General Technology
Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Feb. 6, #1693
Today's Wordle hints and the solution for February 6, No. 1,693, are provided to assist players in solving the popular word puzzle. The publication offers valuable insights to enhance the gaming experience for enthusiasts.
What do the colors mean in Wordle?
Green indicates a correct letter in the right position, yellow shows a correct letter in the wrong position, and gray means the letter is not in the answer. Letters can appear more than once, so multiple instances may show different colors accordingly.
What is Wordle Hard mode?
Hard mode requires using all previously revealed correct letters (green or yellow) in subsequent guesses, unlike normal mode where they can be omitted. This increases reliance on luck without changing the answer's difficulty.
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05 February 2026
CNET
Hardware
Toybox Tractor: Plywood, Lathe Hacks, and 350W of Fun
A creative toy tractor build by James showcases a blend of CAD, metalwork, and electronics, featuring a 350W motor and custom rear axle. The project highlights innovative techniques and craftsmanship, promising joy for anyone who takes it for a ride.
What are 'lathe hacks' in the context of the Toybox Tractor project?
Lathe hacks refer to innovative, non-standard techniques or modifications used on a lathe—a machine tool that rotates a workpiece to perform operations like turning, cutting, or shaping—to create custom parts such as the tractor's rear axle from plywood or metal.
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What does a 350W motor signify for a toy tractor like the Toybox Tractor?
A 350W (watt) motor provides substantial power for a toy tractor, equivalent to about 0.47 horsepower, enabling it to drive effectively with features like a custom rear axle, far exceeding typical toy motors and delivering a fun, rideable experience.
Sources:
[1]
05 February 2026
Hackaday
Apple Ads
EU Spares Apple Maps and Apple Ads
The European Commission has determined that Apple Maps and Apple Ads do not qualify as gateways under the EU's Digital Markets Act, citing their limited usage and scale. Apple remains classified as a gatekeeper overall.
What is the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and why does it matter?
The Digital Markets Act is a 2022 European Union regulation that became active in May 2023, designed to ensure fair and open digital markets by restricting large technology companies from abusing their dominant market power. Companies designated as 'gatekeepers' under the DMA must permit interoperability, allow third-party app stores, and stop self-preferencing practices. The regulation currently applies to seven major firms: Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft, and Booking. A company qualifies as a gatekeeper if it has over €75 billion market capitalization, €7.5 billion annual turnover, and over 45 million monthly EU users.
Why weren't Apple Maps and Apple Ads designated as gatekeepers, and does this mean Apple is no longer regulated under the DMA?
The European Commission determined that Apple Maps and Apple Ads do not constitute important gateways for business users to reach end users, citing Apple Maps' relatively low overall usage rate in the EU and Apple Ads' very limited scale in the online advertising sector. However, this decision does not affect Apple's overall gatekeeper designation under the DMA. Apple remains classified as a gatekeeper due to other services it operates, such as its App Store and iOS operating system, which continue to be subject to DMA obligations. The Commission will continue monitoring these services for any substantial market changes.
05 February 2026
MacRumors


















