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This £13 hack blocks adverts on all your devices for life

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Through 30 March at the Mashable Shop, a lifetime subscription to AdGuard's Family Plan is on sale for £12.64 (reg. £134.51) when you use the discount code GUARD20.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription £12.64
£134.51 Save £121.87 Use discount code 'GUARD20' Get Deal

Online safety has never been more important — especially when it comes to protecting your family. As children spend more time online for both education and entertainment, they need a reliable solution to safeguard them from the dangers of the web.

AdGuard is a powerful tool designed to provide peace of mind for parents while offering a seamless browsing experience for the entire family. (And if you couldn't tell from the name, it also blocks adverts while you're browsing.) A lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan covers up to nine devices and is on sale for just £12.64 (reg. £134.51) for a limited time.

With its advanced advert-blocking module, AdGuard eliminates the constant barrage of annoying banners, intrusive pop-ups, and disruptive video adverts that ruin your browsing experience. But AdGuard goes beyond just blocking adverts; it also shields your family from harmful malware and phishing websites, acting as a fortress for your digital life.

For parents, AdGuard’s parental control feature is a game-changer. It allows you to restrict access to inappropriate and adult content so your children can explore the internet in a safe and secure environment. Whether they're doing schoolwork or watching videos, you can rest easier knowing they'll be protected from the dangers lurking online.

AdGuard is designed to work across all your devices, from smartphones to tablets, covering both Android and iOS operating systems. And this lifetime subscription includes continuous updates and new features.

Jump on this chance to protect yourself online for life with the AdGuard Family Plan for just £12.64 (reg. £134.51) through 30 March at 11:59 p.m. PT. Just be sure to use the discount code GUARD20 during checkout.

AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription - £12.64 | See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Price drop: Go paperless for life with a mobile document scanning app for £33

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: SwiftScan VIP gives you high-quality mobile scanning and document tools for life — all for £33.23 (reg. £158.25) with promo code TAKE30.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscriptionwith £33.23 at Mashable Shop
£158.25 Save £125.02 Use discount code 'TAKE30' Get Deal

Keeping track of papers doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending battle. With SwiftScan VIP, you can ditch the clutter and digitise your documents quickly and easily.

Whether you’re a student scanning notes, a professional managing files, or a small business owner juggling receipts, this app makes organising your paperwork simple — and you’ll never need to pay for it again with this lifetime subscription, on sale for £33.23 (reg. £158.25) with code TAKE30.

SwiftScan transforms your phone into a high-powered scanner that creates crystal-clear, professional-quality scans. From receipts and contracts to IDs and class notes, it handles all kinds of documents effortlessly. Need to tweak the results? The built-in editing tools let you crop, adjust, and clean up your scans so they look sharp and polished every time.

Once scanned, your files are ready to be stored, shared, or sent wherever you need them. SwiftScan integrates seamlessly with popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud, keeping your documents organised and accessible across all your devices.

The best part? This one-time payment gives you lifetime access to SwiftScan VIP’s powerful tools — no subscriptions, no hidden fees, just unlimited scanning and organisation at your fingertips.

Streamline your workflow, clear the paper clutter, and keep your important documents in check for good with a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for £33.23 (reg. £158.25) with discount code TAKE30 at the Mashable Shop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Five Below is running a free Pokémon trading card event — how to score a free Pikachu promo card

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

FREE TRADING CARD EVENT: On Feb. 22, Five Below is running a free Pokémon trading card event. Score a free Pikachu promo card with select purchases. Check your nearest location here.

Opens in a new window Credit: Five Blow Five Below: Free Pokémon Trading Card Event + Free Pikachu Promo Card Learn More

Calling all Pokémon fans — there's a special event happening at your nearest Five Below store this weekend.

On Feb. 22, Five Below is hosting a free Pokémon trading card event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where attendees can swap cards with other fans. As part of this free event, you can also score a free Pikachu promo card with select purchases.

SEE ALSO: Pokemon Go players are actually training a giant AI model

It's important to note that not all Five Below will be participating, so we recommend checking your nearest location here and calling ahead to avoid disappointment. Once you've confirmed the details that matter, you can make plans to attend and get your hands on that free promo card.

Happy swapping!

Slurpees are free today — here’s how to get yours on Feb. 21

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

FREE SLURPEE: On Feb. 21, get a free small Slurpee at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. Check participating locations here.

Opens in a new window Credit: 7-Eleven 7-Eleven: Free Slurpee on Feb. 21 Learn More

We're not going to tell you how to spend your day. We're sure you've got big plans, and there's absolutely no way that you could adjust your schedule for a freebie. There's no way, right?

All we'll say is that, every Friday in February, customers can visit participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores to get their hands on a small Slurpee for free. There's no pressure from us to do anything with this information, but we should add that you should check participating locations before you cancel all your plans and set off in search of this beloved beverage.

SEE ALSO: Domino’s is releasing a pepperoni perfume for Valentine’s Day. Here's how to get yours for free.

Each customer can get only one free small Slurpee each, and this free giveaway is only valid supplies last. But those are the only catches. This is one of those rare moments when customers can genuinely get something for nothing.

Stop what you're doing and grab your free Slurpee on Feb. 21.

How to watch the 2025 NRL online for free

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 NRL for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are few other sports that can compete with rugby league when it comes to physicality and skill. It's clever handling and outrageous trickery combined with absolute brutality, and that's why love it.

And if you're looking for all of that and more on a weekly basis, you should check out the NRL. It's an electric competition featuring some of the best players and teams in the world.

If you want to watch the 2025 NRL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the NRL?

The National Rugby League (NRL) is a professional rugby league competition in Australasia, including clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2025 AFL online for free

Each team plays 24 matches in the regular season, with the first-placed team at the end awarded the minor premiership. This is followed by a finals series contested between the eight highest-placed teams from the regular season, culminating in the NRL Grand Final.

The defending champions are the Penrith Panthers.

When is the 2025 NRL?

The 2025 NRL season is the 118th edition of professional rugby league in Australia and the 28th season run by the National Rugby League. This season runs from March 2 to Sept. 7.

How to watch the 2025 NRL for free

The 2025 NRL season is available to live stream for free on 9Now. This free streaming service is offering live coverage of three matches per round, exclusive coverage of the Grand Final, and the State of Origin series.

9Now 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 unblock free live streams of the NRL from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 NRL from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit 9Now

  5. Live stream the 2025 NRL for free from anywhere in the world

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

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 the 2025 NRL without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select NRL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, 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 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 the 2025 NRL for free with ExpressVPN.

The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is live. How to get free books during this enchanting event.

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 21. Enchant Your Kindle offers free fantasy, romantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism books.

We're back once again with another Stuff Your Kindle Day. Bookworms have been treated to a number of these events in 2025, but that doesn't make them any less exciting. These events cause a serious stir in reading communities like BookTok, and it's clear to see why. It's not every day that you get to stock up on books without paying anything at all.

Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an incredible opportunity to stock up on hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of books for free. And better yet, the books that you download are yours to keep. It sounds too good to be true, but it's legit.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025

The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy, romantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism books. Does the Enchant Your Kindle event sound like your kind of thing? You're in luck. We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event, so that you can make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule has been incredibly busy in 2025. The most recent events took place on Jan. 28, Feb. 10, Feb. 14, with everything from monster romance to indie titles on offer for absolutely nothing.

And now on Feb. 21, the Enchant Your Kindle event is offering free fantasy, romantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism books from 12 a.m. ET.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The special thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate.

You don't need to own a Kindle to get involved. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all of these free fantasy, romantasy, paranormal romance, and magical realism books is straightforward thanks to The Enchanted Realm. There's a helpful hub page for Enchant Your Kindle, with details on what exactly is available going live on Feb. 21.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.

Shop Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it

These super popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

How to watch Afghanistan vs. South Africa online for free

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and India have all started their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaigns, and now it's the turn of the teams from Group B. Afghanistan vs. South Africa is the first game from this ultra-competitive group. Both teams will be desperate to start the tournament with a victory.

If you want to watch Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Afghanistan vs. South Africa?

Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy starts at 4 a.m. ET on Feb. 21. This ODI takes place at the National Bank Stadium.

How to watch Afghanistan vs. South Africa for free

The following platforms are offering coverage of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is available to live stream for free in Pakistan. The free streaming platforms are geo-restricted to Pakistan, 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 Pakistan, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit Tamasha or PTV

  5. Live stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa (plus every other 2025 ICC Champions Trophy game) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

  • 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Afghanistan vs. South Africa in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free with ExpressVPN.

The best Android tablets in 2025

Mashable - Fri, 02/21/2025 - 00:00

When it comes to Google Android OS and Apple iOS, you’re likely one or the other. It's a kind of tech tribalism. In this Bluetooth-synced, device-powered world, being either Android or Apple is more than a preference: It’s a lifestyle choice, a state of mind.

If you prefer Google's Android OS to Apple's iOS, it stands to reason that you'd prefer an Android-powered tablet. And iPads can cost big bucks. It's little wonder that people are switching to Android.

But this tech-based world can be a complicated business. If you’re still unsure about which operating system to choose, or need some guidance selecting a tablet, here’s a quick guide to all things Android.

What is Android?

Android is a Google-owned mobile operating system. The chances of you being an Android user are high. It’s the most popular operating system in the world. Unlike Microsoft and Apple OS, it’s open source, meaning other companies can use it without permission — which is why Android is so widely used. Other operating systems also support Android applications, such as Chrome OS and Windows 11.

Which devices use Android?

You can find the Android OS on most kinds of everyday devices — laptops, smartphones, and tablets. You can also find Android on smartwatches that use Wear OS (which is an Android system) and smart TVs that use Android TV.

What is the Google Play Store?

This is the Android equivalent of Apple’s App Store. You can find tons of Google-approved apps there. Not all Android apps are made by Google though, and the Google Play Store is not the only place to get apps for Android. To support Google apps, your device will need Google Play Services. This is a piece of software that connects your apps, Google services, and Android. Some devices use Android but are distinctly non-Google, such as Amazon’s Android devices.

Is Android OS better than Apple iOS?

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Chances are you’re already an Android diehard if you’re reading this — or perhaps an Apple iOS user looking to make the transition. The truth is, the two systems are not as different as they used to be. The major difference is how tightly controlled Apple’s apps and App Store are.

There are certainly benefits to Android. Because so many manufacturers make devices on the Android OS, you can get devices — including tablets — at a wide range of prices. It’s much harder to shop budget with Apple than it is with Android.

Other benefits include Android’s more customisable experience. An Apple device looks like an Apple device no matter whom it belongs to, while you can generally gear your Android device towards your own style and user experience. Also, the universal USB-C charger you get with Android is a massive bonus. How annoying is it for Apple users when there’s not a lightning charger in sight?

What is the best Android tablet?

We have lined up an impressive bunch of Android tablets that should suit a wide range of budgets. Built on the Google operating system, all of these tablets look great, run efficiently, and can handle multiple tasks.

These are the best Android tablets in 2025.

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 21

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 22:00

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 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "To infinity and beyond"

These words are animated characters.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words are characters who star alongside the astronaut famous for this saying.

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 Toy Story.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 21
  • Slinky

  • Woody

  • Wheezy

  • Alien

  • Bullseye

  • Buzz

  • Twitch

  • Toy Story

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.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 21

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 22:00

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 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.

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.

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: Given to the winner

  • Green: LA ______

  • Blue: Cast a line

  • Purple: Same second word

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: Award

  • Green: A Los Angeles athlete

  • Blue: Fishing baits and lures

  • Purple: ________ crew

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 #151 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • Award - MEDAL, CUP, PLAQUE, TROPHY

  • A Los Angeles athlete - CLIPPER, KING, RAM, SPARK

  • Fishing baits and lures - PLUG, SPINNER, SPOON, WORM

  • ________ crew - BREW, COLUMBUS, GROUNDS, OFFICIATING

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.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 22:00

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 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.

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 February 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Fixing issues

  • Green: Gather crops

  • Blue: Features in editing program

  • Purple: Items used with a dominant hand

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: Way of Solving a Problem

  • Green: Collect, As from an Orchard

  • Blue: Photoshop Tools

  • Purple: Objects That May be Right-or-Left-Handed

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 #621 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Way of Solving a Problem: ANSWER, FIX, REMEDY, SOLUTION

  • Collect, As from an Orchard: GATHER, HARVEST, PICK, REAP

  • Photoshop Tools: ERASER, EYEDROPPER, LASSO, MAGIC WAND

  • Objects That May be Right-or-Left-Handed: BASEBALL GLOVE, CAN OPENER, GOLF CLUB, GUITAR

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 21

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 22:00

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: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 21 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 21, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A segment of garlic.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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. 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...

CLOVE.

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 21

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.

Trump Dismantles Government Fight Against Foreign Influence Operations

NYT Technology - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 17:17
Dozens of employees who had been working to fight foreign interference in U.S. elections have been reassigned or forced out, according to current and former officials.

Sofia Carson takes a second chance on life in sweet The Life List trailer

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 13:50

Sofia Carson (Carry-On) experiences a second coming-of-age in Netflix's upcoming film The Life List, based on the novel by Lori Nelson Spielman.

Carson stars as Alex, a young woman grieving the loss of her mother (Connie Britton, Zero Day). However, her mother is still with her in the form of video messages she left Alex before her death. In these messages, she asks Alex to check off items from a list of goals she wrote as a teenager, including "go all out in a mosh pit" and "do stand-up comedy." Each completed goal means Alex gets a new message from her mother's lawyer (Kyle Allen, A Haunting in Venice). What follows is a journey of risk-taking, self-discovery, and maybe even true love.

Check out the beginnings of Alex's journey in the trailer above.

The Life List hits Netflix March 28.

An Avatar: The Last Airbender sequel series is on the way, and weve already got theories

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 13:38

Avatar: The Last Airbender turns 20 years old on Feb. 21, 2025. So what better way to celebrate than with news of a sequel series?

As reported by Variety, Nickelodeon and Avatar Studios announced on Feb. 20 that a new Avatar show, titled Avatar: Seven Havens, has been greenlit. The 2D animated series, headed up by Avatar creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, is currently in production, and will span 26 half-hour episodes over the course of two seasons (or "books").

SEE ALSO: The 10 best 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' episodes to binge right now What is Avatar: Seven Havens about?

Avatar: Seven Havens follows the Earth Avatar who comes after Korra, meaning we'll have to say goodbye to beloved Legend of Korra characters like Korra, Asami, and Tenzin. It's been over 10 years since the finale, but I'm still not ready!

Based on Seven Havens' official logline, the Four Nations have changed drastically since we last left them, as the show is set in "a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm." That's right, we're looking at an Avatar-style apocalypse!

The rest of the logline reads:

A young Earthbender discovers she’s the new Avatar after Korra – but in this dangerous era, that title marks her as humanity's destroyer, not its savior. Hunted by both human and spirit enemies, she and her long-lost twin must uncover their mysterious origins and save the Seven Havens before civilization’s last strongholds collapse.

There's already so much to unpack here. What is this cataclysm? Did Korra have something to do with it, leading humanity to despise the Avatar? And what are the Seven Havens? Could they be the new name for a fractured Four Nations?

But the tidbit that stands out most from this description is the idea of an Avatar with a twin. This concept isn't new to the world of Avatar: Randy Ribay's novel The Reckoning of Roku reveals that Roku had a twin brother who died when they were young. But since Seven Havens' Avatar's twin is still alive, the upcoming series could offer an exciting twist on the Avatar dynamic.

Could Avatar: Seven Havens give us twin Avatars?

There are a few ways Seven Havens could approach an Avatar with the twin. The first could be similar to the Katara-Sokka dynamic from The Last Airbender, where one sibling is a bender and the other sibling is not. How would knowing your sister is the most powerful bender in the world affect your sense of self-worth and your relationship with her?

But another approach Seven Havens might take could pull from Avatar lore introduced in The Legend of Korra. In Season 2, the series reveals that an Avatar's powers come from the Avatar Spirit Raava, a light spirit who fused with Wan, the first-ever Avatar.

Raava's dark counterpart, Vaatu, fused with the villainous Unalaq during Season 2's climactic battle, briefly creating a Dark Avatar. He initially destroyed Raava, but thanks to some spiritual intervention from Jinora, Raava was reborn within the Dark Avatar Spirit, and Korra rejoined with her after defeating Unalaq and Vaatu for good.

That's a lot of spirit-heavy lore, but it basically boils down to the fact that a little bit of Vaatu is still contained within the Avatar Spirit. So while Raava alone can't split into two bodies when twins are born, there's a possibility that Vaatu could split from Raava, giving us two Avatars: One dark, one light. That opens up a whole new can of worms for Avatar to explore. Could these twins be allies, despite the diametrically opposed spirits? Could having one of each kind of Avatar bring balance to a doomed world, or will it only cause more chaos?

Like everyone's beloved Foaming Mouth Guy, I'm currently freaking out about the possibilities, and I am ready for whatever Avatar: Seven Havens brings.

Give your PC superpowers with Copilot and Windows 11 Pro for A$28

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 13:00

TL;DR: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for only A$28 through 30 March — that’s a 90% discount.

If you thought AI would only be a fad, take a look at Microsoft. As we speak (or read?), they’re making computers infused 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. At the Mashable Shop, you can score a deal on Windows 11 Pro keys for only A$28 (reg. A$313), and each upgrades two compatible PCs.

AI in Windows 11

We 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

  • Summarize web pages without having to ‘copy and paste’

  • Have it set reminders, schedule meetings, or draft emails

Pro-specific features

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 A$28 (reg. A$313) until 30 March at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed to get this discount — just head to the Mashable Shop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro A$28.00 at the Mashable Shop
A$313.00 Save A$285.00 Get Deal

Tiny ant-like robots lift objects 350 times their weight

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:57

Researchers at Hanyang University are developing tiny microbot swarms that connect, move and change shape when controlled by magnets. While still in early development, researchers believe they could eventually be used for tasks like delivering medicine, clearing blockages, or even environmental cleanup.

Google pulls Gemini from its iOS search app, driving users toward standalone AI app

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:54

Google really wants you to download its Gemini app. The tech giant is pulling the AI tool from its iOS search app — you know, the Google app — in an apparent effort to push you to the Gemini app.

The tech giant alerted customers to the change in an email.

It read, in part, via 9to5 Google:

"We're making some changes to create an even better Gemini experience on iOS. Gemini is now available as its own app, and that's now the best place to use Gemini. To continue using Gemini, download the new Gemini app from the App Store.

With the Gemini app, you'll have access to all of the same features and more."

If an iOS user tries to access Gemini in the Google app, they're greeted with a message reading, "Gemini now has its own app" and a button to download the standalone app.

Credit: Screenshot: Google

Obviously, the Google app is widely used, so it's interesting that the tech giant would want to push users to Gemini's standalone app. But for better or worse, if you want to use Google's AI tool, you better download its app.

Remember the Rabbit R1? The company just introduced a new Android AI agent.

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:42

Do you remember the AI wearable gadgets that were all the rage last year? Two of the biggest physical products just resurfaced this week after falling out of the limelight following underwhelming releases: Humane and Rabbit.

Humane announced it was killing its Ai Pin less than one year after launching it, effectively confirming it was a failure.

Rabbit, however, appears to still be kicking. In fact, the company just released a preview video that showed off a demonstration of its new Android AI agent.

Rabbit's Android AI agent is able to control an Android device based on the prompts provided by the user. According to Rabbit, with these capabilities its Android agent is able to change app notifications in the device's settings, search YouTube, add ingredients from one app to a list on Google Keep, generate a poem using AI and then sent it in WhatsApp, download a game from Google Play and learn how to play it, and more.

The company says this Android AI agent builds on the work that they showed off last year involving its web agent LAM Playground.

SEE ALSO: Humane has killed its Ai Pin less than a year after its release

Watching the video, it's clear that the Android AI agent is very much a work in progress. The AI generally delivers on each user request but with varying degrees of competence. The whole thing is pretty slow though. It's unclear exactly why you would use an AI agent to do these specific tasks mentioned in the video as these are things that can be accomplished by the user basically in the same timeframe it takes to enter the prompt and have the AI deliver it.

The odd thing about the whole video is that the company's actual product that it sold to customers, the wearable AI agent known as Rabbit R1, is just sitting unused on a desk. It serves no purpose. The product that's actually available and being sold to customers for $199 is not involved in the performance of any of these tasks being demoed. 

After seeing Humane crash and burn so quickly, this video shows that Rabbit is still alive and very much working on AI products, so that's a good thing for consumers who have invested in the product already. For now.

The durable and summer-ready Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 just dropped to its lowest price ever

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:36

SAVE 32%: The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 (black) is on sale at Amazon for $135.44, down from the standard price of $199.99. That's a savings of $64.55 and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 (black) $135.44 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $64.55 Get Deal

There's a cardinal rule that you shouldn't dunk your electronics in water. At least, that used to be the case. These days our phones, e-readers, and cameras are often waterproof. That's fantastic, of course, but there's one electronic that's gotta be waterproof in order to be functional and that's a portable speaker. If you don't have a powerful and waterproof speaker to enjoy poolside, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of Feb. 20, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 (black) is on sale at Amazon for just $135.44, down from the normal price of $199.99. That's a 32% discount that takes $64.55 off the list price. It's also the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon. Be sure to grab the black colorway to get this discount.

SEE ALSO: Tons of camping gear is up to 50% off ahead of spring and summer weather

With bragging rights of getting up to 20 hours of playtime, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 uses 360-degree sound to fill your party or room with tunes. It's great for a bedroom dance party, but it's also well suited for your summer trip to the river since Ultimate Ears considers the speaker to be "virtually indestructible."

The Megaboom 4 is waterproof, drop proof, and it floats. Ultimate Ears, therefore, says it's perfect for the pool, beach, or even the shower. The speaker also has 360-degree spatial sound, thanks to its cylindrical design.

If you're looking forward to warmer weather and have pool-side plans, pack along the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 to bring tunes to the party. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, the black colorway can be all yours for under $140.

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