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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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT gameHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Feb. 27, 2026:
AcrossLacking locksThe answer is Bald.
The answer is Erie.
The answer is Dumbo.
The answer is Bird.
The answer is A tad.
The answer is Bed.
The answer is Aruba.
The answer is Limit.
The answer is Debra.
The answer is Odd.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
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.
The first-ever Lego Pokémon sets are here. Everyone's favorite Danish toy company revealed the highly anticipated sets at the start of the year and they became officially available for preorder from Jan. 12. To coincide with Pokémon Day (yes, that's a real thing), all three sets officially launch on Feb. 27, 2026. That day has finally come.
There are three main sets in the launch, based on some of the most iconic, fan-favorite creatures from Pokémon's 30-year history. Those include Pikachu, of course, as well as Eevee, Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise, all recreated in Lego brick form. Pokémon fans young and old can continue their trainer journey and catch (build?) them all brick by brick.
“As a lifelong Pokémon fan, it's been an incredible honor to help bring these Pokémon to life in LEGO brick form for the first time,” said Siddharth Muthyala, Design Director on LEGO Pokémon in a press release. “Pokémon has inspired generations of fans around the world, so our team approached the design of these sets with immense care and passion, ensuring every detail and pose truly celebrates what makes these characters so beloved."
If you want to secure your sets now that they have launched, here are all the details you need.
Pikachu and Poké Ball Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball $199.99 at LegoObviously there couldn't be a Pokémon collection without Pikachu. This 2,050-piece set recreates one of the most iconic scenes from the franchise: Pikachu jumping out of the Poké Ball for battle. It offers two different build options — battle stance and a seated pose with a closed Poké Ball — and includes Easter eggs for fans like a "25" on the base, signifying Pikachu’s Pokédex number.
Eevee Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Eevee $59.99 at LegoThe cutest Pokémon in the bunch, this 587-piece Lego set builds out to an adorable 7.5-inch tall Eevee. With a movable tail, head, and limbs, builders can pose the fan-favorite in two ways: at rest or ready to jump into action. The most modestly priced of the sets, it retails for $59.99 and is officially live at Lego.com.
Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise $649.99 at LegoNot for the faint of heart, the epic Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise set features 6,838 pieces and brings three fan favorites to life in one of Lego's largest display sets ever. Each of the figures can be displayed individually or together on the action base, which is full of Easter eggs for fans. The design details on the base are inspired by each of the Pokémon’s biomes (beach, jungle, and volcano) for further depth. All three also have articulated parts, so they can be posed however you desire. The price is also not for the faint of heart. It retails for *gulp* $649.99 and is officially live on the Lego website.
If you purchase this set before March 3 (while supplies last), you'll also get a free Kanto Region Badge Collection set.
TL;DR: Live stream the Brit Awards 2026 for free on ITVX. Access this live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Some of the biggest names in music are performing at the Brit Awards this weekend. Sure, there are a lot of awards to be presented, but that's not really what the Brits is about. It's about incredible performances, risqué jokes from the host, and celebrities behaving very badly. It's always a messy night (in the best kind of way).
If you want to watch the Brit Awards 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What are the Brits?The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual popular music awards. It's the highest profile music awards ceremony in the UK, with performances from some of the industry's biggest stars. In 2026, Jack Whitehall will host the ceremony for the sixth time. The likes of Olivia Dean, Mark Ronson, Harry Styles, and Rosalía are lined up to perform.
The Brit Awards have featured some of the most notable events in British popular culture, including the final public appearance of Freddie Mercury, the high-profile feud between Oasis and Blur, the Union Jack dress worn by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, and so many more iconic moments.
When are the Brit Awards 2026?The Brit Awards 2026 takes place on Feb. 28 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The awards and performances will begin at 8:15 p.m. GMT.
How to watch the Brit Awards 2026 for freeThe Brit Awards 2026 is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the Brit Awards 2026 from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the Brit Awards 2026 from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Live stream the Brit Awards 2026 for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the Brit Awards 2026 before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to access free live streams on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
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Stardew Valley is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since cosy gamers were first invited to move into Grandpa's old farmhouse in Pelican Town. The popular farming simulator has grown significantly in the intervening years, with official updates adding new areas to explore, multiplayer mode, divorce, and even the ability to drink mayonnaise.
Now developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has unveiled more details about Stardew Valley's upcoming major update 1.7, announcing on Thursday that it will turn two of its non-player characters into romanceable marriage candidates. However, many players' excitement was dampened when they learned exactly which characters are joining the marriage market.
SEE ALSO: 'Stardew Valley's massive update lets players drink mayo, 'crit' babies, and put hats on dogsBarone had teased the addition of new marriage candidates in an interview with IGN earlier this month, prompting fans to eagerly speculate about who they could be. Some dreamed of being homewreckers, hoping that town carpenter Robin would leave her husband in favour of them. Others longed for the magical touch of the Wizard's purple whiskers. The last romance options added to Stardew Valley were depressed alcoholic Shane and saloon employee Emily, who were both made romanceable within eight months of the game's release in 2016. As such, the addition of new potential lovers is a significant development for Stardew Valley.
These newly dateable characters' identities were finally revealed during an anniversary YouTube livestream on Thursday. In it, Barone stated that update 1.7 will allow players to romance Sandy, owner of a store in the Calico Desert, and Clint, the local Pelican Town blacksmith.
It is Clint that players have taken issue with, subjecting him to an instant, brutal, internet-wide rejection.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Why does everyone hate Clint from 'Stardew Valley'?Numerous Stardew Valley players have been put off by Clint's self-pitying attitude, accusing him of constantly complaining about his life yet refusing to do anything to change it. Issues with Clint also extend to his behaviour toward women, particularly his unspoken crush Emily. While said crush isn't in itself cause for ridicule, Clint's actions in response to it have caused fans to label him a creepy incel with few redeeming qualities.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Yet despite this widespread revulsion, some Stardew Valley players have jumped to Clint's defence, hoping that update 1.7 will finally give him a redemption arc. Barone has previously acknowledged issues such as Clint still expressing his attraction to Emily even after she's married, but stated that he'd been prioritising other work and hadn't gotten around to fixing it just yet.
"Unpopular opinion but I’m so happy it’s Clint," wrote X user @caroldirge. "Before Emily was added as a romance option he had a cute-awkward arc with her that ended with a carnival date. After, he got branded as a weirdo, creep, incel by the community. I want this blacksmith to be happy too."
Reddit RedditOf course, new romance options aren't the only additions players can expect from the 1.7 update. Barone previously hinted that it would include a new farm type as well as "more character/social stuff," though it's unclear if this was a reference to the new romances. Either way, it will likely include much more than has been revealed if past history is any indication. Stardew Valley's last major update added the ability to put hats on dogs and "crit" babies when it was released last March.
No release date has been set for Stardew Valley's 1.7 update, with Barone simply stating that it is in development for now.
"With 1.7, My goal is to add more depth to various areas of the game that are somewhat lacking, without 'bloating' the game with too many systems," Barone wrote in an update on Steam. "More depth, but not necessarily more complexity. I'm confident you'll be happy with the result…
"Oh, and you'll be able to marry Clint and Sandy. I know you've all been dying to marry Clint... right? ...guys?? .......... Welp...."
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintTo throw out.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerEJECT
Hurdle Word 2 hintOffspring.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 27, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerBROOD
Hurdle Word 3 hintA hunt.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 27 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 27, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerQUEST
Hurdle Word 4 hintTo dive in.
Hurdle Word 4 answerDELVE
Final Hurdle hintEbony and ___.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerIVORY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
The Moon is looking big and bright in the sky tonight, and we're not far away from the Full Moon. With so much of its surface illuminated, there will be plenty for you to spot tonight, so keep reading to find out what you can see.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Friday, Feb. 27, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 80% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
There's lots of Moon on display tonight, so plenty of opportunity to do some Moon gazing. With just your naked eye, you'll be able to see the Mares Tranquillitatis, Vaporum and Serenitatis. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Mare Nectaris, and the Alphonsus and Endymion Craters, and with a telescope you'll see also see he Apollo 16 and 11 landing spots, and the Rupes Altai.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.
What are Moon phases?According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. Over the course of this period, it moves through eight recognisable phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it continues along its path. The shifts in sunlight create the different appearances we see from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin sliver or near darkness. The eight phases are:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're disloyal.
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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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 Pips hints, answers for February 27, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Betrayer
Green: Vibe
Blue: One thing led to another
Purple: Iron
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Backstabber
Green: Aura
Blue: Kinds of chain reaction "effects"
Purple: ___ Press
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 #992 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayBackstabber: JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, TURNCOAT
Aura: AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, QUALITY
Kinds of chain reaction "effects": BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, SNOWBALL
___ Press: BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, PRINTING
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 27, 2026Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
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.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you tend to overdo it.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 27, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 27, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a little muchThe words are related to extras.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe more than is needed.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Enough Already.
NYT Strands word list for February 27Excess
Enough Already
Surplus
Overkill
Redundancy
Glut
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.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you sometimes feel faint.
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 hints today: Clues, answers for February 27, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for February 27, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Lightheaded.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter Z appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.
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...
DIZZY
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.
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.
Los Angeles is finally extending its transit system to the tony streets of Beverly Hills, announcing on Thursday that a 4-mile extension of the D Line subway opens on May 8.
Transit followers eagerly anticipating the new subway extension have long made jokes on Reddit and X about wanting to "ride the D." Metro, LA County’s transportation agency, is not shying away from the randy pun. The agency is selling "Ride the D" t-shirts and crop tops on its online merch store.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The minimalist black tops are a steal, too. The crop is going for $20 (excluding taxes and shipping), and the T is $21; both were still available as of Thursday evening.
Along with the jubilation at the long-awaited project — which has been in the works for decades and has two more westward extensions that will open in 2027 and 2028 — there was much astonishment at Metro embracing the cheeky tagline.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Metro has been responding directly to riders on X from its @metrolosangeles account, leaning fully into the internet moment.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Back in 2007, Seattle welcomed a new streetcar line with a similarly sexual moniker — an acronym of the South Lake Union Trolley.
TL;DR: Keep your favorite content watchable for life with this lifetime subscription to Keeprix All-in-One Streaming Video Downloader, on sale now for $95.99.
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TL;DR: Upgrade your Mac with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021, on sale now for just $59.97 through April 12.
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Right now, you can score them all with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 for only $59.97 — less than $10 an app — through April 12.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Give yourself a much-needed productivity boost with this set of six apps from Microsoft. This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license gives you new tools to tackle work, school, or personal tasks, including some essentials that have been around for decades.
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Elon Musk's Tesla is taking the California Department of Motor Vehicles to court, an attempt to win back the right to use the term "autopilot" when advertising its line of cars.
In a case filed Feb. 13, the electric vehicle giant claims that the department "wrongfully and baselessly” labeled Tesla a “false advertiser,” and argues that the department did not effectively prove that customers had been led to believe the vehicles could be operated without human oversight.
SEE ALSO: Anthropic changes safety policy amid intense AI competitionLast year, a judge for California's Office of Administrative Hearings ruled that the company had engaged in deceptive marketing by describing its fleet's driver assistance systems as "Autopilot" modes. The court argued that Tesla's Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving Capability” (FSD) did not meet the necessary autonomous driving criteria under NHTSA’s Levels of Automation system — the features are rated by the NHTSA as Level 2 automation, where Level 5 is a fully autonomous vehicle. The decision claims features need to be at least Level 3 to be described as "self-driving."
In using such terms, Tesla has misled drivers and poses a consumer risk, the decision said. Tesla has faced multiple legal challenges that its self-driving features led to the deaths of multiple people. The company was found partially liable for a fatal, autopilot-related incident in August.
The California ruling went into effect on Jan. 15, and included a 30-day business suspension across the state unless the company ceased using the term in 60 days or changed its systems. Tesla responded in typical fashion: A tongue-in-cheek social post and a claim that sales would not be hit by the decision. Then, in January, the company effectively discontinued Basic Autopilot in the U.S., reshuffling its fleet offering with a standard traffic awareness mode and an option to upgrade your vehicle to FSD, now called "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)."
SEE ALSO: Robot, take the wheel: What you need to know about autonomous vehicles rolling out across the U.S.A few weeks later, the state's DMV announced Tesla had met its obligations and would not face a suspension of its license, but now the company is fighting back against the decision with more force.
"An Administrative Law Judge found that Tesla broke state law by misleading consumers with the term ‘autopilot.’ Tesla agreed to stop this practice, and now they’re challenging it anyway. DMV is committed to protecting the traveling public and will defend the Administrative Law Judge’s findings and decision in court," a DMV representative said in a statement to CNBC.
Well, she's still got it.
Sitcom star Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow) returns for a third and final season of HBO's The Comeback, created by Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City) and Kudrow. The show's first two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2014, offering up biting (and prescient) looks at sitcoms, reality TV, and the entertainment industry as a whole.
SEE ALSO: 'Toy Story 5' trailer: Woody and Buzz reunite to save Bonnie from becoming an iPad kidNow, the cult classic is tackling a whole new host of Hollywood issues. Based on the trailer, chiefest among them will be AI.
Turns out, Valerie's hot new sitcom How's That? is written entirely by AI, much to the chagrin of the show's other writers (Abbi Jacobson and John Early). At least Valerie's publicist Billy (Dan Bucatinsky) seems excited about it.
The rest of the trailer showcases Valerie's involvement in other key elements of Hollywood in the 2020s. In one scene, she joins in on 2023's WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, posing with then-SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher. Elsewhere, she makes an appearance on Hot Ones (and looks like she's absolutely suffering through it) and hangs out with Trixie Mattel.
On top of Kudrow and Bucatinsky, The Comeback Season 3 will see the return of many familiar faces, including Damian Young as Valerie's husband Mark Berman and Laura Silverman as reality TV director Jane Benson.
The Comeback Season 3 also stars Tim Bagley, Matt Cook, Jack O’Brien, Ella Stiller, Barry Shabaka Henley, Tony Macht, Brittany O’Grady, Zane Phillips, Julian Stern, and Andrew Scott.
Looking for a ride in a robotaxi? If you live in Chicago, Illinois and Charlotte, North Carolina, you may be able to ride around your city in an autonomous vehicle in the not so distant future.
According to a report in TechCrunch, apparently confirmed by locals who spotted the vehicles in their area, Waymo is currently conducting test drives in both cities.
Waymo's testing phase deploys Waymo vehicles with human drivers to cities where the Google-owned company is looking to roll out its ride-hailing service. During this phase, Waymo effectively gleans knowledge from the human drivers to best understand the lay of the land.
Local road conditions, traffic patterns, and edge cases are all analyzed and mapped out so that the autonomous vehicles are prepared for the location. After months of testing, Waymo will start testing the driverless version of the service. If all goes well, this will be followed by launching the full Waymo experience — where you hail a driverless car on the Waymo app — in the city.
Earlier this month, Waymo completed the first phase of testing in Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville will now see driverless taxis on its streets. Waymo testing is also underway in London, Washington DC, and Denver.
The full service is currently available in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in Phoenix. Riders can also call a Waymo ride via an Uber partnership in Austin and Atlanta. Waymo is also currently rolling out in Orlando as well as Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Waymo's ongoing expansion follows a financing round that raised $16 billion for the company.
Not a fan of AI? Tired of every app and device adding some sort of AI functionality?
Then Firefox has some good news for you. The popular web browser, which is run by the non-profit-owned tech company Mozilla, has just rolled out a new update that comes with an AI killswitch.
That's right. With the toggle of a simple setting in the Firefox web browser, users can remove any and all AI integrations or features built into the app.
To turn off AI features in Firefox, simply download the latest update, Firefox 148, which was just released today. Once Firefox is updated, go to Settings and then AI Controls. On the AI Controls menu, click the toggle on "Block AI Enhancements." This turns off all AI features in Firefox, including ChatGPT and other chatbots that are normally in the sidebar, AI-powered link reviews, and smart tab group suggestions, just to name a few.
Look for the "AI kill switch" in the Settings menu. Credit: MozillaPreviously, Mozilla kept Firefox away from AI features for the most part, until this last December, when the organization's new CEO, Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, announced the inevitable: AI was coming to Firefox.
The blowback from Firefox's user base was intense enough that Mozilla later announced its intention to create an "AI off-switch" that would give users full control over whether to use AI features in the web browser or have them removed completely.
And after today's update, it appears Mozilla has followed through on its promise to offer an AI-free version of its web browser.
Ajit Varma, Head of Firefox, spoke to Mashable about the news when the product was first announced, framing it as an issue of user choice.
"At a time when much of the industry is moving toward closed, AI-driven ecosystems, we’re taking a different path, one that puts people, not platforms, in charge," Varma said in an email statement. "We’ve heard clearly from our users: some who don’t want AI, while others want the ability to decide exactly how and when it shows up in their browser. AI controls are how we deliver on that commitment."
FREE $20 GIFT CARD: As of Feb. 26, pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 from Amazon and you'll get a free $20 gift card.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 (2026) $179.99 at AmazonSamsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 delivered new phones, re-designed earbuds, and brave new features that could inspire a lot of shoppers to make the switch to Android. Of course, there are also a number of new deals to consider in the wake of this huge event, and Amazon is very much in the mix.
If you choose to pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 from Amazon, you'll get a free $20 Amazon gift card. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 are listed for $179.99 on Amazon. The gift card offer is valid until March 10, the day before the release of these new earbuds. If you were already lining up these brand-new earbuds, why wouldn't you make the most of this free credit?
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 offer five hours of battery life per charge and six with ANC off. They feature 11mm dynamic speakers, 360-degree audio, adaptive equalizers and noise control, adaptive ANC, three digital microphones, and IP54 water- and sweat-resistance. They also work seamlessly with the Galaxy S26 Series to give you AI assistance, completely hands-free. Get quick answers and real-time translations delivered directly to your ears.
Score a free $20 gift card with preorders of the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 from Amazon.
Google dropped a surprise announcement for Gemini users today: Nano Banana 2 is here.
The company announced the immediate launch of Nano Banana 2 in a blog post, and the AI image model is already rolling out to Google and Gemini AI tools. The model's official name is Gemini 3.1 Flash Image.
Google says that Nano Banana 2 has more advanced world knowledge, a description that also calls to mind Google's recent world model Project Genie. "The model pulls from Gemini’s real-world knowledge base, and is powered by real-time information and images from web search to more accurately render specific subjects. This deep understanding also helps you create infographics, turn notes into diagrams and generate data visualizations."
AI-GENERATED IMAGE. Credit: GoogleIn addition, Google says that Nano Banana 2 will provide more accurate text rendering and translation.
What is Nano Banana 2? AI-generated Images Credit: GoogleSimply put, Nano Banana 2 is the sequel to the wildly popular AI image model Nano Banana.
In August 2025, a mysterious new AI image editor called Nano Banana started tearing up the AI leaderboards. Google soon revealed it was the code name for a new image model officially called Gemini 2.5 Flash Image; however, the name "Nano Banana" stuck like glue.
Ever since, Google has had a runaway hit on its digital hands. Nano Banana has proven to be an extremely capable AI image generator, and it excels at editing images in particular. As Nano Banana went viral, Google started integrating it into a wide variety of tools, from Google Messages to Chrome.
SEE ALSO: 5 popular Nano Banana prompts to try in 2026Not only does Nano Banana make it possible for virtually anyone to edit photographs — in ways that used to require years of Photoshop experience — but it also offers high consistency. That means the same character or product can appear repeatedly across multiple prompts.
To promote Nano Banana 2, Google released some example photos showing off its capabilities.
Could you tell this is an AI-generated image? Credit: Google AI-GENERATED IMAGE. Credit: Google AI-GENERATED IMAGE. Credit: Google How to try Nano Banana 2Google says that Nano Banana 2 is rolling out as Gemini 3.1 Flash Image immediately. Free users will have limited generations, with paid and enterprise users getting wider access. It's available in the Gemini app as well as other Google products, including:
Google Search
AI Studio
Gemini API
Google Antigravity
Google Cloud
Google Flow
Google Ads
You can learn more about Nano Banana 2 at Google DeepMind, and you can start testing the model with AI image prompts right away.
SAVE $1,099.99: Verizon customers can get the new Samsung Galaxy S26+ for free when they change their mobile plan to either the Unlimited Ultimate or Unlimited Plus plan.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26+ (Verizon, 256GB) $0 at VerizonWith most "free" phone deals from mobile carriers, you're required to ship your old phone back to them in a trade-in situation. But Verizon is offering a preorder deal that requires much less effort on your part. You'll get the Samsung Galaxy S26+ for free just by switching your mobile plan to the new Unlimited Ultimate or Unlimited Plus plan.
Just announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026, Samsung's new lineup of flagship phones is scheduled to launch on March 11. All three phones — the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra — are officially up for preorder. You can choose your own adventure re: preordering, with deals at Amazon, Best Buy, and mobile carriers, but Verizon's preorder deal is the only way to get the S26+ for free.
SEE ALSO: The Samsung 85-Inch Class QLED Q8F 4K UHD TV is down to $1,399.99 at Amazon — save over $200The offer is available to both new and existing Verizon customers who switch their mobile plan to the Unlimited Ultimate (starting at $40 per month) or Unlimited Plus (starting at $50 per month) plans. Verizon's three-year price lock guarantee also ensures you'll keep your plan pricing even if costs go up.
The S26+ is the mid-tier model in Samsung's new Galaxy phone lineup. It's a minor upgrade over the S25+, but an upgrade nonetheless. It packs the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the same camera setup, a meaningful battery bump, and new AI features.
If you prefer the best Galaxy phone in the lineup, you can also score the Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB) for free, but you'll need to coordinate a qualifying device trade-in and add a new line to any Unlimited Ultimate plan. We'll leave that up to you to decide. Either way, getting a brand new Galaxy device for free almost feels like a crime.
Apple recently announced that it's hosting a "special experience" on March 4, and now Apple CEO Tim Cook is hyping up the event with a mysterious X post. The post includes a short video and the message, "A big week ahead. It all starts Monday morning! #AppleLaunch"
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.So, what does it all mean?
First, Apple prognosticators like Mark Gurman at Bloomberg have predicted that Apple will make several announcements in the days leading up to March 4, and Cook has now seemingly confirmed these rumors. All eyes will be on Apple come Monday, March 2.
SEE ALSO: 5 Apple products that could be unveiled on March 4Instead of hosting a launch event at its Apple Park headquarters in Silicon Valley, the March 4 event will involve experiences in London, New York, and Shanghai.
As is typical, Apple hasn't officially confirmed what products will be released at the event, but rumors point to three very specific possibilities: an iPhone 17e, a new iPad Air, and new MacBooks. For the MacBooks, rumor has it Apple will be releasing a souped-up MacBook Pro with a new M5 Pro chip, a budget MacBook with a touchscreen display, or both, or neither. A more affordable MacBook could completely tip the balance of the budget laptop market in Apple's favor, and if I made Windows laptops, I'd be worried right now.
I could definitely be reading too much into a six-second social video, but Cook's X post looks to me like the back of a MacBook. The video also shows a person manipulating the Apple logo with their fingers, which, to me, screams "touchscreen."
For now, Apple isn't saying much, and it's possible I'm overthinking the crumbs they've given us.
To find out for sure, check back next week as Mashable reports on the Apple "special experience." In the meantime, you can join the rampant speculation that's going down on social media.
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