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

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Given to the winner

  • Green: LA ______

  • Blue: Cast a line

  • Purple: Same second word

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Award

  • Green: A Los Angeles athlete

  • Blue: Fishing baits and lures

  • Purple: ________ crew

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #151 is...

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

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

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

  • ________ crew - BREW, COLUMBUS, GROUNDS, OFFICIATING

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Fixing issues

  • Green: Gather crops

  • Blue: Features in editing program

  • Purple: Items used with a dominant hand

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Way of Solving a Problem

  • Green: Collect, As from an Orchard

  • Blue: Photoshop Tools

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

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #621 is...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21, 2025

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 21 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 21, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A segment of garlic.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CLOVE.

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

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

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Trump Dismantles Government Fight Against Foreign Influence Operations

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Life List hits Netflix March 28.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The rest of the logline reads:

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

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

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

Could Avatar: Seven Havens give us twin Avatars?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you thought AI would only be a fad, take a look at Microsoft. As we speak (or read?), they’re making computers infused with Microsoft Copilot, their latest AI technology. But something even cooler? You don’t have to get a new device to get Copilot — just upgrade to Windows 11.

And, if you’re going for it, go all the way and get the Pro version with the most features, like remote desktop access and hard drive encryption. At the Mashable Shop, you can score a deal on Windows 11 Pro keys for only A$28 (reg. A$313), and each upgrades two compatible PCs.

AI in Windows 11

We realize you can use AI chatbots, so what makes Windows Copilot special? For one, Copilot is built using a custom version of GPT-4, so it’s like getting the premium version of ChatGPT for free.

There are also many perks of having Copilot built into your PC:

  • Ask it to change system settings instead of finding them yourself

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

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

Pro-specific features

Already have Windows 11 Home, but curious about what Pro delivers? Remote desktop access becomes super handy in a pinch, as does BitLocker device encryption in case of device loss or theft. You’ll also get Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for other professional testing and tasks.

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Tiny ant-like robots lift objects 350 times their weight

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

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

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

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

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

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

It read, in part, via 9to5 Google:

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

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

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

Credit: Screenshot: Google

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HP announces a security flaw (and fix) for many laser printers

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:35

You might want to update the firmware on your HP laser printer, pronto.

HP published a security update on its website confirming that there are three separate security flaws affecting several models of laser printers. According to HP, certain LaserJet printers "may potentially be vulnerable to Remote Code Execution and Elevation of Privilege when processing a PostScript print job." The company didn't reveal any other details, but that certainly sounds bad. Fortunately, there are firmware updates for affected printers that you can download to resolve the issue.

SEE ALSO: Cybersecurity researchers discovered a scary security flaw with YouTube and Google

The three security vulnerabilities affect different models, which are listed on the security update page. There are simply too many to list here, so you should probably look at the list to see if your printer is affected. If it's any consolation, they mostly appear to be enterprise-grade printers.

HP rated the security flaws by severity, with one of them coming in as Critical, one as High, and the last one as Medium. In other words, anyone who owns one of these printers should prioritize getting the new firmware installed ASAP.

It would probably be kind of embarrassing if you were seriously compromised by a printer, so don't let that happen.

Upgrade your gaming PC with $350 off the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor

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

SAVE $350: As of Feb. 20, get the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor for $549.99, down from its original price of $899.99, with an on-page coupon at B&H Photo. That's a discount of 42%.

Opens in a new window Credit: B&H Photo Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor $549.99 at B&H Photo
$899.99 Save $350.00 Clip on-page coupon for an extra $150 off Get Deal

If you're a PC gamer or connect your handhelds to a monitor, you know the importance of having one that looks great and functions even better. A great gaming monitor is paramount to a good gaming battle station, and when you get one, you can immediately tell the difference. If you're looking for a significant visual glow up, or you just need something functional yet a bit flashy, you can save big one of Samsung's best gaming monitors today.

As of Feb. 20, get the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor for $549.99, down from its original price of $899.99 at B&H Photo. It's currently $699.99 thanks to an instant discount, and you can clip the on-page coupon to save an additional $150 off of the monitor. This discount is only valid through Feb. 23.

SEE ALSO: Slash 47% off the Logitech G502 gaming mouse and upgrade your PC gaming station

This 27-inch monitor features a 16:9 OLED panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 360 Hz refresh rate and 0.03 ms response time. AMD FreeSync helps to remove screen tearing issues, and the display itself offers 250 nits of brightness, so you can see everything and appreciate it more than with your average monitor.

As for the frame, it's thin and lightweight, with two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort with USB-A charging options, so setup is convenient. You can also rotate the monitor 92 degrees in either direction as well as adjust its height, tilt, and swivel for a better viewing angle.

This is a great monitor to settle in and enjoy your favorite games with, and it's much more affordable than usual for a limited time. If you're ready to take the plunge, now's a good time.

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

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 11:50

TAKE UP TO 50% OFF: Save on camping gear from brands like Sea to Summit, Coleman, LifeStraw, and more at Amazon and REI.

Best pre-season camping deals Best tent deal The North Face Trail Lite 3 tent $174.73 (save $175.27) Get Deal Best sleeping deal Sea to Summit Ether Light XT sleeping pad (regular) $99.50 (save $99.50) Get Deal Best water filtration deal LifeStraw Go Series water bottle (clear, 33.8 ounces) $37.46 (save $12.49) Get Deal

There are still freezing temps all over the U.S. this week, but in no time at all we'll be out enjoying the spring warmth. Like the daffodils and tulips, we're slowly crawling back into the sunlight and in no time at all, we'll be heading out for weekend camping adventures.

If your camping equipment could use an upgrade before booking your summer adventures, shopping during the off-season is a great way to score epic deals. Check out these serious discounts that'll get your prepped early for the upcoming camping season.

Best tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: The North Face The North Face Trail Lite 3 tent $174.73 at REI
$350.00 Save $175.27 Get Deal Why we like it

A home away from home is necessary when heading into the great outdoors. With room for three, The North Face Trail Lite 3 tent focuses on a roomy interior while remaining lightweight. While the tent typically costs $350, it's on sale at REI for just $174.73 which means your trail-side home will come with a 50% discount.

The North Face designed this tent with oversized doors, making it easier to get in and out. The two vestibules are great help when it comes to storing extra gear or taking off muddy boots before getting into the tent. The internal organization pocket are also handy for keeping essentials stored in easy-to-access spots.

The Trail Lite 3 comes with its own storage bag, but you'll want to grab a footprint or a tarp separately to pack along.

Best sleeping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sea to Summit Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad (regular) $99.50 at Sea to Summit
$199.00 Save $99.50 Get Deal Why we like it

When tucked in under the stars, be sure your sleep setup is comfortable with no rocks poking into your back. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad measures four inches thick, ready to keep your cozy while camping in late spring through early fall. With Thermolite insulation, the sleeping pad offers a plush experience that's both lightweight and durable. There's also an anti-microbial treatment to keep things as hygienic as possible.

The regular size of the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad is marked down to just $99.50 which gives you a hefty 50% discount off the typical price of $199.

SEE ALSO: Oru's lightest foldable kayak is worth every penny Best water-filtration deal Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Go Series water bottle (clear, 33.8 ounces) $37.46 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $12.49 Get Deal Why we like it

All good outdoor adventure are fueled by s'mores, granola bars, and hot dogs. But it's also critical to stay well hydrated. While that sounds easy, finding clean sources of water in the wilderness can be a challenge, but that's solved by packing along the LifeStraw Go Series water bottle. With a 33.8-ounce capacity, the water bottle filters out bacteria, parasites, sand, dirt, and even microplastics from your drinking water. Pack this along when you're camping and you'll be able to drink from the lake, stream, or river. The included membrane microfilter lasts for about 1,000 gallons which means you'll be hydrated to the max.

More camping deals:

Are DOGE dividend checks really happening? What to know.

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 11:49

President Donald Trump is floating another taxpayer payout under his second presidential term, funded this time by the proposed savings achieved by his controversial "Department of Government Efficiency," or "DOGE."

Appearing at the Future Investment Initiative Institute Priority Summit on Feb. 19, Trump told attendees: "There’s even a... under consideration, a new concept where we give 20 percent of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20 percent goes to paying down debt."

The genesis of the idea was not a discerning fiscal move out of Trump's government spending overhaul, but — par for the course under the current administration — a social media post. One day earlier, Elon Musk, leader of the de-facto government department, replied to an X post from James Fishback, CEO of investment firm Azoria and Trump ally, proposing the administration send out tax refund checks to every taxpayer to be known as "DOGE Dividends" and offering to meet with Trump and Musk in Washington, D.C. this week.

SEE ALSO: Robot, take the wheel: What you need to know about autonomous vehicles rolling out across the U.S.

Musk's answer: "Will check with the President." One day later, Trump proposed the idea to summit attendees, and only a handful of hours passed before the suggested "stimulus checks round 2" were being discussed as a potential, if not probable, taxpayer benefit — fuel for the DOGE fire.

Tweet may have been deleted Are DOGE dividend checks real?

The short answer? No. DOGE Dividend checks are based on an unofficial proposal by an American businessman and not a federal act or executive order. The checks themselves are based on expected (not yet realized) federal spending cuts.

But that doesn't mean Trump and Musk-led DOGE won't try to make something like it happen as they seek to tackle inflation and balance the federal budget.

"Few in America knew precisely what to expect from DOGE. The early perceived turbulence around leadership, the uncertainty around legal structure, and the lack of precedent for such a bold initiative created a sense of 'show me' with DOGE. Just a month into President Trump’s second term, DOGE is delivering. Full stop," wrote Fishback in his full proposal.

DOGE Dividend checks, according to Fishback's reasoning, would incentivize American taxpayers "to report instances of waste, fraud, and abuse to DOGE, which increases the total amount DOGE saves and increases the size of their DOGE Dividend check. This is appealing to both Musk and Trump, who have led the charge against what they deem "unethical" or "corrupt" spending in a sweeping and what some deem unconstitutional takeover of federal agencies.

But others, including DOGE's proponents, were skeptical. "Love what DOGE is doing, but this is a bad idea. There’s no need to send 'dividend checks.' The dividend we get from slashing spending is that it brings inflation into check. But if the government sends out stimmy checks, inflation will come back with a vengeance," wrote Preston Brashers, a tax policy researcher for the Heritage Foundation.

Rather than seeing dividend checks as another "handout," Fishback argued they would be a form of restitution. "We are returning the peoples' money to them, enabling them to save and pay down debt rather than see it wasted and abused," Fishback said in a reply to another skeptical X user.

SEE ALSO: What Elon Musk could do with the digital keys to the kingdom How much would you get from a DOGE dividend check?

DOGE has set a goal of eliminating $2 trillion from the federal budget by July 4, 2026. According to Fishback's proposed plan, the Trump administration will take 20 percent of that expected $2 trillion (approximately $400 billion) and split it up by the expected amount of federal tax payers in 2025 (around 79 million U.S. residents).

Based on that rough math, Trump, parroting Fishback's plan, proposed a future $5,000 check per individual taxpayer, a number that would eclipse the $1,400 Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus checks) sent out to individuals in 2021.

The real life numbers aren't making it clear if that could even happen. So far, DOGE has reported that it's already uncovered and cut back $16 billion in federal contracts. It's supporters, including Fishback, claim the agency has slashed $1 billion in spending per day. Those numbers are widely disputed.

Amazon deal of the day: Grab the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 at its best price ever

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 11:44
Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Feb. 20: OUR TOP PICK Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 $135.44 (save $64.55) Get Deal BEST MONITOR DEAL Apple Studio Display $1,299.99 (save $299.01) Get Deal BEST SMART DEVICE DEAL Amazon Echo Frames $179.99 (save $90) Get Deal BEST TV DEAL Hisense 75-Inch U6N Mini-LED 4K Google TV $598 (save $399.99) Get Deal

With no shopping holidays or savings events on the immediate horizon, you may think you're out of luck for scoring a deal. Fortunately, that's not the case — especially at Amazon. You just have to do some digging. As of Feb. 20, we've found a few discounts we think are worth grabbing at the mega retailer.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check out our picks from Feb. 18 and Feb. 19. Many of those are still live, including the best price ever on the Garmin Forerunner 955 and Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop.

Our top pick: Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 $135.44 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $64.55 Get Deal

If you're looking for a portable speaker that actually sounds good, check out the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4. We haven't tested it ourselves, but we have spent some time with its pint-sized sibling (the Wonderboom 4) and it's one of our absolute favorites. We expect that the Megaboom offers similar features, but stepped up into a bigger package. It can pump out tunes for up to 20 hours on a full charge, is virtually indestructible thanks to IP67 waterproofing, and packs a full range driver for powerful 360-degree sound with balance, clarity, and impressive bass. As of Feb. 20, you can pick up the Megaboom 4 in black at its best price ever, just $135.44 at Amazon. That's 32% in savings.

Apple Studio Display Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Studio Display $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,599.00 Save $299.01 Get Deal

The Apple Studio Display is a premium monitor built for content creators. It's an all-aluminum 27-inch display with impressive 5K resolution, 600 nits of brightness, and support for 1 billion colors. It also has a built-in A13 chip that helps with image processing for the 8-megapixel camera, Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos support. "For Mac-centric content creators, the Studio Display is a stunning, plug-and-go 5K companion for a late-model Mac (especially the 2022 Mac Studio), but the pricing for the panel and its options is hard to swallow," our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) write in their review. Fortunately, if you've been eyeing it for awhile, it's on sale for $1,299.99 or 19% off its usual cost as of Feb. 20. That's still pretty hefty, but certainly beats the usual $1,599 price tag.

Amazon Echo Frames Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Frames $179.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal

If you're fully committed to a smart device lifestyle, the Amazon Echo Frames are for you. They look like regular prescription-ready glasses, but they're equipped with Alexa, so you can use them to control compatible smart home devices, ask the important questions, play music, stream podcasts, and take calls hands-free. No need to pop in earbuds. They'll last for up to 14 hours on a full charge, so you'll have to place them on the charging dock after a long work day. Choose from five glasses or four sunglasses styles — either way, they'll cost you just $179.99 at Amazon as of Feb. 20. That's up to 45% off, depending on which style you select.

Hisense 75-Inch U6N Mini-LED 4K Google TV Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U6N Mini-LED 4K Google TV $598.00 at Amazon
$997.99 Save $399.99 Get Deal

"With excellent color and contrast, a strong feature set, and a compellingly low price, the Hisense U6N is the best budget-friendly TV you can buy," according to our sister site PCMag's review. Its QLED panel and mini-LED backlight translate to impressive color and contrast. Plus, it's loaded with features like hands-free Google Assistant, Game Mode Plus, and AI Sports Mode. It's usually pretty affordable at just $997.99 for a 75-inch model, but as of Feb. 20, it's down to only $598. That's 40% in savings and its lowest price to date.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Give your family the gift of reading with a Kindle Paperwhite Kids for 22% off

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 11:34

SAVE $40: As of Feb. 20, get the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $139.99, down from its usual price of $179.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 22%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $139.99
$179.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

If you're a voracious reader, you probably already have a Kindle. It's a convenient way to devour tons of books, and with Kindle Unlimited, you've got a subscription to download tons of books to satisfy those cravings. It's not too late for your kids to follow in your footsteps, and a great way to engender a love of reading in your offspring is by gifting them their own. And right now, you can get one at a great price so you can feel good about what they're doing in their free time – and they can explore tons of awesome new stories.

As of Feb. 20, get the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $139.99, down from its usual price of $179.99. That's $40 off and a discount of 22%. This discount currently applies to the Cyber City and Starfish covers that come with the unit.

This is the latest model of Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite, with a 7-inch e-ink display complete with a higher contrast ration and 25% faster page turns than the previous model. It's waterproof, with an adjustable warm light and glare-free display, and it even has a set of parental controls that you can adjust to your liking while adding books from your account to your child's account so you can have control over what they read.

This particular purchase also comes with 6 months of Amazon Kids+, which offers unlimited access to kids' books and content, so you can give them free reign when you're comfortable to choose age-appropriate reading materials. If you're ready to send your kids off on their own reading journey, this is a great place to start, especially at a discount.

A.I. Is Prompting an Evolution, Not an Extinction, for Coders

NYT Technology - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 11:16
A.I. tools from Microsoft and other companies are helping write code, placing software engineers at the forefront of the technology’s potential to disrupt the work force.

Save over $100 on the Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rower and rekindle fitness goals

Mashable - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 10:46

SAVE $102.75: The Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rowing machine is on sale at Amazon for $147.23, down from the list price of $249.98. That's a 41% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sunny Health & Fitness Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rowing machine $147.23 at Amazon
$249.98 Save $102.75 Get Deal

Now that almost two month have gone by in 2025, it's not a bad idea to consider how those New Year's resolutions are going. There's still plenty of time left (10 months, in fact) to get in gear for feeling proud and accomplished about achieving those 2025 goals come Dec. 31. If you have fitness goals, but haven't loved heading to the gym, check out this great deal at Amazon.

As of Feb. 20, the Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rowing machine is on sale for $147.23 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $249.98. That's a massive 41% discount that means you'll be saving $102.75.

When we consider the 10 months left in 2025 compared to the sale price of the Sunny Health & Fitness rowing machine, it boils down to under $15 per month to own a whole-body workout machine. That's likely less expensive than any gym membership and it comes with the convenience of zero commute time to your living room.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best Peloton alternatives for crushing those New Year's resolutions

One thing to always consider when looking into rowing machines is the seat comfort. Sunny Health & Fitness designed this model with an oversized and padded seat, making it a more enjoyable experience to get your cardio in.

The rowing machine's heavy-duty frame is suitable for bodies up to 285 pounds, and the magnetic tension is adjustable between 16 levels. The non-slip pedals keep your feet securely in place while the non-slip handlebars also make it easier to feel solid on the machine.

The digital monitor is a no-frills situation, but it gives you all the basic measurements like time, rowing count, and calories. Plus, there's a water bottle holder and a built-in device holder for your phone or tablet. Storage is also simple thanks to the foldable slide rail design and transportation wheels.

Instead of dropping thousands on a gym membership or a trendy stationary bicycle, grab the functional Sunny Health & Fitness rowing machine for a whole-body work out that'll cost you under $150.

Elon Musk Is Focused on DOGE. What About Tesla?

NYT Technology - Thu, 02/20/2025 - 10:41
Mr. Musk, one of President Trump’s main advisers, has not outlined a plan to reverse falling sales at the electric car company of which he is chief executive.

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