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TL;DR: Through 27 October, this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (lifetime license) and Windows 11 Pro bundle is on sale for £22.96 (reg. £335.49). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Suite 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £22.96 at the Mashable Shop
£335.49 Save £312.53 Get Deal

Whether you’re a small business owner, professional, or student, this bundle has the tools you need to make the most of your PC. With this bundle of the Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Suite and Windows 11 Pro, you can upgrade your operating system and utilise software that can help you stay productive. Through 27 October, you can get both of these Microsoft tools for a one-time total of £22.96.

With lifetime access to a 2021 Microsoft Office device license, you can create an impressive PowerPoint presentation, update your CV in Word, and connect with co-workers in Teams. And for everything to run smoothly, you'll also need a powerful operating system like Windows 11 Pro, designed for the modern-day professional. The seamless interface (which includes Copilot, the new Windows AI tool) makes navigating and multitasking easy.

Upon purchase, immediately download and install the software, and you’ll be up and running in no time. Lifetime licenses are only valid on one PC at a time and are great for work or home. Meanwhile, Windows 11 Pro offers encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses for advanced cybersecurity. The antivirus defenses help protect your data and work to keep your private information safe.

Once more: a Microsoft Office lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro bundle is available for only £22.96 (reg. £335.49) until 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch NHL live streams for free on Laola1 and Prime Video. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ice hockey is a beautiful sport that combines the grace and elegance of ice skating with a level of physicality that you simply don't see in other sports. We love the merging of elements, and so do millions of fans from all around the world.

The problem for all of these fans is finding a way to watch the NHL without spending a fortune. Streaming live sport doesn't tend to come cheap, but there's always a way to watch your favourite sport for free.

If you are interested in watching the NHL for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch the NHL for free

The good news is that it is possible to stream the NHL for free. The following platforms are offering free coverage of the NHL:

• Austria — Laola1 (select NHL games for free)

• Canada — Prime Video (Monday Night Hockey for free with 30-day trial)

These free streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Austria and Canada, meaning you can access these live streams from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NHL for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria and Canada

4. Connect to Laola1 or Prime Video

5. Watch the NHL for free in the UK

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NHL live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games for free.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming NHL games for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Canada

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• 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 £82.82 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 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch NHL games for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.

Watch the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.

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 October 15'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: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 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. 

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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 October 15 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Tool for fruits.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 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...

CORER.

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.

Reporting 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.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 October 12'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 14 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 deleted

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.

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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 deleted

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 October 14 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Football

• Green: Scrolling through TV

• Blue: Funny guys in makeup

• Purple: Definitions of D

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 - Football Positions

• Green - Cable Channels

• Blue - Fictional Clowns

• Purple - What "D" Might Stand For

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 #492 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Football Positions: Center, Guard, Quarterback, Safety

• Cable Channels: Discovery, History, Nickelodeon, Oxygen

• Fictional Clowns: Homey, Joker, Pennywise, Ronald

• What "D" Might Stand For: Defense, Democrat, Dimensional, Drive

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.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 14

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.

Watch out, teens and tweens: A majority of adults want cellphones out of the classroom, according to a new poll.

The recent Pew Research Center survey of 5,110 U.S. adults found that 68 percent backed a ban on middle and high school students using a cellphone in the classroom. Twenty-four percent of respondents opposed the idea while 8 percent were unsure.

When asked to identify why they supported a ban, participants said they thought students would develop better social skills and be less likely to cheat, as a result. They also think such a ban could reduce school bullying.

But they drew the line at a more restrictive approach. Only roughly a third of the respondents favored blocking phone access for the entire day, not just in the classroom, while more than half opposed it.

SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets online

The survey findings may inform the ongoing struggle over the role of technology and internet-connected devices in the classroom.

Educators and their unions have long argued that phones and constant access to social media platforms distracts students, enables bullying, and burns teachers out. School districts have even sued technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, arguing that they don't sufficiently warn young users of the risks of using their platforms.

Adults surveyed by Pew who oppose any kind of ban overwhelmingly cite concern about parents being able to reach their child when needed. They also believe the rule would be too hard for teachers to enforce, and that cellphones can be a useful teaching tool.

Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, told Mashable in an email that the organization backs a day-long phone-free policy in order to offer students and teachers the "most benefits." Whitman said placing phones in a storage tool, like a phone locker or in baskets secured in the school office, can further reduce cyberbullying, social media conflict, and poor face-to-face engagement with peers.

Some school districts and state governments have already moved toward different types of bans. California recently passed legislation requiring school districts to develop a policy for restricting phone use at school by 2026. Florida banned phone use in the classroom this school year. Louisiana is poised to prohibit students from using and possessing a cellphone for the entire day, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.

The Pew survey did find more resistance to the idea of a ban from younger adults. Less than half of survey respondents under the age of 30 support restrictions on cellphones in the classroom, whereas more than three quarters of adults ages 30 to 49 favor them. That percentage rises to 80 percent among participants ages 50 and older.

Whitman said that students "deserve" phone-free schools so they can focus and engage with students and peers.

"This means loud lunch rooms and more students participating in afterschool activities, which creates community and greater sense of belonging," Whitman wrote in an email. "Don't we want this for all kids?"

UPDATE: Oct. 14, 2024, 2:33 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include comment from Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement.

Early in the digital era, she worked at Bell Labs on the intersection of art and technology, making films and at one point arriving at a novel theory about the “Mona Lisa.”

Samsung is always updating the art available on The Frame TV — its television that, when off, displays a piece of artwork and blends seamlessly into your decor.

But the images available to display is primarily art that belongs in the public domain, which is art that is free to use because the creator has given away their rights or it is old enough that the copyright has expired. That's why it's easier to find older pieces of art on The Frame TV than it is to find more modern pieces — but that changed today.

New York's Museum of Modern Art made 37 artworks from its collection available on the Samsung Art Store. The pieces include Vincent van Gogh’s "The Starry Night," Henri Rousseau’s "The Dream," Georgia O'Keeffe's "Evening Star III," and Frida Kahlo’s "Fulang Chang and I."

"MoMA is a place that fuels creativity, ignites minds and provides inspiration. Through our relationship with Samsung, we are broadening access to MoMA's collection in a truly innovative way to millions of people," Robin Sayetta, the Head of Business Development at The Museum of Modern Art, said in a press release. "We were purposeful in building this new digital collection and hope to enrich the lives of art enthusiasts with culture and history at an extraordinary scale."

SEE ALSO: Samsung's Frame TV is at its lowest-ever price for October Prime Day

"At Samsung, we strive to redefine the home entertainment experience through continual innovation. Our collaboration with MoMA allows us to bring culturally significant works into millions of homes, allowing people to engage with renowned art in a truly remarkable way," Sang Kim, EVP and General Manager of the North America Service Business at Samsung Electronics, said in the press release. "This endeavor exemplifies Samsung’s mission to use technology to deliver exceptional experiences into the everyday lives of consumers."

The Frame TV is available in multiple sizes, and is currently on sale in 43", 55", 65", and 75" from the MoMA design store.

First came the nanny cams and home assistants, then came the security doorbells, now it's the age of the hacked vacuums.

First reported by ABC News Australia, owners of robot vacuums across multiple U.S. states experienced invasive hacking of their devices by individuals who took physical control of the cleaning bots and used their internal audio features to shout racial slurs at people in their homes. Owners first heard garbled voices coming from their devices, then noticed the vacuum's live feed camera and remote controls were turned on via the device's app.

SEE ALSO: Fidelity data breach compromises more than 77,000 customers

All of the affected devices were manufactured by brand Ecovac, specifically the company's Deebot X2 model. The hack was confirmed to one customer after they filed a complaint through customer support.

Smart devices have long worried security experts and users for their potential vulnerabilities. In August, cyber security researchers uncovered multiple vulnerabilities in Ecovacs products (including lawn mowers) that could allow hackers to take control of microphones and cameras via mobile Bluetooth connections — to put it simply, researchers concluded the company's security was "really, really, really, really bad."

Design elements intended to protect users, like an audio alert that lets individuals know the vacuum's camera is on, could be easily switched off.

In a statement to TechCrunch at the time of it's release, Ecovacs said it wouldn't fix the uncovered flaws, saying that users could "rest assured that they do not need to worry excessively about this." The company has a history of security breaches, including hacked device cameras that allowed cyberattackers to spy on owners, and has stirred concern over how it handles user data stored on cloud servers.

Needless to say: It might be a good time to refresh your passwords, vacuums included.

Large Language Models (LLMs) may not be as smart as they seem, according to a study from Apple researchers.

LLMs from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and others have been touted for their impressive reasoning skills. But research suggests their purported intelligence may be closer to "sophisticated pattern matching" than "true logical reasoning." Yep, even OpenAI's o1 advanced reasoning model.

The most common benchmark for reasoning skills is a test called GSM8K, but since it's so popular, there's a risk of data contamination. That means LLMs might know the answers to the test because they were trained on those answers, not because of their inherent intelligence.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI funding round values company at $157 billion

To test this, the study developed a new benchmark called GSM-Symbolic which keeps the essence of the reasoning problems, but changes the variables, like names, numbers, complexity, and adding irrelevant information. What they discovered was surprising "fragility" in LLM performance. The study tested over 20 models including OpenAI's o1 and GPT-4o, Google's Gemma 2, and Meta's Llama 3. With every single model, the model's performance decreased when the variables were changed.

Accuracy decreased by a few percentage points when names and variables were changed. And as the researchers noted, OpenAI's models performed better than the other open-source models. However the variance was deemed "non-negligible," meaning any real variance shouldn't have occurred. However, things got really interesting when researchers added "seemingly relevant but ultimately inconsequential statements" to the mix.

SEE ALSO: Free Apple Intelligence upgrade likely arriving soon, leak suggests

To test the hypothesis that LLMs relied more on pattern matching than actual reasoning, the study added superfluous phrases to math problems to see how the models would react. For example, "Oliver picks 44 kiwis on Friday. Then he picks 58 kiwis on Saturday. On Sunday, he picks double the number of kiwis he did on Friday, but five of them were a bit smaller than average. How many kiwis does Oliver have?"

What resulted was a significant drop in performance across the board. OpenAI's o1 Preview fared the best, with a drop of 17.5 percent accuracy. That's still pretty bad, but not as bad as Microsoft's Phi 3 model which performed 65 percent worse.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT-4, Gemini, MistralAI, and more join forces in this personal AI tool

In the kiwi example, the study said LLMs tended to subtract the five smaller kiwis from the equation without understanding that kiwi size was irrelevant to the problem. This indicates that "models tend to convert statements to operations without truly understanding their meaning" which validates the researchers' hypothesis that LLMs look for patterns in reasoning problems, rather than innately understand the concept.

The study didn't mince words about its findings. Testing models' on the benchmark that includes irrelevant information "exposes a critical flaw in LLMs’ ability to genuinely understand mathematical concepts and discern relevant information for problem-solving." However, it bears mentioning that the authors of this study work for Apple which is obviously a major competitor with Google, Meta, and even OpenAI — although Apple and OpenAI have a partnership, Apple is also working on its own AI models.

That said, the LLMs' apparent lack of formal reasoning skills can't be ignored. Ultimately, it's a good reminder to temper AI hype with healthy skepticism.