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FREE LEGO: On March 9, build a Lego Steering Wheel model at participating stores and take it home with you for free. Find participating stores here.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free Steering Wheel Learn MoreLego has been feeling generous lately. On Feb. 9, customers had the opportunity to build a Lego Valentine's Day Heart and take it home with them for free. We made a lot of noise about that free giveaway, partly because it seemed like the sort of thing that wouldn't happen again for a long time. How wrong we were.
On March 9 from 12-2 p.m., Lego is running a Steering Wheel make-and-take event intended for participants aged 6+ years. The Lego Steering Wheel model (Formula 1 Collection) will be available on a first come first serve basis, at participating locations in the U.S. and Canada, while supplies last. Participants are limited to one build each.
SEE ALSO: 'Piece By Piece' review: Pharrell Williams finds his happy place in Legoland biopicWhat makes this free giveaway especially interesting is that the Steering Wheel model is not available for purchase. So by taking part, you're getting your hands on an exclusive item for free. That sounds like a pretty good deal to us, particularly for the Formula 1 fans out there.
Build and take home an exclusive Lego Steering Wheel for free on March 9.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 28. Stuff With Fantasy is offering fantasy books in a variety of subgenres for free.
Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again for its final appearance in February. Rejoice, bookworms.
We've been treated to a number of these popular events in 2025, but that doesn't mean we're any less excited for a new giveaway going live. You've probably seen the excitement building over on BookTok, with everyone counting down the days to the next Stuff Your Kindle Day.
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025So what exactly is Stuff Your Kindle Day? This event provides an amazing 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. The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on fantasy.
Stuff With Fantasy is offering a long list of fantasy books in a variety of subgenres for free. Want to make the most of this popular event? We've lined up everything you need to know.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule has been exhausting in 2025. Exhausting in a good way. In February, Stuff Your Kindle Day has taken place on Feb. 10, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21, with everything from monster romance to indie titles on offer for free.
And now on Feb. 28, the Stuff With Fantasy event is offering free fantasy books all day.
Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?There are many great things about Stuff Your Kindle Day, but arguably the best aspect 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?Sourcing all of these free books is made easy thanks to Stuff With Fantasy. There's a helpful hub page with everything organzied by subgenre. You can find free fantasy books in subgenres like paranormal, dark, cozy, coming of age, urban, historical, romance, and so much more.
See something you like? There's nothing stopping you from stocking up for free, but Stuff With Fantasy does ask that you double check everything is the promised price before downloading.
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 AmazonThese 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.
FREE SLURPEE: On Feb. 28, 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. 28 Learn MoreEvery Friday in February, customers have had the opportunity to visit participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores to get their hands on a small Slurpee for free. Go and check your calendar. This is your last call to drink for free.
You should check participating locations before you set off in search of your free Slurpee, but once you've confirmed that small detail, don't delay. This is almost definitely your last chance to get a free Slurpee until National Slurpee Day in July.
SEE ALSO: Domino’s is releasing a pepperoni perfume for Valentine’s Day. Here's how to get yours for free.The only details to note are that each customer can get only one free small Slurpee each, and this free giveaway is only valid whilst supplies last. But there really isn't a catch here. This is one of those rare opportunities when customers can genuinely get something for nothing.
Make the most of this final chance to grab a Slurpee for free.
TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The new season of MotoGP promises to be really entertaining. There are so many interesting storylines, and with defending champion Jorge Martín set to miss the opening weekend with an injury, the stage is set for someone else to take the spotlight. We can't wait to see how things unfold.
If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand?The MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand takes place at Chang International Circuit. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand race starts at 3 a.m. ET on March 2.
How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for freeEvery 2025 MotoGP race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.
ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria
Connect to ServusTV
Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for MotoGP?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $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 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The FA Cup fifth round includes some really interesting matchups, including Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City. The Premier League will be expected to win this one, but Cardiff City will still believe that they can progress into the next round.
If you want to watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City?Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 28. This fixture takes place at Villa Park.
How to watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City for freeAston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Access a free live stream of Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Live stream Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this game before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City in the FA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has entered the final round of group-stage games, with places in the knockout rounds up for grabs. Australia will be looking to book their place against Afghanistan, but there are no easy games in this competition.
If you want to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Afghanistan vs. Australia?Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy starts at 4 a.m. ET on Feb. 28. This ODI takes place at the Gaddafi Stadium.
How to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia for freeThe following platforms are offering coverage of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:
Australia — Prime Video (free with 30-day trial)
India — Disney+ Hotstar
New Zealand — Sky TV NZ
UK — Sky Sports
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:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Pakistan
Live stream Afghanistan vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world
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. Australia (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. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free with ExpressVPN.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
If you want your laptop or computer to function at the top level — whether you're using it for gaming or editing — a solid state drive (SSD) is a vital component. SSDs are faster and perform better than pretty much any hard drive available.
An SSD can help improve the overall speed of your computer as well keep your files and data as secure as possible. As tech heads will know, an SSD is a great way to upgrade your set-up. And it doesn't need to cost you a fortune.
But how do you find a SSD that works for you and your computer? And what makes one SSD better than another? That's part of the problem with buying hardware. There are so many specifications that the jargon is hard (unlike with an SSD) to keep stored in your brain.
If you're in the market for an SSD, read on for some useful information and a roundup of the best SSD options right now.
What is a solid-state drive?An SSD is a storage device that uses blocks of memory cells to store data for easy access. SSDs tend to use flash memory, which makes them faster and more efficient than HDD options. Consequently, SSD has become the more popular means of storage — synonymous with the latest gen PCs and laptops.
What's the difference between SSD and HDD?It's a matter of inner workings. Whole SSD uses memory chips and flash memory, the more traditional HDDs are built with mechanical moving parts, which is what makes them slower. It's worth remembering, however, that HDDs are cheaper and they can hold significantly more data than SSDs.
How much data can SSDs hold?The amount of storage differs — each model tends to have multiple capacity options — but most of the SSDs you'll find on this list range between 1TB and 4TB.
Do you need an SSD?The great thing about SSD technology is that it's a simple way to upgrade your PC and laptop. SSDs are especially good for laptop users because they're small, portable, and eat up less power. But it's always worth asking yourself if you actually need the upgrade.
SSDs are also good for gaming and video editing because they have fast load and response times and reduced lag. The only drawback is they have limited storage (and less storage for your cash) than HDD. Serious gamers might want to combine both SSD and HDD, using the HDD for files that are access less frequently.
What are the different types of SSD?There are different kinds of technology that you'll find inside SSDs. It's worth knowing some of the jargon so you have a basic idea. The easiest way to say it is that there are two types of SSD – SATA and PCIe/NVMe SSDs. SATA is the older technology, which is fine for basic needs but not as fast as PCIe and NVMe. PCIe is a type of flash storage, while NVMe isn interface that accelerates data transfer speeds.
What is the best SSD?Thankfully, with prices going down and quality going up, finding a high-quality SSD has become easier than ever. We did the research, keeping in mind functionality, storage, and price to bring you some of the top options on the market.
These are the best SSDs in 2025.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
When it comes to webcams, there's one thing you can rely on: The webcam built into your computer isn't up to scratch. At least, not if you need it for professional purposes, whether that means video meetings or YouTube content creating.
The good news is that you don’t have settle for subpar video every time you hop on a call or drop your latest short. There is another way: an external webcam.
External webcams are clearer, more detailed, more advanced, and just, well, better. Before you buy one, however, there are a few basics you’ll need to know. Here's some helpful information, plus a selection of the best webcams, to put you in the picture.
What is an external webcam?An external webcam clips on the top of your screen or sits on a little tripod and plugs in via USB or Thunderbolt, rather than being a part of your computer or laptop. Most external webcams — especially high-quality cams — come with software that lets you manually adjust features, resolution, frames rate, white balance, exposure, and so on. Ultimately, an external webcam can be an easy way to make your video quality better and more consistent.
Are external webcams expensive?They don't have to be expensive. There are webcams on the cheaper end out there that are still a step up from built-in webcams. Of course, the more you pay, the clearer the image and greater the customisation options, but upgrading to an external webcam doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot.
What features do webcams have?This isn't an exhaustive list, but it's useful to keep these things in mind when shopping for a webcam:
Built-in mics — Some cameras come with one built-in mic, two built-in mics, or no mics at all. If crisp sound quality is important to you, spring for an external USB microphone. Webcam mics are never really built to wow. However, if your computer setup has no mic at all, grab a webcam that comes with one so you can make sure you're being heard on your calls. Some mics also have noise cancelling capabilities to cut out ambient background interference.
Field of view — If you want a webcam that frames you nicely (as in, not so small that the smallest adjustment will cut you out of the picture, and not so big you see the whole room in the background) check out the field of view, which describes the width of the area a camera captures. The standard sweet spot on most webcams hovers around 80 degrees, which can fit about two people comfortably.
Image resolution and frame rate — There are a few image resolutions you’ll come across, including 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), and 4K (UHD). As you might have guessed, the higher the resolution, the higher the picture quality. While the image resolution is all about clarity, frame rate is all about smoothness. Typically, a higher frame rate like 60fps looks smoothest, though 30fps will still offer lag-free video. Only the highest quality webcams support 4K/30 fps and most video call/streaming platforms support 1080p/30fps.
Lighting — If you find that your facial features are almost always lost to overexposure or that your image looks so dark you're giving villain-in-a-found-film-horror-movie-energy (absolutely a vibe but maybe not the one you want on client calls), look out for webcams that handle changing light conditions well or have software that allows you to adjust contrast, exposure, and white balance.
Keep these things in mind when beginning your purchase process.
Are webcams a security risk?There isn't a greater privacy risk with an external webcam than a built-in webcam. But with any webcams, external or otherwise, you should be aware that webcam hacks are very much a thing, even if you don’t have your camera on. The rule of thumb is that if you have a webcam, you should be covering it every time it’s not in use. There are external covers you can buy for most kinds of webcams and some webcams.
What is the best webcam?We've searched high and low for the very best webcams and lined up a selection for you. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this roundup, including popular models from top brands such as Logitech, Anker, and Razer.
These are the best webcams in 2025.
WFH has been a standard working practice for many people for years now. Sure, it's nice to do your work in the comfort of your own home, but it does come with certain issues. For starters, you need to stock up with the right equipment. A good worker needs good tools, after all. Which means you need home office technology.
Though it depends on your line of work, chances are you'll need a printer, monitor, and keyboard. But there's another item that's important: the mouse. It's often taken for granted, but a mouse can impact your productivity and overall comfort behind a desk.
There are lots of mouse options on the market, and from some of the biggest names in tech, including Razer, Logitech, and Apple. But how do you go about picking the right model for you? If you’re struggling to get to grips with the perfect option, here's some information to help you, well, click with a mouse that suits you.
Do you need a good mouse?If all you do is the odd bit of browsing and link clicking, it’s true that any old mouse will get the job done. But we’re talking about WFH here, which means hours and hours spent in front of the computer. If that’s the case, a good quality mouse is essential for keeping your arm, wrist, and hand comfortable and free from injury. A high-quality computer mouse can help prevent fatigue, improve your overall performance and productivity, and just make everything a whole lot easier.
What is an ergonomic mouse?An ergonomic mouse is designed to keep your hand in a natural position, therefore reducing the kind of stresses and strain that might lead to carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury. Ergonomic mice are easy to spot as they sometimes look clunky or unusual — but it’s all designed for comfort and physical wellbeing.
What is DPI?This is something you’ll see a lot when shopping for a computer mouse. It stands for “Dots Per Inch” — essentially a measurement of how sensitive the mouse is. It describes how many pixels the cursor moves across per inch of physical mouse movement. A higher DPI means higher sensitivity — the cursor moves faster and tracks more distance across the screen. Some manufacturers call it CPI — “counts per inch” — but it essentially means the same thing. DPI is also adjustable with some of the more advanced mouse models.
How does a mouse connect to the computer?As you'll see below, there are both wired and wireless mouse options. A wired mouse inserts straight into your computer, usually via USB, while a wireless mouse will sync using Bluetooth or a USB dongle. A wireless mouse will be better for a home that has a permanent work stations, whereas a wireless model gives you the flexibility to move around from room to room or other working locations.
Can you use a gaming mouse for work?A gaming mouse will come with specialist features — such as lighting, programmable buttons, and super-high DPI — but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them for everyday use as well. We’ve included some gamer mouse options below — worth considering if you’re a gamer who likes to mix up work and play.
What is the best mouse for working from home?Nowadays, computer mice come with everything from customisable buttons to built-in LEDs. You could spend hours doing detailed research on everything on offer, but that's going to take a lot of dedication. Alternatively, you could let someone else do all of the hard work for you and check out this roundup of the best mice for working from home. That means us. We've tracked down a selection of impressive devices that should suit everyone. You just need to pick (and click) a favourite.
These are the best mice in 2025.
DreamWorks has announced Shrek 5's cast in a short clip which draws on TikTok memes and trends. Of course, this includes the viral "yassified" Shrek filter of the ogre wearing a black catsuit and dancing in the sky.
In the brief 27-second video, Shrek scrolls through short clips on the Magic Mirror in a manner reminiscent of a TikTok feed — and is suitably repulsed by the questionable depictions of himself that he encounters. Unsurprisingly, Shrek alum Mike Myers is returning to voice the titular ogre, alongside Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. Doing a Shrek film without these three would basically be sacrilege at this point. Less expected was the revelation that Zendaya is joining the cast, the Euphoria actor voicing Shrek and Fiona's daughter.
SEE ALSO: How Shrekfest keeps the 20-year legacy of 'Shrek' aliveShrek and Fiona's children first appeared in 2007's Shrek the Third, which featured the birth of triplets Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia. It seems safe to assume Zendaya's teen ogre is Felicia all grown up, however we don't yet know whether Shrek 5 will also feature her brothers, or who might be voicing them.
Little has been revealed about the plot of Shrek 5, which is the first entry in the Shrek film franchise's main series since 2010's Shrek Forever After. Though judging by this teaser, it looks as though DreamWorks may be taking some inspiration from Shrek's status as an enduring meme online.
Shrek 5 is set to arrive in theatres on Dec. 23, 2026.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 28 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Someone who can't make up their mind
Green: Terms of endearment for someone sweet
Blue: Clarity of thought
Purple: Irreversible actions
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Be Indecisive
Green: Lovely Person
Blue: Lucidity
Purple: Components of Metaphors for Things That Can't Be Undone
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 #628 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayBe Indecisive: HESITATE, WAFFLE, WAVER, YO-YO
Lovely Person: ANGEL, DARK, DOLL, PEACH
Lucidity: MARBLES, MIND, SENSE, WITS
Components of Metaphors for Things That Can't Be Undone: BELL, EGG, GENIE, TOOTHPASTE
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 28Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 28 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 28, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Something unclear or covered in soft fibers.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter Z appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.
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...
FUZZY.
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 28Reporting 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.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Nautical inkThese words are permanently on your body.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe words are tattoos that share the same ocean-related theme.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is SailorTattoo.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 28Mermaid
Anchor
Ship
Compass
Eagle
Swallow
SailorTattoo
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Important in poker
Green: Recent hockey event
Blue: One of the best NBA centers
Purple: Share a mascot
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: High cards in poker
Green: 4 Nations Face-off
Blue: Related to Nikola Jokic
Purple: Eagles
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 #158 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayHigh cards in poker - ACE, JACK, KING, QUEEN
4 Nations face-off - CANADA, FINLAND, SWEDEN, USA
Associated with Nikola Jokic - JOKER, MVP, NUGGETS, SERBIA
Eagles - BOSTON COLLEGE, IAN, MARQUETTE, PHILADELPHIA
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.
OpenAI's GPT-4.5 has arrived.
On Thursday, the ChatGPT maker announced the latest version of its LLM (large language model) in research preview. As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said a few weeks ago, GPT-4.5 is OpenAI's last non-chain-of-thought model, meaning all future models will have reasoning capabilities.
"Early testing shows that interacting with GPT-4.5 feels more natural," said the white paper. "Its broader knowledge base, stronger alignment with user intent, and improved emotional intelligence make it well-suited for tasks like writing, programming, and solving practical problems - with fewer hallucinations."
In the demo, OpenAI team members talked about how GPT-4.5 is not a reasoning model, but it still has advanced knowledge and can be used to reason through problems, even though it's meant to be used as general purpose tool compared to the o series which is best for science and mathematics.
GPT-4.5 is the newest addition to its GPT series since OpenAI announced GPT-4o last May. OpenAI has also shipped versions of reasoning models, o1, o3-mini, and o3-mini-high in the past year in a reported effort to focus more on models that rely on increased computing power (test-time compute) in real-time instead of extensive training and more data.
The release of GPT-4.5 also serves as a reminder that the rollout of the elusive GPT-5 has not gone to plan. Persistent rumors indicate that OpenAI has seen diminishing returns in model improvements, suggesting scaling laws (more compute, bigger datasets) for training a model might not equate to improved results.
This is a possible reason why we've yet to see GPT-5 which has been massively hyped. Altman said it will be smarter than him and former CTO Mira Murati who said it will have "Ph.D.-level intelligence." In the meantime, we now have GPT-4.5, which could either be an indication that OpenAI is close to meeting very high expectations or stalling for more time.
Anonymous former OpenAI employees told Fortune that GPT-4.5, internally dubbed Orion, was supposed to be GPT-5, but couldn't achieve enough performance gains to merit the GPT-5 name. Altman said GPT-5 could be expected in a matter of months.
How to try GPT-4.5As of today, we can start putting GPT-4.5 to the test. Well, not everyone. GPT-4.5 is currently only available to ChatGPT Pro members who shell out $200 a month, with access for ChatGPT Plus subscribers who pay $20 a month, coming out next week. It's only a week apart, but Plus subscribers used to be the top tier granted with early access to new features are now wondering why they even bother paying for a subscription.
Tweet may have been deletedWhile OpenAI is undoubtedly hoping to gain more Pro subscribers, this could have a backfiring effect by alienating Plus subscribers who suddenly have good options with competitors that are catching up, like xAI's Grok 3, DeepSeek R1, and Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet.
A lot is riding on GPT-4.5 as an indicator of GPT-5 progress, and now we'll know whether it lives up to the hype.
Apple is upgrading its app safety offerings later this year, including new age assurance policies intended to wade into the online child protection debate.
According to a recently published white paper, the company plans to expand its Child Account settings, App Store Age Ranges, and provide avenues for app developers to set more comprehensive age-restriction settings for minor users.
SEE ALSO: Apple shareholders voted to keep DEI policies, and Trump is mad about it"Protecting kids — whether they’re young children, preteens, or teenagers — from online threats requires constant vigilance and effort. The digital world is increasingly complex and the risks to families are ever-changing, including the proliferation of age-inappropriate content and excessive time on social media and other platforms," writes Apple. "For years, Apple has supported specialized Apple accounts for kids — called Child Accounts — that enable parents to manage the many parental controls we offer, and help provide an age-appropriate experience for children under the age of 13. These accounts are the bedrock of all the child safety tools that we offer today."
Age range for developersLaunching later this year, Apple's new privacy-driven Declared Range API allows developers to request an approximate age range for Child Account users, approved by parents, that can then be used to better tailor app experiences and set access limits for age-restricted apps. Minor users would be prompted with a "share age range" notification, similar to pop-ups for App Tracking or Location Services, and can be turned off at any time. Developers can still choose to have their apps require government identification, but ID will not be required to use the App Store at large.
The policy represents a significant stance taken by Apple amid a flurry of industry debate around "age assurance" or verification. Politicians and tech leaders have offered mixed ideas about the most effective, and appropriate, way to verify the ages of young users across social media platforms and other digital spaces, including app marketplaces. Many, like Meta, argue that app marketplaces should be held responsible for connecting minors to platforms that host age-restricted or harmful content. State legislatures, backed by tech companies, have proposed various age verification laws — their effectiveness is widely debated.
Politicians have introduced legislation tackling the issue from the lenses of digital privacy, as well, while others have suggested outright bans on minors accessing certain online spaces. The Kids Online Safety Act, proposed in 2023, would require online platforms to enable the strongest privacy settings for all underage users, and place a "duty of care" on social media companies, specifically.
Apple, conversely, is arguing for a policy that places the burden on app developers, not marketplaces, and minimizes data collection. "Some apps may find it appropriate or even legally required to use age verification, which confirms user age with a high level of certainty — often through collecting a user’s sensitive personal information (like a government issued ID) — to keep kids away from inappropriate content. But most apps don’t. That’s why the right place to address the dangers of age-restricted content online is the limited set of websites and apps that host that kind of content."
Managing youth accounts and app accessApple's updates will also incorporate age ranges into a more streamlined Child Account set-up process, as well, making it easier for parents to determine child safety settings for required users (those 13 and younger), as well as voluntarily-included accounts for device owners under the age of 18. During device set up, parents and guardians can choose from pre-selected safety settings categorized by age range or use default child settings— this makes it possible for young users to set up devices on their own, with the aid of Apple's oversight. Parents can still adjust and customize settings at a later date.
To accommodate these new settings, Apple's age ranges will get more specific, with new thresholds for apps including:
4+ years old
9+ years old
13+ years old
16+ years old
18+ years old
Along these same lines, Apple will also expand its content visibility restrictions for youth accounts, preventing apps outside of selected age ratings from appearing in devices' Today, Games, and Apps tabs, and editorial stories and collections.
The latest trailer for A Minecraft Movie is chock-full of Easter eggs for Minecraft fans. Characters use a water bucket to prevent fall damage, a chicken jockey spawns during a fight, and a baby panda appears when two adult pandas share bamboo.
SEE ALSO: 'A Minecraft Movie' trailer proves 'Minecraft' looks pretty freaky in live-actionBut beyond these Easter eggs, the trailer offers up a clearer glimpse at the film's story. A Minecraft Movie sees four humans — played by Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen — get sucked into the Overworld, a realm where everything is made of cubes. (The cubic effect remains fairly disturbing, especially when applied to living creatures like villagers or sheep.)
The Overworld may seem like an imaginative wonderland, but it's under siege from a dire threat. Expert crafter Steve (Jack Black) has stumbled upon a portal to the Nether, where piglins and their villainous leader Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House) spurn creativity and only seek to conquer. Now, he'll need the help of A Minecraft Movie's four heroes to keep the Overworld safe.
As part of A Minecraft Movie's trailer launch, U.S. fans who buy film tickets through Fandango will unlock an exclusive jetpack add-on for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. Global audiences will have access to similar opportunities through local ticket sites.
The internet is full of bad things — you might even posit, not entirely incorrectly, that it's become mostly bad things. But sometimes it sparks a bit of magical positivity. It actually can bring people together.
Take Buddies Coffee Roasters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Owner Rachel, TikTok handle @its.rachel.rose, posted about her business struggles. The nearly seven-minute video is worth watching in full, but she goes in depth about her difficulties — many of which are outside her control. Her lease is running out in a few months, and the rent is set to go up. A new, seemingly corporate-owned coffee shop is moving in next door. She's worked endlessly, with no financial backing, and still won't be able to make it work.
"Today, I just got word that I might not be able to stay in the same lease because of rent increase, which is the reality for so many people," she said in the TikTok. "But not only that, right next door to me they're putting [in] a coffee shop. And I don't know if I sound so stupid, crying and complaining. But it just feels like you just can't win. The small people can't win."
SEE ALSO: 'Ask an Axolotl' is TikTok's sweet, comforting viral dittyIt's emotional, and she sobs as she talks about her uncertain future. Rachel correctly pointed out that Williamsburg — before becoming a hipster haven turned uber-expensive luxury neighborhood — has a rich history of Puerto Rican residents. While some Puerto Rican mainstays remain — Buddies is actually just a couple blocks down from Toñita's, where Bad Bunny celebrated his recent album release — so much has disappeared. Rachel described being proud to open a new Puerto Rican-owned business in Williamsburg.
"I won't regret posting this. It's important to see raw emotion," she said. "It's important to see... what people push through, what people have to deal with, why native New Yorkers roll their eyes at gentrification."
The TikTok took off. Her raw honesty resonated, especially with New Yorkers. It's racked up more than 3 million views. It seems like every TikTokker in New York City is posting about it. Hell, Joe Jonas commented, showed up, and posted about going to Buddies. The line was out the door just a day later.
So many people had placed online orders that Buddies' website had a pop-up notice that shipping might take longer than usual.
Soon enough, Rachel posted a thank-you for all the support, noting that "vulnerability is power." Her tearful message certainly generated a response. (Mashable reached out to Buddies and will update if we receive a response.)
It's unclear what Buddies' future might look like — but for now the present is lots and lots of business. And the internet actually did something good.
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