Technologies

Traveling to Europe? You Need to Know About These New Identity Checks and Fees

New rules for travelers to Europe starting in October include capturing facial images and fingerprints. There’ll also be an application-fee increase next year.

Travelers to Europe will soon have their fingerprints and facial data captured and verified for entering and exiting EU countries, signaling the beginning of the end for passport stamping.

The new system, which the EU is calling the EES (Entry/Exit System) will kick off on Oct. 12 and will be gradually phased in across checkpoints through April 9, 2026. By April 10 of next year, the EU hopes to do away with physical passport stamping in favor of a digital biometric system that it says will make traveling more efficient while combating identity fraud, human trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.

The EU says the biometric system will also curtail cases of mistaken identity, discrimination and racial profiling. Kids under 12 will not have their fingerprints scanned, according to the EU’s FAQ on the system.

Because it’s a gradual rollout, travelers should expect that not all border checkpoints will be using the EES right away.

Starting in the fall of 2026, travelers to Europe will also see a fee tied to using the new European Travel and Authorization System (ETIAS). That application, tied to an individual’s passport, will cost 20 euros (a little over $23). It’s required for anyone without a visa for travel to 30 EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Those who are under 18 or over 70 are exempted from the fee.

The EU says it will announce a start date for ETIAS at a later date, several months before it launches. Unlike the EES, the ETIAS does not require the registration or capture of biometric data.

For more on travel planning, see the best time to book cheap plane tickets and tips for a travel prep list.

Technologies

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Might Come in 5G and 4G Cellular Models

If the rumor proves true, the 5G Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 that debuted last fall.

Samsung’s next high-end Galaxy Watch could support faster 5G speeds, but if this leak is true, it will depend on where you live. The rumored Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 might come in 5G and 4G cellular models, with availability for each smartwatch depending on the country.

According to the Dutch website Galaxy Club (and spotted by SamMobile), Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers that point to 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi-enabled editions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, which would succeed the original model that debuted in 2024.

A representative for Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Galaxy Club website speculates that the 5G edition would be sold in the US and Korean markets, while the 4G edition would sell in the rest of the world. In the US, a 5G version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3, which debuted last fall. The 4G edition would have broader compatibility worldwide, since the earlier network is far more established.

It will likely be a few months until we hear anything official about the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Samsung typically unveils its new watches in the summer alongside its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. Last year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but otherwise left the prior 2024 Ultra in the lineup for those looking for a larger 47mm smartwatch.

Technologies

2 Cases Show Supreme Court Isn’t Holding ISPs Responsible for Piracy

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 8, #1032

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for April 8, No. 1032.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. The purple category is a fun one, once you see the connection. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: In the group.

Green group hint: Appearance details.

Blue group hint: Often found in gyms.

Purple group hint: They help you see.