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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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, October 15, 2024:
AcrossShrimp ___ (garlicky entree)The answer is Scampi.
The answer is OoLaLa.
The answer is Frozen.
The answer is Anted.
The answer is Sofa.
The answer is Corn.
The answer is Alot.
The answer is Maze.
The answer is Pled.
The answer is Ian.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre 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.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Beast mode!These words are found in a zoo.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords used to describe animals.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is CreatureFeature.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 15Horn
Hair
CreatureFeature
Wing
Tail
Feather
Scale
Shell
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.
TL;DR: Live stream Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League for free on YouTube. Access this free stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Scotland have found things tough in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League, and things aren't going to get any easier when Portugal come to town. Can the Scots deliver a performance they can be proud of in front of their passionate home support, or will Ronaldo's side come out on top again?
If you want to watch Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading for all the information you need.
When is Scotland vs. Portugal?Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 15. This fixture takes place at Hampden Park.
How to watch Scotland vs. Portugal for freeScotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on YouTube.
If this free live stream is not available in your location, you can use a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, allowing you to access free live streams from anywhere in the world.
Access a free live stream of Scotland vs. Portugal 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 a location with free access to Scotland vs. Portugal
Visit YouTube
Stream Scotland vs. Portugal for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most offer generous deals like free trials or money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to watch Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League, and it won't cost you anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your upfront investment.
What is the best VPN for sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, 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 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 for an overall saving of 49%. This plan also includes three extra months of usage for no additional cost, a year of free unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The UEFA Nations League continues to match up some the best international sides in Europe, which is great news for fans mkissing out on domestic football. The next matchups sees Spain take on Serbia. Can the young stars of Spain continue to impress?
If you want to watch Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Spain vs. Serbia?Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 15. This fixture takes place at the Estadio El Arcángel.
How to watch Spain vs. Serbia for freeSpain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTVE.
RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, 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 Spain, meaning you can access free live streams on RTVE from anywhere in the world.
Access a free live stream of Spain vs. Serbia 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 Spain
Visit RTVE
Live stream Spain vs. Serbia 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 Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RTVE?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTVE, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Spain
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 Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch 2024 F1 live streams for free on ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Do you love watching incredibly talented drivers in unbelievably fast cars? Of course you do.
F1 brings together the best of the best to battle it out on the track. Sure, Max Verstappen has dominated the field in recent years, but the tide is turning. McLaren and Mercedes have finally found some pace, which means more entertaining racing.
If you are interested in watching F1 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
2024 F1 calendarThe 2024 F1 season features 24 races held all over the world between March and December:
Bahrain GP (Sakhir) — March 2
Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah) — March 9
Australian GP (Melbourne) — March 24
Japan GP (Suzuka) — April 7
China GP (Shanghai) — April 21
Miami GP (Miami) — May 5
Emilia Romagna GP (Imola) — May 19
Monaco GP (Monaco) — May 26
Canada GP (Montreal) — June 9
Spain GP (Barcelona) — June 23
Austria GP (Spielberg) — June 30
United Kingdom GP (Silverstone) — July 7
Hungary GP (Budapest) — July 21
Belgium GP (Spa) — July 28
Netherlands GP (Zandvoort) — Aug. 25
Italy GP (Monza) — Sept. 1
Azerbaijan GP (Baku) — Sept. 15
Singapore GP (Singapore) — Sept. 22
USA GP (Austin) — Oct. 20
Mexico GP (Mexico City) — Oct. 27
Brazil GP (Sao Paulo) — Nov. 3
Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas) — Nov. 23
Qatar GP (Lusail) — Dec. 1
Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina) — Dec. 8
It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. China, Miami, Austria, USA, Brazil, and Qatar will each host a sprint weekend this season.
How to watch F1 for freeThe good news is that it is possible to stream F1 for free in 2024. The following platforms are offering free coverage of this season:
These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from outside the country of origin. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access these streaming services to watch F1 for free from anywhere in the world.
Unblock these free streaming services by following these simple steps:
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, Belgium, or Luxembourg
Watch F1 races from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races for free.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for F1?There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs out there, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming F1 for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to five simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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. By using the guarantee, you can watch F1 races for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.
Watch the 2024 F1 season for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Can Max Verstappen turn things around and stretch his lead at the top of the F1 standings, or will Lando Norris continue to close the gap? There are so many questions waiting to be answered at the Circuit of The Americas this weekend, and you can find out the answers without spending anything.
If you're interested in watching the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the 2024 United States Grand Prix?The 2024 United States Grand Prix takes place over 56 laps of the 5,513-kilometre Circuit of The Americas in Austin. The full schedule can be found here:
Practice 1 — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 18
Sprint Qualifying — 5:30 to 6:14 p.m. ET on Oct. 18
Sprint — 2 to 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 19
Qualifying — 6 to 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 19
Race — 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 20
The good news is that it's possible to stream the 2024 United States Grand Prix without spending anything.
How to watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix for freeYou can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:
ORF, ServusTV, and RTBF are geo-restricted, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.
Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:
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 or Belgium
Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 United States Grand Prix before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for F1?ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Belgium
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 14'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 15 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Each of these need to be fast to win
Green: Everything except professional
Blue: Call them like you see them
Purple: A collection of highs
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Portion of a Race
Green - Types of Wrestling
Blue - Actions at the Line of Scrimmage
Purple - High ____
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #21 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayPortions of a Race: LAP, LEG, SEGMENT, STAGE
Types of Wrestling: ARM, FREESTYLE, GRECO-ROMAN, SUMO
Actions at the Line of Scrimmage: AUDIBLE, HARD COUNT, MOTION, SHIFT
High _____: FIVE, JUMP, KNEES, STICKING
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 14If 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.
TL;DR: Through 27 October, this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (lifetime license) and Windows 11 Pro bundle is on sale for £22.96 (reg. £335.49).
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Suite 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £22.96 at the Mashable ShopWhether you’re a small business owner, professional, or student, this bundle has the tools you need to make the most of your PC. With this bundle of the Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Suite and Windows 11 Pro, you can upgrade your operating system and utilise software that can help you stay productive. Through 27 October, you can get both of these Microsoft tools for a one-time total of £22.96.
With lifetime access to a 2021 Microsoft Office device license, you can create an impressive PowerPoint presentation, update your CV in Word, and connect with co-workers in Teams. And for everything to run smoothly, you'll also need a powerful operating system like Windows 11 Pro, designed for the modern-day professional. The seamless interface (which includes Copilot, the new Windows AI tool) makes navigating and multitasking easy.
Upon purchase, immediately download and install the software, and you’ll be up and running in no time. Lifetime licenses are only valid on one PC at a time and are great for work or home. Meanwhile, Windows 11 Pro offers encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses for advanced cybersecurity. The antivirus defenses help protect your data and work to keep your private information safe.
Once more: a Microsoft Office lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro bundle is available for only £22.96 (reg. £335.49) until 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Watch NHL live streams for free on Laola1 and Prime Video. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Ice hockey is a beautiful sport that combines the grace and elegance of ice skating with a level of physicality that you simply don't see in other sports. We love the merging of elements, and so do millions of fans from all around the world.
The problem for all of these fans is finding a way to watch the NHL without spending a fortune. Streaming live sport doesn't tend to come cheap, but there's always a way to watch your favourite sport for free.
If you are interested in watching the NHL for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
How to watch the NHL for freeThe good news is that it is possible to stream the NHL for free. The following platforms are offering free coverage of the NHL:
Austria — Laola1 (select NHL games for free)
Canada — Prime Video (Monday Night Hockey for free with 30-day trial)
These free streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Austria and Canada, meaning you can access these live streams from anywhere in the world.
Stream the NHL for free by following these simple steps:
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 and Canada
Connect to Laola1 or Prime Video
Watch the NHL for free in the UK
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NHL live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games for free.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for the NHL?There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming NHL games for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Canada
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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. By using the guarantee, you can watch NHL games for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.
Watch the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.
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 October 15's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 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.
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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 October 15 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Tool for fruits.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There is one letter that appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 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...
CORER.
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.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 October 12'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 14 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.
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TP-Link Tapo C120 2K QHD Security Camera — $24.99 (List Price $39.99)
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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 October 14 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Football
Green: Scrolling through TV
Blue: Funny guys in makeup
Purple: Definitions of D
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Football Positions
Green - Cable Channels
Blue - Fictional Clowns
Purple - What "D" Might Stand For
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 #492 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFootball Positions: Center, Guard, Quarterback, Safety
Cable Channels: Discovery, History, Nickelodeon, Oxygen
Fictional Clowns: Homey, Joker, Pennywise, Ronald
What "D" Might Stand For: Defense, Democrat, Dimensional, Drive
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 14If 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.
Watch out, teens and tweens: A majority of adults want cellphones out of the classroom, according to a new poll.
The recent Pew Research Center survey of 5,110 U.S. adults found that 68 percent backed a ban on middle and high school students using a cellphone in the classroom. Twenty-four percent of respondents opposed the idea while 8 percent were unsure.
When asked to identify why they supported a ban, participants said they thought students would develop better social skills and be less likely to cheat, as a result. They also think such a ban could reduce school bullying.
But they drew the line at a more restrictive approach. Only roughly a third of the respondents favored blocking phone access for the entire day, not just in the classroom, while more than half opposed it.
SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets onlineThe survey findings may inform the ongoing struggle over the role of technology and internet-connected devices in the classroom.
Educators and their unions have long argued that phones and constant access to social media platforms distracts students, enables bullying, and burns teachers out. School districts have even sued technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, arguing that they don't sufficiently warn young users of the risks of using their platforms.
Adults surveyed by Pew who oppose any kind of ban overwhelmingly cite concern about parents being able to reach their child when needed. They also believe the rule would be too hard for teachers to enforce, and that cellphones can be a useful teaching tool.
Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, told Mashable in an email that the organization backs a day-long phone-free policy in order to offer students and teachers the "most benefits." Whitman said placing phones in a storage tool, like a phone locker or in baskets secured in the school office, can further reduce cyberbullying, social media conflict, and poor face-to-face engagement with peers.
Some school districts and state governments have already moved toward different types of bans. California recently passed legislation requiring school districts to develop a policy for restricting phone use at school by 2026. Florida banned phone use in the classroom this school year. Louisiana is poised to prohibit students from using and possessing a cellphone for the entire day, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.
The Pew survey did find more resistance to the idea of a ban from younger adults. Less than half of survey respondents under the age of 30 support restrictions on cellphones in the classroom, whereas more than three quarters of adults ages 30 to 49 favor them. That percentage rises to 80 percent among participants ages 50 and older.
Whitman said that students "deserve" phone-free schools so they can focus and engage with students and peers.
"This means loud lunch rooms and more students participating in afterschool activities, which creates community and greater sense of belonging," Whitman wrote in an email. "Don't we want this for all kids?"
UPDATE: Oct. 14, 2024, 2:33 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include comment from Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement.
Samsung is always updating the art available on The Frame TV — its television that, when off, displays a piece of artwork and blends seamlessly into your decor.
But the images available to display is primarily art that belongs in the public domain, which is art that is free to use because the creator has given away their rights or it is old enough that the copyright has expired. That's why it's easier to find older pieces of art on The Frame TV than it is to find more modern pieces — but that changed today.
New York's Museum of Modern Art made 37 artworks from its collection available on the Samsung Art Store. The pieces include Vincent van Gogh’s "The Starry Night," Henri Rousseau’s "The Dream," Georgia O'Keeffe's "Evening Star III," and Frida Kahlo’s "Fulang Chang and I."
"MoMA is a place that fuels creativity, ignites minds and provides inspiration. Through our relationship with Samsung, we are broadening access to MoMA's collection in a truly innovative way to millions of people," Robin Sayetta, the Head of Business Development at The Museum of Modern Art, said in a press release. "We were purposeful in building this new digital collection and hope to enrich the lives of art enthusiasts with culture and history at an extraordinary scale."
SEE ALSO: Samsung's Frame TV is at its lowest-ever price for October Prime Day"At Samsung, we strive to redefine the home entertainment experience through continual innovation. Our collaboration with MoMA allows us to bring culturally significant works into millions of homes, allowing people to engage with renowned art in a truly remarkable way," Sang Kim, EVP and General Manager of the North America Service Business at Samsung Electronics, said in the press release. "This endeavor exemplifies Samsung’s mission to use technology to deliver exceptional experiences into the everyday lives of consumers."
The Frame TV is available in multiple sizes, and is currently on sale in 43", 55", 65", and 75" from the MoMA design store.
First came the nanny cams and home assistants, then came the security doorbells, now it's the age of the hacked vacuums.
First reported by ABC News Australia, owners of robot vacuums across multiple U.S. states experienced invasive hacking of their devices by individuals who took physical control of the cleaning bots and used their internal audio features to shout racial slurs at people in their homes. Owners first heard garbled voices coming from their devices, then noticed the vacuum's live feed camera and remote controls were turned on via the device's app.
SEE ALSO: Fidelity data breach compromises more than 77,000 customersAll of the affected devices were manufactured by brand Ecovac, specifically the company's Deebot X2 model. The hack was confirmed to one customer after they filed a complaint through customer support.
Smart devices have long worried security experts and users for their potential vulnerabilities. In August, cyber security researchers uncovered multiple vulnerabilities in Ecovacs products (including lawn mowers) that could allow hackers to take control of microphones and cameras via mobile Bluetooth connections — to put it simply, researchers concluded the company's security was "really, really, really, really bad."
Design elements intended to protect users, like an audio alert that lets individuals know the vacuum's camera is on, could be easily switched off.
In a statement to TechCrunch at the time of it's release, Ecovacs said it wouldn't fix the uncovered flaws, saying that users could "rest assured that they do not need to worry excessively about this." The company has a history of security breaches, including hacked device cameras that allowed cyberattackers to spy on owners, and has stirred concern over how it handles user data stored on cloud servers.
Needless to say: It might be a good time to refresh your passwords, vacuums included.
Large Language Models (LLMs) may not be as smart as they seem, according to a study from Apple researchers.
LLMs from OpenAI, Google, Meta, and others have been touted for their impressive reasoning skills. But research suggests their purported intelligence may be closer to "sophisticated pattern matching" than "true logical reasoning." Yep, even OpenAI's o1 advanced reasoning model.
The most common benchmark for reasoning skills is a test called GSM8K, but since it's so popular, there's a risk of data contamination. That means LLMs might know the answers to the test because they were trained on those answers, not because of their inherent intelligence.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI funding round values company at $157 billionTo test this, the study developed a new benchmark called GSM-Symbolic which keeps the essence of the reasoning problems, but changes the variables, like names, numbers, complexity, and adding irrelevant information. What they discovered was surprising "fragility" in LLM performance. The study tested over 20 models including OpenAI's o1 and GPT-4o, Google's Gemma 2, and Meta's Llama 3. With every single model, the model's performance decreased when the variables were changed.
Accuracy decreased by a few percentage points when names and variables were changed. And as the researchers noted, OpenAI's models performed better than the other open-source models. However the variance was deemed "non-negligible," meaning any real variance shouldn't have occurred. However, things got really interesting when researchers added "seemingly relevant but ultimately inconsequential statements" to the mix.
SEE ALSO: Free Apple Intelligence upgrade likely arriving soon, leak suggestsTo test the hypothesis that LLMs relied more on pattern matching than actual reasoning, the study added superfluous phrases to math problems to see how the models would react. For example, "Oliver picks 44 kiwis on Friday. Then he picks 58 kiwis on Saturday. On Sunday, he picks double the number of kiwis he did on Friday, but five of them were a bit smaller than average. How many kiwis does Oliver have?"
What resulted was a significant drop in performance across the board. OpenAI's o1 Preview fared the best, with a drop of 17.5 percent accuracy. That's still pretty bad, but not as bad as Microsoft's Phi 3 model which performed 65 percent worse.
SEE ALSO: ChatGPT-4, Gemini, MistralAI, and more join forces in this personal AI toolIn the kiwi example, the study said LLMs tended to subtract the five smaller kiwis from the equation without understanding that kiwi size was irrelevant to the problem. This indicates that "models tend to convert statements to operations without truly understanding their meaning" which validates the researchers' hypothesis that LLMs look for patterns in reasoning problems, rather than innately understand the concept.
The study didn't mince words about its findings. Testing models' on the benchmark that includes irrelevant information "exposes a critical flaw in LLMs’ ability to genuinely understand mathematical concepts and discern relevant information for problem-solving." However, it bears mentioning that the authors of this study work for Apple which is obviously a major competitor with Google, Meta, and even OpenAI — although Apple and OpenAI have a partnership, Apple is also working on its own AI models.
That said, the LLMs' apparent lack of formal reasoning skills can't be ignored. Ultimately, it's a good reminder to temper AI hype with healthy skepticism.
Apple's rumored ChatGPT integration features might be closer than we thought, according to new iOS backend code circulating on X (formerly Twitter).
Aaron Perris, a MacRumors contributor, posted on X about iOS 18.2 code snippets referencing "Siri with ChatGPT" and "Visual Intelligence."
Tweet may have been deletedThe ChatGPT integration would reportedly be filling the gap until Siri gets its major "Apple Intelligence" overhaul in 2025. Currently, the feature allows users to use Siri to access ChatGPT's servers to help do normal content generation tasks like shopping lists, recipes, or writing code.
Meanwhile, the "Visual Intelligence" feature is expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 16, leveraging the phone's advanced cameras to let users search for anything they can see. Alongside the new Camera Control feature on the iPhone 16, you'll essentially be able to snap a photo of anything you see and get instant AI-powered search results—think of it like Apple's take on Google Lens.
According to the leaked code shared on X, this feature is expected to arrive with iOS 18.2, which isn't far off, considering iOS 18.1 is set to drop on October 28. While this isn’t an official confirmation, it definitely hints that these upgrades could be just around the corner.
As the end of the year grows nearer, so does Spotify Wrapped 2024. You may have begun to look back on the music you listened to this year and wonder, do I still have time to start listening music other than Brat and "Espresso" before it's time to post my list on my Instagram story? The short answer is maybe.
SEE ALSO: Spotify wants to make you an AI Playlist for every occasionIt used to be understood that Wrapped stopped tracking on Halloween, leaving November and December as unaccounted for months, but Spotify refuted that claim in 2022. In response to a since-deleted tweet from the pop culture updates account, Pop Cave, that claimed Wrapped would stop tracking on Oct. 31, the music giant wrote, "The only thing that we end on Halloween is eating candy corn. Stream (and snack) all through the year and we will see you in Wrapped season."
Tweet may have been deletedBut Spotify has never revealed the exact date Wrapped stops tracking. At a press preview of Wrapped in 2022, Spotify's vice president of product development Babar Zafar further explained, "The Wrapped personalized experience covers streaming for 2022, so beginning in January and ending a few weeks prior to the launch on November 30. We aim to leave the cut-off date as late as possible to really create a truly personalized experience for the millions of listeners around the world."
So stream with caution in this final month and some change of Wrapped's collection period.
Save $100.99: The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer usually retails for $429.99, but as of Oct. 14, you can grab it at Amazon for $329. If you want a carrying case for just 99 cents more, you can grab it from Dyson for $329.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic $329.00 at AmazonI'm not going to sugarcoat it: the Dyson Supersonic is expensive as hell.
In fact, in most cases, as Mashable's shopping reporter covering beauty tech, I recommend buying a dupe instead. But when it goes on sale, especially for $100 off, it's worth giving this hair dryer a second look. And at the $329 Amazon has it at as of Oct. 14, I think the Dyson Supersonic is much more worth your money, especially if you're someone who uses a hair dryer regularly and has been looking to upgrade. (For anyone who appreciates a dedicated storage case, Dyson has this dryer with a case for $329.99 on their website. For folks who dislike Amazon, Best Buy has the dryer, sans case, for $329.99).
So what makes this hair dryer so special? Without getting too technical, the unique design allows for a hair dryer that's lighter than most, quieter than most (with the stipulation that it's not necessarily quiet — it's still a hair dryer), and generally provides a faster dry. (If you want to read more about how its design works, you can check out my full review of the Supersonic). When I used this dryer when my hair was at its longest (more than halfway down my back), it reliably took 15 minutes to dry my entire head.
SEE ALSO: I tested the best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300: The Shark FlexStyle is no longer your only optionAt it's asking price, it is a good $100 to 200 more expensive than most hair dryers — even premium hair dryers — on the market, which is why I have trouble recommending it. While it stands out among other hair dryers, it certainly felt priced like a luxury, and that price discrepancy didn't match up with the performance discrepancy.
However, at $329, the price becomes slightly easier to swallow, especially for someone who regularly uses a blow dryer to dry their hair. If you've been looking to treat yourself or buy the hair lover in your life an especially nice gift, grabbing the Dyson Supersonic for $100 off nets you a pretty good deal.
Amazon's second Prime Day event of the year has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the deals have. On Monday, Oct. 14, there are still plenty of great discounts sticking around post-Prime Big Deal Days on top brands like Bose, Dyson, Roomba, and more. If you missed out on the shopping event and are interested in a great deal, you've come to the right place.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 14. If none of these particularly catch your eye, check back throughout the week as we'll be selecting new deals each day.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra $329.00 at AmazonWe've tested a lot of headphones at Mashable — like, a lot — and through that testing found the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones to be the most comfortable. They're much more than that, though. They also look sleek, deliver excellent battery life and rich sound, and offer "perfectly good ANC," according to our reviewer Sam Mangino. Pretty pricey normally at $429, this 23% discount (still live from Prime Day) drops the cost to just $329. Just note that only the lunar blue shade is included in the price drop.
Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock $999.00 at AmazonAs Mashable's resident robot vacuum expert Leah Stodart put it: "If you're going to spend more than $500 on a Roomba, make it this one." Just released in July, the Roomba Combo 10 Max finally gave the people what they wanted — a Roomba that not only mops, but washes and dries its own mopping pads. If you're looking for the ultimate hands-off cleaning experience, this model will finally give you exactly that. It has stronger suction power and more intense scrubbing than any model (other than the identical Combo j9+), more brainpower, and a four-stage suction system. Save $400 on this 2-in-1 hybrid robot vacuum while it's still sitting at its Prime Day price (which also happens to be its first ever discount).
Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo MagCam $69.99 at AmazonWe haven't tested the TP-Link Tapo MagCam ourselves, but our friends at PCMag (owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have done the honor and gave it a sparkling review. "It's an excellent value for a battery-powered camera that offers color night vision, built-in spotlights, local and cloud storage options, free intelligent alerts, voice control, and many other features," the reviewer writes, all of which earned the camera 4.5 stars and an Editors' Choice award. It's usually $119.99, but you can snag it on sale for just $69.99 with an on-page coupon at Amazon. That's 42% in savings, which is close to its record-low price from Prime Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic hair dryer $329.99 at AmazonIf you passed on grabbing the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer on Prime Day and are regretting it, you'll be thrilled to know its $100 price drop is still live on Oct. 14. The bladeless dryer uses Air Multiplier technology to dry your hair quickly (and quietly), and a temperature scanner to keep air below 212 degrees Fahrenheit and protect your hair from damage. Plus, it just looks and feels really fancy. At $329.99, it's still a bit expensive, but it's much more appealing than its usual cost.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
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