Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 19, #769

AI-generated travel scams are duping people into booking dream vacations to completely fake destinations—think pristine beaches or charming villages that only exist in a bot’s imagination. With AI tools churning out convincing photos, fake reviews, and even bogus booking sites, travelers have to be extra savvy to avoid getting swindled.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about bad vacation planning—it’s a sign of how easily AI can warp reality and exploit trust. As these tools get smarter, we all need to double-check what we see online, especially when money’s on the line. It’s a wake-up call for travelers (and everyone else) to question what’s too good to be true.

Silicon Valley’s race to snag top AI talent has turned into an all-out war, with companies pulling out every stop—lucrative last-minute offers, under-the-table deals, and even emotional pressure tactics. The competition is so intense that some candidates are left overwhelmed, caught in a high-stakes tug-of-war between tech giants and startups.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about hiring—it’s a sign of how desperate companies are to dominate AI, and at what cost. The frenzy risks burning out talent, distorting salaries, and creating a winner-takes-all dynamic that could stifle innovation. For workers, it’s a mix of opportunity and chaos, but for the industry, it might be unsustainable.

If you've been eyeing some high-quality sheets, now might be the perfect time to splurge—Buffy's Supima cotton sheets, which the author swears by, are currently 20% off during the brand's summer sale.

If you're tired of wrestling with a pile of remotes for your TV, soundbar, and streaming devices, the Sofabaton U2 might be your new best friend. This universal remote not only earned CNET's stamp of approval but is currently on sale for 31% off—with a pricier (but fancier) X1S model also discounted. Finally, a single clicker to rule them all.

Editor’s Note: Let’s be honest—nobody enjoys the "remote control shuffle" just to watch a movie. A solid universal remote simplifies your setup and cuts clutter, and a well-reviewed one on sale is a rare win for both convenience and your wallet. For home theater nerds or just anyone drowning in clickers, this actually matters.

Intel is discontinuing Clear Linux OS, its lightweight, performance-optimized Linux distribution aimed at developers and cloud environments. The project, known for its speed and cutting-edge tooling, will wind down after years of niche but loyal adoption. Users are encouraged to migrate to other distros, sparking mixed reactions in the tech community.

Editor’s Note: For developers who relied on Clear Linux’s blazing-fast performance and Intel-specific optimizations, this is a notable loss. While niche, it filled a unique gap in the Linux ecosystem. Its shutdown reflects the challenges of maintaining specialized distros—even with corporate backing—and leaves users scrambling for alternatives. Not the end of the world, but a bummer for fans.