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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 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 17 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Sun shade

These words are on an advanced color wheel.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words are different shades of the color yellow.

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 Yellow.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 17

• Saffron

• Canary

• Daffodil

• Yellow

• Mustard

• Lemon

• Goldenrod

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.

The White Lotus is famous for bringing one character back for each new season. But in Season 3, episode 1, there are two familiar faces, both with a shared connection to Season 1.

The first is Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell), the spa manager who bonds with millionaire Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge) during her stay in Hawaii. She's arrived in Thailand on a work trip to learn further treatments and techniques to bring back to her White Lotus spa. The second familiar face, glimpsed only briefly towards the episode's end? Tanya's husband Greg (Jon Gries), who she met at the White Lotus in Hawaii — and who arranged to have her murdered in Sicily in Season 2.

So what is Greg doing at the hotel in Thailand, and what does it say about what's happened to him since the events of Season 2?

SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3 review: Juicy drama, great performances, still underwhelming What happens with Tanya's husband Greg in The White Lotus Season 3, episode 1?

Sitting alone at the bar after her boyfriend Rick (Walter Goggins) has abandoned her at dinner, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) bonds with another White Lotus guest (Charlotte Le Bon) who's also had a lover's quarrel.

Here's their full exchange:

Chelsea: "My boyfriend's hiding from me."

Woman at bar: "No way, that's like my boyfriend."

C: "Your boyfriend hides from you too?"

W: "Yeah. I mean, he just tells me to get lost because I get on his nerves. But honestly, he's so fucking boring I almost don't even care."

C: "How long have you been here for?"

W: "A year."

C: "You've been at this hotel for a year?"

W: "No, no. We have a house at the top of the hill. We just come down here to eat, but we just got in a fight, so I'm letting him cool off."

The guest then points her boyfriend out in the hotel, and the camera cuts to show Greg sitting at a table by himself.

Greg's girlfriend befriends Chelsea in episode one. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO Why is Greg at the hotel in Thailand?

Greg is now the only character in The White Lotus who has appeared in all three seasons. And despite hiring Quentin (Tom Hollander) to kill Tanya in Season 2 to inherit her money, he clearly hasn't faced any consequences for conspiracy to murder. So what exactly can we glean about what's happened to him from this first interaction?

Well, the implication seems to be that Greg's plan worked, though not in the way he intended. Although Tanya uncovered the plot and ended up taking almost everyone on that boat down with her in the Season 2 finale, she did indeed end up dead. However, as her death would have probably been ruled accidental under the circumstances, we can safely assume Greg inherited her money after all. This is made pretty clear by what his girlfriend tells Chelsea: 1) They have a "house at the top of the hill" in the same part of Thailand as a luxury hotel resort, and 2) They eat regularly at that same luxury resort. Greg clearly has money to burn.

The big question, as Season 3 unfolds, is whether or not his past will catch up with him. Maybe Belinda — who knew Tanya at the time when she first met Greg — will somehow make the connection between them? We'll have to wait and see.

The White Lotus is streaming now on Max, with new episodes dropping weekly.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: 8NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 17 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 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A path left behind or followed.

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 T.

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...

TRAIL.

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 17

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.

In his first month as POTUS, Donald Trump has released a wave of regressive executive orders, temporarily frozen essential federal funds, and instated Elon Musk as a de facto czar of federal employees. His policy announcements have targeted LGBTQ communities, so-called "DEI" policies, and federal agencies tasked with humanitarian aid and national health and security. Along with these alarming moves, Trump also took aim at a lesser-known evil: the name of the body of water off the southeastern coast of the United States.

What was once (for centuries) the Gulf of Mexico is now being referred to in 1984-style double speak as the "Gulf of America."

Tech companies did little to push back on the name change. Google announced, almost immediately, that it would change the title in Google Maps, and Apple followed suit not long after. But a new extension for Chrome users, titled "FixTheGulf", may help users fight back instead.

SEE ALSO: Protesters decry 'fascist Elon Musk' at dozens of Tesla showrooms nationwide

Created by modder and iOS developer Bryce Bostwick and uploaded to GitHub on Feb. 15, the extension restores (or, as Bostwick says, "reclaims") the Gulf of Mexico title to Google Maps with the click of a button. A simple, but impactful, use of digital tools to defy the Trump administration's aggressive policy push.

"There are a lot of scary executive orders being issued right now," the extension's download page reads. "This is not one of the most important ones. But it might be the easiest to defy." Bostwick breaks down exactly how it works — and how interested developers can build their own — below:

A movement to strike back against Tesla CEO and "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) leader Elon Musk left social media and took to the streets this weekend. Groups of protesters at Tesla showrooms across the country sported signs with messages like, "Stop the broligarchy," "Burn a Tesla, save democracy," and "DOGE is a criminal enterprise," encouraging potential Tesla buyers to take their money elsewhere.

Referred to as the #TeslaTakeover, the protests were organized by a small-but-mighty army of Bluesky users supported by Seattle-based activist group the Troublemakers and direct action The Disruption Project. Many of the events were posted to Action Network, which by Saturday rose to 50 planned protests nationwide, including small town hits and several in California and New York, Washington D.C., Ohio, and even Canada. "Sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines. Hurting Tesla is stopping Musk. Stopping Musk will help save lives and our democracy," the page reads. The #TeslaTakeover events, set for Feb. 15, generated rallies of varying sizes — from handfuls of protesters to large crowds of dozens of people chanting and parading signs — all with the same message: Musk is doing something categorically wrong.

SEE ALSO: What Elon Musk could do with the digital keys to the kingdom

Protest today at Tesla in NYC #TeslaTakeover #video #StopElon #ImpeachMusk

[image or embed]

— MsBellaF (@msbellaf.bsky.social) February 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM

"This isn't just about voicing our anger at Elon Musk's unelected takeover, it's about letting our friends and neighbors know that buying, owning, charging, and servicing a Tesla directly supports him," wrote one Bluesky user, whose post was reshared dozens of times. "Taking down Tesla's sales and stock price is our best way of hitting back. That starts tomorrow!"

Globally, Tesla owners and onlookers have been hitting back at Elon Musk's quick encroachment into the federal government, spurred on by the wider accusation that the SpaceX owner is associating with alt-right figures. Earlier this year, protests broke out at the German Die Welt Economic Summit, at which Musk was set to virtually appear, following Musk's decision to back a German far-right political party.

Credit: Jason Redmond / Contributor / AFP via Getty Images Credit: Jason Redmond / Contributor / AFP via Getty Images Credit: Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Meanwhile, American leaders are pleading with the courts to curb Musk's "unconstitutional" scorched earth approach to federal oversight and optimization. On Feb. 13, 14 state attorney generals filed a lawsuit against Musk, challenging the legality of DOGE's actions and asking for the court to bar Musk from issuing orders to bodies outside of the executive branch or overseeing the disbursement of federal funds. Earlier that week, a group of cybersecurity bodies, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), filed a lawsuit against Musk's DOGE for having "illegally forced" the Office of Personnel Management and Treasury Department to give up Americans' sensitive digital information to "unauthorized, untrained personnel." The lawsuit called it the "largest data breach in U.S. history."

Meta is looking to be the go-to marketplace for robo-tech, with the company planning to develop its own humanoid robot hardware and later become a lead developer of the robots' AI-based backbone.

The effort will be spearheaded by a new hardware division in Meta's Reality Labs (Quest VR and Ray-Ban smart glasses), reported Bloomberg, and will focus on robotics that can help with household tasks, first. Plans for a Meta-branded robot butler aren't happening yet, according to the company, but they're not off the table.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI strips warnings from ChatGPT, but its content policy hasn't changed

Meta has also begun talks with robotics companies like Unitree Robotics and Figure AI Inc., the publication reported, as it plans to harness its already existing software, sensors, and computing packages — the same tech powering Reality Labs' offerings and many exploratory autonomous vehicle (AV) projects — along with existing tech and collaborations with manufacturers. Meta's new division will also focus on developing robot safety standards.

"The core technologies we’ve already invested in and built across Reality Labs and AI are complementary to developing the advancements needed for robotics," wrote Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth in an internal memo. "We believe that expanding our portfolio to invest in this field will only accrue value to Meta AI and our mixed and augmented reality programs."

Last week, Meta began a round of global layoffs — set to affect at least 4,000 employees across the U.S., Europe, and Asia — as part of a years-long "efficiency" plan to reduce its workforce and lean into AI. A few weeks prior, Meta had reorganized its internal divisions to allocate more resources to its generative AI group and began fast-tracking hiring for machine learning engineers, reported Reuters.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, February 16, 2025:

AcrossWhat has two hands around your wrist?

• The answer is Watch.

Sneeze sound

• The answer is Achoo.

Elevator choice

• The answer is Floor.

___ and Caicos

• The answer is Turks.

Magnetoreception, for many migratory birds and fish

• The answer is Sense.

DownFloats, as a smell

• The answer is Wafts.

"I don't have ___" ("Beats me")

• The answer is A clue.

Rosebush protector

• The answer is Thorn.

Too many might be in the kitchen

• The answer is Cooks.

Basketball game with a spelled-out score

• The answer is Horse.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Since Donald Trump won his second presidential term, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has enacted a tirade of right-leaning policy changes that critics warn could amplify hate speech, misinformation, and harassment across its platforms. These changes include eliminating fact-checkers in favor of community notes, lifting prohibitions on certain forms of hate speech, scrapping DEI initiatives, removing trans-inclusive features from its apps, and reinstating political content recommendations. 

Many activists view these changes as a stark, rightward shift, but for leftist meme creators on Instagram, it's just more of the same — a continued struggle to navigate an increasingly hostile digital landscape. For creators, platform changes go beyond a simple policy shift; they reshape the environment in which they create and share their work. 

Despite escalating hostility on Meta’s platforms, it's created digital spaces that are inherently necessary for creators. Leftist meme creators aren’t logging off en masse, but, instead, are adapting and resisting. While Meta’s rightward shift may shape the digital battleground, it isn't extinguishing the creativity, subversion, and activism that define leftist meme culture. For some, it’s pushing them to become more radical. 

After all, they argue, Meta has always been antagonistic to their cause, and they've managed to carve out a space for themselves despite it.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg wants more 'masculine energy' in corporate America Instagram’s longstanding tensions with progressive and leftist creators

Instagram isn't a platform exclusively for political memes. As Pew Research found in 2024, the platform is primarily for entertainment and connecting, not politics — an opinion temporarily shared by Instagram head Adam Mosseri when the platform limited political content for a short time. However, Instagram has increasingly become a hub for news, art, and memes, as well as a tool for elected officials and activists to engage with the public. 

You simply can’t deny the popularity of memes. Users share over a million memes every day, according to one 2022 study. Not all memes are political, of course, but more and more are being shared by candidates and political parties. As NPR highlighted in 2023, the vast majority of political memes are created and shared by everyday users, making them a sort of grassroots medium for spreading political ideas. And while not every meme goes viral, those that do often see more user engagement than posts from prominent news organizations, another study showed.

View this post on Instagram

Aiden Arata, an Instagram meme creator at @aidenarata, doesn't make inherently political memes. But her work does touch on themes — such as creation without capitalism, nature and nurture, and empathy — that lean toward progressive politics. She describes the memes she creates as "modern folk art," existing both within and often in opposition to hostile structures. This description holds true for many of the more contentious political meme creators.

"[Memes] take these institutionalized ideas and allow you to subvert them and make them about something else and give them a new meaning," Arata told Mashable. "Honestly, the meme already operates under structures that it doesn't quite agree with." 

Jake Stoner of @eco_socialist told Mashable that he "lean[s] heavily on memes" because of their shareability. "I view memes as modern-day pamphlets."

View this post on Instagram

"My view on memes is that they function as a kind of outlet or possibly even a conversation starter," John, the creator of @socialistsopranosmemes, told Mashable. "I don’t think that changes just because Meta will be easing up on censorship. We’ll probably see more from a certain particularly odious segment of the political spectrum, but if those people want to volunteer to show everyone just how vile their views are, I say we let them."

Ultimately, Jon argues, there are "real limits to digital activism." Online political discourse needs to move to real-world action, he says. But meme creation is part of that larger movement, one that leads to political organizing. According to one 2020 study, this kind of posting facilitated offline protests through advertising and organizing. The study argues that communications of the day — what were once pamphlets, town square assemblies, and rumors — played an important role in "the group dynamics of mobilization similar to that played by social media today."

"Memes can be good ways to express opinions and feelings that people might have and relate to others that feel the same. I hope this gives people hope and community and inspires them to do political organizing in their communities [and] workplaces," the creator of @bigdawgsocialism told Mashable over Instagram DM. "Sometimes the comedic aspect of memes can disarm people that otherwise might be hostile to left-wing politics."

View this post on Instagram

The challenge of combating misinformation and hate speech in a space with fewer guardrails is ongoing. It involves the use of coded language, satire, and creative workarounds to bypass moderation, but leftist creators argue this is nothing new.

That subversion is political. Meta has struggled to manage politics on its platforms — for years, it allowed political content on its sites, which led to the spread of misinformation and extremism. By the early 2020s, Meta began oscillating between limiting and encouraging political discussion. This created a constant tension between Meta’s profit-driven motives and the creators who use its platforms for activism.

As Davey, who runs the meme page @renaissance__man on Instagram, told Mashable, Meta has always followed the money, not ideology.

View this post on Instagram Adapting to a hostile online climate

Hostility online isn't new for leftist creators, and these creators have always had to modify their content strategies to avoid suppression, shadowbanning, or algorithmic penalties. So, some posters are hoping to use these changes to their advantage.

John, for instance, says he "welcomes these changes."

"I’ve previously had to self-censor on Meta’s platforms," he told Mashable. "I’ve actually had content that was flagged as hateful before, which is something that I find laughable. The memes express a political opinion and are supposed to hopefully make people laugh."

He argues that his posts aren't hateful, and he doesn't think tech companies "should be adjudicating whether or not" they are.

"I see it as this is my enemy's house. I'm using my enemy's equipment and his machines and his algorithms against his interests."

Creator @bigdawgsocialism told Mashable that they are "way less careful about posting stuff that used to get me content strikes or suspensions," like using certain words.

"They say a master's tools will never disassemble a master's house," Davey said. "But a hammer is a hammer. And hammers smash. The house will be gone."

And, as Stephen Potter of @adorable__communism told Mashable, "I see it as this is my enemy's house. I'm using my enemy's equipment and his machines and his algorithms against his interests."

Davey added that while the rollback of content moderation could, in theory, benefit radical leftist speech as well, he’s skeptical that Meta will apply its enforcement evenly. This concern seems to be shared by many leftist meme creators. For instance, @bigdawgsocialism told Mashable that while these changes will likely create space for "nasty stuff overall," "theoretically, our side can post more of what we want." However, they also pointed out that "with the mainstream political climate becoming more reactionary, the cards are still stacked against the far left."

View this post on Instagram

According to Potter, "free speech absolutism isn't" afforded to leftist creators. He said it's "naive" to think the platform would begin treating leftist content any differently.

"It doesn't really apply to us because what we're talking about is the power structure and the people who own these things," Potter said. "If you're really gonna be an effective propagandist, you're not going to be the thing that Mark Zuckerberg likes. You're going to be the exact opposite of that. We're here against their wishes already."

Still, there is hope that political memes will remain powerful enough — through engagement and real-world impact — to warrant staying on the app.

"Though Trump's very unpopular policies that are hurting people will likely drive people towards different answers," @bigdawgsocialism said, "we can give them some class-based solutions to problems. Ones that lead with solidarity rather than scapegoating and division."

Why creators probably aren't leaving the app

No matter their internal politics or outward political posting, many creators probably aren't leaving the app. Despite disliking Meta’s policies, Arata feels compelled to stay on Instagram because it’s where her audience is — especially with a book release coming, one which she likely wouldn't have had without the success of her meme page. How else do you exist as a creative online without using the platforms at your disposal?

"There have been too many attempts to replace Facebook, Instagram, and X," John told Mashable. "It’s just not happening. I also have accounts on Bluesky and Threads, but I don’t particularly care for those platforms and often forget they exist when I have something to post."

View this post on Instagram

Stoner agreed, saying that since Instagram is such a visual platform, paired with a robust caption option, there isn't anything else comparable.

Beyond a lack of alternative platforms for creators to migrate to, as Potter puts it, "My concern about Meta's rightward shift is in lockstep with my concern about the country's rightward shift."

Meta’s rightward shift might be reshaping Instagram, but these meme creators see it as just another step in the platform’s long-standing trajectory. They don't want to leave the platform in protest only to see right-wing creators and narratives thrive. 

"The whole point of the meme page is to disrupt the imperialist narratives that they're going to use social media to push," Potter said. "So why would I leave? I wouldn't give [Zuckerberg] the satisfaction."

The issue, however, isn’t just Meta. Every major platform is a capitalist venture, and the fight for digital space remains a constant struggle for anti-capitalists. 

"I don't think any platform that is owned by a billionaire is going to be open to leftist anything," Stoner said. "They don't want challenges to their power, things that would disturb the status quo. They're interested in preserving it because that's how they're making ungodly amounts of money."

Is there hope for a meaningful social media platform under capitalism? Sure — as much as there is hope for any genuine community to thrive in a capitalist system. As long as memes remain a tool for subversion, creators will continue to post them.

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple Macbook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2024. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance, build quality, and battery life, and we stand by their value — or at least think they're worth hunting down on sale.

Our top picks

As of February 2025, Mashable's favorite Windows laptop is the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X series processor. It's got high-end power, a premium design, interesting AI features, and an incredible battery life. It's actually the longest-lasting laptop we've ever reviewed: Even the brand-new M4 MacBooks can't keep up.

For almost as much Snapdragon oomph at a lower price point, opt for the HP Omnibook X 14, the best mid-range Windows laptop. It's not much to look at, but it's plenty power-efficient and equipped with a great keyboard. It also comes with the same AI tools as the Surface Laptop 7.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for 2025, tested by experts

Those on an even tighter budget should look into the Lenovo Yoga 7 14 (Gen 9): Solid performance, a good amount of ports, and a versatile 2-in-1 design have made it our new favorite cheap Windows laptop. It dethrones our previous pick, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, a pretty ultraportable with specs that are too dated for 2025 buyers.

If you're shopping for a convertible across all price points, Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9) is our top 2-in-1 laptop overall, earning praise from our reviewer for its gorgeous 2.8K OLED touchscreen, its peppy (albeit piping-hot) CPU, and its clear Bowers & Wilkins soundbar. For a twist on the hybrid form factor, we also highly recommend the 2024 Asus Zenbook Duo, a beautiful dual-screener.

We've got additional picks for specialty users — the Alienware m16 R2 is the best gaming laptop we've tested thus far, and the Acer Swift X 14 is our go-to Windows laptop for photo and video editing.

What's on deck

We've got several newer Windows laptops in hand for testing, including a Lunar Lake Dell XPS 13 with a tandem OLED display and the upgradable, repairable Framework Laptop 13. We'll update this guide in the near future if we think any of them are worthy picks.

We're also waiting on a review unit for the new Asus ZenBook A14, which debuted in January at CES 2025 as the "world's lightest Copilot+ PC" and supposedly lasts up to 32 hours on a single charge. (It wound up winning our Best of CES award in the laptop category.) Having briefly tried it in Asus' private CES showroom, I'm extremely eager to run it through some thorough benchmarking.

What we've tested lately (that didn't make the cut)

I'm fresh off testing the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a slick new convertible with awesome build quality, a great battery life, and a beautiful design that includes a 3K OLED touchscreen. It's a knockout, but its weird port placements, lousy speakers, oversaturated webcam, and middling Geekbench 6 multi-core score kept it from earning a Mashable Choice Award. (I rated it a 4.2/5 overall.)

To give more context to the latter point, my $1,899.99 testing unit had an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. (That's a brand-new upper mid-range CPU.) In our Geekbench 6 benchmark, it scored slightly worse than the 15-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air from 2023 and significantly worse than its predecessor, last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Intel Core Series 1 CPU as tested. For nearly $2,000, I wanted way more from the OmniBook.

I do think the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a decent splurge for future-proofers, but it's not well-rounded enough to be one of our top picks. Stick with the Yoga 9i 14 if you're looking for the best hybrid laptop out there, or look into the Spectre x360 14 if you want to stay within the HP family — it offers better performance and audio quality for about the same price as the OmniBook model.

Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best Windows laptops of 2025. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

TL;DR: The NanoPhone is a fully functional, ultra-compact smartphone with 4G, front and rear cameras, and essential apps for just $99.97 (reg. $199.99) through Feb. 23.

Opens in a new window Credit: NanoPhone NanoPhone $99.97
$199.99 Save $100.02 A Miniaturized Smartphone Packed with Mega Features Get Deal

Bigger isn’t always better. In a world where smartphones are stretching the limits of our pockets, the NanoPhone takes a completely different approach. This credit card-sized device is shaking up expectations, proving that you don’t need a massive screen to stay connected.

Whether you need a backup phone, a minimalist travel companion, or just a gadget that turns heads, the NanoPhone delivers full smartphone functionality in an ultra-compact form. And it's just $99.97 (reg. $199.99).

Despite its tiny size, the NanoPhone isn’t a gimmick. It’s a fully functional 4G smartphone with dual SIM support, WiFi connectivity, and GPS. You can make crystal-clear voice calls, jump on video chats, browse the web, and even stream your favorite shows and social media feeds.

Whether you’re texting on WhatsApp, scrolling through Instagram, or catching up on YouTube, this device makes sure you never feel disconnected.

At a size small enough to slip into a coin pocket, the NanoPhone is perfect for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to travel light without losing touch. Heading out for a jog? Going to a concert? Traveling internationally? The NanoPhone ensures you’re reachable without carrying a bulky device.

Designed to be efficient and durable, the NanoPhone can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life while remaining sleek and kind of futuristic. And this is the kind of device that sparks curiosity. Friends, colleagues, and even strangers will want to know what it is, how it works, and why they don’t have one yet.

Through Feb. 23, you can get the NanoPhone for just $99.97 instead of the usual $199.99, making it one of the most exciting, budget-friendly tech investments out there. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Forget subscriptions — get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac for just $39.99 (reg. $229).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $39.99
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Ironically, in a world where there are even subscription fees for music and books, nobody likes subscription fees. Whether it’s your streaming service, your cloud storage, or that random app you forgot you were paying for, they add up fast. But here’s some good news: You don’t have to subscribe to Microsoft Office.

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TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Babbel for just $129.99 with code LEARN40 through Feb. 17

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $129.99 at Mashable Shop
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Are you traveling internationally in 2025? Make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes, charging adapters, and one more thing: knowledge of the local language to make navigating a little easier. It not only could make your vacation a little more stress-free, but it could also make your trip abroad a lot more enriching.

Whether you're planning a spring trip to Paris or a surf trip to Indonesia, learning your destination's language is a smart idea. You don't have to look any further than Babbel for help. This App Store-favorite boasts 10 million users, and lifetime access is available for $129.99 (reg. $599) for one more day with code LEARN40.

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Unlike the long, boring language classes you had in school, Babbel's lessons last only up to 15 minutes, allowing you to study regardless of your busy schedule. You'll gain practical knowledge of your language and can learn how to ask for restaurant recommendations, pop culture, and more complex topics as you gain fluency.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished 2017 Apple MacBook Pro (3.1GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $377.97
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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished) $229.97
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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 16 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: Faint sign or sparkle

• Green: Things that go together

• Blue: Well-known puppet characters

• Purple: Dog breeds

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: Glimmer

• Green: Correspond Well With

• Blue: Famous Puppets

• Purple: Dog Breeds Minus "er" Sound

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 #616 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Glimmer: HINT, SUGGESTION, TOUCH, TRACE

• Correspond Well With: COMPLEMENT, FIT, MATCH, SUIT

• Famous Puppets: LAMB CHOP, OSCAR, PUNCH, TRIUMPH

• Dog Breeds Minus "er" Sound: BOX, POINT, RETRIEVE, SET

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 16

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.

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: Speed

• Green: Highlights for defensive football players

• Blue: Locations for high-speed racing

• Purple: Cities that host college teams in the same conference

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: Run

• Green: Stats for a defensive lineman

• Blue: NASCAR tracks

• Purple: ACC Cities

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 #146 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Run - DART, DASH, RACE, SPRINT

• Stats for a defensive lineman - HURRY, KNOCKDOWN, SACK, TACKLE FOR LOSS

• NASCAR tracks - DARLINGTON, DAYTONA, MARTINSVILLE, TALLADEGA

• ACC cities - BLACKSBURG, CHAPEL HILL, DURHAM, TALLAHASSEE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 16 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Flour power

These words are often used in baking.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words are different types of flour.

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 GlutenFree.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 16

• Corn

• Almond

• Chickpea

• GlutenFree

• Buckwheat

• Rice

• Tapioca

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: 8NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 16 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 16, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Charming and smooth in manner.

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 S.

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...

SUAVE.

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 16

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.

It is not the best time to be Drake.

The Canadian artist released a new album on Friday. So far it has not been well received. And that's putting it nicely.

And, in case the rock you live under doesn't have good WiFi, this came just days after Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar devoted a good portion of that show — the most watched broadcast in the country, by far — to further annihilating Drake in the beef that Lamar already decisively won.

SEE ALSO: Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show is breaking the internet

So again: It is not the best time to be Drake, beyond, you know, the hundreds of millions of dollars in net worth.

The new album from Drake, in collaboration with PARTYNEXTDOOR, is titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. The album doesn't seem to dig too far into the beef with Lamar, referencing it mostly on the track "Gimme a Hug." Early reviews from critics have been pretty negative. And the album doesn't seem to be the internet's favorite — again, putting it kindly — at least thus far. The reactions on BlueSky, for instance, seem to range from indifference to loathing.

OMG THIS DRAKE ALBUM IS SO BAD

— Toure (@toure.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 12:53 AM

kendrick’s halftime performance was so good that drake literally released an album today and absolutely no one gives a fuck about it

— Emmett Initiative (@emmett.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 11:18 PM

Someone said Drake made a Valentines Day album for men and they are not wrong. Those are his fans now...women, esp Black women, jumped off that bandwagon when he started taking shots at our faves.

— Britni Danielle (@britnidanielle.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM

…for whatever reason i just do not care about this drake x pnd album. i feel like i already know exactly what it sounds like.

— Denver (@denver.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 12:54 AM

I see NOBODY talking about Drake album like not a soul that shit must be trash

— Somebody Thick Ass Mama 💖 (@gawgeous.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Please stop making fun of Drake for making this R&B album with PARTYNEXTDOOR. Instead, encourage him to stick to singing.

— I'm Gary Suarez of CABBAGES (@imgarysuarez.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM

Drake and PND put out a joint album?

[image or embed]

— bettynixx (@bettynixx.com) February 14, 2025 at 8:17 AM

Of course, it's not like everyone is universally negative about the album. Drake fans, of course, have rushed to its defense, and reviews on TikTok, seemed to be more mixed.

Still, lots of posts online about the album being bad have gone viral.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

So again, it's not the best time to be Drake.