Category: Technology

Day two of NYCC is over, and whereas we have gotten lots of large information from the world of TV and movie, we have additionally seen lots of superb cosplay on the present flooring thus far.

Check out some extra of our favorites from New York Comedian Con Saturday, from online game stars to highly effective mutants, from Jedi masters to anime heroes. Superman even flipped a automotive for good measure! And take a look at our take a look at day one cosplay right here.

New York Comedian Con 2025 Day 2 Cosplay Gallery

Keep tuned to io9 this weekend for extra information straight from NYCC!

Need extra information about io9? Take a look at when to count on the newest releases from Marvel, Star Wars and Star Trek, what’s subsequent within the DC Universe in movie and TV and every thing you should learn about the way forward for Physician Who.

Searching for the most recent Mini crossword reply? Click on right here for immediately’s mini crossword clue in addition to our every day solutions and hints for Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections puzzles from The New York Instances: Sports activities Version.

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Need assistance with immediately’s Mini Crossword? It helps should you play playing cards. When you want some solutions, preserve studying. And should you want steering for every day options, take a look at our Mini Crossword ideas.

When you’re on the lookout for immediately’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports activities Version, and Strands solutions, you possibly can go to CNET’s NYT Puzzles Cheat Web page.

Learn extra: Ideas and methods for fixing New York Instances mini crosswords

Let’s go to the Mini Crossword clues and solutions.

Mini by way of clues and solutions

1 One Clue: A 5-Throughout Can Be Wild
Reply: CARD

5 A Clue: Certainly one of Two in a Normal Deck
Reply: JOKER

6 A Clue: Homer Referred to as His Oil “Liquid Gold”
Reply: OLIVEIRA

7A clue: Symbolic flower in Buddhism
Reply: LOTUS

8 A Clue: Bunkers On A Golf Course
Reply: TRAPS

Mini clues and solutions

Clue 1D: Use crayons, for instance
Reply: COLOR

2D clue: Japanese canine breed
Reply: AKITA

3D Monitor: Actually energize
Reply: REVUP

Clue 4D: garments that may be strapless
Reply: DRESS

Clue 5D: Sudden Shock
Reply: JOLT

Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

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Final week, whereas my beloved Cubbies have been combating for his or her lives within the playoffs, I made a decision to see what the speeds have been like on the three greatest carriers within the US. As a result of my hometown of Chicago was one of many first take a look at websites for 5G, I maintained an curiosity in it all through my profession.

You see, when 5G was nonetheless in its infancy, we got two massive guarantees about 5G: pace and capability. By way of pace, the largest instance we acquired was “You possibly can obtain a complete film whereas sitting on the tarmac ready to take off! Nicely, considerations round 5G and airport safety rapidly quashed these goals.”

Additionally: One of the best 5G telephones in 2025: How does the iPhone 17 rank?

The opposite promise was capability. The promise was “you possibly can go to a present and nonetheless stream it to your pals at dwelling” and blah, blah. Thus far, in my expertise, this has not been the case. At any time when I am at an amusement park or a ball sport, my cellular phone makes an amazing digital camera, so long as I do not attempt to ship images to anybody. It has been some time since I’ve come throughout this example, so I wished to take my temperature nowadays.

When the Cubs superior to the Wild Card playoffs, I noticed a chance. Cubs video games are often effectively represented, however contemplating the final time they performed in entrance of a house crowd within the playoffs was in 2017, I wished to see how these networks dealt with me and 41,000 of my closest buddies. Three equivalent packaging Pros of the Pixel 10I went all the way down to have enjoyable within the outdated stadium – exterior as a result of it was inconceivable to get tickets.

The sport plan

Since site visitors round Wrigley Area (and wherever inside a three-mile radius) is harmful at greatest, I headed to Wrigley Area 10 miles away (hello, mother) on my Engwe LE 20 electrical bike — aspect be aware: I journey this bike greater than I journey my automobile in the course of the summer time months.

Additionally: Your iPhone Desires to Monitor Each Place You Go to – This is Methods to Cease It

Thankfully (or sadly), I began just a little late, so when the primary pitch arrived at 2:08, I discovered myself about 7.8 miles away. That was truly tremendous, as a result of I wished to get a baseline for the nets earlier than shifting into vary of the park.

As soon as I arrived on the park, I used to be stunned by the dearth of foot site visitors exterior the stadium. Granted, this was a day sport, so there was much less socializing exterior of the park. Except for foot site visitors, the largest obstacles I anticipated that would influence connectivity have been the stadium itself and all of the folks inside it attempting to reside stream or share movies of their views from the seats.

So, on the nook of Lawrence and Pulaski, I did my first exams.

Location 1: Lawrence and Pulaski

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
75.1 (Mbps)	356	126	837	81.6	371

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San Diego received off to a scorching begin with a Jackson Merrill sacrifice fly within the first inning to hit Fernando Tatis Jr. The Cubs could not retaliate towards Dylan Stop, so I used to be nonetheless 2.3 miles from Wrigley Area, on the nook of Lincoln and Wilson, when the second inning started.

Location 2: Lincoln and Wilson

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
42.2 (Mbps)	835	28.5	528	20.4	439

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By this time, Andrew Kittredge had left the sport, his position as “opener” ended, and Japanese pitcher Shota Iminaga entered as the sport’s starter. For the report, I do not like opening video games, however I am additionally not a Main League coach, so I haven’t got the correct to vote. Nothing occurred within the second inning, however early within the third inning, I arrived on the entrance gate of Wrigley Area for my first on-site tryouts, and holy Toledo!

Location 3: Entrance Gate

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
6.91 (Mbps)	35.5	63.4	2666	18	1299

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These aren’t misplaced decimals — they’re four-digit obtain speeds from Verizon and AT&T. I am going to spare you the remainder of the baseball recaps from right here on out, however from right here on out I’ve moved to the correct subject gate.

Location 4: Proper Area Gate

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon Above	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T Under
0 (Mbps)	0	31.7	70.3	9.29	8.55

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At that time, T-Cellular refused to carry out a pace take a look at and was unable to even connect with the server. This is not nice, however it might have an opportunity at redemption later within the sport. Nonetheless, you possibly can see that the group could also be beginning to take its toll. To the left subject gate!

Location 5: Left Area Gate

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
50.6 (Mbps)	8.43	14.7	46.2	48.5	93.5

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Fortunately. On the left subject gate there was a TV on in a bar that I might see from the place I used to be. Additionally, that is the place I ran my first obtain take a look at. Utilizing the identical three telephones, I downloaded the identical 2GB file from my private Google Drive. It was a 4K video file from a latest video venture I filmed. Listed below are the instances, formatted in minutes and seconds.

T-Cellular	Verizon	AT&T
3:55	4:34	1:15

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From right here I made a decision I wished extra of a baseline, so for the fifth entry I headed to the sting of the lake, which is only a mile from the park.

Additionally: My telephone had hassle getting a sign: These 5 fast fixes immediately improved your reception

Separated from the group, the nets behaved themselves as soon as once more, even when the Padres did not – they scored two extra runs.

Location 6: Lakeside

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
41.6 (Mbps)	479	28.5	476	48.8	89.7

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As soon as once more, I went again to the stadium to see what the group needed to say about these numbers. They did not agree. As I stood on the entrance to the stands, with the just about eerie tribute to Harry Carey, I took one other learn on the high of the sixth inning.

Location 7: Grandstands

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
0 (Mbps)	0	27.9	163	6.03	26.8

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As soon as once more, T-Cellular wasn’t collaborating, so I made a decision to move again to the correct subject entrance to see if it was only a Sheffield Avenue factor. It wasn’t.

Location 8: Sheffield Avenue

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
13.7 (Mbps)	88.9	17.6	196	0.45	4.81

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Herein lies our first thriller – effectively, the second thriller, truly. The primary thriller is how Eddie Vedder (sure, Pearl Jam Eddie Vedder) managed to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” two days in a row. The second thriller is how T-Cellular determined to not play on my first go to to this location, actually half-hour in the past, and is now beating each of its opponents.

Plus: Methods to clear your Android telephone’s cache (and why it makes such an enormous distinction)

Anyway, for my final take a look at, I went to Gallagher Manner, which is kind of an leisure venue for Cubs ticket holders exterior the park. Gallagher Manner can also be a well-liked spot for these with out tickets because of the large Jumbotron that broadcasts the video games. That is the place I stayed within the final Take a look at, which lasted two innings for a particular motive that I am going to get to in a second. Listed below are the pace take a look at outcomes:

Location 9: Gallagher Manner

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
53.2 (Mbps)	184	23.8	378	12.7	12.9

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I spent lots of time on Gallagher Manner as a result of I additionally did my second obtain pace take a look at there, and AT&T determined they did not really feel like engaged on something. I needed to cease the obtain take a look at after 12 minutes, throughout which it solely accomplished about 75% of the obtain as a result of by then the sport was over and we have been all unhappy.

Most significantly although, folks have been beginning to depart the park and I simply could not keep the place I used to be.

T-Cellular	Verizon	AT&T
3:14	3:16	12:00 I did not end

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After leaving the park, I wished to do one final baseline, so after I received to the nook of Lawrence and Clark, about 2.5 miles away, I did one final pace take a look at and one final obtain take a look at. Listed below are the outcomes:

Location 10: Lawrence and Clark

T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
34.8 (Mbps)	423	25.6	240	30.4	108

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T-Cellular	Verizon	AT&T
13:00	1:56	2:02

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Key findings from ZDNET

Nicely, to begin with, mobile networks are sophisticated. There are dozens, if not a whole bunch, of things that can decide how briskly your telephone is at any given time. One second, you get no sign. Then you definitely’re dashing down the quick lane. Is it as a result of 39,000 different folks determined to place down their telephones and sing a music collectively? In all probability not.

The truth, nevertheless, is that community congestion is usually a main consider your telephone’s slowness. Each time I moved away from the park, issues received lots higher. So congestion is definitely an element, but it surely’s undoubtedly not the one one.

Additionally: Your Samsung telephone has a hidden Wi-Fi menu that may be very helpful – the right way to activate it

Of the three networks, Verizon had the quickest obtain pace at 2,666 Mbpsand it wasn’t even shut. AT&T was second quickest in the identical location with 1,299 Mbps. T-Cellular speeds reached 835 Mbps exterior the park, however within the space across the park it topped out at 184 Mbps.

Curiously, T-Cellular gave the impression to be the service most affected by the group – and this follows my very own expertise. Out of the park, the service might get speeds of 300, 400, and even 800, however as soon as I left the park, that dropped into the only or double digits. Talking of which, see how usually every service hit single, double, and triple digits:

	T-Cellular up	T-Cellular disabled	Verizon up	Verizon down	AT&T on the rise	AT&T fell
Single digit	3	3	0	0	3	2
Two digits	7	2	10	2	7	4
Three Digits	0	5	0	7	0	2

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Verizon has by no means reached single digits and has reached triple digits greater than every other service. Does this make Verizon the clear winner? It is a debatable level. Nicely performed, Verizon.

Plus: Android eSIM switch reaches extra smartphones. See the way it works

I’ve contacted all three carriers and can replace this text when/in the event that they reply. Usually, you will need to acknowledge that this can be a small pattern measurement. That is community efficiency in a confined space throughout a particular three-hour interval and isn’t indicative of total community efficiency.

However it paints an image that is in line with my expertise as a T-Cellular buyer. Merely put, when too many individuals collect in a single place – video games, amusement parks, concert events – networks can wrestle. That is nonetheless a factor, regardless of 5G guarantees which can be almost seven years outdated. Perhaps the Cubs have higher luck than the nets thus far.

Searching for the most recent Mini crossword reply? Click on right here for right this moment’s mini crossword clue in addition to our every day solutions and hints for Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections puzzles from The New York Instances: Sports activities Version.

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Need assistance with right this moment’s Mini Crossword? It helps if you happen to play playing cards. When you want some solutions, preserve studying. And if you happen to want steerage for every day options, try our Mini Crossword suggestions.

When you’re on the lookout for right this moment’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports activities Version, and Strands solutions, you possibly can go to CNET’s NYT Puzzles Cheat Web page.

Learn extra: Suggestions and tips for fixing New York Instances mini crosswords

Let’s go to the Mini Crossword clues and solutions.

Mini by clues and solutions

1 One Clue: A 5-Throughout Can Be Wild
Reply: CARD

5 A Clue: One in all Two in a Normal Deck
Reply: JOKER

6 A Clue: Homer Known as His Oil “Liquid Gold”
Reply: OLIVEIRA

7A clue: Symbolic flower in Buddhism
Reply: LOTUS

8 A Clue: Bunkers On A Golf Course
Reply: TRAPS

Mini clues and solutions

Clue 1D: Use crayons, for instance
Reply: COLOR

2D clue: Japanese canine breed
Reply: AKITA

3D Observe: Actually energize
Reply: REVUP

Clue 4D: garments that may be strapless
Reply: DRESS

Clue 5D: Sudden Shock
Reply: JOLT

Whether or not you are constructing a gaming PC from scratch or upgrading your present setup, there is a record of primary {hardware} that is completely important: the monitor, the keyboard, the PC itself (in fact). However do not sleep on the significance of the graphics card. This highly effective part is accountable for the whole lot you see once you’re gaming or utilizing your PC in any capability, and a fantastic graphics card—or, certainly, a weak one—may be the distinction between an incredible or lackluster gaming expertise.

However typically getting the fitting graphics card is less complicated mentioned than finished. There’s a lot know-how accessible – all with quickly accelerating specs and capabilities – and there’s a lot to contemplate when it comes to what works in your laptop and its compatibility. It is vitally simple to be blinded by science and confused by jargon.

Concern not, PC avid gamers. We can assist you stand out with the most effective graphics playing cards available on the market. And in case you are new to PC gaming or want a refresher, we have put collectively a fast information with the whole lot it’s essential know, together with a number of the most effective graphics playing cards you should purchase proper now.

What’s a graphics card?

A graphics card, also called a GPU, is among the most vital elements of any PC. It really works along with the CPU (or processor) to remodel knowledge into photographs. The perfect graphics playing cards course of knowledge quicker and make these photographs look sharper and extra reasonable. Trendy graphics playing cards are able to processing unbelievable 3D photographs with virtually non-existent delay between the instructions you bodily enter along with your controller or keyboard and the ensuing motion on the monitor.

Do you really want a graphics card?

Should you’re a fairly enthusiastic PC gamer, sure. Video games have gotten increasingly subtle, with 4K and ray tracing getting higher, so you may want {hardware} to maintain tempo. PC avid gamers are conversant in frequently updating their machines, and the graphics card is a key part in next-gen video games. Nevertheless, in case you’re solely utilizing your laptop for on a regular basis duties like internet looking, e-mail, and video streaming, a specialised GPU might be pointless.

Are graphics playing cards only for avid gamers?

Graphics playing cards are largely related to gaming and that is the place a lot of the energy lies. Nevertheless, graphics playing cards can be vital for artistic professionals and designers, with processing capabilities for video modifying and decoding, 3D rendering, and graphic design-based purposes. Should you’re upgrading your GPU for artistic design work, make certain it is constructed to deal with these duties. Some graphics playing cards are only for gaming.

What’s VRAM?

You might be little doubt conversant in common RAM (random entry reminiscence). VRAM is the graphics card equal (stands for video random entry reminiscence) and is a core part of the graphics card. It successfully shops all the information your GPU must create photographs in a “pool”. Completely different graphics playing cards have completely different gigabyte VRAM capacities. An ordinary 8GB will probably be sufficient for 1080p gaming, however you may want one thing extra highly effective for 4K gaming or duties like video modifying. On this case, search for 16 GB of VRAM or extra.

Will all of the graphics match in your laptop?

Not essentially. It depends upon the dimensions of the PC or laptop computer. To not point out the truth that extra highly effective graphics playing cards may be fairly massive. Make sure to examine the measurements earlier than buying a GPU, in addition to the capability of your machine. However that is not the one factor it’s essential look out for on the subject of compatibility. Make certain the PC can provide the GPU energy necessities (or PSU wattage, to make use of correct laptop jargon) and that the PCle slots are suitable.

What’s PCIe?

PCIe stands for Peripheral Element Categorical Interconnection. In layman’s phrases, it’s a connection level to the motherboard and permits high-speed knowledge switch. In different phrases, that is the interface the place you join your graphics card. All GPUs listed under are PCIe 5.0, essentially the most superior model in shopper know-how.

Does Nvidia make the most effective graphics playing cards?

A fast have a look at on-line critiques would counsel this was the case. Nvidia GeForce GPUs lead the pack, definitely within the mid-to-premium vary of the market. This does not imply it’s a must to pay some huge cash for the most effective Nvidia GeForce GPU. Foremost competitor AMD affords good choices, particularly at decrease costs.

What are third social gathering graphics playing cards?

That is when one other producer makes use of the GPU from a prime model — corresponding to Nvidia and AMD — to create its personal model. These are completely acceptable and in some instances extra available. When Nvidia releases a brand new product, for instance, it may be like GPU gold mud. In that case, it is simpler to get a third-party model.

What’s the greatest graphics card?

That is as much as you to resolve, primarily based on the specs and necessities of your PC configuration. What we will say, nevertheless, is that we now have finished the analysis give you the results you want. We scour the web and critiques to search out the most effective choices for every participant.

These are the most effective graphics playing cards in 2025.

Evaluate our picks

Others examined

Pictures: Simon Hill

Hoover HF4 Hydro for £199: For UK residents who stay in flats or small houses with a mixture of carpet and laborious flooring, this cordless, space-saving vacuum and mop from Hoover may very well be a wise alternative. You get a regular cordless vacuum cleaner with about half an hour of battery life, however you’ll be able to change the top to mop. It’s glorious for cleansing laborious flooring, with a form that goes straight into corners and two rotating pads to take away stains. However the water tank, contained within the head, is tiny, the vacuum is simply reasonably highly effective to elevate, and battery life drops to simply quarter-hour in turbo mode.

Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner for $250: It is cumbersome however has automated cleansing and drying cycles – pushing it ahead releases the answer and pulling it again begins the drying course of. As soon as you have coated your complete space, you’ll be able to simply activate the drying mode for an additional go in case your carpet wants it. The deal with comes off with the press of a button, and you need to use its separate tank with cleansing answer to deal with stains earlier than vacuuming. A hose and a separate antimicrobial pet instrument can clear stairs or every other hard-to-reach space that wants some further elbow grease. Some buyer evaluations say it labored effectively for a number of months, however then it short-circuited. We’ll maintain making an attempt to see if we encounter this difficulty. —Medeia Giordano

Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner for $79: In case you’ve made it to the cleansing aspect of TikTok, you have in all probability seen individuals cleansing their carpets and furnishings with this Little Inexperienced machine. This additionally opens up the world of upholstery cleansing, not simply carpets. It labored effectively and is simpler to retailer and transport at house than our prime decide. However use the included hose cleansing instrument typically. These hoses can get nasty. —Brenda Stolyar

Cleansing Merchandise We Like for Onerous Flooring

Pictures: Simon Hill

Dreame H14 Pro for $380: The Dreame H14 Professional is sort of massive, however I discovered it straightforward to maneuver and might lay flat to go underneath furnishings. A useful LED headlight helps you clearly see what you are cleansing. One full cost was sufficient to redo all my laborious flooring twice and the consequence was tremendous shiny. What I like about this vacuum is that it successfully cleans up dry or moist spills, so whether or not you are cleansing up cat litter or a spilled bowl of cereal, it really works. It is best for cleansing up recent spills, however can take away powerful stains with repeated passes on Extremely mode. While you’re carried out, you’ll be able to return it to the charging base and interact the self-cleaning mode to sterilize the tender curler and dry it (though it is noisy and takes a very long time). Nobody needs to put in an app or create an account simply to make use of the vacuum, nevertheless it allows you to select modes and schedule self-cleaning, which might be helpful if you wish to wait till you allow. —Simon Hill

Shark S5003D Genius Steam Mop for $100: This steam mop is nice for cleansing hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring (not carpet). Simply fill the water tank, plug it in, and fix one of many mops. It has three warmth ranges and also you press to launch a jet of steam for powerful stains. It doesn’t require detergent, is mild and maneuverable and doesn’t require a lot house. The clever design of the cushion means that you can flip it over when one aspect is soiled, and the mechanism makes it straightforward to connect, with a button to take away the soiled cushion, which might be machine washed. (You get two pads within the field.) I often use this mop to wash laminate, composite, and ceramic flooring, however you need to be cautious when utilizing steam, particularly on wooden or vinyl flooring. Check it on the bottom warmth setting earlier than going over your complete ground. There are not any particular equipment or extras right here and it is just appropriate to be used on laborious flooring. You additionally must empty the remaining water in case you do not plan on utilizing it for some time, or the tank might go dangerous. —Simon Hill

Karcher SC 3 for $164: In case your funds can stretch, this feature is finest if you’d like equipment and the choice to steam clear harder-to-reach surfaces and its laborious flooring. It’s supreme for utterly cleansing kitchens or bogs, with out the necessity for detergent or different merchandise. It is usually efficient for cleansing glass and mirrors. It solely comes with a microfiber cowl and isn’t advisable to be used on materials or carpets. —Simon Hill

Not advisable

Eufy E28 HydroJet Robot Vacuum with Carpet Cleaner for $1,400: I usually love Eufy’s cute, good, multi-purpose robotic vacuums, and since I’ve two canines and two children, I hoped to like a robotic vacuum that would additionally clear hardwood flooring and had a removable carpet cleaner. Sadly, the water injection system is unstable. It must be completely positioned to attract water from the carpet cleaner’s moveable tank (I typically needed to snap it into place), and each time I mopped, it continuously leaked everywhere in the kitchen ground. At the least the carpet cleaner was efficient. —Adrienne So

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