Good morning! Let’s play Connections, the NYT’s clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you’ve finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I’ve also got daily Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.

SpaceX launched its enormous Starship rocket on Sunday on its boldest test flight yet, catching the returning booster back at the pad with mechanical arms.

Towering almost 400 feet (121 metres), the empty Starship blasted off at sunrise from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border. It arced over the Gulf of Mexico like the four Starships before it that ended up being destroyed, either soon after liftoff or while ditching into the sea. The last one in June was the most successful yet, completing its flight without exploding.

This time, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk upped the challenge and risk. The company brought the first-stage booster back to land at the pad from which it had soared seven minutes earlier. The launch tower sported monstrous metal arms, dubbed chopsticks, that caught the descending 232-foot (71-metre) booster.

The tower has caught the rocket!! Musk said via X.

Company employees screamed in joy as the booster slowly lowered itself into the launch tower’s arms.

Even in this day and age, what we just saw is magic, SpaceX’s Dan Huot observed from near the launch site. I am shaking right now.”

Folks, this is a day for the engineering history books, added SpaceX’s Kate Tice from SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

It was up to the flight director to decide, in real time with a manual control, whether to attempt the landing. SpaceX said both the booster and launch tower had to be in good, stable condition. Otherwise, it was going to end up in the gulf like the previous ones. Everything was judged to be ready for the catch.

The retro-looking stainless steel spacecraft on top continued around the world once free of the booster, targeting a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, where it would sink to the bottom. The entire flight was expected to last just over an hour.

The June flight came up short at the end after pieces came off. SpaceX upgraded the software and reworked the heat shield, improving the thermal tiles.

SpaceX has been recovering the first-stage boosters of its smaller Falcon 9 rockets for nine years, after delivering satellites and crews to orbit from Florida or California. But they land on floating ocean platforms or on concrete slabs several miles from their launch pads not on them.

Recycling Falcon boosters has sped up the launch rate and saved SpaceX millions. Musk intends to do the same for Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built with 33 methane-fuel engines on the booster alone. NASA has ordered two Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade. SpaceX intends to use Starship to send people and supplies to the moon and, eventually Mars.

Imagine having an AI assistant on your phone that can analyze documents, write emails, and even generate creative content. That future is closer than you think with Apple Intelligence, and the new iPhones are leading the way.

While the latest iPhones offer cutting-edge technology, older models like the iPhone 15 remain excellent. They provide a similar experience at a lower cost; some even come in unique colors that are no longer available on newer models.

Ready to explore the world of iPhones? We’ve got you covered. Our top pick for most people is the iPhone 16, but we’ll help you find the perfect fit, whether you’re looking for the best value, the most advanced features, or even considering switching to Android.

Here’s our list of the best iPhones of the year.

iPhone 16

The best iPhone for most people

Why you should buy this: It’s truly the best iPhone for most folks. Plus, it comes in some truly incredible colors.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a new iPhone, but doesn’t necessarily need all the camera tricks the iPhone 16 Pro series offers.

Apple has outdone itself with the iPhone 16. It would be easy to dismiss the base model as the “budget” option, overshadowed by its more expensive and feature-rich Pro siblings. However, the iPhone 16 breaks the mold, delivering a delightful and surprisingly complete smartphone experience that punches well above its weight class.

This year, the gap between the standard and Pro models feels significantly narrower. The iPhone 16 boasts a refreshed design that’s both modern and comfortable to hold. Performance is incredibly smooth thanks to the powerful A17 Bionic chip, which easily handles demanding apps and games. While lacking the telephoto lens of the Pro models, the camera system still captures stunning photos and videos with improved low-light capabilities and impressive image stabilization.

However, what truly sets the iPhone 16 apart are the thoughtful additions that elevate the user experience. The Action button, customizable for various tasks and shortcuts, adds a new layer of convenience and personalization. Camera Control offers quick access to camera settings, making it easier to capture the perfect shot. And with the latest iOS software, the iPhone 16 enjoys a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Of course, every phone is flawed. The iPhone 16 does have a 60Hz display, missing out on the smoother 120Hz ProMotion technology found in the Pro models. It also lacks an always-on display. However, these are minor compromises in the grand scheme of things, especially considering the significant price difference.

Ultimately, the iPhone 16 is a testament to Apple’s ability to deliver exceptional value without sacrificing the core elements that make iPhones so appealing. It’s a phone that excels in everyday use, offering a fantastic blend of design, performance, features, and user experience. For most users, the iPhone 16 is not just a good choice; it’s arguably the best iPhone this year.

iPhone 16

The best iPhone for most people

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iPhone 16 Pro

The best small flagship iPhone

Why you should buy this: It has everything you could want in an iPhone, just in a smaller package.

Who it’s for: You’re the type of person that wants the best phone Apple makes, with all the frills, but with a smaller display than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone Pro has always been an easy sell. For those seeking the best iPhone experience and willing to pay a premium, the Pro models have consistently delivered with their cutting-edge features and top-tier performance. But this year, the decision is more nuanced. Apple has raised the bar with the iPhone 16, making it the most compelling non-Pro iPhone in years. This presents a challenge for the iPhone 16 Pro, forcing it to justify its higher price tag against a surprisingly capable sibling.

Don’t get us wrong, the iPhone 16 Pro is a fantastic phone. It’s beautifully crafted, incredibly powerful, and boasts a camera system that captures stunning photos and videos. But the iPhone 16 has narrowed the gap significantly. Both phones share key features like the Action button, Camera Control, and the latest iOS 18 software. Performance is nearly identical thanks to the A17 Bionic chip, and in some cases, the iPhone 16 even surpasses the Pro in battery life. The iPhone 16 also has a lighter and more comfortable design, with a wider array of color options.

So, where does the iPhone 16 Pro truly shine? It comes down to two key areas: the display and the camera. The Pro’s 120Hz ProMotion display offers a buttery-smooth experience that’s noticeable in everyday use, from scrolling through web pages to playing graphics-intensive games. And for photography enthusiasts, the Pro’s telephoto lens and advanced camera features provide greater versatility and creative control.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on your priorities and budget. If you value the smoothest display and the most advanced camera system, the iPhone 16 Pro remains a worthy investment. But for most users, the iPhone 16 delivers an exceptional experience at a more affordable price. It’s the phone this writer chose for themself, and it’s the one we believe will satisfy the needs of most iPhone buyers.

iPhone 16 Pro

The best small flagship iPhone

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iPhone 16 Pro Max

The best big iPhone

Why you should buy this: When money is no object and you want the biggest and most powerful iPhone today, this is the one to purchase.

Who it’s for: As usual, Apple’s latest iPhone Pro Max is the best iPhone ever created, in terms of features and materials. Therefore, if that’s what you want, here you go.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a compelling device, but it’s an optional upgrade for everyone. If you value a larger screen and prioritize camera quality, the Pro Max delivers with its superior telephoto and upgraded 48MP ultrawide lens. This is especially true if you’re using an older iPhone and are looking for a significant leap in camera technology. However, iPhone 15 Pro Max users may want to hold off, as the iOS 18.1 update with Apple Intelligence bridges the gap in AI capabilities.

The impressive feature set of the base iPhone 16 models makes the upgrade decision even more complex. Both the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus boast notable additions like the Action button, Camera Control, an improved ultrawide lens, new Photographic Styles, the powerful A18 chip, extended battery life, and a more diverse color palette. This makes the standard iPhone 16 a compelling option for those seeking a balance of features and affordability.

Ultimately, the iPhone 16 Pro Max caters to users with specific needs. Its key advantages lie in the telephoto lens, the always-on display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and advanced photography and videography features. If these are essential to your workflow or lifestyle, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will undoubtedly meet your expectations. However, if your priorities differ, exploring the iPhone 16 or waiting for Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro Max might be equally viable options.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

The best big iPhone

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iPhone 16 Plus

The best big iPhone runner-up

Why you should buy this: It has everything the highly-rated iPhone 16 has but with a larger display.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants our favorite iPhone of the year, but wants it with a larger display.

The iPhone 16 Plus presents a curious dilemma. While it is undeniably an excellent phone, its place in the iPhone lineup feels ambiguous. An iPhone 16 with a larger display needs help distinguishing itself and definitively justifying its higher price tag.

The core issue lies in the compromises it entails. Its size and weight might be cumbersome for some, while the 60Hz display feels outdated in 2024, especially when competitors offer higher refresh rates for smoother visuals. Furthermore, the anticipated battery life gains over the standard iPhone 16 seem negligible. This begs the question: why not opt for the more affordable iPhone 16, which offers a nearly identical experience in a more manageable form factor?

Conversely, those seeking a premium large-screen experience might find the iPhone 16 Pro Max more compelling. It boasts an even larger display with ProMotion technology for a 120Hz refresh rate and other advantages like a telephoto lens and enhanced camera capabilities.

Ultimately, the iPhone 16 Plus occupies a precarious middle ground. It excels in providing a big-screen experience without the “Pro” price but lacks a standout feature to solidify its appeal. Unless a more prominent display is your priority, the iPhone 16 or 16 Pro Max offers more compelling value propositions. The iPhone 16 Plus, while a capable device, risks being overshadowed by its siblings due to its lack of a defining characteristic.

iPhone 16 Plus

The best big iPhone runner-up

iPhone 14

The best value iPhone

Why you should buy this: You want a solid iPhone without having to pay too much.

Who it’s for: Those who want to get some good bang for their buck.

The iPhone 14, while not the most groundbreaking device for tech enthusiasts, remains a compelling option for those upgrading from an older iPhone. Despite being two years old, it offers a robust and refined smartphone experience.

One of its key strengths lies in its processor. Though not the latest model, the A15 Bionic chip, inherited from the iPhone 13 Pro, delivers impressive performance for everyday tasks and even demanding applications. Users transitioning from pre-iPhone 13 models will experience a significant boost in speed and responsiveness.

While it lacks the flashy features of its successors, such as the 48MP camera, Dynamic Island, and always-on display, the iPhone 14 still boasts a capable camera system that captures excellent photos and videos. Furthermore, it incorporates crucial safety features like Emergency SOS via satellite and crash detection, providing valuable peace of mind.

Essentially, the iPhone 14 represents a compelling blend of performance, reliability, and affordability. It’s an ideal choice for users seeking a significant upgrade without the premium price tag of the latest models. If you prioritize a smooth user experience, a dependable camera, and essential safety features, the iPhone 14 is a worthy contender.

iPhone 14

The best value iPhone

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iPhone SE (2022)

The best small iPhone

Why you should buy this: If you are looking for an iPhone that is smaller than 6.1-inches, then this is the one to get. It also has some pretty decent features.

Who it’s for: You want the most compact iPhone there is.

The iPhone SE (2022) still presents a compelling proposition for budget-conscious consumers seeking a powerful and compact iPhone experience. Starting at $429, it’s the most affordable new iPhone available, offering exceptional value for its price.

While its design, inherited from the iPhone 8, might appear dated, it retains a sturdy build with the same durable glass used in the iPhone 13. Its compact size makes it ideal for one-handed use and appeals to those who prefer smaller phones.

Under the hood, the iPhone SE (2022) boasts the impressive A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 13 and 14, ensuring smooth performance and efficient multitasking. Coupled with 4GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 64GB to 256GB, it handles everyday tasks with ease. Compared to its predecessor, a larger battery provides ample power to last throughout the day.

The 4.7-inch Liquid Retina display, though small by modern standards, delivers sharp visuals with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels. Features like True Tone technology and wide color support enhance the viewing experience. The camera system, featuring a 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera, captures satisfactory photos in good lighting conditions, though it lacks Night mode for low-light photography. Touch ID provides reliable security, though Face ID is absent.

With 5G connectivity, the iPhone SE (2022) is a future-proof choice, offering faster download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage. However, it’s important to consider its limitations and future. The small screen might not be ideal for media consumption or gaming, and the lack of Night mode hinders low-light photography. Additionally, this model is expected to be replaced by a new one sometime in 2025.

The iPhone SE (2022) is a fantastic option for those prioritizing affordability, performance, and portability. It’s an excellent entry point into the Apple ecosystem or a reliable upgrade for users with older iPhones, as long as its compromises are considered.

iPhone SE (2022)

The best small iPhone

The tech industry seems to have decided that AI-powered developments are the future. Major improvements in efficiency and process automation helped the rapid establishment of this approach. Part of the industry’s new path is to try to promote the implementation of AI in all possible segments. Currently, Microsoft and OpenAI are paying millions of dollars to media outlets to implement AI tools.

Microsoft and OpenAI paying up to $10 million to media outlets to use AI tools

Artificial intelligence can be quite convenient for the journalism segment. It is especially efficient in tasks such as summarizing or transcribing content, to name a few examples. It also functions effectively in certain proofreading services, enhancing the quality of your writing. To illustrate this, the Microsoft and OpenAI project aims to provide newsrooms with access to the experience while simultaneously receiving funding.

Microsoft will carry out the project in rounds, selecting a few outlets in each one. The first round of the program will offer funding to Newsday, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Public Media, and The Seattle Times. The $10 million is broken down into $2.5 million in cash and $2.5 million in “software and enterprise credits” from Microsoft and OpenAI each.

The program involves hiring an intern for a two-year period. The fellow will deploy AI-powered tools using Microsoft Azure and OpenAI credits in the media outlet. The tools are not designed to replace writers or researchers. Rather, the project seeks to develop tools that assist them and increase their efficiency.

“While nothing will replace the central role of reporters, we believe that AI technology can help in the research, investigation, distribution, and monetization of important journalism,” said Tom Rubin, the head of intellectual property and content at OpenAI. In addition to the latter and Microsoft, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism is a driving force behind the project.

Copyright lawsuits are still pending

Notably, Microsoft and OpenAI are currently facing lawsuits over copyrights on content used to train AI models. The companies have already reached agreements with some major platforms, such as Vox Media. However, there is still a list of big names seeking compensation they deem appropriate for using their content. The list includes “The New York Times, The Intercept, Raw Story, AlterNet, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and Alden Global Capital, the hedge fund behind the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune,” as reported by The Verge.

Amazon may be working on a secondary online sales platform that would compete with the absurdly low prices of Chinese retailer Temu. The Information that it has seen internal information sent to Amazon merchants that detail some of the price caps for this new storefront.

The outlet claims the upper limit of prices are set at $8 for jewelry, $9 for bedding, $13 for guitars and $20 for sofas that are shipped from its fulfillment center in Guangdong, China under this new “Low-Cost Store.” According to the site’s sources, orders from this storefront would have slower shipping timelines of nine to 11 days, but would also charge lower fulfillment fees to sellers. A seller would be charged between $1.77 and $2.05 to ship a 4-8 ounce item through the Low-Cost Store, compared with a $2.67 to $4.16 charge for an item of that weight shipped under Fulfillment by Amazon from a domestic warehouse, according to The Information.

Amazon has not set price limits on its eponymous online storefront, so this new platform will be a markedly different strategy from its usual approach. It’s more in line with the pricing policy followed by Temu, which launched in 2022. In just two years, the bargain basement ecommerce platform has garnered a reputation for selling items of as well as questions about relying on .

AI video has come incredibly far in the years since the first models debuted in late 2022, increasing in realism, resolution, fidelity, prompt adherence (how well they match the text prompt or description of the video that the user typed) and number.

But one area that remains a limitation to many AI video creators — myself included — is in depicting realistic facial expressions in AI generated characters. Most appear quite limited and difficult to control.

But no longer: today, Runway, the New York City-headquartered AI startup backed by Google and others, announced a new feature “Act-One,” that allows users to record video of themselves or actors from any video camera — even the one on a smartphone — and then transfers the subject’s facial expressions to that of an AI generated character with uncanny accuracy.

The free-to-use tool is gradually rolling out “gradually” to users starting today, according to Runway’s blog post on the feature.

While anyone with a Runway account can access it, it will be limited to those who have enough credits to generate new videos on the company’s Gen-3 Alpha video generation model introduced earlier this year, which supports text-to-video, image-to-video, and video-to-video AI creation pipelines (e.g. the user can type in a scene description, upload an image or a video, or use a combination of these inputs and Gen-3 Alpha will use what its given to guide its generation of a new scene).

Despite limited availability right now at the time of this posting, the burgeoning scene of AI video creators online is already applauding the new feature.

As Allen T. remarked on his X account “This is a game changer!”

It also comes on the heels of Runway’s move into Hollywood film production last month, when it announced it had inked a deal with Lionsgate, the studio behind the John Wick and Hunger Games movie franchises, to create a custom AI video generation model based on the studio’s catalog of more than 20,000 titles.

Simplifying a traditionally complex and equipment-heavy creative proccess

Traditionally, facial animation requires extensive and often cumbersome processes, including motion capture equipment, manual face rigging, and multiple reference footages.

Anyone interested in filmmaking has likely caught sight of some of the intricacy and difficulty of this process to date on set or when viewing behind the scenes footage of effects-heavy and motion-capture films such as The Lord of the Rings series, Avatar, or Rise of the Planet of the Apes, wherein actors are seen covered in ping pong ball markers and their faces dotted with marker and blocked by head-mounted apparatuses.

Accurately modeling intricate facial expressions is what led David Fincher and his production team on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to develop whole new 3D modeling processes and ultimately won them an Academy Award, as reported in a prior VentureBeat report.

Yet in the last few years, new software and AI-based startups such as Move have sought to reduce the equipment necessary to perform accurate motion capture — though that company in particular has concentrated primarily on full-body, more broad movements, whereas Runway’s Act-One is focused more on modeling facial expressions.

With Act-One, Runway aims to make this complex process far more accessible. The new tool allows creators to animate characters in a variety of styles and designs, without the need for motion-capture gear or character rigging.

Instead, users can rely on a simple driving video to transpose performances—including eye-lines, micro-expressions, and nuanced pacing—onto a generated character, or even multiple characters in different styles.

As Runway wrote on its X account: “Act-One is able to translate the performance from a single input video across countless different character designs and in many different styles.”

The feature is focused “mostly” on the face “for now,” according to Cristóbal Valenzuela, co-founder and CEO of Runway, who responded to VentureBeat’s questions via direct message on X.

Runway’s approach offers significant advantages for animators, game developers, and filmmakers alike. The model accurately captures the depth of an actor’s performance while remaining versatile across different character designs and proportions. This opens up exciting possibilities for creating unique characters that express genuine emotion and personality.

Cinematic realism across camera angles

One of Act-One’s key strengths lies in its ability to deliver cinematic-quality, realistic outputs from various camera angles and focal lengths.

This flexibility enhances creators’ ability to tell emotionally resonant stories through character performances that were previously hard to achieve without expensive equipment and multi-step workflows.

The tool’s ability to faithfully capture the emotional depth and performance style of an actor, even in complex scenes.

This shift allows creators to bring their characters to life in new ways, unlocking the potential for richer storytelling across both live-action and animated formats.

While Runway previously supported video-to-video AI conversion as previously mentioned in this piece, which did allow users to upload footage of themselves and have Gen-3 Alpha or other prior Runway AI video models such as Gen-2 “reskin” them with AI effects, the new Act-One feature is optimized for facial mapping and effects.

As Valenzuela told VentureBeat via DM on X: “The consistency and performance is unmatched with Act-One.”

Enabling more expansive video storytelling

A single actor, using only a consumer-grade camera, can now perform multiple characters, with the model generating distinct outputs for each.

This capability is poised to transform narrative content creation, particularly in indie film production and digital media, where high-end production resources are often limited.

In a public post on X, Valenzuela noted a shift in how the industry approaches generative models. “We are now beyond the threshold of asking ourselves if generative models can generate consistent videos. A good model is now the new baseline. The difference lies in what you do with the model—how you think about its applications and use cases, and what you ultimately build,” Valenzuela wrote.

Safety and protection for public figure impersonations

As with all of Runway’s releases, Act-One comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety measures.

These include safeguards to detect and block attempts to generate content featuring public figures without authorization, as well as technical tools to verify voice usage rights.

Continuous monitoring also ensures that the platform is used responsibly, preventing potential misuse of the tool.

Runway’s commitment to ethical development aligns with its broader mission to expand creative possibilities while maintaining a strong focus on safety and content moderation.

Looking ahead

As Act-One gradually rolls out, Runway is eager to see how artists, filmmakers, and other creators will harness this new tool to bring their ideas to life.

With Act -ne, complex animation techniques are now within reach for a broader audience of creators, enabling more people to explore new forms of storytelling and artistic expression.

By reducing the technical barriers traditionally associated with character animation, the company hopes to inspire new levels of creativity across the digital media landscape.

It also helps Runway stand out and differentiate its AI video creation platform against the likes of an increasing swath of competitors, including Luma AI from the U.S. and Hailuo and Kling from China, as well as open source rivals such as Genmo’s Mochi 1, which also just debuted today.