuring out the links between them. The groups could be things like items you can click, names for research study participants or words preceded by a body part.Theres only one solution for each puzzle, and youll need to be careful when it comes to words that might fit into more than one category. You can shuffle the words to perhaps help you see links between them.Each group is color coded. The yellow group is usually the easiest to figure out, blue and green fall in the middle, and the purple group is usually the most difficult one. The purple group often involves wordplay.Select four words you think go together and press Submit. If you make a guess and youre incorrect, youll lose a life. If youre close to having a correct group, you might see a message telling you that youre one word away from getting it right, but youll still need to figure out which one to swap.If you make four mistakes, its game over. Lets make sure that doesnt happen with the help of some hints, and, if youre really struggling, todays Connections answers. As with Wordle and other similar games, its easy to share results with your friends on social media and group chats.If you have an NYT All Access or Games subscription, you can access the publications Connections archive. This includes every previous game of Connections, so you can go back and play any of those that you have missed.Aside from the first 60 games or so, you should be able to find my hints for each grid via Google if you need them! Just click here and add the date of the game for which you need clues or the answers to the search query.What Are Todays Connections Hints?Scroll slowly! Just after the hints for each of todays Connections groups, Ill reveal what the groups are without immediately telling you which words go into them.Todays 16 words are...SOLIDMETALMICKEYMOUSECONCRETEPHYSICALSTONETABLETABRACADABRAMICROPHONEFAVORKINDNESSBRICKSERVICECENTERFOLDSCANNERAnd the hints for todays Connections groups are:Yellow group ways to interact with a PC or laptopGreen group construction gearBlue group you probably aren't a jerk if you do these oftenPurple group "maneater" and "truly" would belong hereWhat Are Todays Connections Groups?Need some extra help?Be warned: were starting to get into spoiler territory.Todays Connections groups are...Yellow group computer input devicesGreen group building materialsBlue group helpful deedPurple group #1 songs from 1982What Are Todays Connections Answers?Spoiler alert! Dont scroll any further down the page until youre ready to find out todays Connections answers.This is your final warning!Todays Connections answers are...Yellow group computer input devices (MICROPHONE, MOUSE, SCANNER, TABLET)Green group building materials (BRICK, CONCRETE, METAL, STONE)Blue group helpful deed (FAVOR, KINDNESS, SERVICE, SOLID)Purple group #1 songs from 1982 (ABRACADABRA, CENTERFOLD, MICKEY, PHYSICAL)No perfect game this time around, but I extended my streak to 12 wins. Here's how I fared: That was a close call! The first thing I saw here was a group that included CONCRETE, STONE, TABLET and BRICK. I went with that guess and was one away from an actual group. I completely overlooked METAL. D'oh!I dropped that for a moment to look elsewhere, and the blues jumped out at me. To "do someone a SOLID" is to help them out with something.After the blues, I went back to my initial guess, swapping out TABLET for METAL to get the greens.I was a little stumped at this point even though ABRACADABRA was almost certainly a purple. Perhaps it would go with MICKEY and MOUSE for a group of Fantasia-related words, but I've never seen the movie so didn't know what else would fit. A guess of those with MICROPHONE was still useful, as it told me two of those words were yellow and two were purple.I then realized how foolish Id been and that there was a group of computer components. TABLET here likely means a drawing tablet rather than, say, an iPad. But then, another mistake! I accidentally included PHYSICAL instead of MOUSE when trying to complete the yellows. Ugh. Thankfully, I still had one more life left.The yellows, then the purple group wrapped things up. I was a little mad about not getting the purples, because the first thing that popped into my head when I saw PHYSICAL was the Olivia Newton-John song. The other three songs are:"ABRACADABRA" by the Steve Miller Band"CENTERFOLD" by the J. Geils Band"MICKEY" by Toni BasilThats all there is to it for todays Connections clues and answers. Be sure to check my blog tomorrow for hints and the solution for Mondays game if you need them.P.S. Although I like all of the four songs mentioned in the purple group, lets go with Physical. Its catchy as heck and holds up pretty dang well 43 years on:Have a great day! Stay hydrated! Call someone you love!If youre so inclined, please follow my blog for more coverage of NYT Connections and other word games and even some video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky! Its fun there.

Bottom line: Broadcom's acquisition of VMware has yielded impressive financial results, according to the company's recent quarterly earnings report. For the quarter ending February 2, Broadcom reported revenue of $14.92 billion, marking a significant 25% year-over-year increase. Net income surged to $5.5 billion, a remarkable 315% rise compared to the same period last year. A key driver of this growth is the integration of VMware into Broadcom's infrastructure software business unit, which posted revenue of $6.7 billion in Q1 2025 up from $4.55 billion in the same quarter last year.Although Broadcom no longer reports VMware's revenue separately, the substantial increase suggests VMware's contributions have been considerable. Before the acquisition, Broadcom's software sales experienced only modest growth, with increases of 3% in FY 2023 and 4% in FY 2022.To better understand the impact of VMware, it helps to examine Broadcom's software revenue before the acquisition. In Q4 2023, Broadcom recorded $1.97 billion in software revenue, bringing its full-year total for FY 2023 to $7.6 billion. VMware, in its last quarter as an independent company, reported $3.4 billion in revenue. Given these figures, Broadcom has successfully increased VMware's quarterly revenue by approximately $1 billion in just over a year.Graph by App Economy InsightsThis sharp revenue growth is largely attributed to Broadcom's strategy of bundling VMware products into higher-priced subscription packages rather than selling them as standalone licenses. // Related StoriesThe largest of these bundles is VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), which includes a full stack of VMware technologies. During Broadcom's earnings call, CEO Hock Tan revealed that by the end of Q1, approximately 70% of the company's top 10,000 customers had adopted VCF. The shift to VCF, combined with higher costs for existing customers, likely accounts for the substantial revenue increase.Additionally, some of the rise in net income can be attributed to cost-cutting measures at VMware. In its final standalone quarter, VMware reported an operating margin of 16%. In contrast, Broadcom's software business delivered a 76% operating margin in Q1 2025, up from 59% a year ago.Despite the apparent financial success of the acquisition, Broadcom's handling of VMware has sparked widespread customer dissatisfaction.Reports indicate that some customers have faced price hikes ranging from three to six times their previous costs, with the most extreme case being a reported twentyfold increase. As a result, many are now at a crossroads, debating whether to remain with VMware or seek alternative solutions.While Broadcom's financial results suggest its strategy has effectively driven revenue growth, the long-term implications remain uncertain, as concerns persist about potential customer migrations away from VMware.

DisneyTable of ContentsTable of Contents10. Veep (2012-2019)9. Modern Family (2009-2020)8. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)7. Seinfeld (1989-1998)6. Cheers (1982-1993)5. 30 Rock (2006-2013)4. South Park (1997-)3. Friends (1994-2004)2. The Simpsons (1989-)1. The Office (US) (2005-2013)When it comes to fan-favorite television, few things are as universally beloved as comedy shows that can make viewers laugh out loud with each new creative episode. The best among these go beyond simple gags and punchlines, cementing themselves as legends of the genre known for delivering iconic characters and gut-busting stories that are endlessly referenced by fans and critics alike. Whether audiences are looking for quirky workplaces, animated satire, or good ol sitcoms, theres a classic in the genre for everyone.From the comedic goldmine in The Office to the controversial, long-running series, South Park, theres a surprising variety to be found among the greatest comedy TV shows ever made. Something they all have in common, however, is that they have carved their place in TV history by promising witty humor, funny characters, and, in some cases, sharp commentary.Recommended VideosHBOJulia Louis-Dreyfus stars as the fictional Vice President of the United States, Selina Meyer, in the hilarious political satire, Veep. Created by Armando Iannucci, the show is centered on her experiences as a self-serving and deeply incompetent politician with a surprising amount of ambition. Veep exposes the dysfunctional world of Washington, D.C., through the powerless vice presidents eyes, especially as she finds herself in increasingly absurd situations.RelatedBeyond a typical feel-good comedy, Veep soars thanks to Louis-Dreyfus outstanding performance as Selina, which would earn her six Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The series is known for its brutal honesty about modern politics, delivered through quick-fire dialogue and smart arcs. Even years after its finale, Veep continues to reflect the chaotic world of politics today, making it the perfect comedy series to revisit when things are getting too real.ABCModern Family is a mockumentary-style sitcom that revolves around the lives of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, made up of three interconnected families: Jay Pritchett (Ed ONeill), his younger wife Gloria (Sofa Vergara), and her son Manny (Rico Rodriguez); Jays daughter Claire (Julie Bowen), her husband Phil (Ty Burrell), and their three children Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter), and Luke (Nolan Gould); and finally, Jays son Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), his partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), and their adopted daughter Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons). The series follows their daily misadventures and often humorous bonding moments while imparting some lessons about life and relationships.Created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, Modern Family quickly gained a loyal following for its clever use of the mockumentary format, which allowed characters personalities and quirks to shine through confessional-style interviews. Over time, it became impossible not to fall in love with the family members endearing dynamics, which often included clashes thanks to contrasting personalities. With its relatable characters and consistently funny stories, Modern Family is now remembered as a rewatchable ode to family life, including all the messy and complicated parts.NBCCreated by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, Parks and Recreation(also known as Parks and Rec) is a political satire mockumentary set in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Here, the Deputy Director of the Parks Department, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), dreams of making the small town a better place despite all the bureaucratic obstacles that keep getting thrown her way. It doesnt help that she has apathetic colleagues and an endless barrage of oddball citizens to manage.Parks and Rec may have initially received criticism for its obvious similarity to the workplace sitcom The Office, but thematic and tonal changes after its first season helped it carve its own identity. It would later thrive, thanks to its cast of eccentric characters masterfully played by actors like Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, and more. These characters would be the source of the series unique humor, which would sometimes even result in heartwarming episodes (but mostly quotable ones).NBC / NBCOften described as a show about nothing, Seinfeld is a groundbreaking sitcom that follows comedian Jerry Seinfeld (playing a fictionalized version of himself) and his trio of friends George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) as they go about their daily lives in New York City. The series sees them experiencing and reacting to relatable and mundane things, such as returning a library book or waiting for a table at a restaurant.Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, the show focused on the minutiae that everyone is familiar with and avoided the typical insightful lessons and heartfelt endings. Instead, Seinfelds very best episodesusually feature the main characters not really learning from their mistakes. This resistance to sentimentality has inspired several other shows that adopt a similar dry, observational style, often with shamelessly selfish characters who remain unapologetic throughout the series.NBCCheers is one of the best sitcomsand a true classic that helped shape the genre. Created by James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles, its set in the titular cozy Boston bar and focuses on the lives of its staff members and loyal customers. It often follows the bartender, Sam Malone (Ted Danson), a charming ex-baseball player who now owns and runs the establishment. Hes supported by a likable ensemble cast, including lovable regulars like Norm Peterson (George Wendt) and Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger).Cheers is built on formulaic yet effective character-driven comedy, with the clear example being Sam and barmaid Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) will-they-or-wont-they dynamic. The relationships and arcs within the limited setting evolve tremendously throughout the shows 11 seasons, ensuring that each character is distinct and fully realized by the time fans tune into its massively popular series finale. While some aspects havent aged well, anyone revisiting Cheers is still likely to be drawn in by its familiar warmth and impressive wit.NBCCreated by and starring Tina Fey, 30 Rock is a zany, satirical sitcom loosely based on the actors experiences backstage at Saturday Night Live. It follows the head writer of the fictional sketch show TGS with Tracy Jordan, Liz Lemon (Fey), as she balances keeping upper management happy while managing her star-studded but difficult cast. Key players include the unpredictable network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), the stereotypical diva Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), and the often unreasonable Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan).30 Rocks brilliant writing is an obvious jab and meta-commentary on the entertainment industry, with each new episode revealing the wild antics behind live television shows. It takes jabs at NBCs corporate culture (where both SNL and 30 Rock aired) and celebrity ego when the camera isnt rolling (or even when it is). At the same time, its very clearly a love letter to the industry it critiques, with that contradiction helping ensure that it never takes itself too seriously.Comedy CentralSouth Park is a notoriously controversial animated series for adults that has been airing for nearly three decades. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the show is set in the titular town where four mischievous boysStan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormickget into trouble and encounter interesting situations that go beyond typical antics at school. Fans know well enough not to be fooled by its crude animation style, as South Park has delivered some of the most scathing social commentary about several topics.Whether its politics, religion, or pop culture, the series is known for taking current events and turning them into comedic episodes at breakneck speed. Parker and Stonewho write, direct, and voice many of the charactersoften produce episodes within a week, allowing the show to address topical events in near real-time. South Park is undoubtedly polarizing, especially when it tackles divisive topics like political correctness and modern politics, but its this fearless approach to comedy that has made it a legendary long-running series that isnt likely to end anytime soon.NBCEven those who have never seen a single episode of Friends have likely heard of it, with the sitcom being a generation- and genre-defining comedy series that remains a cultural phenomenon today. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, the series follows six friends Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc), and Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) as they go about their daily lives in New York City.Though some parts of Friends are dated, theres no denying the comforting shows universal appeal. It took the world by storm for the casts chemistry, with fans hooked on their dating mishaps, career progressions, and other well-developed arcs. Tasks like getting a couch up the stairs (Pivot!) become instantly unforgettable thanks to the actors comedic delivery, with more serious storylines providing a good mix of humor and heart. Friends continues to entertainnew generations through streaming and reruns, with its core cast becoming synonymous with their iconic roles.20th Television / 20th TelevisionA cultural institution, a genre-defining satire, and the longest-running American sitcom, The Simpsons is a comedic staple anywhere in the world. Created by Matt Groening, the series mostly takes place in the fictional town of Springfield, where the Simpson family deals with the highs and lows of life. While it largely focuses on the family members Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie its hundreds of episodes have helped it explore numerous other quirky residents and introduce funny visitors over the years.At its core, The Simpsons is a lampooning of American family life and values, but it also squeezes in some smart satire aimed at pop culture and politics. No institution, celebrity, or cultural trend is off-limits, and while its later seasons have seen a decline in quality, its sharp and insightful humor has allowed the series to stay relevant across decades. From catchphrases like Doh! to predictions that often seem eerily accurate, The Simpsons is always finding itself as the topic of discussion one way or another, which isnt likely to change anytime soon.NBC / NBCThe Office (US) is the peak of workplace sitcoms, with the adaptation of the UK series quickly exceeding the original and becoming one of the most popular and influential comedies of all time. Developed by Greg Daniels, it depicts both the mundane and bizarre experiences of the employees of Dunder Mifflin, a small paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Led by the hilariously inept and often cringe-worthy regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell), the series captures awkward interactions and countless gut-busting moments between coworkers.Most episodes of The Office are immediately recognizable due to its documentary-style scenes where characters often break the fourth wall by addressing the camera directly. It also has a colorful cast of characters that fans adore, including the very intense Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), the initially shy Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), and the often sarcastic Jim Halpert (John Krasinski). The series characters are the secret to its massive success. Whether laughing at a stapler in Jell-O or rooting for Jim and Pams love story, the casts talents and fantastic chemistry guarantee laugh-out-loud laughter with each story, big or small.Editors Recommendations

The Retroid Pocket Mini was a highly-anticipated device, but recently, problems with the screens have left many fans unhappy with its performance and in some cases, unable to play the games they want at all. In response, Retroid is offering an extended return window from March 8 until March 14, but there is one large caveat: Only 200 overseas customers can utilize this option. After that, no returns will be accepted.Retroid shared the news today via its Discord. Many users have encountered incompatibility with certain filters that disrupts scanlines and results in a less-than-pleasant viewing experience. A more technical explanation is that it outputs at a lower resolution than the advertised 960p and stretches it to fit.Recommended VideosMany users dont notice (or dont mind) this, but those seeking a true-to-original retro experience have raised complaints. It seems that users who dont use CRT or gridline filters wont experience too much of a problem, but anyone trying to use filters to capture a specific look will not get the results theyre after.Image used with permission by copyright holderRetroid asks users that only those genuinely affected by screen-related issues utilize this return option, citing the expense of the returns. In return, Retroid will give all Retroid Pocket Mini users a $10 stackable coupon that can be used for the upcoming Retroid Flip2 and Retroid Classic.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe announcement was met with quite a bit of controversy, with many fans expressing anger the company shipped a product with faulty screen hardware, while others say the $10 compensation is an insult to long-time customers.Retroid is a well-known manufacturer of handheld gaming consoles, the majority of which are targeted toward retro games.Editors Recommendations

2025-03-08T18:32:42Z Read in app Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? China announced on Saturday that it will impose additional tariffs on Canada from March 20.The tariffs will hit Canadian agricultural and food products, China's Ministry of Finance said.Beijing cited "discriminatory" Canadian levies on Chinese EVs as part of the reason behind the decision.China has announced that it will impose retaliatory tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural and food products from March 20, deepening concerns over a brewing global trade war.In a statement on Saturday, China's Ministry of Finance said a 100% tariff would be imposed on rapeseed oil, rapeseed meal, and pea imports from Canada, as well as a 25% tariff on some seafood products and pork.The ministry said the decision was made in response to Canada's "discriminatory" 100% levy on Chinese electric vehicles and 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, which came into force last year.America's neighbor to the north is a major global producer of rapeseed, also known as canola, and China is its second-largest market, according to the Canola Council Of Canada. Canadian exports of canola seed, oil, and meal to China were valued at C$5 billion (around $3.5 billion) in 2023, per the Canola Council.Beijing's announcement means Canada is now facing a trade battle on two fronts as pressure on its economy continues to grow.Josh Lipsky, the senior director of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, told Business Insider that the timing of China's tariffs announcement was particularly noteworthy. The move came just a day before Canada's governing Liberal Party is set to announce a new leader after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in January that he would resign."China's needed to get the retaliation done," Lipsky said."I think it's China trying to reset with Canada ahead of what's going to be a much broader trade conflict with the US," he continued, adding that Beijing likely wanted to "clear the decks" before a new Canadian leader was in place.The announcement may also have been designed to serve as a warning to Canada not to align itself too closely with the US on trade policy.The New York Times reported that China Central Television had released a commentary that called the tariffs "a powerful countermeasure to Canada's wrong choice, and a strong warning to some countries that intend to impose additional tariffs on China in exchange for the United States not to impose additional tariffs on them."Paul Smetanin, president of the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis, told BI that China's move was not surprising but that it underscored the "delicate environment in which Canada must manage its global economic interests.""Moving forward, the government's priority must be to develop a nimble trade strategy capable of mitigating the risks posed by an increasingly unpredictable international marketplace," he said.The news will nevertheless add to increasing uncertainty across North America over President Donald Trump's tariff threats.The Trump administration this week announced a monthlong delay to some 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amid mounting fears over the economic implications of a wider trade war. It also increased a 10% tariff on all imports from China to 20%, sparking swift retaliation from Beijing.

2025-03-08T17:08:01Z Read in app Everyone told me long-distance relationships don't work. My husband and I proved them wrong. Courtesy of Maria Polansky This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? I've only heard bad things about long distance relationships. That they're hard and not worth it.Goodbye drinks with a coworker led to an epic first date and we decided to take a chance on love.We made our long-distance relationship work and now we're married. I'm glad I listened to my heart.For most of my life, I had only heard bad things about long-distance relationships. Phrases like "they never work" or "they're not worth it" come to mind. Still, the negative connotations didn't stop me when I met my now-husband. Our connection was simply too strong, and I knew I'd regret it if I didn't go for it.I'd never met anyone I had so much in common with, from music and movie tastes to big-picture values. So when he told me he had to move back to the UK because his Canadian working holiday visa was about to expire, I took a risk.It was July 2018, and we turned into fast friends after becoming co-workers a few months prior. We went out for what was supposed to be a casual goodbye drink, but the night ended up lasting 14 hours as we chatted, laughed, sang, and hopped from venue to venue. By the end, we confessed that we both had feelings for each other. We knew things would be complicated with his flight only a few days away, but there was something there. By the time he landed in the UK, we had both texted that we wanted to take our chances on a romantic relationship.Long-distance didn't last longWe were long-distance for 10 months, seeing each other only twice before I moved to the UK in May 2019. The distance was challenging, but it encouraged us to get creative to maintain our connection. We'd spend every moment we could messaging each other or coming up with romantic challenges, such as creating personalized playlists and sending snail mail. What I think helped most was us setting ongoing goals for our relationship. At first this was planning visits, then it was deciding on a permanent move. As a couple, we always had something to look forward to. As much as I missed him in the months we weren't physically together, I never felt that our connection was waning. The excitement and anticipation made me feel like a kid waiting for Christmas a definite positive aspect of long-distance relationships.Building a lasting loveNow we've been together physically for six years, and though a lot of things have changed we got married in 2021 and moved back to Canada in 2023 one thing has remained consistent: our love for each other.I grew up believing the old adage about love and relationships being hard, but my marriage has disproved that a million times over. From our initial conversations to our regular days together now, our relationship has always felt easy. The challenges we've had to face were difficult (aside from distance and immigration, we also weathered the pandemic together and dealt with illness and loss within our families), but our mutual love, respect, and support have made facing them easier. And despite the big sacrifices we've had to make for each other, like moving across the ocean, I've learned that the small things are just as important. Performing little acts of service, like making each other our favorite drinks throughout the day, or simply giving each other space to do our own thing. What started out as a whirlwind has transformed into a peaceful state, and it completely changed my perspective on love.I've learned that with the right person, obstacles aren't something to be afraid of they're something that you face together and eventually come out stronger on the other end.

TechThe ultimate working-from-home buying guide to level up your setupWant to get more done while working from home, or just want to freshen up your setup? We've got a whole host of tech tips to help you power through your busiest workdaysdailystarBookmarkShareTechByLloyd CoombesGaming Editor17:00, 8 MAR 2025BookmarkGet more done with these products (Image: Getty Images)Working from home is more common than ever, adding a degree of flexibility since the pandemic that simply wasnt there before. While working from your home office or kitchen table wont be for everyone, theres definitely a sense of freedom to make your workspace your own. Ive been working from home for more than five years now, and while its nice to head into the office or a coffee shop for a change of pace every now and again, its never a bad idea to spend some time tweaking your setup. With that in mind, Ive put together a list of tools that can truly enhance your working-from-home experience, with some of them costing less than 50. You wont need to buy all of them, but it should give you some ideas for how you can level up your setup. Setting the tone The Twelve South Deskpad is a great way to make your desk feel more homely If youre anything like me, theres a good chance your desk is your sanctuary of sorts. But what about getting the right desk? Research has shown that switching to a standing desk and getting up every so often can help improve creativity, and thats certainly the case for me. Ive had a Flexispot E7 for years at this point, and while its well-built, it wont break the bank. It has strong motors to move up and down, as well as a super helpful charging port tucked into the control panel. It looks great without one, but Id recommend a desk mat, too. Using one not only keeps you from damaging the wood, but also allows you to add a splash of colour. The Twelve South Deskpad is ideal, made of vegan leather and which keeps your wrists from leaning on the hard wood. I'm sitting on a Secretlab Titan EVO as I write this feature Finally, when your desk is down, youll need somewhere to sit. There are hundreds of options, but Ive gravitated toward the Secretlab Titan EVO. Its comfortable, and customisable, with dozens of designs to choose from and optional add-ons like a recliner attachment and skins that change the look and feel. It wont be to everyones budget, but think of it as investing in your comfort. For the screen It's pricey, but this LG monitor is ideal for playing games after work Ill level with you I recently switched to an OLED monitor and will find it hard to go back. Its not imperative of course, and there are options to suit any budget, but Ive been particularly pleased with LGs Ultragear Curved OLED Gaming Monitor 34GS95QE which I purchased on sale . It has plenty of ports and doubles as a fantastic gaming monitor for when the working day is done. The BenQ beCreatus 13-in-1 USB C Hybrid Dock is a premium solution It also pairs very nicely with the BenQ beCreatus 13-in-1 dock. Its the Rolls Royce of docking stations, letting you hook up multiple devices to a single output that you can switch between with the satisfying click of that big green button. If youre working from home but fancy playing video games at lunchtime, itll let you enjoy 4K resolutions at 120Hz from your computer and your games console alike. Theres also plenty of ports on the back and front. You'll be surprised at how useful a light bar is Finally, after those premium options, this one is delightfully affordable. Light bars are nothing new, and I admit I may need to switch to a curved one with this monitor, but if your office space is as dark as mine is, this Quntis Light Bar is well worth a look. It not only lights up your desk space but has subtle backlighting, too, making your whole area feel brighter. The company offers cheaper alternatives, too, which lack the backlights but still offer plenty of illumination. Neat tools Attach your iPad pretty much anywhere with this flexible stand If youre on a Mac and also own an iPad, you might not know that you can use it as an extended display. Thats great, but youll likely want somewhere to put it. Twelve Souths HoverBar Duo is an ideal solution, but its not cheap. Still, you can use it attached to a shelf or desk and hold your iPad wherever its needed, even folding it right down to write on it with the Apple Pencil. The Logitech MX Creative Console is perfect for anyone working in Adobe apps If you do any creative work, the Logitech MX Creative Console might be worth a look for you. One part Stream Deck, one part control dial, its an easy-to-use tool for navigating professional apps, while also offering plenty of customisable buttons for everything from controlling your music service of choice to adding emoji to your messages. For charging This QDOS Snapstand Charger is small but mighty Many of these snazzy devices need power, and while there are plenty of multi-device chargers around, Im particularly impressed by the QDOS Snapstand 3-in-1 charger. Not only can it charge two devices at once between AirPods, iPhone, and Apple Watch (it even fits my chunky Ultra model), but it folds down into a tiny puck which makes it perfect for travel. How smart do you want your charger to be? For anything else that needs juice, Ankers Prime range includes this powerful 250W charger which is very impressive. It can charge six devices at once, using AI to adjust power where its needed the most, but also has a dial so you can charge something more quickly. For locking in Are there better options? Probably, but I still love the AirPods Max Ive tested a whole host of noise-cancelling headphones for work, but I always come back to the AirPods Max. Theyre heavy and expensive, yes, but I feel like they offer a great balance between audio quality and battery life, and Ill often reach for them when theres serious work to be done. The latest versions thankfully jettison the Lightning Port to shift to USB-C, too, which is a relief. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.More On

A little over a month ago, I spotted an email in my inbox proposing I let a stranger scan my feet. It was from a startup named Groov. The companys iPhone-exclusive app uses the phones FaceID camera and its TrueDepth sensor to map the contours of your feet. The company then ships you a pair of form-fitted insoles meant to offer more arch support and make your favorite shoes a whole lot more comfortable. Of course, I had to say yes. Groov founder Dan Cataldi came to the Gizmodo office to show us his free-to-use app and his companys insoles. He was adamant that people shouldnt have to see a clinician just for the sake of shoes that dont hurt, which Ill say is a fair notion. He said he has dealt with flat feet since the end of his high school wrestling career, and the app was designed for those who need serious arch support but wont get it from most insoles you can buy over the counter. Theyre also more expensive than anything you get at a local Walgreens, costing around $150 for two inserts, though it comes with a promise of one-week shipping. Beyond saving people a potentially expensive trip to the pedorthist, Cataldi said the app is supposed be faster and easier than other custom insole solutions. Some insole makers require you to step on a pad or other device to get an imprint of your foot, which you then send to the manufacturer for them to design your shoe insert. The arch naturally compacts when it steps on a surface, Cataldi said, which means if you want a better measurement of your foots shape, you need to take it with your foot in the air. There have been past attempts at app-based custom insoles, like those made by Dr. Scholls, though what helps set Groov apartother than the use of the iPhones depth camerais a custom machine learning algorithm. Cataldi said the AI model is trained on hundreds of feet. The app takes this data to help it conform the insole to the dimensions of each individuals foot and shoe. The Groov app creates a 3D model of each foot. The company promises that users data is anonymized and that their feet arent being used as the latest sideshow attraction on wikiFeet. I have an odd relationship with shoes, a consequence of a youth spent barefoot in my backyard. My feet tend a little wide, which either results in painfully narrow sneakers likely to cause blisters, or else I buy shoes so large my toes rarely reach the point of the shoe. My most recent shoe adventure involved a new pair of leather boots that caused so much pain I ran out to buy a cheap pair of gel inserts for my heels.The Groov app is only available on iPhone, though Cataldi said the company is trying to work out a version for Android (which itself is hard, as various phones may or may not support a depth sensor). Once you sign in, you need to provide your sex, shoe size, and whether you normally opt for a narrow or wide shoe. You can also provide it with a few details about whether you experience pain in any specific part of your foot. How Does It Feel to Actually Wear the Groov Insoles? Kyle Barr / Gizmodo To scan your foot, youll probably want a friend or close confidant whos willing to get extra close to your hoofs. You dont just scan the soles of your feet, but the sides and tops as well. The main scan has you put the phone on the ground and hold your foot above the selfie camera to get a good picture. The other scans require less balance, though if youre alone you may need to rely on your past Twister practice to lean far enough away to get the sides of your feet in frame.Users have the option of getting a default Plush or other elastic model called Response. The Luxe insole is made for shoes that dont have removable linings. They also come with a faux-leather veneer to make it less visible. For review, Groov sent me two pairs, one the regular Plush model and the other Luxe, for use in those once-painful leather boots. Those boots were already broken in, but I still used the old gel inserts when walking around the city. It took a little more than a week for Groov to ship my insoles to my office. I stuck the Plush insoles in shoes I used for walking around the city and for the gym, and immediately I could feel the difference. The extra arch support was not something I was at all used to, even with other insoles. They were also very form-fitted, especially for the sake of my gym shoes. I do fencing twice a week, and at first I wondered if the memory foam layer would start to deplete with all the stepping and stomping I get up to, but it held together and left me with no bother in my feet even after hours of workout. Kyle Barr / Gizmodo I wore them for several weeks, which was enough time to see the Groov logo wear down on the rightmost insole. The Luxe insoles in my boots are much more rigid, enough that the arch punches right into my foot. This helped when walking but was occasionally uncomfortable when merely standing. I still vastly prefer them to the gel inserts previously protecting my heel. Ive never been as aware of my arches as I was when wearing Groovs insoles.The other aspect is the cost, and this is where many potential customers may get cold feet. The base Groov insoles run for close to $150, though Cataldi said they are planning to make that pricing more transparent on the app and website as well as provide future bundles and deals. I have tried another pair of $50, shoe-agnostic insoles from Superfeet, and while they were meant specifically for workouts and hiking, I didnt feel nearly as much arch support as Groov offered. I cant tell you that other insoles brands dont offer similar amounts of arch support, but the handy thing about Groov is how customized it is for the shoes you already own. The Groov insoles arent as flashy as, perhaps, a pair of movement-powered insoles that warm or cool your feet. But in the end, its the feel that matters. If you deal with regular foot pain, these custom inserts may be worth the splurge.

By AJ Dellinger Published March 8, 2025 | Comments (0) | Elon Musk wears a shirt that says "Tech Support" as he speaks during a cabinet meeting JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency are attempting to enact what some experts have called the largest job cut in American historybut dont worry, these geniuses have a solution to pick up the significant amount of slack caused by letting go of tens of thousands of domain experts and civil servants all at once: a chatbot. According to Wired, DOGE has given about 1,500 employees at the US General Services Administration, the agency that manages federal real estate and oversees most government contracts, access to a proprietary chatbot called GSAi. Thats right, the agency that has already lost hundreds of employees to termination or resignation, including basically everyone working at its extremely efficient tech hub known as 18F, is getting ChatGPT in a suit that matches federal dress code to make up for all that lost labor. GSAi, which has apparently got rushed out the door by DOGE with the intention of deploying it across the entire agency, is supposed to support staff with general tasks. In an internal memo obtained by Wired, GSA employees were told that when it comes to what they can use GSAi for, the options are endless. It then offered a list of tasks that, frankly, ended very quickly: You can: draft emails, create talking points, summarize text, write code. Employees were also given a pretty major caveat about how they can use GSAi: no nonpublic information or controlled unclassified informationinformation that is sensitive but not classifiedcan be shared with it. Thats an understandable but pretty limiting disclaimer, especially if an employee wants to use the chatbot to, say, summarize meeting notes or help structure some data. Fittingly, a GSA employee told Wired the chatbot is about as good as an intern, and it produces Generic and guessable answers. Its noteworthy that GSAi was in development before Musk and company showed up. In fact, GSA had been working with a number of agencies to develop chatbot-like interfaces, per Wired. The Department of Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services were both in talks to deploy chatbots both internally and for outward-facing platforms, and the Department of Education was also working with GSA on a chatbot project designed for support purposes within the agency.Those chatbots had not been deployed, on account of being janky per one employee. So of course, DOGE just went ahead and rolled that thing out to people. Also, it seemed like the intention of those projects were to build a tool that could help facilitate employee work, not replace thousands of staff who were abruptly cut. In the case of GSA, its likely that at least some of the people let go are the very ones who were building the GSAi tool that is now being deployed in their wake. Something tells me their skills are more useful than the chatbot that can draft an email.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By AJ Dellinger Published March 8, 2025 By AJ Dellinger Published March 7, 2025 By Thomas Maxwell Published March 7, 2025 By Lucas Ropek Published March 7, 2025 By Thomas Maxwell Published March 6, 2025 By Lucas Ropek Published March 6, 2025

A young Josephine Cochrane and an iteration on her dishwasher patent issued in 1917.Images: US Patent and Trademark Office ShareFor six months in 1893, Chicago was abuzz. More than 27 million people flocked to the fast-growing metropolis for the event of the century: the Worlds Columbian Exposition, aka the Worlds Fair. Perhaps the fairs most pioneering display was found in Machinery Hall, showcasing American inventions like the cotton gin, phonograph, and telegraph. But a more recent innovation was causing an even bigger stir: the Garis-Cochran Dishwashing Machine, the only device in the massive hall invented by a woman. Over 200 dirty dishes could be loaded into the machines dish racks, which were then transferred inside a box surrounded by pulleys and gears. Two minutes later, the dishes would emerge sparkling clean. The contraption wasnt just a display piece either: The fairs many restaurants used it to clean tens of thousands of dishes each day.Machinery Hall, also called the Palace of Mechanics Arts, viewed from the Colonnade at the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, 1893.Image: Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Getty Images Museum of Science and Industry, ChicagoThe invention even received an award for best mechanical construction, durability, and adaptation to its line of work. It was a breakthrough moment for socialite-turned-inventor Josephine Garis Cochran, one that would revolutionize the trajectory of the now-ubiquitous kitchen appliance.Cochran, whose maiden name was Garis, was born on a chilly March day in 1839 Ashtabula County, Ohio. One could say inventing was in her blood: Her great-grandfather received one of the first patents for the steamboat, while her father was a civil engineer who operated several mills in Ohio and Indiana. She was from what appeared to be a prominent family, says engineer Lauren Busch, who co-authored Women in the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which includes a chapter on Cochran.After her mother died, Cochran moved in with an older sister in Illinois where she met William Cochran. William was something of a gregarious adventurer, who couldnt find himself for a while, says Busch. Before the pair met, William had worked in the California Gold Rush, where he tried mining, teaching, railway work, and even digging up potatoes. He finally found success back in Illinois, where he ran a dry goods business.In 1858, 19-year-old Josephine married William, who was nine years her senior. As the wife of a successful businessman, Josephine settled into a life of leisure. She took to spelling her married name Cochrane because she thought it sounded more European and sophisticated. That was a pretty radical thing because her husband didnt do that, says Busch. It showed that she definitely did have her own ideas and did have some sense of independence from her husband.The couple moved into a large house in Shelbyville, Illinois, where they had several servants, and often entertained their neighbors using Josephines heirloom 17th-century china. However, she was unhappy that the china kept getting broken when it was being washed [by the servants] so she decided she would wash it herself, says Busch, but then she was chipping it, too. She thought there had to be a way to automate the task, and vowed, If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, Ill do it myself.But not everything was as pleasant as it seemed for the Cochrans. Its hard to imagine that [the marriage] would have been a happy one, says Busch. William was a violent alcoholic with a temper, and they had a child die, which is hard on any marriage.Then, William suddenly died in 1883, and Josephine learned the familys financial situation was far from what she had thought: William had left her with only $1,500 and growing debts. With limited options, Cochran put all her effort into developing her dishwashing machine.She needed to find someone who could build a prototype from her drawings, and she eventually hired mechanic George Butters. They have a very successful working relationship because he does take her seriously, and he does know that hes there to implement her ideas, says Busch. Together, the pair work in Cochrans shed with Butters entering through the back. Cochran was very concerned that people would see him coming to her house over and over again and that it would hurt her reputation, says Busch.Cochrans U.S. patent no. 355,139 for a dish washing machine. Image: US Patent and Trademark Office Just a few days after Christmas in 1886, Cochran was issued US Patent 355,139 for her Dish Washing Machine. Though the machine wasnt the first of its kind, Cochrans appliance used water pressure, rather than scrubbers, to clean dishes a revolutionary idea modern dishwashers still utilize.Cochran had always hoped her machine would alleviate the burden of washing up that often fell to women. But the device was too cost-prohibitive for the domestic market. In a later interview, Cochran reflected, When it comes to buying something for the kitchen that costs $75 or $100, a woman begins at once to figure out all the other things she could do with the money. She hates dishwashing what woman does not? but she has not learned to think of her time and comfort as worth money. Besides, she isnt the deciding factor when it comes to spending comparatively large sums of money for the house.Instead, Cochran turned to hotels and restaurants, making her first sale in 1887 to the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. Cochran recalled just how intimidating it was to pitch her idea to male hoteliers: You cannot imagine what it was like in those daysfor a woman to cross a hotel lobby alone. I had never been anywhere without my husband or father the lobby seemed a mile wide. I thought I should faint at every step, but I didnt and I got an $800 order as my reward.View of the exterior of the Palmer House hotel at 17 E. Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois, late 1910s or early 1920s. Image: Chicago History Museum/Getty Images Chicago History MuseumShortly after founding the Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Company alongside several male backers, Cochran finally had her big break during the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. She got a lot of exposure at the fair, says Busch, which translated to more orders than ever before. In addition to restaurants and hotels, hospitals also started purchasing her dishwasher.Around 1898, Cochran finally succeeded in bringing the manufacturing of her dishwashers in-house, renaming the business the Crescent Washing Machine Company. After opening her own factory, she promoted Butters to foreman. From there the company continued to grow, selling dishwashers to buyers from Alaska to Mexico.On August 3, 1913, Cochran passed away at her Chicago home at the age of 74. Thirteen years later, Hobart Manufacturing Company acquired Cochrans Crescent Dishwashing Company, which started manufacturing KitchenAid dishwashers based on Cochrans original patent. Eventually, in 1986, Whirlpool Corporation acquired KitchenAid. Its surprising to realize theres this uninterrupted timeline between Cochrans early dishwasher and modern machines, says Busch.In an interview shortly before her death, Cochran reflected, If I knew all I know today when I began to put the dishwasher on the market, I never would have had the courage to start. But then, I would have missed a very wonderful experience.