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I can count on one hand the number of times I've been in love. Those occasions have brought great joy, and even greater heartbreak. But the one form of love that's been a constant in my life is platonic love. This Valentine's Day I'll be celebrating the constancy of that particular love.
SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps worth trying in 2025I won't be lamenting my lack of a boyfriend this Valentine's Day, I'll be celebrating the women in my life who've laughed with me (and at me); who've listened to my rants without judgement; and who've given me words of support and encouragement when things were really shit. Female friendship has been more meaningful than all of my toe-dips in romantic love.
One moment in particular stands out. Shortly before Valentine's Day three years ago, I found out that a man I'd recently been involved with — and for whom I still had feelings — not only had a new girlfriend; they were also expecting a child. I felt numb when I heard the news and immediately texted my friend Michelle to tell her what I'd heard. She told me to meet her at the gym first thing the following morning so we could talk.
Between sobs as I stomped on the treadmill, she listened to me and assured me that this was a perfectly acceptable response. Over the next week, she made sure I ate lunch, she smiled at me from across the desk as I blinked back tears while attempting to work and — when Valentine's Day rolled around — she quietly left a card and present on my desk. Without Michelle, I don't think I would have bounced back so quickly and thanks to her pep talks, I had the courage to meet up with that ex and get the rest of my belongings back. And, armed with my retrieved possessions, I marched the hell away from that guy who'd never really been that nice to me anyway.
Another friend who I owe a debt of gratitude this Valentine's Day is Elisha. Since becoming friends just over a year ago, she and I have laughed until our cheekbones hurt, but we've also been there for each other during the sadder times. Together we've shared in the loss of family members, friends, lovers. We have seasoned the streets of multiple cities with our tears.
It's not always easy to find someone who'll listen to you drone on for hours on end about something that's really bugging you. But, when something has deeply upset you, it's hard to change the record, even if you're acutely aware that you're stuck on repeat. I'll never forget the moment I apologised to Elisha for talking about the same issue again and again. Sitting across the table from me, Elisha started to cry and said: "Rachel, if you can't talk to me about this stuff, then who can you talk to? Please don't be sorry." For that, I'll always be hugely grateful.
SEE ALSO: How to move on after a situationship endsGirlfriends aren't just there for the challenging times though. They're there to empower us, to make us laugh, and to remind us of the good in the world. I'm grateful to my female friends overseas — Shannon, Vicky and Haley — who, despite the distance, are just as close to me as my UK-based friends. At the drop of a hat, they are there on FaceTime, Skype and iMessage to talk about the exciting things that we've seen and done. And, every once in a while, one of us crosses the Atlantic Ocean to embark on another adventure together. These are the moments that enrich my existence.
This Valentine's Day I'll be sharing a romantic dinner for two with someone very special indeed: Lizzie, my dear friend and housemate who I've known for 10 years. She and I spend night after night filling our home with laughter, even after the toughest of days and I'll be toasting to that decade of laughter on Feb. 14.
My female friends empower me through the support they give me and vice versa. They've not only made tough times more bearable, they've also taught me things about myself, about relationships and about life, in general. That's why I'm putting mates before dates this Valentine's Day.
This article was first published in 2017 and republished in 2025.
TL;DR: Mashable readers can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for only £14.44 (reg. £159.93) through 23 February — that’s a 90% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro £14.44 at the Mashable ShopIf you thought AI would only be a fad, take a look at Microsoft. Thanks to Windows, countless computers are now equipped with Microsoft Copilot, their latest AI technology. But something even cooler? You don’t have to get a new device to get Copilot — just upgrade to Windows 11.
And, if you’re going for it, go all the way and get the Pro version with the most features, like remote desktop access and hard drive encryption. We have a deal on Windows 11 Pro keys for only £14.44 (reg. £159.93), and each one-time purchase upgrades two compatible PCs.
AI in Windows 11We realize you can use AI chatbots, so what makes Windows Copilot special? For one, Copilot is built using a custom version of GPT-4, so it’s like getting the premium version of ChatGPT for free.
There are also many perks of having Copilot built into your PC:
Ask it to change system settings instead of finding them yourself
Summarise web pages without having to ‘copy and paste’
Have it set reminders, schedule meetings, or draft emails
Already have Windows 11 Home, but curious about what Pro delivers? Remote desktop access becomes super handy in a pinch, as does BitLocker device encryption in case of device loss or theft. You’ll also get Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for other professional testing and tasks.
Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for £14.44 (reg. £159.93) until 23 February at 11:59 p.m. PT at the Mashable Shop.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
ENTER TO WIN: From Feb. 10-17, you can enter the draw to win a bottle of the Domino's pepperoni-inspired perfume.
Opens in a new window Credit: Domino's Domino's: Win Free Pepperoni-Inspired Perfume Learn MoreValentine's Day just got a whole lot spicier thanks to Domino's.
The popular pizza chain has gone ahead and done what the world has been asking for by launching a pepperoni-inspired perfume. This meaty scent is designed to make you irresistible with notes of pepper and spice, with a warm, woody base. And the pyramid-shaped bottle decorated to look like pizza slices is a really classy touch.
SEE ALSO: How to survive Valentine's Day when you're heartbrokenYou can't actually purchase Eau de Passion right now, but all is not lost. Anyone who wants to try it can fill out a form from Feb. 10-17 for a chance to win a bottle. The catch is that it's only available in the UK and Ireland, but that situation could change once everyone sees the impact of this scent. Seriously, who wouldn't be all over someone who stinks of Domino’s Pepperoni Passion.
Make the most of this Valentine's Day and enter the draw to win a bottle of the Domino's pepperoni-inspired perfume.
TL;DR: Live stream 2025 LIV Golf for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
LIV Golf has caused a lot of controversy since its first event back in 2022, but things seem to have settled down now. And at the end of the day, don't we all just want to watch more high-quality competitions between the best players in the world?
We're not picking a side in this. We love the PGA Tour and LIV Golf equally. We're just pleased to see more golf on the calendar. And better yet, it's possible to watch these events without spending anything.
If you want to watch 2025 LIV Golf for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is LIV Golf?LIV Golf is a Saudi-backed professional men's golf tour. The tour features team and individual competitions, with 14 events per season (each consisting of three rounds and no cuts).
When is LIV Golf in 2025?2025 LIV Golf features 14 events held all over the world between February and August:
LIV Golf Riyadh — Feb. 8
LIV Golf Adelaide — Feb. 16
LIV Golf Hong Kong — March 9
LIV Golf Singapore — March 16
LIV Golf Miami — April 6
LIV Golf Mexico City — April 27
LIV Golf Korea — May 4
LIV Golf Washington, D.C. — June 8
LIV Golf Dallas — June 29
LIV Golf Andalucía — July 13
LIV Golf UK — July 27
LIV Golf Chicago — Aug. 10
LIV Golf Indianapolis — Aug. 17
LIV Team Championship Michigan — Aug. 24
The good news is that it's possible to live stream every event for free in the 2025 season.
How to watch 2025 LIV Golf for free2025 LIV Golf 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 unblock free live streams of 2025 LIV Golf from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Live stream 2025 LIV Golf for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch 2025 LIV Golf without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select events before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream 2025 LIV Golf for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup has produced a number of surprising results, including Cavalry's first-leg victory over Pumas UNAM. The Mexican side will be expected to overturn the 2-1 defeat they suffered in the first half of this matchup, but Cavalry will be confident of upsetting the odds.
If you want to watch Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry?Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 13. This fixture takes place at the Olympic Stadium.
How to watch Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry for freePumas UNAM vs. Cavalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is the exclusive home of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Pumas UNAM vs. Cavalry in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Australia for free on 7Plus. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Australia have enjoyed their tour of Sri Lanka, but there's still one match left to play. The 2nd ODI is the final opportunity for players on both sides to make a statement. We're expecting fireworks.
If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd ODI) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Sri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd ODI)?The 2nd ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia takes place on Feb. 14. This ODI takes place at the Ranasinghe Premadasa Cricket Stadium.
The full schedule for Australia's tour of Sri Lanka is as follows:
Sri Lanka vs. Australia (1st Test) — Jan. 29 to Feb. 2
Sri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd Test) — Feb. 6-10
Sri Lanka vs. Australia (1st ODI) — Feb. 12
Sri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd ODI) — Feb. 14
The good news for fans is that every ball of this tour is available to live stream for free.
How to watch Sri Lanka vs. Australia for freeSri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd ODI) is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.
7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can access free live streams of Sri Lanka vs. Australia from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of Sri Lanka vs. Australia by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Visit 7Plus
Stream Sri Lanka vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Sri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd ODI) without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream the ODI games before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for 7Plus?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live cricket on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Australia (2nd ODI) for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We've made it through the group stage of the Europa League, and now it gets serious. The knockout rounds are where the big teams and star players stand up and be counted. But before the last 16, Fenerbahce face off against Anderlecht in a playoff matchup.
If you want to watch Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht?Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Feb. 13. This fixture takes place at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
How to watch Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht for freeFenerbahce vs. Anderlecht is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.
ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, 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 Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ServusTV by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria
Visit ServusTV
Stream Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht in the Europa League for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ServusTV without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ServusTV?ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on ServusTV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
There will be many locations around the world that will restrict your access to certain sites, including porn sites like xHamster. We understand why these restrictions are in place, but we also think it's important to know how online blocks can be bypassed. And we're not talking about complicated hacking at the dead of night. We're talking about a straightforward process that anyone can master.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock xHamster for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's really not.
Unblock xHamster by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to xHamster
Unblock xHamster
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.
The cast of Cobra Kai (Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Jacob Bertrand, and Gianni DeCenzo) were given the opportunity to build their own dojos made up of the best of the best of the Karate Kid / Cobra Kai fighters. Who did they pick?
Which dojo do you think would win in a karate tournament?
Part 3 premieres February 13, 2025. Parts 1 & 2 are currently streaming only on Netflix.
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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Things you need for a weight-based workout
Green: Different things you can medal in for snow sports
Blue: Soccer mascots
Purple: Words that have a baseball team name in them
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Weightlifting needs
Green: Olympic snowboarding events
Blue: MLS teams
Purple: Ends with a MLB team
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 #143 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayWeightlifting needs - BAR, BENCH, DUMBBELL, SPOTTER
Olympic snowboarding events - BIG AIR, GIANT SLALOM, HALFPIPE, SLOPESTYLE
MLS teams - DYNAMO, EARTHQUAKES, RED BULLS, WHITECAPS
Ends with a MLB team - BETRAYS, HELMETS, HUNDREDS, STRANGERS
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 MashableBy 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 February 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 13 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's in the cardsThese words are reasons to celebrate.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords are why you might buy a card for someone.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Greetings.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 13Love
Baby
Birthday
Wedding
Sympathy
Congrats
Greetings
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.
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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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 February 13 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: A model for creating something
Green: Ways to show gratitude
Blue: Expressing ability or necessity
Purple: Common phrases ending in "trip"
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Template
Green: Demonstration, As of Appreciation
Blue: Modal Verbs
Purple: ___Trip
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 #611 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayTemplate: BLUEPRINT, GUIDE, MODEL, MOLD
Demonstration, As of Appreciation: EXPRESSION, GESTURE, SYMBOL, TOKEN
Modal Verbs: CAN, MIGHT, MUST, WILL
___Trip: EGO, GUILT, HEAD, POWER
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 February 13Are 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.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: 8NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 13 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 13, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A lively dance with Cuban origins.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?No letters repeat in today's puzzle.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
RUMBA.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 13Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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 Wordle.
OpenAI will ship GPT-5 in a matter of months and streamline its AI models into more unified products, said CEO Sam Altman in an update on Feb. 12.
"We want to do a better job of sharing our intended roadmap, and a much better job simplifying our product offerings," said Altman in an X post introducing several updates about the company's GPT and o series. Specifically, Altman says the company plans to launch GPT-4.5 as its "last non-chain-of-thought model" and integrate its latest o3 reasoning model into GPT-5.
Tweet may have been deletedThe estimated timing for GPT-4.5 is a matter of weeks, and GPT-5 in a matter of months, Altman responded in a comment about the ETA.
OpenAI's previously comfortable position atop the AI throne has been challenged lately with the introduction of DeepSeek's reasoning model R1. The Chinese company reportedly made the model for a fraction of the price and offered it free of charge as a chatbot, and significantly cheaper than OpenAI models for API access. In addition to rocking the stock market, DeepSeek's arrival on the scene threw OpenAI and other AI companies' business strategy into question, proving AI models can be made cheaply and more accessibly.
Perhaps, Altman's announcement represents changing tack. Instead of demanding $200 a month for exclusive or early access to certain model features with its Pro plan, the new strategy seems to be getting its products into as many hands as possible to beat the competition with market capture and user-friendly experience.
"A top goal for us is to unify o-series models and GPT-series models by creating systems that can use all our tools, know when to think for a long time or not, and generally be useful for a very wide range of tasks," said Altman in the lengthy post. That means OpenAI won't ship o3 as a standalone model and will instead incorporate its reasoning abilities, which improves accuracy and is better for more complex problems, into GPT-5.
GPT-5 in ChatGPT will also have voice mode, canvas, search, and deep research built in so that the chatbot automatically adapts to the user's needs without the user having to switch between various models and features.
Altman also said that GPT-5 will be available to the free ChatGPT tier, and Plus and Pro subscribers will get access to "GPT-5 at a higher level of intelligence," with the Pro subscription having the most advanced version.
Apple TV+ and Apple TV are among those services you associate with Apple devices alone, but that changes today.
Apple just announced that the Apple TV app, as well as the Apple TV+ streaming subscription and MLS Season Pass content, are now available natively on Android.
To try it out, download and install the Apple TV app on Google Play on your device and sign up to start watching. If you don't have an Apple TV subscription, you don't have to commit right away, as Apple offers a 7-day free trial on launch. You can sign up right there from within the Apple TV app on Android.
Apple has taken great care to follow Google's Material Design principles in designing the app, so it should look good on all Android devices. If you've ever dreamed of natively watching Apple TV+ content on a Google Pixel Fold, now you can.
And while there are no hardware requirements, you do need a device that supports Android 10 or above.
If you're one of those users who have both Apple and Android devices in your household, worry not: All of the content will sync across different devices, such as Apple TV and a Pixel phone.
The app works over a WiFi or cellular connection, and enables users to download content and watch it offline.
SEE ALSO: Apple just announced the Powerbeats Pro 2, but the originals are 48% off at Best BuyAs for what type of content you can expect, some examples include Apple Original films such as Wolfs, The Instigators, The Family Plan, Killers of the Flower Moon, and CODA, and TV shows like Severance, Slow Horses, The Morning Show, Presumed Innocent, Shrinking, Hijack, Loot, Palm Royale, Masters of the Air, and Ted Lasso.
It's worth noting that Apple TV has been available for Android TV devices for some time now, but this is the first time it's made available for Android phones.
The Apple TV app for Android is now available globally as a free download.
Presidents' Day (Feb. 17) is the first major shopping holiday of the year, and in the days ahead, retailers are chomping at the bit: Many of their sales have started well ahead of the long weekend, so there's really no need to wait to shop. That includes Samsung's Presidents' Day event, which has packed its online storefront chock full of deals on TVs, smartphones, wearables, laptops, and other premium gadgets from its roster — to the tune of up to $2,000 off.
SEE ALSO: Best Presidents' Day mattress deals in 2025: Shop Purple, Avocado, Nectar, and moreAfter poring over every single offer in Samsung's sale, I've rounded up the best offers in a list below. I've noted competing deals at other tech retailers if they've matched (or one-upped) any of my top picks — Best Buy and Amazon are definitely giving Samsung a run for its money, for what it's worth, so don't limit yourself to one retailer. I've also only included deals that don't require trade-ins, which can save you even more money if you're willing to fork over an old device. For the full list of deals from Samsung's Presidents' Day sale, head to its event landing page.
For even more savings, check out Mashable's master list of Presidents' Day deals around the web, plus our individual breakouts for Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart's programming. All of their holiday sales are already live, too.
Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D TV $899.99 at Samsung.comThe 2024 edition of the internet's favorite "art piece when it's off" TV earned a Pantone Validated ArtfulColor certification, a first for The Frame series. Translation: Its colors look super realistic. The larger sizes (55 inches and up) can also switch from a 120Hz refresh rate to a 60Hz refresh rate when in Art Mode, making them more energy-efficient than previous iterations. During Samsung's Presidents' Day sale, the 55-inch model is on sale for just $899.99 — an impressive 40% discount on its $1,499.99 MSRP. (If you want to go slightly bigger, the 65-inch model is marked down to $1,299.99, or 35% off.) Shoppers have the option of bundling their TV with their choice of two soundbars or Samsung's Music Frame speaker for an additional savings of $50 to $200.
For comparison's sake, the 55-inch The Frame was on sale at Amazon for $2 less at the time of writing (bringing it to an all-time low), but those bundle options weren't available there.
More TV deals48 inches and underSamsung 42-inch OLED S90D Gaming TV — $899.99 $1,399.99 (save $500)
Samsung 43-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,099.99 $1,499.99 (save $400)
Samsung 48-inch OLED S90D Gaming TV — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)
Samsung 50-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)
Samsung 50-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,299.99 $1,599.99 (save $300)
Samsung 55-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $849.99 $1,199.99 (save $350)
Samsung 55-inch OLED S90D TV — $1,199.99 $1,999.99 (save $800)
Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,499.99 $1,999.99 (save $500)
Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD DU7200 TV — $399.99 $469.99 (save $70)
Samsung 65-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)
Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D TV — $1,299.99 $1,999.99 (save $700)
Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 4K QNX1D TV — $1,449.99 $2,199.99 (save $750) + free TV mounting and wall mount
Samsung 65-inch OLED S90D TV — $1,499.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,200)
Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $1,799.99 $2,699.99 (save $900)
Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K QN900D TV — $3,999.99 $4,999.99 (save $1,000)
Samsung 75-inch Crystal UHD DU7200 TV — $599.99 $649.99 (save $50)
Samsung 75-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $1,399.99 $2,199.99 (save $800)
Samsung 75-inch Neo QLED 4K QNX1D TV — $1,649.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,350) + free TV mounting and wall mount
Samsung 75-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $2,399.99 $3,299.99 (save $900)
Samsung 77-inch OLED S90D TV — $2,199.99 $3,699.99 (save $1,500)
Samsung 85-inch Crystal UHD DU7200 TV — $799.99 $1,099.99 (save $300)
Samsung 85-inch QLED 4K Q80D TV — $1,999.99 $3,299.99 (save $1,300)
Samsung 85-inch Neo QLED 4K QNX1D TV — $2,149.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,850) + free TV mounting and wall mount
Samsung 85-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV — $2,799.99 $4,799.99 (save $2,000)
We haven't reviewed last year's Galaxy Z Fold6, but our sister site PCMag deemed it "the best foldable phone money can buy, thanks to its refined design, powerful internals, top-notch cameras, and superb screens." Compared to the previous-generation Galaxy Z Fold5 (which we did try and love), it's a tad thinner, lighter, brighter, matte instead of glossy, and equipped with a newer CPU. The base model with 256GB of storage is now on sale on Samsung's website for $1,599.99, or 16% off its $1,899.99 sticker price — a solid $300 savings. You can bump it up to 512GB of storage for $120 more.
Samsung's Presidents' Day deal is matched at Best Buy during its own holiday sale, but their available colorways differ. Samsung's exclusive white and crafted black finishes are the options it's discounted, while Best Buy has the standard navy, pink, and silver shadow variants on sale.
More unlocked smartphone dealsSamsung Galaxy S25 (256GB) — $809.99 $859.99 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy S25+ (512GB) — $1,019.99 $1,119.99 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) — $1,299.99 $1,419.99 (save $120)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (1TB) — $1,419.99 $1,659.99 (save $240)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (512GB) — $1,719.99 $2,019.99 (save $300)
PCMag also has the scoop on Samsung's latest noise-cancelling earbuds, praising their "comfortable fit, quality sound, and clever AI features," but knocking their battery life and limited compatibility with iPhones. You won't be able to use all of their features if you don't have a Samsung phone, so I'd probably only consider them if you're already nestled in the brand's ecosystem (same as their predecessors). Available in silver and white, they're on sale for $199.99 during Samsung's Presidents' Day sale — a 20% discount.
Some important fine print: Amazon and Best Buy are both offering the same deal, and the latter will give you an extra $10 off if you're a paid My Best Buy (Plus or Total) member.
More earbud dealsSamsung Galaxy Buds3 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi, 40mm) — $239.99 $299.99 (save $60)
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi, 44mm) — $269.99 $329.99 (save $60)
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi + 4G LTE, 40mm) — $269.99 $349.99 (save $80)
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (Bluetooth/WiFi + 4G LTE, 44mm) — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB eUFS) — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,699.99 (save $200)
Samsung 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen. Mini-LED Curved Gaming Screen — $1,749.99 $2,699.99 (save $950 with on-page upgrade credit)
Samsung Q-series 3.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar (HW-QS730D) — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150)
Samsung Q-series 5.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar (HW-Q800D) — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)
Samsung Q-series 9.1.2 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Rear Speakers (HW-Q910D) — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)
Samsung Q-series 11.1.4 ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Rear Speakers (HW-Q990D) — $1,699.99 $1,999.99 (save $300)
Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (1TB) — $119.99 $139.99 (save $20)
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (1TB) — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)
Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2TB) — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2TB) — $179.99 $229.99 (save $50)
Samsung 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (4TB) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (4TB) — $319.99 $409.99 (save $90)
Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (1TB) — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20) + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)
Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (2TB) — $139.99 $219.99 (save $80) + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)
Samsung Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 (4TB) — $259.99 $369.99 (save $110) + free EVO Select + Adapter microSDXC (64GB)
Do you use 1Password, LastPass, NordPass, or any other password manager? You're not alone. According to a 2023 Security.org study, roughly one in three people use a password manager to secure their login information. Password managers make logging in to your apps, social media accounts, and other online services easy.
They're also increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals.
According to a new report from cybersecurity firm Picus Security, cyberattacks on password managers and similar services, such as browser-stored credentials, have tripled compared to the previous year. The firm detailed these findings in its Red Report 2025.
SEE ALSO: Cybersecurity researchers discovered a scary security flaw with YouTube and GoogleResearchers found that out of more than a million malware variants, 25 percent of all malware targeted password managers or other credential storage services.
"For the first time ever, stealing credentials from password stores is in the top 10 techniques listed in the MITRE ATT&CK Framework," Picus Security said, referencing an industry framework for classifying cyberattacks.
According to Picus, cybercriminals are increasingly deploying multi-stage attacks, which the firm's researchers have dubbed "SneakThief." SneakThief describes a new type of malware attack that involves "increased stealth, persistence, and automation." These new malware attacks contain dozens of "malicious actions," which aid the hacker in gaining access and exporting data without getting caught.
SEE ALSO: How to spot and avoid the E-ZPass scam texts everyone's gettingWith so many apps and online platforms to manage logins for, more internet users have adopted password storage utilities to help manage them all. But, in turn, hackers have adjusted their malicious campaigns to shift their focus towards password managers. And it makes sense. Why would a hacker put their time and effort into stealing a target's login credentials to just one service when they could steal all their login credentials? Why steal a key to open just one door when you can take the master key and access everything?
"Threat actors are leveraging sophisticated extraction methods, including memory scraping, registry harvesting, and compromising local and cloud-based password stores, to obtain credentials that give attackers the keys to the kingdom," said Picus Security co-founder and VP of Picus Labs, Dr. Suleyman Ozarslan. "It’s vital that password managers are used in tandem with multi-factor authentication and that employees never reuse a password, especially for their password manager."
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