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TL;DR: Save 25% on the SleepEEZ noise-blocking sleep earbuds that were featured at this year’s CES.
My search for the perfect sleep solution has been long and frustrating. I’m a light sleeper, so something that blocks out my partner’s snoring is essential. But I also need some entertainment to fall asleep. While earplugs work for the snoring, I can’t hear the TV. So, I tried AirPods but woke up with sore ears.
I was so excited to see earbuds designed for sleeping announced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Well, I wasn’t there, but I read about them online. Even better, they’re only $25.99 on the Mashable Shop, so I could actually afford to give them a try (reg. $34.99).
Trying sleep headphones for the first timeThe first thing I noticed was that these would be comfortable earbuds, even though I’m a side sleeper. Unlike my AirPods that stick far out, the SleepEEZ earbuds can’t even be seen when looking at my side profile — and I can’t feel them when lying on my pillow.
They have -20dB noise-blocking, which is about the same as my favorite silicone putty earplugs — and way better than my AirPods Pros. I can faintly hear my partner snoring, which is actually good because I actually do want to be able to hear, like if our fire alarm goes off.
Then, I set a sleep timer for an hour. This was another issue with my AirPods — when I finally got to sleep, I awoke later to a TikTok video blasting in my ears.
Finally, I chose an episode of my favorite show and drifted off to sleep. The next morning, I didn’t have sore ears, and I wasn’t kept awake by any pesky snoring. I say they’re worth a try, especially at this price point.
Get a pair of these sleep earbuds for $25.99 (reg. $34.99) and save 25%.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: HyperGear SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds for Sleeping $25.99TL;DR: Get the Pocket Popper phone kickstand and mini speaker for $21.99 while supplies last (reg. $24.99).
Balancing your phone against a pop can to watch YouTube while you’re eating at the table? Blasting music from those built-in speakers that make your favorite musician sound like they’re stuck in a tin can? You might need this phone stand and speaker combo.
You’ve heard of the PopSocket, but meet its biggest competitor: Pocket Popper. Featured at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, you can finally have a way to prop up your phone and rock out to tunes. This is a hot item, but we’re able to cut you a small discount before they sell out: $21.99 (reg. $24.99).
Pop this MagSafe-compatible phone stand onto your case and see what it can do. Not sure if your phone or case works? iPhones 12 and newer have these built-in magnets, and your case would have a visible ring on its exterior. You can also attach the Pocket Popper to any magnetic surface — your fridge, stove, toolbox, or gym equipment.
Then, the Pocket Popper becomes a powerful mini Bluetooth speaker. The cool part, though? Its 40mm dynamic driver will have others looking for a big stereo setup, when it’s only this tiny gadget playing your playlist.
Beyond excellent sound, you can expect up to eight hours of battery life, a built-in microphone if you want to take phone calls, and an IPX6 waterproof rating for outdoor activities as soon as the weather warms up.
Get this phone kickstand and speaker for $21.99 before we’re sold out (reg. $24.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: HyperGear Pocket Popper Magnetic Mini Wireless Speaker & Kickstand $21.99Many Februarys ago, I went for lunch with a friend and was served a devastating blow.
As I ordered a club sandwich, I caught her eyeing me nervously. "So, I have some news," she said in a hesitant tone. There was an agonising suspenseful pause.
"Oh god," I said. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might leap right out of my chest cavity. She put her head in her hands as she geared up to break the news to me. Just tell me, for the love of god, I thought to myself.
"It's about Glen," she said.
"OK," I said, panicking. This was the man I had been seeing on and off for the past nine months. A friend-with-benefits that I'd accidentally fallen in love with. Not that I would've admitted that at the time.
SEE ALSO: The Relationship Experience dating trend: like a situationship but so much worse"He has a girlfriend?" I guessed in a bid to put myself out of my own misery.
"That's not all, though," my friend said.
There was more. "They're having a baby," she said. Suddenly the restaurant felt unbearably noisy. A wave of heat passed over my body and a weird rash appeared across my chest, my sandwich arrived. I stared at it and tried my best not to puke.
It was three days before Valentine's Day and I wanted nothing more than for time to stand still. "Valentine's Day can absolutely get fucked," I said the next day to my friend Michelle as I ran on the treadmill and cried simultaneously. A feat of human nature, you might say.
I wanted to round up every silk rose, every cheesy card, every tacky giant teddy bear and throw them on a giant bonfire. Everywhere I turned felt like a constant onslaught of love, romance, and relationships. Each one of them a reminder of the sting of rejection I was feeling. I wanted to pretend that Valentine's Day didn't exist, but I didn't know how.
SEE ALSO: The best dating apps to help find a relationship, a hookup, or something in betweenThere's a scene in Bridget Jones' Diary where she finds out that Daniel Cleaver has a secret fiancée the whole time they've been together, and she has to go to work and act like nothing's happened. She stares blankly at her computer screen, tears welling in her eyes. At my job in a theatre press office, I spent a week stealthily wiping away tears as they streamed from my eyes.
On Valentine's Day, a work friend left a card on my desk. It was a kind gesture that made me feel loved. But later, on Instagram, I saw the Valentine's Day card that Glen had given to his girlfriend. There was an illustration of a green olive alongside the line "Olive You." Ugh, they're at the pun stage of their romance. It was the longest Feb. 14 I have ever lived through.
"Being in a relationship is not a mark of success. Many people in relationships are unhappy. Be proud of being single."Over the next few years, that cursed day came and went. On some years, I was nursing a broken heart from yet another terrible dating experience. Dear friends continued with their sweet gestures (my best friend left a red rose on my desk one year). Truth is, Valentine's Day is just another day if you're not in a state of loved-up bliss. So, why not treat it as exactly what is is: just another day in February.
I refuse to spend another Valentine's Day crying over a terrible olive pun. If you're nursing the fragments of a broken heart and are listening to The 1975's "Somebody Else" on repeat, then don't fret about Feb. 14's impending arrival. Here are some tried and tested techniques for putting two fingers up to V Day.
Celebrate other types of lovePsychologist Dr. Tony Ortega suggests reframing the day "from being a day of romantic love to a day of celebrating any kind of love, like we did when we were children."
SEE ALSO: Why I'm celebrating female friendship this Valentine's Day"If you want to celebrate love but don't have romantic love, grab your friends and do something out of the ordinary to celebrate your friendships," say Ortega. "This could take the form of a scavenger hunt or perhaps an establishment that serves both liquor but has some entertainment like games or even a drag show." If you don't fancy going out, you could FaceTime a friend who lives far away and have a long-overdue catch up.
"Being in a relationship is not a mark of success. Many people in relationships are unhappy. Be proud of being single." Look upon your heartbreak as a giftIt's really hard when you're in the thick of the post-breakup emotional turmoil, but try to take a step back and see the bigger picture. Whether the relationship was short-term, long-term, a situationship, FWB — there's a reason why it ended. Reframe romantic rejection as a positive thing that steers you back onto the right path, and prevents you going too far down the wrong road. It's a blessing to have your route corrected. It's better to be alone than in a bad relationship with a person who's not matching your energy or feeling the same way. Your future self will look back and be grateful.
SEE ALSO: How to separate romantic rejection from your self-worth Banish all negative thoughtsPsychosexual and relationship therapist Silva Neves recommends banning the negative thoughts you have about yourself. "Being in a relationship is not a mark of success. Many people in relationships are unhappy. Be proud of being single," says Neves.
SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for hooking up, serious relationships, and everything else in between"Each time you have a negative thought about yourself, breathe in and out deeply and say something nurturing about yourself instead. You will find out that you have many good qualities." Make a list of everything you like about yourself, if you feel like it.
Do something nice for yourselfThe longest relationship of your life is with yourself. So, why not spoil yourself? Buy yourself the dress you've been eyeing up for weeks. Make a delicious meal for yourself. Go get a manicure. Treat yourself to a new sex toy.
Ignore the hypeValentine's Day literally is just any other day. So why not treat it as such? As it happens to fall on a Friday this year, stick to your usual Friday routine — be that grabbing a drink in the pub with your mates, or binge-watching Grace and Frankie on your sofa with a takeaway. Avoid anything that'll remind you what date it is — stay off social media and turn any calendars around so they're facing the wall.
Rachael Lloyd, relationship experts at eharmony, says "it may sound obvious, but the more you engage in Valentine’s Day, the more you will be impacted." "Skip over the love stories, avoid your local Pizza Express and keep off social media for the day to limit your exposure."
Get really into puzzlesIf it's nigh-on impossible to ignore the fact that it's the most cursed day in the calendar, then ramp up your distraction techniques. My best friend Elisha swears by jigsaw puzzles because, she says, "they require enough of your concentration to prevent you from getting in your head too much, but not so much that you can't complete the task." Buy yourself a big bag of Doritos, a bottle of rosé, and a 1,000-piece puzzle and it'll keep you entertained and, crucially, distracted for hours on end. Alternatively, you could invite all your single friends over to your house for a games night.
things to do on valentine's day Credit: vicky leta / mashable Have some 'me time'Dating and relationship coach Sami Wunder says if you're single, Valentine's Day is the perfect day for celebrating yourself. "Firstly, don’t let all the hype get to you. Decide that it will be a day for self-love," says Wunder. "So schedule in some me time. Book yourself a massage, or a manicure, or treat yourself to a nice coffee, or even put on your favourite dress and take yourself out for dinner."
Neves says if Valentine's Day is unpleasant for you, "give yourself the permission to be indulgent with whatever floats your boat." "A long bath maybe? Or have your favourite chocolates. Or put your favourite movies on and a glass of wine?" says Neves.
Keep busyIf you've got the day off, one thing that's guaranteed to keep you very busy is running errands. Go to the gym, clean out your fridge, buy your groceries, do your laundry, iron those clothes at the bottom of your ironing pile. In short, stay busy. At the end of the day, you'll have a big sense of accomplishment.
Have sexPeople in long-term relationships aren't the only people who get to have sex on Valentine's Day. Dr. Ortega suggests calling up your fuck buddy and scheduling a hookup.
"Do you have a friend with benefits you can call on? Instead of celebrating romantic love, celebrate your sexual nature with your FWB," says Ortega. "Throw away the notion of romantic love and for a period of time, celebrate sexual love."
If you don't have a FWB, then Neves recommends having an orgasm anyway through solo sex (aka masturbation). "And make a commitment to have those on a regular basis, not just on Valentine’s Day," says Neves.
Leave the countryNot forever. Just take a break and get some space from everything. If you can afford to, treat yourself to a weekend away somewhere nice, or take a road trip to visit a friend you haven't seen for ages. About a fortnight after this whole debacle occurred, I decided to book an EasyJet flight to Germany to visit a really lovely friend of mine. It did me a world of good to get away from everything and gain some perspective on the situation. This year, I'm heading back to Germany to see the very same friend, and we'll be celebrating female friendship rather than romantic love.
Whatever you do on Feb. 14, remember that lots of people in long-term relationships couldn't give a shit about it. It's just a stupid day.
This article was first published in 2019 and republished in 2025.
SAVE $100: As of Feb. 12, the Corsair HS80 MAX wireless gaming headset is available for $79.99 at Woot. That is a huge 56% discount off its usual $179.99 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Corsair Corsair HS80 MAX Gaming Headset $79.99 at WootWoot is back with another killer deal, and this time it's for gamers who want premium sound without the premium price tag. Right now, the Corsair HS80 MAX wireless gaming headset is just $79.99, down from its usual $179.99. Since Woot is run by Amazon, Prime members can enjoy free shipping and all the usual benefits.
This high-end gaming headset does not just look good — it delivers incredible sound, thanks to low-latency 2.4GHz wireless and Dolby Atmos support on PC. That means you will hear every footstep, explosion, and enemy reload in full 3D detail, giving you an edge in fast-paced games. Plus, Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to switch between your PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Mac, and mobile devices without any hassle.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AIThe microphone is just as impressive. It has a broadcast-quality, omnidirectional pickup that makes your voice crystal-clear to teammates. So, whether you are calling plays in a competitive match or just chatting on Discord, you will always be heard loud and clear.
Battery life is another major win here. You get up to 65 hours on 2.4GHz wireless and a massive 130 hours on Bluetooth — which is insane for a wireless gaming headset. If you love RGB lighting, keep in mind that turning it on drops battery life to about 24 hours, but that is still better than most competing models.
Comfort-wise, Corsair nailed it. The memory foam ear pads and floating headband make this one of the most comfortable gaming headsets around, even during long gaming sessions. The aluminum-reinforced build also ensures that this headset is durable enough to last years.
At just $79.99, this is an absolute steal for a Dolby Atmos-ready, wireless gaming headset. If you want top-tier audio for a budget price, grab this before Woot sells out.
SAVE $119: As of Feb. 12, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) is on sale for $679.99 at Amazon. Down from $799, this deal saves you 15% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $679.99 at AmazonThe Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the toughest and most feature-packed smartwatch Apple has ever made. Built for athletes, adventurers, and anyone who pushes limits, it packs a 49mm titanium case, a sapphire crystal display, dual-frequency GPS, and a 36-hour battery life. Right now, Amazon is knocking $119 off the price, making this one of the best chances to grab it for less.
This is not your typical smartwatch. The Ultra 2 is built to handle hiking, diving, running, cycling, and even extreme weather conditions. The bright 3000-nit display is readable in direct sunlight, and the customizable action button gives quick access to workouts, waypoints, or a dive computer. For runners, advanced tracking features like custom intervals and running form analysis make it one of the best fitness wearables available.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AINavigation is a major selling point here. The dual-frequency GPS offers unmatched precision, and the backtrack feature helps you retrace your steps if you get lost. The compass waypoints let you mark key locations during your adventure — how cool is that? Add cellular connectivity, and you can take calls, stream music, or use maps even if you leave your iPhone at home.
Beyond sports and exploration, the Ultra 2 has health and safety features. ECG monitoring, sleep tracking, fall detection, and emergency SOS provide peace of mind in any situation. It even includes crash detection, automatically alerting emergency services if it detects an accident.
Battery life is another highlight. The Ultra 2 lasts up to 36 hours on a single charge, and Low Power Mode extends it to 72 hours. That is significantly better than the standard Apple Watch models, making it ideal for multi-day hikes or endurance races.
At $679.99, this deal is a solid price drop on Apple's most rugged and capable smartwatch. If you have been eyeing the Ultra 2, it is time to snag it on Amazon before the price jumps back up.
SAVE $71: As of Feb. 12, the Apple AirPods Max are on sale for $478 at Amazon. That's a 12% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $478.00 at AmazonIf a headphone upgrade is planned, be sure to check out Amazon's Daily Deals for a bargain. As of Feb. 12, Apple AirPods Max are reduced to $478 at Amazon, saving you $71 on list price. This deal is exclusive to the lightning style, without AppleCare+.
Wondering why these should be your headphones of choice? Well, designed with Apple-specific drivers and powered by the all-encompassing H1 chip, you can expect a completely unmatched listening experience.
SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch 10 is back at its lowest-ever price at AmazonHandy noise-blocking technologies help you to choose your level of immersion, the Active Noise Cancellation mode will block outside noise so you can focus on your music, and Transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings, keeping you safe and alert while out and about. The Personalized Spatial Audio function adapts to your ear shape to help give you a much more immersive and personalized sound. It also includes dynamic head tracking, which uses a built-in sensor to adjust audio based on your head movements, creating a 3D sound experience.
And who could forget the comfort? Visually they look like a hug for your ears, and that's how they're designed. The knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions provide a snug fit that seals in sound and keeps your ears happy for hours of wearing.
This model also boasts up to 20 hours of battery life and comes with a slim Smart Case for storage.
Head over to Amazon to snag this deal.
SAVE $70: As of Feb. 12, the Apple Watch 10 is on sale for $359 at Amazon. That's a saving of 36% on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch 10 $359.00 at AmazonIf an Apple watch has been on your wishlist for a while, you're in luck. The latest model has been reduced again, and this time it's back down to its lowest-ever price.
As of Feb. 12, you can find the Apple Watch 10 at Amazon for $359, saving you $70 on list price. This deal is for all available colorways (rose gold, silver, jet black) and without AppleCare+ added.
SEE ALSO: Apple Maps follows Google, relabels Gulf of Mexico as AmericaStyle-wise, the Apple Watch 10 is the thinnest of the range so far but also has the biggest and most readable display. It also introduces Apple's first-ever wide-angle OLED display, meaning the watch remains clear and sharp when glancing at it quickly or from different angles.
If you're looking for health and fitness metrics, you'll be suitably impressed. Advanced health tracking includes ECG readings, heart rate notifications, and ovulation estimates. In the Vitals app, you'll find detailed overnight metrics such as heart and respiratory rates, and sleep tracking. It even includes alerts for possible sleep apnea. For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout app lets you track a whole load of activities, along with tools to monitor workout intensity and aquatic tracking with depth and water temperature sensors. And with 18 hours of normal use (and fast charging that gives you 80% in 30 minutes), the watch is perfect for all lengths of activity.
Some other notable features concern safety. Users get Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and a Check-In feature that automatically updates loved ones when you reach your destination.
Head to Amazon to grab this deal whilst stocks last.
SAVE $40: As of Feb. 12, the RENPHO Massage Gun is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% saving on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: RENPHO RENPHO Massage Gun $69.99 at AmazonPost-workout stiffness is no joke. And the only way to get through it is by stretching and rest. And, if you can be bothered, massaging your sore muscles. Enter the massage gun. A blessing and a curse, these can be used to stimulate blood circulation in your muscles with the use of deep tissue massage. If you've used one before, you'll know of its sweet relief/agonizing pain combo.
Using a massage gun offers a whole host of benefits for physical recovery and overall wellness. It helps alleviate muscle soreness and stiffness by promoting blood circulation and reducing lactic acid buildup. After a tough workout, using a muscle gun can speed up your recovery. Regular use may improve flexibility and range of motion, and prevent injuries.
SEE ALSO: The best massage guns in 2025And as of Feb. 12 you can treat yourself to the RENPHO Massage Gun at Amazon for just $69.99. This model specifically provides fast relief from aches, stiffness, and tension with its five changeable heads and five speed options. It even comes with a travel case that fits the massage gun and all of its attachments together for on-the-go use.
This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is set to premiere on Peacock. With the long-awaited fourth entry in the misadventures of its eponymous heroine, fans and critics alike have to ask: Is there any way to recapture the rom-com perfection that was 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary?
Directed by Sharon Maguire, that magnificent movie adaptation of Helen Fielding's cheeky modern spin on Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice not only boasted a classic love triangle but also the swoon-worthy trifecta of Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant. Theirs was a (pre-Challengers) three-way chemistry so intoxicating that filmmakers gave it another go with 2004's Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, trying desperately to recreate the crowd-pleasing moments from the first film, from daffy duels to winsome confessions of love. The result was a commercial success, but a critical flop. (And before you decide to revisit it, be warned it has aged like an abandoned banana.)
12 years would pass before Bridget Jones's Baby, which re-teamed Maguire, Zellweger, and Firth. (Grant's rakish Daniel Cleaver was temporarily killed off and swapped for a cocky, love-bombing American played by Patrick Dempsey.) While better reviewed and a box office success, the film series that followed Fielding's books was challenging its audience to accept something counterintuitive to its rom-com classification: There's no such thing as happily ever after.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy takes this idea even further, so brace yourself.
What you need to know ahead of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy: Credit: Jay Maidment / Universal PicturesDespite that hot kiss on a cold winter night at the end of the first film, Bridget Jones (Zellweger) and Mark Darcy (Firth) broke up for a portion of the sequel. And at the start of the third movie, he was married to someone else entirely! So, what does that mean for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy?
Well — as readers of Fielding's novel know — Mark has died, and Bridget is a widowed mother of their two kids. So, this fourth installment moves even farther away from being the tale of Bridget and Mark's love, and is more about a woman of wit and wild impulses finding happiness in spite of everything the world throws at her. Undoubtedly, there's something beautiful about this, but fans who adore the first film's hopefulness might be hit hard by this sequel's blunt realities. I certainly was.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy offers another love triangle, minus Mark Darcy. Credit: Jay Maidment / Universal PicturesDirected by Michael Morris, this sequel begins four years after Mark Darcy died during a humanitarian trip to Sudan. In a charming house, Bridget Jones (aka Mrs. Darcy) raises her gentle son Billy (Casper Knopf) and headstrong daughter Mabel (Mila Jankovic), with occasional babysitting help from her rascally old friend Daniel Cleaver (a deliciously saucy Hugh Grant). However, without a husband, she is once more the pitying prey of smug married couples at a comically awkward dinner party, so feels pressured to get out into the dating world again.
A variety of pre-established friends pop up, bringing back dazzling supportingly players like Emma Thompson as wry gynecologist Dr. Rawlings, Celia Imrie as pesky Aunt Una, Gemma Jones as Bridget's fretful mum, Sarah Solemani as sassy TV presenter Miranda, and Shirley Henderson, James Callis, and Sally Phillips as Bridget's beloved besties Jude, Tom, and Shazzer. Everyone has advice for how Bridget should "move on," ranging from going back to work in television to hooking up with the hot young man who helped her out of a tree.
With a name like a Sex and the City beau, Roxster McDuff (Leo Woodall) is in his late 20s and deeply enamored with Bridget. But it wouldn't be a Bridget Jones movie without a romantic rival. Enter Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Billy's science teacher, whose brisk manner covers up a heart of gold. (Sound familiar?) But how is Bridget supposed to get caught up in a new love when everywhere she goes she still sees Mark (Firth, playing a memory)?
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is a ruthless tearjerker. Credit: Jay Maidment / Universal PicturesJane Austen didn't write sequels, so Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy's love was assumed to last without incident ever since Pride & Prejudice's publishing in 1813. Fielding wasn't about to put her beloved re-invented heroine on a shelf, so found fresh obstacles and romantic thrills for Bridget Jones across four books. Maybe there was a financial motivation here. But of all the movie's sequels that have come from Fielding's book series, Mad About the Boy is the most profound. It doesn't feel like just another go with Bridget and her boys. It pushes her to grow in meaningful ways outside of her wacky shenanigans.
Don't mistake me. Bridget will still find ways to embarrass herself in front of a crowd, be it verbal explosions or an ill-advised beauty treatment. Yet to the credit of screenwriters Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, and Abi Morgan, the grief over a partner's loss isn't swept under the rug, as if it's easy to keep calm and carry on. Instead, Bridget will carry on with cheek!
While Bridget doesn't weep, you will as she imagines Mark tucking their kids into bed with a smile and a song, or in her voiceover shares the ache of his absence. And to double down, her dear old dad (Jim Broadbent) has passed too, leaving her little protection against her mother's well-meaning but intense intrusions. On top of that, Bridget must parent her young son through the grief, as he wonders how faith in an afterlife fits into the life-cycle lessons he's getting at school. This sparks moments of outrage, softened by Zellweger's expert comedic performance. With all this loss and mourning — even amid the humor and sexual frolics — my face was awash with tears as I watched this movie. And it's left me torn.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy may not be the rom-com you might be expecting. Credit: Alex Bailey / Universal PicturesBefore you cue this up for Galentine's Day or Valentine's Day, know that it's not like its predecessors in one major way. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is not an unabashedly feel-good movie. In the original, a low point for Bridget was singing "All By Myself" in a melodramatic moment of self-pity. Things get much lower here. While there are a slew of callbacks to the first film, from characters to comedy bits to costumes, it's not a cozy retread like the previous sequels. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy offers comedy and romance, but also delves so deeply into grief that it's not a breezy watch. And honestly, I admire that.
Grief is as certain as death and taxes, and yet Western society struggles with how to talk about it. That Fielding made Bridget the face of such loss is brilliant. There's an inherent lunacy in grief, where you can feel mad that the world carries on while yours has fallen apart. And who better to show us a path forward than the woman who's been mad in love and mad in heartache and mad in blue-soup making? There's a sense that if Bridget can make her way through the muck of mourning, then so too can we. And that is wonderful, even if it means this film series no longer strives to be feel-good.
Even as the movie meanders to an indulgent runtime of two hours and four minutes, the filmmakers litter the path with treasures. Some of them are tearful, whether it's Bridget wishing for her lover or her father. Some are joyful, like Bridget playing with the children she pined for so intensely in the previous sequels. Some are salacious and silly, like an inspired set piece in which Roxster recreates Firth's wet shirt scene from the Pride & Prejudice miniseries. (IYKYK).
And yet, there's a part of me that resisted the film, because I'm not ready to let go of Mark Darcy. Re-imagined as a dream man for a new millennium, he made a generation of women feel seen when he told Bridget, "I like you just the way you are." He was a beacon of hope in a sea of bad men. And there's so much loss in the real world, why take him away from us? Honestly, I resented Mad About the Boy as I watched it, not only because of my anger at the death of this fictional character, but also because Bridget's journey hit home, forcing me to recall viscerally the real-life losses I've endured. And while she was able to neatly — even charmingly – process this over the course of this movie, I still feel mad about the loss. So, I was not ready for Mad About the Boy.
As a critic, I strive to have an elastic empathy that might allow me to appreciate a movie, even when it's not "for me." And though I loved the first Bridget Jones so deeply that I still know much of it by heart, this sequel is not for me. Not yet. My pain is still too raw to take comfort in Bridget's latest diary entries. But I can recognize that. I must give credit that Fielding understood that through the loss of Mark, Bridget has more to give. She has been a wacky role model of self love. And by following her next chapter, we're offered a friend through some of life's ugliest moments. Just as she has handled disasters far less dire, she'll do it with a signature smile and a bit of wit.
Which is all to say that Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the best sequel of the batch. It's joyful, seeded with Easter eggs, and radiant with Zellweger back in full effect, but it's also a tearjerker that might well knock the wind out of you.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy premieres exclusively on Peacock Feb. 13.
Apple Maps has quietly been updated to change the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" when viewed by U.S. users. This comes a mere day after Google made the same change to its own Maps app.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico within hours of his inauguration last month, proclaiming that it would henceforth be known as the Gulf of America. Yet while this changed the U.S. government's official position on the sea's name, Trump's order technically had no direct impact on corporations such as Google and Apple. The gulf is also not owned by any one country, being boarded by the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba. As such, the U.S. does not have the authority to completely unilaterally rename the entire body of water for everyone internationally.
SEE ALSO: Google Maps has changed the Gulf of Mexico to AmericaNevertheless, Google Maps made clear that it would adhere to Trump's renaming of the gulf, stating that it was following its "longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources." It made good on that promise earlier this week, with Google Maps adding the Gulf of Mexico's new Trump-mandated label in parenthesis when viewed from outside the U.S., and completely renaming it to the Gulf of America for those within it.
In contrast, Apple was more reticent on directly addressing the matter, having issued no statement on what it planned to do. Now it appears that Apple's approach to the gulf renaming issue is similar to Google's, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America after U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was officially updated.
Searching Apple Maps' macOS app for either "Gulf of Mexico" or "Gulf of America" directs you to the correct body of water, still labelled "Gulf of Mexico" on the map. However, the popup over it has now been amended to read "Gulf of America." Using the same search terms in Apple Maps' browser beta within the U.S. will also bring you to the right place, however it is relabelled "Gulf of America" on the map, while the sidebar and pin still reads "Gulf of Mexico."
Apple Maps' browser beta in the U.S., showing the Gulf of Mexico labelled as such on both the pin and sidebar, but labelled Gulf of America on the map. Credit: Mashable screenshot: AppleIn contrast, Australians searching Apple Maps' browser beta or its iOS app for "Gulf of Mexico" or "Gulf of America" are served the correct gulf, but both the map and sidebar currently still read "Gulf of Mexico." This may not be the case for long, though. Bloomberg reports Apple has stated that while it's starting with the U.S., it will soon roll out the name change for all users globally. It isn't clear whether that will mean a complete relabelling of the gulf, or simply adding "Gulf of America" in parenthesis as Google has.
Mashable has reached out to Apple for comment.
Apple Maps' browser beta in Australia, showing the Gulf of Mexico labelled as such on both the map and sidebar. Credit: Mashable screenshot: AppleThis isn't the first time Apple has amended its map to appease a country's government. The tech giant previously caused outrage in Ukraine when it marked Crimea as Russian territory in 2019, albeit only for people who accessed Apple's Maps and Weather apps from within Russia. At the time, Russia's parliament stated that "Apple [had] fulfilled its obligations and brought the applications on its devices in compliance with the requirements of the Russian legislation."
Trump's executive order may not impose a legal requirement that Apple alter how it labels the Gulf of Mexico/America. Even so, following the new U.S. administration's official stance is more likely to help endear Apple to Trump. And with so many big tech companies and CEOs now fighting to gain the president's favour, Apple probably doesn't want to be left behind.
TL;DR: Put all your AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini Pro, and Leonardo.AI in one place with a lifetime subscription to 1minAI, an all-in-one AI app, on sale for just £32.22 (reg. £188.55).
Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription £32.22 at The Mashable ShopThe free version of some AI models like ChatGPT can get the job done, but if you want the good stuff, you should consider opting for a paid subscription.
1minAI consolidates many of the most popular AI models — like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI — into one platform where you can use them all seamlessly, whether you need to generate text, images, or even full videos. A lifetime subscription to 1minAI usually costs £188.55, but you can get one on sale now for £32.22.
What can you do with 1minAI1minAI gives you one platform where you can access AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, Mistral AI, and more. You don't just get the baseline version, either — 1minAI users can chat with GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, Gemini Pro 1.5, and Llama 2 or Llama 3.
Like a ton of other AI platforms, 1minAI has a limit to how much you can generate every month. Unlike other platforms, the limit is incredibly high. Here's what your lifetime subscription gets you every month.
First, you get a baseline of 1,000,000 credits per month. Then, every day you log in, you get an additional 15,000 free credits. These will roll over if you don't use them all, too.
In practice, those huge numbers mean you could generate up to 362,500 words, research nearly 2,000 SEO keywords, generate 386 images, upscale 241 images, remove 24 backgrounds, convert text to speech for over 120,000 characters, and generate up to 12 videos.
Your AI Swiss Army KnifePut all your go-to AI tools in one place. Get a lifetime subscription to 1minAI for £32.22.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Are you looking for thrilling and unpredictable racing? No, we're not talking about F1. Unless you like regular pit stops, safety cars, and the same driver winning most weeks. We're talking about a form of two-wheel racing where anything could happen.
The MotoGP World Championship is where the real action can be found. Every week you see the best riders in the world go wheel to wheel with their rivals, throwing their bikes into corners with absolutely no sense of self preservation. It's an awesome spectacle, and it doesn't need to cost you anything to watch.
Want to watch the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.
What is MotoGP?MotoGP is the oldest established motorsport world championship, with the inaugural season taking place in 1949. Races last approximately 45 minutes, without pitting for fuel or fresh tires.
SEE ALSO: How to watch F1 live streams online for freeThe likes of Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha do battle for the constructors' championship. Jorge Martín is the defending champion.
When is the 2025 MotoGP World Championship?The 2025 MotoGP World Championship features 22 races held all over the world between March and November:
Thai MotoGP — March 2
Argentine MotoGP — March 16
Americas MotoGP — March 30
Qatar MotoGP — April 13
Spanish MotoGP — April 27
French MotoGP — May 11
British MotoGP — May 25
Aragon MotoGP — June 8
Italian MotoGP — June 22
Dutch MotoGP — June 29
German MotoGP — July 13
Czech MotoGP — July 20
Austrian MotoGP — Aug. 17
Hungarian MotoGP — Aug. 24
Catalunya MotoGP — Sept. 7
San Marino MotoGP — Sept. 14
Japanese MotoGP — Sept. 28
Indonesian MotoGP — Oct. 5
Australian MotoGP — Oct. 19
Malaysian MotoGP — Oct. 26
Portuguese MotoGP — Nov. 9
Valencia MotoGP — Nov. 16
The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the MotoGP World Championship for free in 2025.
How to watch the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for freeYou can stream the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV.
ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ServusTV by following this quick and easy process:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria
Visit ServusTV
Watch MotoGP races for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races without actually spending anything.
What is the best VPN for ServusTV?ExpressVPN is tough to beat when it comes to streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Impressive streaming speeds without buffering
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from MIT are available to take for free on edX.
You can find a massive range of free online courses from some of the biggest and best educational institutions in the world on edX. And we really are talking about famous schools, like MIT.
Online courses from MIT are available to take for free on edX, including lessons on AI, Python programming, and other valuable skills. There's a lot to consider, so we've got you started with a standout selection of free online courses from MIT. You can thank us later.
These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:
Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications
Financial Regulation: From the Global Financial Crisis to Fintech and the COVID Pandemic
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning
These free courses do not come with a shareable certificate of completion or graded assignments/exams, but that's the only catch. You can start learning at a pace that suits you, so there's nothing stopping you from enrolling.
Find the best free online courses from MIT on edX.
Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at edX Get DealTL;DR: Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We've got an important question for all the cricket fans out there: How would you like to see Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa compete in a ODI tournament? Sounds pretty good, right? Well, that's exactly what we're getting with the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
It's going to be an electric few weeks of ODI cricket from the best international sides in the world.
If you want to watch the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the ICC Champions Trophy?The ICC Champions Trophy is a quadrennial cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council, featuring the eight top-ranked One Day International teams in the world.
SEE ALSO: How to watch the Champions League online for freeThe eight qualified teams are divided into two groups of four, and will play against the three teams in their respective group. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage of the competition. The knockout stage consists of two semi finals and a final.
The defending champions are Pakistan.
When is the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is the ninth edition of the tournament. This edition will be hosted by Pakistan and United Arab Emirates from Feb. 19 to Match 9.
How to watch the ICC Champions Trophy for freeThe good news is that it is possible to live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free. The following platforms are offering coverage of this competition:
Australia — Prime Video (free with 30-day trial)
India — Disney+ Hotstar
New Zealand — Sky TV NZ
UK — Sky Sports
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is available to live stream for free in Pakistan. The free streaming platforms are geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy 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 Pakistan
Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream every match from the tournament before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for sport?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Tigres vs. Real Estelí in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The biggest shock from the first round of Concacaf Champions Cup games came in the Tigres vs. Real Estelí matchup. The Nicaraguan side produced a huge shock by beating the Mexican side 1-0. Tigres had rested a number of key players, but don't let that fact take anything away from Real Estelí. It was a hugely significant result.
Can Tigres turn things around? If you want to watch Tigres vs. Real Estelí in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Tigres vs. Real Estelí?Tigres vs. Real Estelí in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Universitario.
How to watch Tigres vs. Real Estelí for freeTigres vs. Real Estelí in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is the exclusive home of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Tigres vs. Real Estelí 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 Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Tigres vs. Real Estelí for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Tigres vs. Real Estelí in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Tigres vs. Real Estelí in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Guadalajara vs. Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Concacaf Champions Cup has already produced some big surprises. The first leg between Guadalajara and Cibao wasn't exactly shocking, but it was very close. The Dominican side managed to avoid defeat to the Mexican favorites. The 1-1 draw leaves this matchup hanging in the balance.
All eyes are now on the second leg. If you want to watch Guadalajara vs. Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Guadalajara vs. Cibao?Guadalajara vs. Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Akron.
How to watch Guadalajara vs. Cibao for freeGuadalajara vs. Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on Tubi.
Tubi is the exclusive home of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Guadalajara vs. Cibao 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 Mexico
Visit Tubi
Live stream Guadalajara vs. Cibao for free
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Guadalajara vs. Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tubi?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tubi, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Guadalajara vs. Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Feyenoord vs. AC Milan in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Eight teams are meeting in the Champions League playoff round, with a place in the last 16 up for grabs. There are a number of interesting matchups at this stage, including Feyenoord vs. AC Milan.
These teams had similar records in the group stage, but which side will gain the advantage in the first leg of this contest?
If you want to watch Feyenoord vs. AC Milan in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Feyenoord vs. AC Milan?Feyenoord vs. AC Milan in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 12. This fixture takes place at De Kuip.
How to watch Feyenoord vs. AC Milan for freeFeyenoord vs. AC Milan is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Feyenoord vs. AC Milan for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Feyenoord vs. AC Milan for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Feyenoord vs. AC Milan (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Feyenoord vs. AC Milan in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Celtic vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
After eight tough group-stage fixtures, Celtic secured a place in the Champions League playoff round. And their reward for a decent showing? Bayern Munich.
Sometimes, life isn't fair.
The sides will meet in a two-legged matchup, with a place in the last 16 up for grabs. If you want to watch Celtic vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Celtic vs. Bayern Munich?Celtic vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 12. This fixture takes place at Celtic Park.
How to watch Celtic vs. Bayern Munich for freeCeltic vs. Bayern Munich is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player in Ireland.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock RTÉ Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Celtic vs. Bayern Munich on RTÉ Player 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 Ireland
Sign in to RTÉ Player
Watch Celtic vs. Bayern Munich for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Celtic vs. Bayern Munich (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Celtic vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 12 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: Proof of possession
Green: Different types of performances
Blue: Iconic Simpson character items
Purple: Words linked to movement and noise
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Documents of Ownership
Green: Bits in a Variety Show
Blue: Props for Characters on The Simpsons
Purple: Starting with “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”
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 #611 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayDocuments of Ownership: CERTIFICATE, DEED, RECEIPT, TITLE
Bits in a Variety Show: DANCE, MONOLOGUE, SKETCH, SONG
Props for Characters on The Simpsons: DONUT, PACIFIER, SAXOPHONE, SKATEBOARD
Starting with “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”: ANDROID, RATTLESNAKE, ROLLERBLADE, SHAKESPEARE
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 12Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: 8NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 12 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 12, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Moves quickly, like a rushing river..
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?No letters repeat in today's puzzle.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.
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...
RAPID.
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 12Reporting 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.
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