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Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 12, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 12, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 12 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this green space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this red space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 12 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this green space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 12 Pips

Equal (5): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 12-4, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you have a lot of athletic wear.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Plays in Vice City

• Green: Athletic wear

• Blue: Accomplished NBA family

• Purple: Last name Green

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Miami Teams

• Green: Logos of Athletic Brands

• Blue: Curry Family Members

• Purple: ___Green

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 #507 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Miami Teams - DOLPHINS, HEAT, HURRICANES, MARLINS

• Logos of Athletic Brands - JUMPMAN, PUMA, SWOOSH, THREE STRIPES

• Curry Family Members - AYESHA, DELL, SETH, STEPH

• ___Green - A.C., DRAYMOND, MEAN, PUTTING

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

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

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

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

Insecure leaders are common in organizations, with insecurity typically driven by anxiety or avoidance. Their behaviors can distort communication, undermine collaboration, and burden teams. Use the 3R framework—regulate, relate, reason—to shift the dynamic and lead the relationship forward.  Regulate. Insecurity distorts thinking. Before offering solutions, help the other person feel safe. Anxious leaders need calm, steady communication; don’t dismiss […]

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TL;DR: Live stream India vs. Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage continues with India vs. Namibia. The defending champions will be focused on their upcoming match against Pakistan, but they'll need to do the business here. Namibia won't be expected to get anything from this game, but there's always a chance. It's a tiny chance, but never say never.

If you want to watch India vs. Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. Namibia?

India vs. Namibia in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.

How to watch India vs. Namibia for free

India vs. Namibia in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

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1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Oman in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup action continues this week with a string of interesting matchups, including Sri Lanka vs. Oman. The co-hosts will be looking to build on their opening-round victory over Ireland with a confident win here. Sri Lanka and Australia are favorites to progress from Group B, but you can't ignore Zimbabwe.

If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. Oman in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sri Lanka vs. Oman?

Sri Lanka vs. Oman in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 12:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. Oman for free

Sri Lanka vs. Oman in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Oman in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

The sound a chicken makes.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CLUCK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Fortunate.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LUCKY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Sharp edge.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BLADE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A primary color.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GREEN

Final Hurdle hint

To stroll.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

AMBLE

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

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 winter sports skeleton for free on streaming platforms like 9Now, CBC Gem, and BBC iPlayer. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

We've been truly blessed by all the winter sports on offer right now. We've been making time to watch the ice hockey, snowboarding, freestyle skiing, and everything else on the schedule, but there's more to come.

Looking for something exhilarating? We can't think of any other sports that really come close to skeleton. Athletes throw themselves down narrow ice tracks at high speeds. Luge is feet first. Skeleton is hardcore in comparison, with athletes assuming a head-first position. We know it sounds wild, but they really do seem to have no sense of self preservation.

If you want to watch the 2026 winter sports skeleton for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2026 winter sports skeleton?

The international skeleton schedule takes place from Feb. 12-15.

How to watch 2026 winter sports skeleton for free

The 2026 winter sports skeleton is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ARD

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports skeleton from anywhere in the world.

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2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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4. Watch the 2026 winter sports skeleton for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the skeleton before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for live 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 winter sports skeleton for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Access to Pornhub is in turmoil. Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website. The same situation then took place in France, and although Pornhub is complying with the UK's age verification law, users are now required to provide personal information to access the site.

The situation is constantly changing, but you can stay one step ahead with a quick and easy hack. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access adult sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

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What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

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Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a baseball fan.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 12, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To build

• Green: Secure

• Blue: Baseballers

• Purple: Royalty

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Construct

• Green: Fixed in place

• Blue: MLB player, for short

• Purple: ___ Queen

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 #977 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Construct: FORM, MAKE, MOLD, PRODUCE

• Fixed in place: FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, TIGHT

• MLB player, for short: A, CARD, JAY, YANK

• ___ Queen: DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, MAY

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 12, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you work well under pressure.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 12, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 12, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Sink or swim

The words are related to intensity.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe tricky situations.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is High Stakes.

NYT Strands word list for February 12

• Imperative

• Risky

• Pivotal

• High Stakes

• Decisive

• Critical

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you support growth.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 12, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 12, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A spike.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SURGE

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.

TL;DR: Upgrade your AI workflow with a lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan, on sale for just $74.97 with code SAVE5 through Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $74.97
$619 Save $544.03   Get Deal

If you’re working with AI every day, you know some models have their limitations. You also know how frustrating it can be to hop between different models to get the best results for your prompt. That’s where ChatPlayground AI comes in, offering a convenient one-stop shop to see results from more than 25 different AI models.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan is yours for only $74.97 with code SAVE5, but you’ve got to act fast. This deal only runs through Feb. 22.

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ChatPlayground AI is ready to streamline your AI workflow, giving you one spot to enter prompts and see the results from more than 25 models. See answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Llama, Deepseek, Perplexity, and more models side-by-side so you can easily determine the best results.

Whether you’re using AI to generate images, code, or just field questions, ChatPlayground AI is a Chrome extension you can access easily. It doesn’t just give you multiple answers; it also helps you work more efficiently with AI through features like prompt engineering, image and PDF chat, and the ability to save past conversations for future reference.

This tool lets you bypass individual monthly subscription fees by bringing all the models together in one place at a one-time, low price. You’ll get unlimited monthly messaging, priority access to new features and future models, and priority customer support when you need it.

Get a lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for just $74.97 with code SAVE5 now through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The CareerSprinter Pro Plan lifetime subscription is available for $49.99 (reg. $499), providing job seekers access to AI tools for résumés, cover letters, interviews, and salary research.

Opens in a new window Credit: CareerSprinter CareerSprinter Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$499 Save $449.01   Get Deal

Job searching often means revamping your résumé, cover letter, and other interview prep across multiple job boards. All the steps that take up a lot of brain power and time. However, CareerSprinter Pro is designed to bring those steps into one platform, helping users organize and refine their approach without having to use multiple different tools. For a limited time, the lifetime subscription is priced at $49.99 (reg. $499).

CareerSprinter Pro focuses on the foundations of the application and interviewing process. The software offers unlimited applicant tracking system (ATS) checks and résumé enhancements, using AI to spotlight strengths and fine-tune formatting so documents mesh well with today’s screening algorithms. Cover letter generation is built in as well, so users can spin up tailored drafts in less time.

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Aside from application materials, this software leans into preparation and research. Salary research tools provide data-backed ranges to help users understand market expectations before negotiations. Mock interview sessions simulate common interview scenarios and deliver feedback that users can review and polish up over time. CareerSprinter also includes industry and company research features, providing context on trends, growth areas, and workplace culture before you submit your application.

The Pro Plan removes all limits. Subscribers enjoy unlimited résumé enhancements, salary research, mock interviews, and priority support. This appeals to active job seekers, career switchers, recent graduates, or professionals returning to the workforce who expect to run several applications at once.

CareerSprinter is a guided platform and not a replacement for human judgment, so the results depend on how users put its feedback to work. It’s also best suited for those comfortable with AI tools and digital recommendations.

Get CareerSprinter Pro’s lifetime plan today while it’s on sale for $49.99 (reg. $499).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In these times of necessity, that old laptop gathering dust in your drawer isn't just junk—it's a goldmine. Those old hard drives might have a lot of life left in them.

Entrepreneur Matt Shumer's essay, "Something Big Is Happening," is going mega-viral on X, where it's been viewed 42 million times and counting.

The piece warns that rapid advancements in the AI industry over the past few weeks threaten to change the world as we know it. Shumer specifically likens the present moment to the weeks and months preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, and says most people won't hear the warning "until it's too late."

We've heard warnings like this before from AI doomers, but Shumer wants us to believe that this time the ground really is shifting beneath our feet.

"But it's time now," he writes. "Not in an 'eventually we should talk about this' way. In a 'this is happening right now and I need you to understand it' way."

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Unfortunately for Shumer, we've heard warnings like this before. We've heard it over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over. In the long run, some of these predictions will surely come true — a lot of people who are a lot smarter than me certainly believe they will — but I'm not changing my weekend plans to build a bunker.

The AI industry now has a massive Chicken Little problem, which is making it hard to take dire warnings like this too seriously. Because, as I've written before, when an AI entrepreneur tells you that AI is a world-changing technology on the order of COVID-19 or the agricultural revolution, you have to take this message for what it really is — a sales pitch.

Don't make me tap my sign.

Why people are so worried about AI right now

Shumer's essay claims that the latest generative AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic are already capable of doing much of his job.

"Here's the thing nobody outside of tech quite understands yet: the reason so many people in the industry are sounding the alarm right now is because this already happened to us. We're not making predictions. We're telling you what already occurred in our own jobs, and warning you that you're next."

The post clearly struck a nerve on X. Across the political spectrum, high-profile accounts with millions of followers are sharing the post as an urgent warning.

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To understand Shumer's post, you need to understand big concepts like AGI and the Singularity. AGI, or artificial general intelligence, is a hypothetical AI program that "possesses human-like intelligence and can perform any intellectual task that a human can." The Singularity refers to a threshold at which technology becomes self-improving, allowing it to progress exponentially.

Shumer is correct that there are good reasons to think that progress has been made toward both AGI and the Singularity.

OpenAI's latest coding model, GPT-5.3-Codex, helped create itself. Anthropic has made similar claims about recent product launches. And there's no denying that generative AI is now so good at writing code that it's decimated the job market for entry-level coders.

It is absolutely true that generative AI is progressing rapidly and that it will surely have big impacts on everyday life, the labor market, and the future.

Even so, it's hard to believe a weather report from Chicken Little. And it's harder still to believe everything a car salesman tells you about the amazing new convertible that just rolled onto the sales lot.

Indeed, as Shumer's post went viral, AI skeptics joined the fray.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. It's not time to panic yet

There are a lot of reasons to be skeptical of Shumer's claims. In the essay, he provides two specific examples of generative AI's capabilities — its ability to conduct legal reasoning on par with top lawyers, and its ability to create, test, and debug apps.

Let's look at the app argument first:

I'll tell the AI: "I want to build this app. Here's what it should do, here's roughly what it should look like. Figure out the user flow, the design, all of it." And it does. It writes tens of thousands of lines of code. Then, and this is the part that would have been unthinkable a year ago, it opens the app itself. It clicks through the buttons. It tests the features. It uses the app the way a person would. If it doesn't like how something looks or feels, it goes back and changes it, on its own. It iterates, like a developer would, fixing and refining until it's satisfied. Only once it has decided the app meets its own standards does it come back to me and say: "It's ready for you to test." And when I test it, it's usually perfect.

I'm not exaggerating. That is what my Monday looked like this week.

Is this impressive? Absolutely!

At the same time, it's a running joke in the tech world that you can already find an app for everything. ("There's an app for that.") That means coding models can model their work off tens of thousands of existing applications. Is the world really going to be irrevocably changed because we now have the ability to create new apps more quickly?

Let's look at the legal claim, where Shumer says that AI is "like having a team of [lawyers] available instantly." There's just one problem: Lawyers all over the country are getting censured for actually using AI. A lawyer tracking AI hallucinations in the legal profession found 912 documented cases so far.

It's hard to swallow warnings about AGI when even the most advanced LLMs are still completely incapable of fact-checking. According to OpenAI's own documentation, its latest model, GPT-5.2, has a hallucination rate of 10.9 percent. Even when given access to the internet to check its work, it still hallucinates 5.8 percent of the time. Would you trust a person that only hallucinates six percent of the time?

Yes, it's possible that a rapid leap forward is imminent. But it's also possible that the AI industry will rapidly reach a point of diminishing returns. And there are good reasons to believe the latter is likely. This week, OpenAI introduced ads into ChatGPT, a tactic it previously called a "last resort." OpenAI is also rolling out a new "ChatGPT adult" mode to let people engage in erotic roleplay with Chat. That's hardly the behavior of a company that's about to unleash AI super-intelligence onto an unsuspecting world.

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This article reflects the opinion of the author.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

If you haven't already figured it out, I'm talking about the one and only Winamp. For all of the 2000s and a good chunk of the 2010s, Winamp was one of the first apps that I installed on a fresh Windows installation or new computer. This one app was literally the soundtrack to my life for all those years. Whether I was studying or just chilling with my friends.

TL;DR: We found the best deals on Valentine's Day candy at Amazon and Target, including budget-friendly classroom exchange packs and premium gifts from Lindt and Ferrero Rocher.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon's Valentine's Day Shop   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target's Valentine's Day Shop   Get Deal

Valentine's Day is this Saturday, but you haven't missed the window for the good stuff just yet. If you're still hunting for sweets, the strategy is simple: go to Target for the kids and Amazon for the adults.

Target has completely cornered the market on "classroom exchange" packs. You can grab 25-count boxes of Haribo Goldbears, Fun Dip, and Nerds Gummy Clusters that come pre-labeled with "To/From" tags. With prices ranging from $3.99 to $5.99, it's the most cost-effective way to host a school party. Plus, you can order online and grab your haul via Order Pickup in as little as two hours.

If you're looking for something a little more "grown up," Amazon has a ton of premium options with overnight shipping. I found markdowns on Ferrero Rocher gift boxes and Lindt Lindor truffles, plus harder-to-find treats like Whitman's S'mores chocolates and Leonessa Dubai Chocolate Cones.

The best Breville deals from the Amazon Presidents' Day sale at a glance: Best Splurge Breville Deal Breville Barista Touch $799.95 (save $200) Get Deal Best Midpriced Breville Deal Breville Barista Express Impress $399.95 (save $100) Get Deal Best Budget Breville Deal Breville Bambino Plus $399.95 (save $100) Get Deal

There's nothing quite like a morning cup of coffee. It's even better when you make it yourself. If you've been considering picking up a machine to do just that, you may want to turn your attention to the Amazon Presidents' Day sale, where several Breville machines have been discounted for your coffee-brewing pleasure.

From luxurious espresso machines with built-in steamers to more budget-priced models that can still whip up something delicious each morning, these deals are well worth perusing while you're enjoying your time away from work, heading out on a trip, or even going to the office this Monday (bummer).

Check out out favorite picks from the sale below:

Best splurge Breville espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Breville Barista Touch $799.95 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

For at-home espresso that's just like it is at the coffee shop, this machine is your best bet.

You get a delightful cup with a single touch and extremely limited input as the machine does all the work for you. Using the four keys formula, it uses a conical burr grinder with dose control to deliver the optimal amount of coffee to get you the most flavor possible. It also controls its own water pressure, temperature, and infusion time without needing you to tweak any settings for a truly autonomous brew. If you prefer coffee drinks with milk, it has automatic microfoam milk texturing as well, which lets you adjust the tempeature of the milk and texture if you prefer, but it can handle all that on its own as well.

From straight espresso to latte art, this machine can get you what you want in just minutes, so you don't have to leave home to get the taste you're craving.

Best mid-range Breville espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Breville Barista Express Impress $649.95 at Amazon
$799.95 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a reliable way to whip up a great espresso every day, this machine is a fantastic investment. It uses a dosing system that calculates and adjusts the amount of coffee it needs to deploy every shot. Combined with assisted tamping for consistent pressure for each cup as well as 25 grind settings to customize your brew, it's a powerhouse that will get you exactly what you're looking for a personalized brew.

It also includes a steam wand that's attached to the machine to steam milk for other types of coffee drinks. And you'll get all of this at the perfect temperature thanks to the Thermocoil heating system, which can keep the temperature, flow rate, and contact time consistent enough for barista-quality coffee right from your kitchen every morning.

Best budget Breville espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Breville Bambino Plus $399.95 at Amazon
$499.95 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

If you want at-home espresso without breaking the bank, this smaller Breville machine will be your go-to pick. It still offers many of the same features you'll get with a larger machine, but you don't have the huge footprint in the kitchen. It's fast, compact, and simple to use, though it doesn't offer an included wand for milk-infused drinks nor the capacity of its larger brethren.

More Breville Amazon President's Day deals

• Breville Juice Fountain Compact — $79.95 $149.95 (save $70)

• Breville Juice Fountain Plus — $119.95 $149.95 (save $30)

The internet mourned Dawnson's Creek star James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday (Feb. 11).

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," the actor's wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote on Instagram. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."

Van Der Beek announced in late 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48 when he died.

View this post on Instagram

The internet reacted to the untimely passing of the beloved actor, who epitomized late '90s teen angst in his role on the WB drama. Van Der Beek also starred in the football film Varsity Blues, the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' The Rules of Attraction, and the cult sitcom favorite Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23.

both quarterbacks from the 1999 west canaan coyotes gone too soon. damn.

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— nick pants (@nickpants.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:01 PM

In the last few years we lost Luke Perry, Shannen Doherty, Michelle Trachtenberg, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, now James Van Der Beek. I’m sure I forgot someone but it hurts seeing so many names I grew up with leave us at such a young age.

— Wikipedia Brown (@theycallhimbfg.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM

Yes, Dawson was iconic, but James Van Der Beek was so so so so funny on Don't Trust the B

— Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:50 PM

The first film James Van Der Beek ever appeared in was the criminally underrated ANGUS (1995). Time for a rewatch.

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— Matinee Mode (@matineemode.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM

RIP James Van Der Beek, whose greatest role was, of course, himself. Not for him the cheeky cameo: on Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23" the man turned self-ridicule into a full-time occupation, and did so magnificently.

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— Eddie Robson (@eddierobson.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:14 PM

The fact that James Van Der Beek had to auction off memorabilia from his movies just broke me. It shouldn't be like this, not for beloved stars, not for anyone.

— gwen howerton (@kissphoria.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 4:06 PM

James Van Der Beek was one of the last young adult star actors whose prominence came about primarily because...he was a good actor. Being from Toledo-ish Dawson's Creek was a Very Big Deal & he carried what was a unique role for the time & probably still is today, flawlessly. A terrible loss.

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog.xyz) February 11, 2026 at 3:20 PM

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and six children.

James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48 following a long battle with colorectal cancer. His wife, Kimberly, confirmed the tragic news in a heartfelt Instagram post. Van Der Beek publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in 2024 and shared health updates over the past year. Van Der Beek was the father of six children.