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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.

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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.

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: More than one player

• Green: Things used in baseball

• Blue: Run the ball in football

• Purple: Share a first name

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: Group of players

• Green: Baseball equipment

• Blue: NFL running backs

• Purple: Jason ________

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 #138 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Group of players - CLUB, SIDE, SQUAD, TEAM

• Baseball equipment - BAT, CLEATS, GLOVE, HELMET

• NFL running backs - BARKLEY, COOK, HENRY, SWIFT

• Jason ______ - DAY, GIAMBI, KELCE, WITTEN

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 February 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 8 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Westminster assembly

These words are used to describe dogs in show.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are generic groupings of dogs that might compete in the Westminster Dog Show.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is DogGroup.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 8

• Sporting

• Herding

• Toys

• Hounds

• Working

• Terriers

• DogGroup

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.

As the Trump administration works to dismantle the aid agency, right-wing influencers have flooded the internet with falsehoods about its work.

The Southern California start-up, which builds flying drones and missiles, is set to raise up to $2.5 billion.

Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer, is the first of Elon Musk's DOGE crew to lose their job.

Elez resigned from his post at Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE, on Thursday after the Wall Street Journal uncovered that Elez had published racist statements on an anonymous account that once bore his name. 

However, on Friday, Musk confirmed he could bring Elez back to DOGE.

"He will be brought back," Musk posted to his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, while quoting Vice President JD Vance's post supporting Elez's rehiring. "To err is human, to forgive divine."

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On Friday morning, Elon Musk posted a poll on X asking his followers if he should reinstate the engineer who posted racist remarks.

"Bring back @DOGE staffer who made inappropriate statements via a now deleted pseudonym?" posted Musk alongside a poll on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

The poll received more than 385,000 votes, which were overwhelmingly in favor of Musk rehiring Elez.

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When working for DOGE, Elez was assigned to the Treasury Department. As Wired reported, Elez was given direct access to the federal government's payment system, which includes U.S. citizens' tax returns and Social Security payment information.

"Normalize Indian hate," posted Elez under the username @nullllptr on X in July. The account formerly was tied to Elez directly by name before he changed it to an anonymous handle.

"Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool," Elez also posted. "You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity."

Elez also reportedly advocated for "eugenic immigration policy" and rolling back the Civil Rights Act.

The 25-year-old Elez resigned from DOGE after the Wall Street Journal reached out to the White House.

Along with his poll to bring Elez back, Musk also called for the WSJ journalist, Katherine Long, to be fired for her reporting.

Trump's Vice President, JD Vance, shared his own thoughts referring to Elez as a "kid" and backing bringing him back to DOGE.

Shortly after Musk's and Vance's remarks, two new reports dropped detailing concerning history about two other DOGE employees. Reuters published a report about DOGE employee Gavin Kliger and his history of amplifying white supremacists like Nick Fuentes. In another report, Bloomberg uncovered that 19-year-old DOGE employee Edward Coristine was previously fired from his internship with hosting and data security firm Path Network for leaking company information to a competitor.

These three DOGE employees, along with the rest of Musk's DOGE team, are currently rifling through the federal government's networks, accessing the private data of American citizens.

And when Elez returns to his DOGE post at the U.S. Treasury, it appears that he'll have access to rewrite the code controlling trillions in spending, despite Trump officials falsely claiming he did not have those permissions.

Since late January, Elon Musk and the staff of his Department of Government Efficiency task force, or DOGE, have systematically accessed the digital networks and information databases that power the federal government.

Among their first targets were the Treasury's payment system and the government's human resources department, known as the Office of Personnel Management, which maintains information on millions of federal employees. DOGE staff have also reportedly accessed payment and contracting systems for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as similar databases for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Musk is the CEO of companies with billion-dollar government contracts as well as a political operative. Last year, he spent more than $290 million to help elect President Trump and other Republicans. He claims that DOGE's activities are purely aimed at identifying waste and fraud.

SEE ALSO: 'The Daily Show' gets real about Elon Musk's White House takeover

But political experts say that the systems and data potentially available to Musk also give him unprecedented power over his allies, enemies, business competitors, and the American people. One expert on authoritarianism, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, called his actions a "new kind of coup." Many of Musk's actions appear to violate federal law, according to The Washington Post.

Georgetown University Prof. Abraham L. Newman told Mashable that the information Musk and DOGE have reportedly accessed "basically tells you everything about our society."

When this data is maintained by neutral civil servants to execute core government functions, like issuing Social Security payments to beneficiaries, that digital infrastructure is simply part of making "the trains run on time."

And yet "when they start to be used for other purposes, for political purposes, then they can be extremely extremely dangerous," and used to "achieve political objectives," says Newman, author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy.

What data do Musk and DOGE have?

The information Musk has access to now, even if in a read-only format as one Treasury official insisted, may include Social Security numbers, federal employee health and personnel records, as well as federal student loan data.

Speaking anonymously to The Atlantic, one federal contractor with experience working on classified government information-security systems called the situation "The largest data breach and the largest IT security breach in our country's history — at least that's publicly known."

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said this week that Musk may be able to view Americans' payment history and bank account numbers, among other types of personal data.

"Elon now has the power to suck out all of that information for his own use," she said.

Musk may also be able to view federal contracts held by companies that may or may not be competitors to Musk's own businesses, which include Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X.

Musk has yet to publicly produce an ethics waiver for his work with DOGE, as required by government employees who have conflicts of interest, nor has he publicly divested himself from his companies.

An attempt by Congressional Democrats to subpoena Musk over DOGE's recent actions failed.

What could Musk do with the digital power he now possesses?

1) Stop government payments.

Though the Treasury Department says DOGE has read-only access to its payment system, WIRED reported that one engineer linked to Musk had gained administrative privileges over the software that controls Social Security payments and tax returns, among other critical payments made by the federal government.

That DOGE employee resigned Thursday, after the Wall Street Journal identified his previous social media posts that promoted racism and eugenics. By Friday, Musk was lobbying for him to return via a poll on X.

While the Justice Department has limited DOGE's access to the payment system for now, any renewed administrative privileges could be used by Musk to stop payments he deemed fraudulent or wasteful, Newman says.

Indeed, CNN has reported that Musk's associates at the Treasury Department asked its acting secretary to cease all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) payments via the department's own processing system.

The agency, which Musk succeeded in gutting this week, provides food, disaster relief, and medical assistance to some of poorest people in the world.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk killing USAID would hurt America's future. Here's why.

University of Michigan professor Elizabeth Popp Berman, in a recent Liberal Currents essay called "Personal Discretion Over the Treasury's Payments System Means the End of Democracy," outlined the stakes of Musk's control over the government's payment systems, particularly if courts do not restrain him.

"Having a president — or, even more so, an unelected billionaire — hold direct, granular control of nearly seven trillion dollars is power beyond the Founders' wildest dreams," Berman wrote.

2) Reward allies and punish enemies.

Newman says that Musk could use administrative power over payments systems to divert resources to allies and target people or entities that he, or President Trump, doesn't like.

Both men are known to attack their enemies on social media and in public. Trump, for example, said those involved with the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack "should go to jail." On his social media platform X, Musk recently accused Treasury officials of "breaking the law," without providing evidence.

3) Gain a massive competitive advantage over other business leaders.

Since there seems to be no firewall between Musk's activity as a special government employee and his role as a CEO, Newman says people in business should be particularly alarmed by his access to federal data.

A rival company could never outcompete a Musk enterprise that understood the government's inner workings, contracts and payment systems, Newman says. He adds that such a dynamic has the potential to undermine fair and free markets in the U.S.

In the midst of DOGE's digital government takeover, Musk's social media company X announced that it was partnering with Visa to let users connect their checking and debit accounts in order to transfer funds to their X account.

Musk has long wanted to transform X into a payment system for "everything." It's possible that DOGE's scouring of the federal government's own payment system could also benefit Musk's business aspirations, and would create conflicts of interest for any business leader in that position.

4) Use AI to analyze federal spending and contracts.

Musk plans to use some form of artificial intelligence to analyze federal spending and contracts, according to the New York Times. It's unclear whether this would be an AI system that Musk owns, or AI programs that the federal government already uses.

The Washington Post reported on new DOGE efforts to analyze spending at the Department of Education, using AI software accessible via Microsoft's cloud computing service Azure. That service offers access to a number of AI tools. DOGE and Microsoft declined to comment on the details to the Post. Azure did recently add the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek to its suite of tools, according to Reuters.

At this moment, there's no clarity on the risks of the AI software DOGE is using — or the safeguards in place to prevent it from making mistakes or committing hallucinations.

5) Consolidate and centralize power over the government's basic functions.

Up until a few weeks ago, America's basic but vital bureaucratic functions were managed by career civil servants with background clearances, all of whom took an oath to serve the United States Constitution. Those civil servants didn't have access to a centralized system they could command on their own.

As Musk gains entry to multiple vital systems across the government, it may be possible for him to consolidate and centralize those powers so that only a handful of Trump loyalists can control them.

Potential consequences of Musk's new digital power for you

1) The government's digital infrastructure breaks.

As DOGE engineers work, at apparent breakneck speed, to access and analyze key systems, Newman says that there's a very real chance they may unintentionally break them.

For example, unapproved software changes could hobble systems that distribute Social Security and Medicare payments, Newman says.

"Mucking about with systems that are built on sixty-year-old code could be deeply disruptive to vital government functions, shutting down the Social Security payments many rely on or cutting off payments to small businesses that depend on government contracts for survival," Berman wrote in her essay.

2) Bad actors breach Americans' data.

The fact that Musk and DOGE have collected vast amounts of Americans' data in ways that may not comply with the government's security practices is likely of interest to foreign governments and bad actors, says Newman. That information is highly valuable to anyone who can steal it.

The Atlantic reported that some of the government's databases requiring a security clearance — including those for the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — can include sensitive personal information, such as sexual history or mental health records.

For many of us, data breaches have become a mundane fact of life. But as Newman notes, the scale and scope of this case make it unique. One person — Musk — has the potential to know something about everybody in the U.S., and that person works for the government.

As the situation unfolds, Newman encourages Americans to consider the fate of the country's digital bureaucracy as key to democracy.

"I think we should be very cognizant of the fact that these things that seem boring, and often have boring names, are often the place where power lies," he says.

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and even if you're not a football fan, you’re still pretty much required to watch the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Super Bowl Sunday has become as much of a U.S. tradition as the Fourth of July.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or someone who actively avoids the sport, we've got you covered with a cheat sheet to help you follow along. From the star players to the halftime show and all the online buzz, here’s everything you need to know.

Super Bowl LIX: The facts

The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59. There are a few basic facts you should know to understand the stakes of the big game:

• The game kicks off at around 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. It's being played in New Orleans and will air on Fox.

• The Chiefs are going for an unprecedented three Super Bowl wins in a row. And when we say unprecedented, we mean it literally. No team has ever won three Super Bowls in a row.

• The game is a rematch of Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs (obviously) won that match-up two years ago in a close game, 38-35.

• The Chiefs are considered slight favorites by sportsbooks, but the vast majority of experts are backing them to win — and that’s largely thanks to the brilliance of one player. This brings us to our next section...

SEE ALSO: Legal gambling has kind of ruined sports The football stars you need to know

The magic of the Super Bowl is that unlikely heroes often make the big play. It's impossible to predict who that could be. But we can at least share the biggest names you should know heading into the Big Game.

• Patrick Mahomes: The undisputed best football player alive and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback. As mentioned in the last section, his excellence may be why most people have picked the Chiefs to win. His stats are difficult to comprehend, but he's likely already had the second-best career of any quarterback in history before turning 30. You've probably also seen him in many commercials.

• Jalen Hurts: The Eagles quarterback. He's not Mahomes good, but he has won many games.

• Travis Kelce: Taylor Swift's boyfriend, guy in every commercial, and perhaps the best tight end in NFL history.

• Andy Reid: The Chiefs coach, who was also the Eagles coach back in the day. One of the best of all time. The big, mustached man you might've seen in commercials.

• Saquon Barkley: The new Eagles running back who used to play for their rivals, the New York Giants. He's in the midst of perhaps the best season for a running back in history.

• Chris Jones: The best Chiefs defender. He's nearly unstoppable and plays on the defensive line.

• Jalen Carter: The best Eagles defender. He's nearly unstoppable and plays on the defensive line.

This game has so many other great football players, but this is a cheat sheet, not a textbook.

The other names you need to know

Let's be honest: The Super Bowl is about so much more than football. Here are some of the people not playing in the game that you need to know.

• Taylor Swift: Duh. You can expect to see her at the game, cheering on her boyfriend in Chiefs red.

• Kendrick Lamar: He's performing the halftime show and is expected to perform songs dissing his rival...

• Drake: Said rival.

• Tom Brady: The greatest quarterback of all time and the person whose legacy Mahomes is chasing. And he just happens to be announcing the game for Fox.

• Jason Kelce: Retired Eagle and Travis' brother. You'll likely see him on the broadcast, and you've probably seen him in commercials, too.

The online discourse, gossip, and memes

The storylines are half the fun of the Super Bowl. It's as much about the drama as it is about football. Before the Big Game, here's what you should know about the memes, online discourse, and major stories.

The Kelce of it all

Travis Kelce is 35 years old. That's young, in general, but kinda ancient for an NFL tight end. Folks have speculated Kelce could retire after the game, perhaps riding off into the sunset with an unprecedented third-straight championship. He's indicated, however, that he will not quit after the game. That doesn't stop folks from wondering.

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Also, expect many TV shots of Jason Kelce, his wife (and fellow celeb) Kylie Kelce, and Swift. There will be lots of talk about their divided loyalties since all are close to Travis and have ties to the Eagles. (Never forget Swift is a Philly girl.)

The Trump of it all

President Donald Trump has indicated he plans to attend the Super Bowl. It became a bigger story when Kelce told reporters that it was "pretty cool" and "a great honor" that Trump was attending, even after the president had previously said he hated Swift. Some folks were not happy with Kelce's answer.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted The big questions about the halftime show

There are two big questions about Kendrick Lamar's halftime show. First: Will he go after Drake? We covered this question in detail at Mashable, but it seems likely he'll at least perform "Not Like Us," the uber-popular Drake diss track that won five Grammys last weekend.

The second question about the halftime show is who Lamar will bring onstage. Again, Mashable has covered the potential guest performers in detail, but we know that at least longtime collaborator SZA will join Lamar. And if you want to know which songs he'll be performing, Mashable has covered that, too. (Of course, it's all just speculation until the Big Game.)

SEE ALSO: 6 Super Bowl halftime shows that were better than the big game The ref memes, jokes, and conspiracies

Lots of NFL fans have grown tired of the Chiefs consistently winning. In the wake of those feelings, the online discourse has turned to jokes (and not-joking conspiracies) about the refs helping Mahomes and Kansas City win. And, to be fair, there have been multiple instances where the Chiefs seem to get the exact penalty they need at just the right time — including the previous Super Bowl between Kansas City and Philly.

An analysis at The Ringer found that the Chiefs haven't received extra calls overall, but they have received far more calls in the playoffs. So, anyway, (likely bitter) NFL fans have taken to both joking about KC getting all the calls and really believing it. 

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted The Super Bowl commercials

The commercials are a huge part of the Super Bowl. We don't know all of the ads that will run, but many of the big spots have already debuted online. Some of the early favorites from fans seem to be a spot from Bud Light with Post Malone and Jeremy Strong as the newest DunKing for Dunkin'.

So, if you're looking to watch only for the ads, you're off to a strong start.

There are, of course, endless bits of info, stats, and stories surrounding the Super Bowl. But this cheat sheet should be enough to get you through the game with a decent understanding of what's happening. And, when in doubt, go refill on snacks.

The Japanese conglomerate SoftBank would invest up to $40 billion in the maker of the chatbot ChatGPT.

When Nintendo first unveiled the Switch 2 last month, we (and everyone else) noticed something peculiar about the new Joy-Con controllers. Now, some recently unearthed patent filings more or less confirm all the theories.

Specifically, there are now publicly viewable patents for the Switch 2's controllers that tell us what we already basically knew: You can use them like computer mice. The patent filing, which is largely in Japanese and thus is not especially informative to a native English speaker, includes at least plenty of drawings that explicitly showcase someone using the Joy-Con as a mouse.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2: Every new feature and game spotted in the announcement Tweet may have been deleted

It's still not entirely clear what this feature will be used for. One's mind can easily wander to level creation in Super Mario Maker or house decoration in Animal Crossing as mechanics that could be enhanced by mouse functionality, but those are just two of Nintendo's many first-party gaming properties.

Nintendo has a long history of hardware innovation, but it also has an equally long history of theoretically innovative hardware features that are ultimately forgotten after being used in just a few games.

Still, aside from more horsepower, these mouse features are (so far) the only part of the Switch 2 that looks really distinct from the first Switch. We'll probably find out more when Nintendo holds its big Switch 2 reveal livestream on April 2 at 9 a.m. ET.

SAVE $25: As of Feb. 7, get the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank for $24.99 at Amazon using promo code ANKER1685011 at checkout. That's a discount of 50%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 with promo code ANKER1685011 Get Deal

No one likes dealing with low battery notifications — it always seems to pop up when you're trying to do something important. If you're tired of dealing with battery emergencies, it's time to get a reliable power bank — and Anker has one that's on sale right now.

As of Feb. 7, get the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank for $24.99 at Amazon using promo code ANKER1685011. Though it's on sale for $29.99 currently, that code knocks the price down to $24.99, which nets you a 50% discount and $25 off its normal price. This deal currently applies to all colorways including Black, Blue, Pink, and White.

SEE ALSO: Charge 6 devices at once with this Anker Prime 200W charger — now under $60

This magnetic power bank boasts a 10,000mAh battery that can help you keep your devices fully charged, no matter where you are. In fact, it can do it twice with a smartphone like the iPhone 15. It also has fast charging options, so you can use the 7.5W wireless charging magnetically as your phone sticks to the charger like a stand, or the built-in USB-C cable for 30W charging.

When you have your phone connected magnetically, you can adjust the stand so you can watch your favorite shows or movies or just scroll or text while you're out and about. And you never have to worry about losing any moving parts or remembering to bring a cable with you to get some charging done. For this price, it's a no-brainer.

GET $90 OFF: Get the Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station for $169 at Amazon for a savings of $90, or 35% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station $169.00 at Amazon
$259.00 Save $90.00 Get Deal

Hit the backcountry without going off-grid with this 7.1 pound portable power station. The Jackery Explorer 300 is a battery bank meant to go along for the ride. Whether you pair it with a solar panel to make it into a portable generator, or carry it with you, it will keep your devices juiced.

Right now you can get the Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station for $169 at Amazon and save $90, for a price drop of 35%.

SEE ALSO: No one cares about AI on our phones. We just want better battery life

This 300 Watt power bank delivers stable power that's compatible with multiple plug types. It features two AC outlet plugs that are compatible with computers, speakers, or small appliances. Smaller electronics can also charge directly through the USB-A and USB-C ports. A DC car port enables still more plug types.

The battery itself charges quickly. It can top off with up to 80% charge within two hours.

Right now, get the Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station for $169 and save 35%.

Whether you're looking to bring a solar generator with you on long fishing weekends, you want a backup battery bank to get you through lapses in the grid, or you want a battery bank that will live permanently in the back of your pickup truck, the Jackery Explorer 300 is a solid pick.

It looks like Mark Zuckerberg is further cozying up to President Donald Trump. The Meta chief was spotted exiting the White House Thursday afternoon.

Molly Nagle, a White House reporter at ABC News, tweeted: "Spotted at the White House: Mark Zuckerberg. He was seen leaving the West Wing earlier today. We've asked the White House why he was there."

Zuck can be seen in a somewhat blurry photo exiting the White House in a navy suit.

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Meta spokesman Andy Stone wrote on X: "Mark Zuckerberg was at the White House today to discuss how Meta can help the administration defend and advance American tech leadership abroad."

That's a rather broad description, so it's unclear what the conversation actually entailed. It's worth noting, however, that America's tech overlords have grown concerned about China's ascending tech influence through TikTok and DeepSeek. And just last month on The Joe Rogan Experience, Zuckerberg praised Trump for his America-first initiative.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg wants more 'masculine energy' in corporate America

"The American technology industry is a bright spot in the American economy," Zuckerberg said. "It's a strategic advantage for the United States that we have a lot of the strongest companies in the world. And I think it should be part of the U.S.' strategy going forward to defend that. And, one of the things that I'm optimistic about with President Trump is he just wants America to win."

So it's unsurprising to see Zuckerberg already at the White House. He's gone out of his way to cozy up to the Trump administration. Ahead of Trump's taking office, Zuckerberg worked to reshape Meta in the president's image by rescinding DEI initiatives, changing its hate speech policies, and dropping fact-checkers in favor of community notes. He also sat on the de facto billionaire's row at Trump's inauguration. Not to mention, Zuckerberg reportedly told employees at Meta that the company is actively courting the president's favor.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on Meta's submission to Trump

"I want to be clear, after the last several years, we now have an opportunity to have a productive partnership with the United States government," Zuckerberg said, according to a report in the New York Times. "We’re going to take that."

So it's hardly a shock Zuckerberg is already at the White House — it's more of the same.

SAVE $100: The Ooni Frya 12 wood pellet pizza oven is on sale for $249, down from the usual price of $349. That's a 30% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ooni Ooni Frya 12 wood pellet pizza oven $249.00 at Ooni
$349.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

It might have snowed this week where you live, but eventually we'll crawl out from winter's chill and head back outside. Once the warm spring sun hits the backyard, we'll be setting up the hammock, planning camping trips, and reapplying sunscreen. If you're onboard with backyard cookouts, check out this deal before spring season hits.

As of Feb. 7, the Ooni Frya 12 wood pellet pizza oven is on sale for $249, down from the normal price of $349. That's a 30% discount that'll save you $100.

Mashable Associate Editor Tim Marcin tested out the Ooni Frya pizza oven and found it can make incredible pizza, but it takes some practice to get them perfect. Marcin explains the super high heat of the Ooni oven means it can bake up delicious pizza (800 degrees and up is ideal, according to Marcin), but that also means it bakes quickly and requires some sharp attention. "Once I got the hang of it, I was definitely churning out pies in about two minutes, the added 60 seconds due to my turning skill being far from perfect," writes Marcin.

SEE ALSO: The Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker just dropped to under $80 at Amazon

He also mentioned the Ooni's lightweight design makes it quite portable. "It's pretty sharp looking and light, just 22 pounds. You could carry it anywhere. I imagine it would be a hit at a tailgate," says Marcin.

Overall, he considered the pizza oven to be great. "And the wood pellet version, especially, I found to be neat," Marcin says. "It produced restaurant-quality wood-fired pizza at home. You could taste the sweet smoke. And the super high heat gave you that pleasant char, bubbly crust, and impossibly fast cook time. There is no way, that I know of, to replicate this with an oven or stove."

If you plan to spend the spring and summer in the backyard, the Ooni pizza oven might be your new favorite way to make dinner. Thanks to this off-season sale, you can save $100 on the oven and get ready to impress your neighbors come summer.

SAVE UP TO 39%: Shop Ninja appliances at Best Buy and save up to 39% on blenders, air fryers, and more. Get the Ninja Foodi Smart XL for just $169.99, saving $110 for 39% off.

Best Ninja appliance deals at Best Buy Best Ninja deal Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill $169.99 at Best Buy (Save $110) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Prestige Smart XL air fryer $249.99 at Best Buy (Save $100) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Mega kitchen system $149.99 at Best Buy (Save $50) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $50) Get Deal

In need of a kitchen refresh? Maybe your blender's motor finally kicked the bucket, or you're sick of turning on the oven for every meal. Whatever cooking dilemma you may find yourself in, you can upgrade your countertop appliances with Best Buy's Ninja deals.

Right now, you can find Ninja appliances over $100 off at Best Buy. Bestselling devices like the Foodi are on sale, helping make dinner time a breeze. These are all the best deals to shop on Ninja devices at Best Buy.

Best Ninja deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill $169.99 at Best Buy
$279.99 Save $110.00 Get Deal Why we like it

You can grill all year round without ever stepping a foot outside. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL is an indoor grill that can sear and sizzle proteins and vegetables, but it does much more than that, too. The Foodi Smart XL bakes, broils, and air fries food. If you're nervous about cooking — especially meat — this Foodi comes with an included thermometer so you can make sure everything is up to a safe temp.

Right now, you can get the Foodi Smart XL for just $169.99. That saves $110 for 39% off this do-it-all appliance.

More Ninja deals

• Ninja Blast portable blender — $79.99 $89.99 (save $10)

• Ninja Foodi smoothie bowl maker — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)

• Ninja XL Pro coffee maker — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Ninja Professional Plus blender — $91.99 $119.99 (save $28)

• Ninja Professional Plus food processor — $99.99 $119.99 (save $20)

• Ninja Sizzle countertop indoor grill — $119.99 $139.99 (save $20)

• Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL — $129.99 $169.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)

• Ninja Foodi DualZone FlexBasket air fryer — $149.99 $179.99 (save $30)

• Ninja Mega kitchen system — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Ninja Foodi Power blender — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen system — $179.99 $219.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista system — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Ninja Combi all-in-one multicooker — $199.99 $229.99 (save $30)

• Ninja Prestige Smart XL air fryer — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100)

GET 15% OFF: Feb. 7th, ProFlowers is offering 15% off on bouquet delivery ahead of Valentine's Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: ProFlowers ProFlowers Get 15% off of bouquet delivery at ProFlowers Shop Now

When Valentine's Day is coming up, finding that perfect bouquet can be stressful (mentally and financially). ProFlowers is making it easy this year by offering two savings options on bouquet delivery.

Right now you can get 15% off flower bouquet delivery on the ProFlowers website. Alternatively, you can choose an option to get $10 off, however this provides less savings since it's only valid on items from $49 and up. We recommend taking advantage of the 15% off coupon while the sale is still live.

SEE ALSO: These Lego Botanicals deals keep blooming, even after Valentine's

Valentine's bouquets include dozens of roses and mixed bouquets with lilies and carnations. If you want to swerve the normal pink and red, the site also features alternative bouquets with delphiniums and eucalyptus.

While Valentine's Day delivery is very much on the table, the savings won't be as deep. ProFlowers charges fees for delivery on Valentine's Day and the day before. Day-of delivery will cost an extra $4.99, while day-before delivery will charge an extra $2.99.

Right now, get 15% off on flower bouquet delivery at ProFlowers.

Whether you're after traditional Valentine's roses, or an ornamental bouquet with with surprising additions, shop ProFlowers now to get 15% off.

SAVE $50: As of Feb. 7, get a Fitbit Versa 4 for $149.95 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $199.95. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fitbit Versa 4 $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

We're several weeks into 2025 already, so if you already broke your New Year's resolutions, it's totally fine. But that doesn't mean you can't start them back up again. If part of your resolution is getting in shape, now's a great time to grab a fitness tracker that can help you reach your goals now that it's on sale.

As of Feb. 7, get a Fitbit Versa 4 for $149.95 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $199.95. That's $50 off and a discount of 25%.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is an excellent pick if you're looking to get more steps in per day, lower your stress, or monitor the quality of sleep you're getting. It has 40 exercise modes, a pedometer, a heart rate monitor, and blood oxygen sensor. It can also track your sleep and sleep stages to see if you're actually getting quality shut-eye at night.

Additionally, the Fitbit Versa 4's stress management score is useful for figuring out how you can tackle the day and if there are small ways you can make helpful changes. If you're not exactly into all that, well, you can still use it as a smartwatch and take calls and texts.

If you want to try and make lifestyle changes and see where you're going in terms of fitness, the Fitbit Versa 4 is a no-brainer at this price. And with its help, you can go back and retry your resolutions as many times as you like. No one's judging here.

Google is reportedly testing its "AI Mode" for Search internally, which means it might be released soon.

According to 9to5Google, which saw an internal company email, Google employees have been invited to test out AI Mode for Search. A screenshot published by the outlet shows the tool appearing like a supercharged version of AI Overviews combined with the Gemini chatbot interface, all geared toward asking more open-ended questions.

SEE ALSO: Google makes Gemini 'thinking' model available on the app and launches Gemini 2.0 Pro

It seems Google is continuing its effort to put Gemini and AI-powered features absolutely everywhere. Gemini is now embedded in TVs, Androids, Search, Google Workspace apps, as a standalone app, and more. Just this week, Google announced expanded access to its reasoning model Gemini 2.0 Thinking, and a new Gemini 2.0 Pro model for advanced coding.

Based on 9to5Google's screenshot, AI Mode would be a tab that sits next to the News, Images, Shopping, etc. filters. The early look shows a long answer to the question "How many boxes of spaghetti should I buy to feed 6 adults and 10 children, and have enough for seconds?" that showcases its reasoning capabilities, like calculating amount of spaghetti needed based on portion size for kids and adults, etc.

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Notably, AI Mode takes up the entire page on Google Search. Since it's a screenshot, we don't know if links appear below it, but either way it covers a lot of real estate that sites normally fight tooth and nail to stake their claim on. Instead, in a module on the right, there are links to three sites, presumably where AI Mode sourced its information.

The advent of AI Overviews similarly irked publishers who feared the aggregated AI-generated summaries would whittle down traffic to their own sites. Even more space taken up by AI Mode might ramp up concerns.

That said, AI Mode is reportedly designed with more exploratory questions in mind that can't be easily answered by a quick Google Search. Examples given to employees invited to test AI Mode include, "Compare wool, down, and synthetic jackets in terms of insulation, water resistance, and durability" and "What do I need to get started with aquascaping?"

BUY TWO ACCESSORIES, SAVE 20% OFF $100+: As of Feb. 7, buy two PS5 accessories at PlayStation Direct and get 20% off your order of $100+.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation Direct Buy two PS5 accessories, get 20% off your order of $100+ Get Deal

Looking to buy some goodies to kit out your PS5? They don't come cheap. Whether you want a new controller or a faceplate for your console, you'll need to part with a little bit of cash. But PlayStation Direct is going to sweeten the deal somewhat for you, especially since Valentine's Day is on the way. This deal might make it a bit more worth your while.

As of Feb. 7, buy two PlayStation 5 accessories and get 20% off your purchase of $100+ at PlayStation Direct. This offer is only available for PS Plus members, and it runs through Feb. 19. You must choose the PS5 accessories only marked with the "deal" badge on them on the PlayStation Direct deal page.

You can choose from a wide variety of goodies, including PS5 Console Covers to switch out the way your console looks, a DualSense Wireless Controller, or even a PlayStation Portal Remote Player. There's plenty that goes toward building the total for your deal, including the DualSense Charging Station.

All you have to do is add qualifying items to your cart and check out, where your discount will automatically be applied. You'll have to sign in via your PlayStation account wit a valid PS Plus subscription. This is a great time to share the love and get your Player 2 outfitted with everything they want this time of year, and it's not a bad option to save some money, either.

SAVE $50 + GET 3 MONTHS OF FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED: The new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) is on sale for $229.99, down from the typical price of $279.99. This 18% discount matches the lowest price we've seen at Amazon. This deal also includes three months of free access to Kindle Unlimited.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) $229.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $50.00 with 3 months of free Kindle Unlimited Get Deal

It's no secret the Amazon Kindle is one of the most popular e-readers on the market, and for good reason. Amazon packs in the features of these lightweight digital readers and the display is impressively similar to reading an actual physical page. But if you prefer your pages with a pop of color, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of Feb. 7, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) is on sale for $229.99, marked down from the list price of $279.99. That means you'll save $50 with this 18% discount that matches the lowest price we've seen at Amazon. This deal also includes free access to Kindle Unlimited for three months, which typically costs $11.99 per month, saving you a total of $35.97 over the three months. Bundled together, the deal takes $85.97 off the Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Unlimited subscription.

SEE ALSO: The latest Kindle Paperwhite is on sale for the first time this year

The Kindle Colorsoft's 7-inch display brings full colors to your reading experience. Of course, this makes book covers look great, but it also gives a huge benefit when enjoying graphic novels, comics, and magazines.

The Kindle Colorsoft also allows you to highlight text in pink, orange, yellow, or blue. That makes this Kindle an awesome option for book club meetings since you can easily flag and then highlight specific passages.

Amazon also mentions the Colorsoft has pretty impressive battery life, lasting for up to eight weeks before you'll need to charge up with a USB-C cable. Recharging takes under 2.5 hours. Plus, this model is waterproof, which makes it spring-break worthy for poolside reading.

Kindle Unlimited gives you untethered access to over four million digital titles, including bestsellers. Since the Colorsoft Signature Edition has 32GB of storage space, you'll have plenty of room to hold thousands of books.

Gift yourself or your sweetheart the Kindle Colorsoft this Valentine's Day and opt for a gift that lasts longer than chocolates or flowers. With today's deal at Amazon, you'll save $50 off the normal price while also getting three months of access to Kindle Unlimited to kickstart your new reading obsession.

TLDR: Feb. 7th, Amazon is cutting prices on Lego Botanicals flowers by 20% just in time for Valentine's, including Lego Botanicals Roses, Lego Sunflowers, and Lego Orchids.

The best Lego Botanicals deals at Amazon Best Lego Botanicals Valentines deal overall Lego Botanicals Bouquet of Roses $47.99 (Save $12) Get Deal Best small Lego Botanicals deal Lego Sunflowers $11.99 (Save $3) Get Deal Best Lego Botanical deal with flower pot Lego Botanicals Orchid $39.99 (Save $10) Get Deal

Lego flowers don't wilt. Valentine's Day is coming up in one week, on Feb. 14th. Flowers are an enduring symbol of care — but some flowers are even more enduring.

Right now, Amazon is providing a stand-out Valentine's gifting opportunity, with select Lego Botanicals sets on sale for 20% off. If you're looking for a bouquet that's eternal, use this deal to get a Bouquet of Roses or one of the other Lego sets that's currently on sale.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away a Valentine's Day Heart for free. Here’s how to get yours. Best Lego Botanicals Valentine's deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Bouquet of Roses $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal Why we like it

There's little that says Valentine's Day more than a rose, so this Lego Botanicals Bouquet of Roses deal comes right on time. With 12 roses at different stages of blooming, the set can be collected in a vase or scattered around the home.

Right now the Lego Botanicals Bouquet of Roses is on sale for $47.99 for a savings of $12, or 20%.

Best small Lego Botanicals deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Sunflowers $11.99 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $3.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sunflowers are emblems of summer — what better way to bring sunlight to an apartment in February? This small Lego Botanicals set includes two sunflowers. With 191 pieces, it's a simple set to build and makes a good gift for the Lego fan who likes a shorter building session.

Currently, these Lego Sunflowers are on sale for $11.99, saving you 20%, or $3.

Best Lego Botanical deal with flower pot Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Orchid $39.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Orchids thrive in humid climates, but elsewhere these plants are difficult to grow — February in the Midwest for example? No, that's probably not going to work. The Lego Botanicals Orchid set on the other hand will bloom anywhere.

This Lego Botanical set comes with a flower pot, so you won't need a separate vase to display this orchid. Currently the Lego Botanicals Orchid set is on sale for $39.99 saving you $10.

Other Lego Botanicals sets we like

• Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants — $47.99 $59.99 (save $12)

• Lego Icons Plum Blossom Building Sets — $23.95 $29.99 (save $6.04)

• Lego Roses — $13.49 $14.99 (save $1.50)