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TL;DR: Get a teeny, tiny NanoPhone on sale for $89.97 through March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Picking out your kid's first phone is kind of like helping them find a good car. Sure, they may want the big, beefy muscle car, but it's nice to start them off with something sensible, reliable, and a little compact. That $999.99 iPhone 16? That's the muscle car they're asking for, but if you want something sensible, reliable, and a little compact, check out the NanoPhone. It's only $89.97 (reg. $199). 

The just-right beginner phone

The NanoPhone may be small, but it works just like any other smartphone. It supports Dual SIM cards, which is really useful for travel. And with 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, your kid can text, call, stream videos, and even hop on Instagram or YouTube without a hitch. And don't worry about finding a case for a phone this size. It actually comes with one, along with a screen protector and charger. 

This little phone looks like an iPhone in all the right ways. That goes for the screen, too. It's a crisp 3.0-inch IPS HD touchscreen. And if your kid ever needs to snap a photo or scan their homework, it has front and rear-facing cameras.

And hey, it’s not just great for kids. This little phone makes a great emergency backup phone for adults, too. Keep it tucked in your wallet or gym bag, and you’ve got a reliable, lightweight backup ready to go whenever you need it.

March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the cutoff to get a NanoPhone on sale for only $89.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Mutant Design Lab NanoPhone - A Miniaturized Smartphone Packed with Mega Features! $89.97
$199 Save $109.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Ready to start taking your online security seriously? Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router allows you to surf the web safely and without restrictions, and right now, it's just $149.97 (reg. $219) through March 30.

 It's 2025, and it's time to start beefing up your online privacy. Whether you occasionally use public WiFi or are concerned about identity theft or surveillance, VPN routers are a great way to protect yourself and your loved ones from dangers you can't see. 

If you're looking for an affordable VPN router without subscription fees, the Deeper Connect Air is a great choice. It's currently just $149.97 for life, $70 off the usual price, through March 30.  

A VPN router packs tons of perks

The Deeper Connect Air takes the intimidation out of VPNs. Unlike an arbitrary login, you plug this VPN router's USB-C output right into your laptop. After that, select a server from over 150,000 options worldwide and start browsing — there's no extra setup required.

After you plug in, you can share the safety and wirelessly pair up to five more devices. Military-grade encryption keeps your data safe no matter where you log on, including public WiFi. 

This VPN router comes loaded with a decentralized VPN. If you're not familiar with this technology, it improves upon traditional VPNs by using a decentralized network of nodes. This means it connects via a network of independent users, providing you with better privacy, faster speeds, and improved reliability. 

Once you're up and running, you can enjoy the internet without restrictions. Watch content from other countries or play games without any region locks. You'll also enjoy an ad-free experience, as the Deeper Connect Air blocks ads as you surf, stream, and play.  

All these perks will be yours for a low one-time price. There are no recurring subscription fees like other VPN services. And this VPN router weighs in at just over half a pound so it's easy to bring along with your laptop anywhere. 

Enjoy a safer, freer internet with the Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router, now $149.97 for life through March 30. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Deeper Network Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router $149.97
$219 Save $69.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Learn 14 languages in your spare time with this lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning, now on sale exclusively through StackSocial for $129.99 with code LEARN40 until March 26. 

Are you tired of doomscrolling while you wait in line? If you're looking for a more productive way to spend time swiping on your phone, maybe it's time to learn a new language...or 14.

Babbel, the best-selling language learning app on the market, is currently offering a lifetime subscription to all languages for just $129.99 if you use StackSocial's exclusive code, LEARN40, before March 16.

Become fluent in new languages in your free time

Want to give your brain a boost? Learning a new language helps your brain form new neural connections and strengthen the ones that already exist. And Babbel has made it easier than ever to tackle this daunting task. 

Learning in 10-15 minute increments may feel contrary to how we were taught in high school, but Babbel’s lessons deliver some impressive results. Researchers at City University of New York actually discovered that novice learners picked up the equivalent of one semester of Spanish after 15 hours of Babbel learning. 

You can tackle these convenient mini lessons from your smartphone or laptop, and even alternate as your progress syncs across all devices. So next time you're waiting in line, skip social media and start picking up your next language. 

There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced learning levels to choose from, so you can brush up on high school French or learn to speak Norwegian at a beginner level. 

Aside from teaching you effectively in short spurts, Babbel also prioritizes practical topics. Learn words about dining, shopping, making friends, or doing business. They also help you sound like a local thanks to their advanced speech recognition technology that helps you work on pronunciation. 

Babbel lets you test your skills with an AI conversation partner. Practice in real-time as the AI drives the conversation without having to feel self-conscious. 

Once you conquer one language, you can move on to the next. And there's no time crunch, as this lifetime subscription lets you tackle as many or as little as you'd like in your free time. 

Get your own lifetime subscription to all languages with Babbel Language Learning for just $129.99 (reg. $599) with StackSocial's code LEARN40 now through March 16.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $129.99
$599 Save $469.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: If you've ever wanted a MacBook, this is the best deal we've ever offered: $509.97 (reg. $1,499) for a M1 MacBook Air through March 30.

Have you been in the market for a MacBook? If you've set foot in any Apple Store, you may be glad that you waited after seeing the prices — the latest models start at $1,099. Your patience is going to pay off, especially since shopping refurbished can help you get this 2020 MacBook Air for over 60% off.

Let's dive into what specs you'll get in this model:

• The M1 chip: This was the first chip Apple developed, and the M1 chip's silicon is even faster than the Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. It can enhance CPU performance, graphics, and more, making it ideal for students and professionals.

• 13.3” Retina display: It's also designed with 2560x1600 native resolution (227ppi) and supports millions of colors. 

• Comes 128GB of storage for simple, local storing of all your files, photos, videos, and other media.

• 18 hours of battery life: Enjoy all-day browsing, streaming, and working without needing to be tethered to an outlet.

• Its sleek, lightweight design (less than 3 pounds) makes it easy to transport to and from the office or while traveling.

• Fanless design: You can operate this MacBook Air silently, even while running graphics-intensive apps.

Don't miss your chance to own this M1 MacBook Air for 65% less than retail. Get it for $509.97 while supplies last, or before the price goes back up on March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple https://zdcs.link/zEjkxJ $509.97
$1,499 Save $989.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 1min.AI's Advanced Business Plan, which offers a collection of almost all the major AI models for only $79.97 (reg. $540).

There's been talk about AI taking people's jobs, and we're here to say you should let it — at least when it comes to time-consuming or tedious tasks. Rather than use your time writing rejection emails or proofreading sales reports, AI could do it for you. All you need to have AI become your new favorite coworker is to grab this 1min.AI subscription for $79.97 (reg. $540).

• Lifetime access to GPT, Gemini, Llama, Midjourney, and more AI models with a one-time payment.

• User-friendly interface: This makes it easy to dive in and start creating, whether you're familiar with or new to AI tools.

• PDF manipulation tools: Edit, merge, or split PDFs with ease — perfect for organizing documents.

• Content generation: Speed up your workflow with AI tools for writing, designing, presentation creation, etc. 

• Use one of the AI models to join virtual meetings, code, or even edit videos.

• No need to bounce between multiple AI models ever again since all of them are neatly organized in 1min.AI.

• With the credits you get with this 1min.AI plan, you can use them to generate AI content. The Advanced Business Plan lets you generate 1.1 million words or 1,100 images every month, and your credits renew monthly.

Offload your least favorite (or time-consuming) day-to-day tasks to AI with this 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription, now just $79.97 through March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $79.97
$540 Save $460.03 Get Deal

Roku vs. Fire TV: Setup and design Yes, these are different. We promise. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

With nearly identical designs, the setup processes for the Roku and Fire TV sticks should be similar, right?

The Roku was a breeze. I plugged the stick into an HDMI port in the back of my TV to get started. It powers up through a USB charger, and since I have a USB plug on the back of my TV, I just powered it up through that. This was so clutch as it kept all the cords tidy. I just needed to start up the remote and log in, and I was ready to go.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

Because I am impatient and occasionally bad at following instructions, I fumbled a step on the setup, but it ultimately proved to be foolproof and had no issue. The setup screen asks you questions about which pre-download apps are for you, so I just had to log in to start streaming. I was watching the latest Love Island within 15 minutes of opening the box.

The Fire TV Stick? That's a whole different story. The stick of the Fire TV Stick is thicker than the Roku's, so much so that I couldn't plug it directly into my TV because it crowded the other HDMI cables I had plugged in. Luckily, Amazon includes an HDMI adaptor for this issue. However, it means the Fire Stick ended up peaking out of the side of the TV, which is not ideal if you're trying to create the ultimate home entertainment center.

That little black tail peeking out on the right? Bane of my existence. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

To power up the Fire TV, I also used the USB plug because I didn't want to string the power cord along the back. Unfortunately, when the Fire TV Stick turned on, it informed me that the USB port wasn't a big enough power source, confounding considering it had no problem powering up the Roku.

Once I begrudgingly connected it to my power strip, it turned on, and the second conundrum came with the Fire TV Stick. 

Amazon offers the option of setting up its streaming device with the Fire TV app or the included remote. I chose the app since I hate typing with the remote and on-screen keyboards. But even after following the instructions, the app couldn't find the device over the network, so I had to set it up manually.

SEE ALSO: The best TV deals to shop during Prime Day 2024

There is more to the saga. Once I connected my Fire Stick to my network, it powered on and went through one update, which was annoying but acceptable. Until it went through another update… and then another. I sat through 20 minutes of three different updates on the Fire TV Stick. In that amount of time, I was already streaming on my Roku.

It then took me through several screens offering free trials of apps I had no need for before I finally got to the home screen and started manually adding apps.

My partner, who left the room when I started the setup, came in right as I finished and remarked, "You're just now finishing?" My thought exactly.

Winner: Roku

Roku vs. Fire TV: Ease of use Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I don't love the home pages of either the Amazon Fire TV Stick or the Roku. Both are filled with ads, but one is more flagrant than the other.

Both devices come with lots of pre-downloaded apps I didn't need. Looking at it, I felt my body tense up with the deep desire to organize both pages rather than leave them in chaos.

Organizing the Roku home page was straightforward but tedious. I needed to arrange and delete apps individually, one at a time. The default clicking noises on the Roku was rather grating on the ears, but luckily, I discovered you can change the themes and settings of the home page, which also changes the sounds. Roku's ads stay contained to one side while the apps are neatly organized in the center.

Generally, I like the Roku home page better than Amazon because I would politely describe the Amazon home page as a mess. Unsurprisingly, it prioritizes Amazon Prime programming and ads, so the home page is littered with just that. There's no convenient way to access and view all your apps directly on the home screen. Instead, your app library has to be clicked into, and even then, it needs to be more organized. However, if you watch Prime Video frequently, you'll love the Fire TV Stick as it keeps your most recently watched Prime shows bookmarked at the top, clearly a ploy to keep you watching Prime Video over any other streaming service.

Just one of the many ads slowing down the Fire TV Stick. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Fire TV Stick is also so, so slow. Sometimes it's painful! Moving between apps and clicking through options on the home screen is very buggy, with delays between clicks, which is beyond frustrating. If the system wasn't so bogged down by its own ads, it could probably go faster. Plus, after the first time I set up the Fire Stick, every time I powered it on, it required an update. Just a total slog when you want to get to the next episode of Bridgerton ASAP.

Both remotes easily connect to my complete TV system, controlling the volume. They have all the similar controls, including an arrow pad, play/pause, rewind/fast forward, volume, back, and home available as buttons. Each remote also has four buttons to take you directly to apps. 

The Amazon Fire TV Stick includes Netflix, Prime Video, DirectTV, and Peacock, while the Roku remote includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+. I never found myself using the buttons, but if you do, you can choose the one that prioritizes your preferred streamers.

The Fire TV Stick's advantage over Roku is its voice controls. Both Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick have voice control buttons, where you can speak into the remote and ask it to search for shows, open apps, or even just hit pause. Fire TV Stick's voice controls work slightly faster and smoother than Roku's. Otherwise, Roku's system is consistently more rapid, organized, and easier to use.

Winner: Roku

Roku vs. Fire TV: Streaming quality For all its faults, the Fire TV Stick delivered a beautiful view of the Love Island villa. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Many usability features can be overlooked if it streams well, and because of that, the Fire Stick almost caught up here.

I don't think my TV buffered once during my entire time using Roku. Even the first time I loaded Paramount+ (a notoriously buggy app, in my opinion), the Survivor episode took a few seconds to load. Still, when the episode started, it was crystal clear. All Roku apps are created equally because no matter what streaming service I was logged into, the picture quality was fantastic with no buffering.

The Fire TV Stick was overall less impressive than the Roku; however, when it came time to stream, it didn't bother me nearly as much as it did in other areas. I gave it the same test, loading up an episode to stream, and at first, it fumbled. Some brief buffering quickly dissipated, and then the picture cleared.

After that initial buffering incident, the Fire TV Stick streamed clearly. The main difference I noted was how each system navigated. The Roku, as expected, moved quickly, while the Fire TV Stick experienced constant lag when trying to pick a show to watch.

Winner: Roku

TL;DR: Live stream Saracens vs. Harlequins for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

With the 2025 Six Nations done and dusted, it's time for the rugby world to turn its attention back onto the domestic game. Saracens and Harlequins are right next to each other in the middle of the Gallagher Premiership pack, and they face each other this weekend at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Saracens vs. Harlequins for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Saracens vs. Harlequins?

Saracens vs. Harlequins starts at 3:05 p.m. GMT on March 22. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Saracens vs. Harlequins for free

Saracens vs. Harlequins is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream Saracens vs. Harlequins for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is obviously a quick fix, but it gives you enough time to watch Saracens vs. Harlequins before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. This deal includes an extra three months of coverage, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Saracens vs. Harlequins for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Have a scanner on hand at all times with SwiftScan VIP, the app that turns your smartphone into a scanner. Use the code TAKE30 through 30 March and pay just £32.46 (reg. £154.62).

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription £32.46 at the Mashable Shop
£154.62 Save £122.16 Use code 'TAKE30' Get Deal

It's surprising how often we need to keep track of a receipt, make a copy, or digitise an important document. Though they're getting harder to track down these days, scanners can really come in handy.

Since most of us don't even have a printer that is easily accessible, SwiftScan is there to fill the massive multitasking-printer-sized void in our lives. And right now you can enjoy a lifetime license for just £32.46 (reg. £154.62) when you use the code TAKE30 at the Mashable Shop through 30 March. 

Arm your smartphone with a scanner

SwiftScan turns your smartphone or tablet into a scanner, letting you create high-quality scans in seconds via a user-friendly app. It detects the edges of the page for precise scanning and makes scanning multiple pages and turning them into a single document a breeze. 

The app actually improves upon our old-school scanners. It enhances the scan quality with colour filters, auto-optimisation, and blur reduction, making it a great option for professionals who need to scan items for work. 

Once you're done scanning, turn a page into a PDF or JPG. Then, choose between sending it as a fax or email attachment or uploading it to iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another trusted cloud service with seamless integration. Scanned items are also saved and organised by SwiftScan for easy retrieval.

Scanning something you need to work with? SwiftScan also lets you edit PDF files, so you can annotate, redact, or sign after scanning. Your clunky old scanner definitely couldn't do that. 

Take a digital copy of anything with this handy lifetime subscription to SwiftScanVIP, now only £32.46 (reg. £154.62) with code TAKE30 through 30 March. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Save 86% on the award-winning AI photo editor Luminar Neo, which comes with a video training course and six packs of preset photo filters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skylum The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle £69.58 at the Mashable Shop
£527.28 Save £457.70 Get Deal

You've heard of Photoshop, but what is Luminar Neo?

Luminar Neo is an easy-to-use and award-winning AI photo editor that allows everyone to edit their photos with beginner and advanced tools. Instead of spending years mastering Photoshop, spend minutes learning to use this AI photo editing tool.

Now, Mashable readers can get a lifetime pass to this AI Photoshop alternative for just £69.58 (reg. £527.28).

What can Luminar Neo do?

Start with the bare-bone essentials like layers, masking, and local adjustments, then explore the more advanced AI-powered editing tools:

• Enhance and retouch skin

• Replace skies

• Upscale image quality

• So, so much more

What’s included with this purchase?

There are three components. First, the Luminar Neo photo editor, which is available for Windows, Mac, or as a plugin for Photoshop or Lightroom.

Second, a video training course on photo-editing techniques. You’ll learn how to modify your approach depending on which shots you’re working with, like cityscapes, forests, or portraits, while using Luminar Neo.

Third, six packs of preset photo filters to use with the editor. With just one click, you can instantly transform your photos instead of manually editing them. Try out Frosty Winter or Wintertime this time of year or something like Tender Blushing Skies or Tranquil Dawn Skies this spring. 

Is Luminar Neo good for professionals?

For photographers who don’t want to spend time learning the intricacies of Photoshop, yes. You’ll have advanced tools and the assistance of AI to fill in any knowledge gaps. Plus, this photo editor doesn’t require any subscription fees. With a one-time purchase, you get lifetime access to Luminar Neo.

How much is Luminar Neo’s lifetime subscription?

For everything included in this lifetime bundle — the editing software, video training, and preset filters — you only have to pay £69.58 (reg. £527.28). That's an 86% discount for Mashable readers.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Used in cold weather

• Green: Turn the score around in a game

• Blue: Baseball actions

• Purple: All have the same job in a major soccer league

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Equipment for snow activities

• Green: Bounce back

• Blue: Baseball verbs in past tense

• Purple: Names of Premier League managers

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #180 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Equipment for snow activities - SKI, SLED, SNOWBOARD, TUBE

• Bounce back - COMEBACK, RALLY, REBOUND, RECOVERY

• Baseball verbs in past tense - CAUGHT, DOVE, SLID, THREW

• Names of Premier League managers - ANGE, ENZO, NUNO, PEP

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 22 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A good roast

The words are not related to cooking or food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are sounds you might make at a roast.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CrackingUp.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 22

• Giggle

• Cackle

• Shriek

• Chuckle

• Laugh

• Howl

• CrackingUp

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Opposite of aunt.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

UNCLE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A parasite.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LEECH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A candelight memorial.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VIGIL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To be alarmed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 22 Hurdle Word 4 answer

PANIC

Final Hurdle hint

The opposite of fell asleep.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

AWOKE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 22 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Tools to make music

• Green: A novelty

• Blue: Their beginnings are a number

• Purple: They share abbreviations

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Musical instruments

• Green: Knickknack

• Blue: Words with the prefix meaning "three"

• Purple: Words abbreviated with "T" + letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #648 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Musical instruments: TAMBOURINE, THEREMIN, TIMPANI, TROMBONE

• Knickknack: TCHOTCHKE, THINGAMAJIG, TRIFLE, TRINKET

• Words with the prefix meaning "three": TRIANGLE, TRIDENT, TRILLION, TRILOBITE

• Words abbreviated with "T" + letter: TELEVISION, TOUCHDOWN, TRADEMARK, TUBERCULOSIS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 22

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

A new TikTok trend has sparked discussions about body image and the often racist and classist biases embedded in beauty standards. The trend involves a viral filter that alters users’ appearances to make them look either larger or thinner. Many of the videos feature thinner people reacting with laughter when the filter makes them appear bigger, while others show larger people using the slimming effect as "motivation." These videos are often set to Doechii’s song "Anxiety."

It's yet another example of AI-driven tools being used in ways that can reinforce harmful beauty ideals — and it just kind of sucks.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is criticizing young girls who shop at Sephora. They're missing the point.

Following widespread criticism for promoting body shaming, the filter was removed from the platform. It originally appeared in CapCut, a video-editing app owned by TikTok. While TikTok told CNET that it had removed the template from CapCut, similar versions of the filter are still accessible. The company also told the BBC that it was reviewing videos featuring the effect, making them ineligible for recommendation, and blocking them from teen accounts.

If you search for "chubby filter," you won’t get any results, but users have found ways around this by searching for terms like "chunky filter." According to CNET, the filter now includes a disclaimer that reads: "You are more than your weight. If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food, or exercise — it is important to know that help is out there and you are not alone. If you feel comfortable, you can confide in someone you trust or check out the resources below. Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other." However, Mashable did not see this disclaimer.

SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videos

Writer Rebecca Shaw summed up the issue in a post on X, commenting, "There’s an amaaazing new trend on TikTok where skinny girls use a filter to become 'chubby' and laugh at the results and everyone else laughs and it’s sooooooo funny and we definitely aren’t spiraling back down to pro-ana, death-to-fats era that damages every young woman."

As The Cut notes, this kind of fat shaming is nothing new — but that doesn’t make it any less harmful.

Firefly Aerospace’s successful moon lander has yielded a trove of data that scientists will pore over for years.

London's Heathrow Airport — one of the busiest destinations in the world — was completely shut down on Friday. There were zero flights in or out, which is almost unimaginable.

A fire broke out at a nearby electrical substation, which led to power issues at Heathrow and a complete closure of the airport. Some 1,300 flights were affected, NBC News reported.

Flightradar24, a site devoted to live-tracking flights, posted a graphic showing the stunning difference in flight volume from one day to the next. It's shocking to see no flights to Heathrow whatsoever.

👀 Flights in and out of London-Heathrow last week and today at 13:00 UTC.

[image or embed]

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24.com) March 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM

The downstream effects of Heathrow's closure are likely to felt for some time. Its total closure is a massive wrench thrown into the global transportation system.

Today’s total closure of London-Heathrow will affect at least 1,351 flights to/from LHR. That doesn’t include any flights that might be canceled or delayed due to aircraft being out of position.

[image or embed]

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24.com) March 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM

Airport officials said its back-up power source worked as intended but it wasn't able to power the entire airport. It's unclear when things would get back to normal at Heathrow — but it may not be anytime soon.

“We expect significant disruption over the coming days, and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens,” the airport noted, according to the Associated Press. Heathrow's X account posted at about 4:15 p.m. local time that it hoped to "run a full operation tomorrow."

Hopefully that means far more flights on the graphic tomorrow.

SAVE $40: As of March 21, get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier for $49.99, down from its usual price of $99.99, at Amazon using the on-page $20 off coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier $49.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you keep a tidy house but don't have an air purifier somewhere, you're missing out on breathing ultra clean air. It can be a game-changer when it comes to allergy season or unexpected events such as wildfires. If you've been waiting for a great option that can do all that for you without breaking the bank, it's here at Amazon, and you can even save a bit more thanks to an on-page coupon.

As of March 21, get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier for $49.99, down from its usual price of $99.99, thanks to a 30% discount and an on-page coupon you can clip for an additional $20 off. Your discount will be added automatically.

SEE ALSO: Refresh your home with these early home deals ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

This air purifier can clean up to 232 square feet of space in your home, and it activates five times an hour, so it can handle additional space as well, serving up cleaner air every 30 minutes. You can turn on its intelligent auto mode to adjust its air speed based on the condition of the air around it as well, so if you have air with more particles that need cleaning, it'll detect them and start to clean more or less based on the environment.

You can control the purifier's settings via app or voice, and it can also connect to any smart assistants in your home as well. And if you're ready to get some shut-eye, you can set it to sleep mode to keep from waking you up when it powers on. It's all about setting and forgetting, and at this price, it's a no-brainer.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a national video game industry trade association, unveiled a new Accessible Games Initiative this week, intended to standardize information for players with disabilities and backed by major names in the world of gaming, including Electronic Arts (EA), Nintendo, and Ubisoft.

Announced at this year's Game Developers Conference, the accessibility initiative includes 24 new tags and associated criteria that elucidates in-game features or controls, helping players better understand if they'll be able to play a game before they buy. Examples include "clear text," "large and clear subtitles," and "narrated menus," which enable access for people who are blind or have low vision. Tags like "playable with buttons only," "playable without touch controls," and "stick inversion" are necessary for players with various motor skills.

According to the ESA, standardized tags will make it easier for players with disabilities to find and assess games with built-in accessibility features or assistive device compatibility, and even provide useful information for parents and teachers seeking out games for young children. Currently, game companies use their own in-house accessibility tags in marketplaces, when and if they are available.

SEE ALSO: DOGE and Musk's USAID shutdown probably violated the U.S. Constitution

“Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games,” said ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis in a press release. “This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play.”

Industry giants Google, Microsoft, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, as well as recent sign-ons Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games have agreed to update their offerings with the new tagging system, as well.

Game accessibility has garnered more focused, industry-wide attention in recent years. In December, EA announced it would be expanding its Patent Pledge program, a commitment to providing royalty-free IP and accessible technology patents to developers without fear of infringement claims. "By making this technology available to others royalty-free, we want to encourage the industry to work together to make video games more inclusive by removing unintended barriers to access," wrote EA senior vice president Kerry Hopkins at the time.

Industry buy-in, however, is voluntary, and companies that have signed on to the Accessible Games Initiative, as well as the digital storefronts that carry their games, will release accessibility tags on their own timelines. Once tags are added, however, players will be able to spot them by an Accessible Games Initiative logo on the product listing — they are only available in English, for now.

SAVE $60: As of March 21, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 3 at Amazon for $339.99, down from $399.99. That's a 15% discount and a $60 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) $339.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Tracking your steps with a smartphone isn’t always convenient or accurate. If you want to get serious about your health and fitness, investing in a high-quality smartwatch might be a good idea.

And right now, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) for $339.99, down from $399.99, at Amazon. That’s a $60 discount and just $10 more than the lowest price we've seen for this particular model.

SEE ALSO: I tried on the new large Pixel Watch 3 and it's stunning — just beware of this one thing

The Google Pixel Watch 3 provides advanced fitness tracking via Fitbit, with heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and custom workouts to help you reach your goals. With 24 hours of battery life and a 40% larger screen than previous models, you can easily keep track of your stats all day long.

"Each morning, Morning Brief delivers a summary based on your health and workout metrics," Mashable's East Coast Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon writes in her review. "For example, you'll get a daily digest of how you slept, your readiness score (how prepared your body is for physical exercise), weekly exercise progress, heart-rate variability, breathing rate, and blood-oxygen level."

You can also take calls, send messages, and access your favorite apps right from your wrist. If you have a Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell, you can even check your feeds on the Pixel Watch's display.

SAVE UP TO 20%: As of March 21, Ruggable is hosting a sitewide spring sale that can net you up to 20% off their most popular styles. Just use code BLOOM at checkout to redeem the offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable Spring Sale — save up to 20% Get Deal

Spring has finally sprung, and what better way to celebrate than to brighten up your living room with a brand-new rug? One that won't hang onto stains for dear life, is plush and bouncy, and most importantly, at least 15% off the original price.

If that sounds good to you, you'll want to check out the Spring Sale that popular rug brand, Ruggable, just launched. The sale gets you at least 15% off sitewide, and up to 20% off if you buy more than one. That's a decent deal, so might as well double up. Just use code BLOOM at checkout, and the discount is yours.

SEE ALSO: Need a robot vacuum that actually works on carpet? These 3 performed the best in my home.

What makes Ruggable special? It's mainly the fact that their rugs are completely machine-washable, meaning you won't have to get down on your hands and knees to start scrubbing when you come across a stain that's more set-in than usual. On top of that, they're also water- and stain-resistant, and totally interchangeable with their other rug covers as long as you're using a Ruggable pad. So, you can pick up a few styles and switch them up as you see fit — whatever makes the room feel right. Each rug comes in either a flatwoven or tufted style, so it's up to you if you'd rather a plush feel, or something that's more flush with the ground (which is better for areas with higher foot traffic). Don't miss out on Ruggable's Spring Sale — use code BLOOM at checkout and score up to 20% off your purchase.