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Rooftop solar is one of the best things to happen to my home, but I still encounter trepidation when I speak about solar with others. There is a repetitiveness to the concerns, so let's just address them head-on.

Most ESP32 microcontrollers are blessed with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which means they can be used in a vast number of wireless projects. These could be some of the most useful DIY projects that you ever build.

Gardening is all about timing, spacing, and staying organized—and Excel handles all three better than you might expect. This summer, I'm using it to map beds, track planting schedules, monitor conditions, and record harvests. Here's how.

If you're constantly dealing with the frustration of weak Wi-Fi and spotty coverage at home, it's only a matter of time before you start eyeing those advanced and pricey mesh systems. To be fair, they absolutely have a place in large homes where a single router struggles to reach every corner.

I don't think Microsoft is doing anything evil here. Windows isn't uploading my personal files, and this isn't some sketchy background process pretending to be useful. It's a real Windows feature called Delivery Optimization, and the idea is simple enough: your PC can help distribute Windows updates and Microsoft Store app updates to other PCs so everyone gets them faster.

Subscription services are pretty convenient, but they're usually not free. Even when they don't cost money, you almost always pay with your privacy.

Are you switching over from Windows to Linux? Do you try to avoid the Linux terminal? Linux doesn't have to be scary, and these days there are plenty of easy options for you. I have two beginner-friendly distros that won't try to make you use the terminal.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a dog lover.

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.

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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.

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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 May 15, 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 maneuver

• Green: Basketballers

• Blue: Same letters

• Purple: Canine breeds

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Navigate through, as a river

• Green: Multi-time NBA MVPs

• Blue: Non-palindromic words in a famous palindrome

• Purple: Homophones of kinds of dogs, familiarly

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 #1069 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Navigate through, as a river: CROSS, FORD, TRAVERSE, WADE

• Multi-time NBA MVPs: BIRD, CURRY, JAMES, JORDAN

• Non-palindromic words in a famous palindrome: ABLE, ELBA, SAW, WAS

• Homophones of kinds of dogs, familiarly: CIAO, PALM, PEEK, PITT

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 May 15, 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're an animal lover.

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 May 15, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Weaselly wascals

The words are related to animals.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an animal family.

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 Mustelids.

NYT Strands word list for May 15

• Polecat

• Marten

• Otter

• Mustelids

• Wolverine

• Badger

• Ferret

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're religious.

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 May 15, 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 May 15, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A belief.

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Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E 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. 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...

CREED

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.

Closing arguments are complete in Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman et al. But even as the nine-person jury began deliberations in a federal courthouse in Oakland, Calif., there was nothing normal about this case.

Thanks to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who will decide the future of OpenAI, the tech world's trial of the century may yet have a few surprises up its sleeve.

In case you missed it, this trial was convened to determine the outcome of Musk's 2023 lawsuit, which claimed that his fellow OpenAI cofounders defrauded him. Even before it began, this case had all the hallmarks of a catfight between Silicon Valley frenemies.

The scratching turned out to be fierce. Elon Musk's testy testimony included him being forced to admit his co-parenting relationship with OpenAI executive Shivon Zilis, his eyes and ears at the company. Meanwhile, Sam Altman implied Musk cared more about memes than the company he co-founded.

Will Musk be sanctioned for skipping town?

Just when it seemed the drama couldn't get messier, Musk skipped town when he'd told the judge he'd stick around in case he was needed.

We don't know yet whether Judge Rogers, who runs a tight ship and has brooked no nonsense in this trial, will warn or sanction Musk for a rule violation. Neither the court nor Musk's team has yet officially confirmed that no paperwork was filed prior to Musk's departure to join the U.S. delegation in China.

OpenAI's lawyers made hay out of Musk's absence. "Mr. Musk isn't here today," said the company's lead counsel, William Savitt, during closing arguments. "My clients are here. They're here because they care about this."

It was left to Musk's attorney, Steven Molo, to apologize for his client's absence, and to assure the jury that "this is something he's passionate about."

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Elon Musk's OpenAI testimony

Molo went on to trash Altman and OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman by comparing them to people standing by a rickety bridge, ensuring hikers of its safety. The bridge, in case you don't get the metaphor, is "built on Sam Altman's version of the truth."

But the jury may well see Musk, in this metaphor, as a cynical businessman who didn't even show up at the bridge — or worse, wanted to move the bridge to Tesla and make a profit on it himself, back in 2017.

Musk "never cared about the nonprofit structure" of OpenAI, a company attorney said. “What he cared about was winning."

While Molo repeatedly characterized OpenAI's actions as "stealing a charity," OpenAI's lawyers repeated an equally memorable phrase about Musk: "sour grapes."

How the judge and jury will decide what happens next

Luckily for Musk, the jury's decision in this case is only advisory. Unluckily for Musk, it's the judge who holds all the power at the moment. Not only is she free to disagree with the jury, but she also has the crucial task of deciding what, if anything, Musk is owed by OpenAI.

Rogers will convene additional hearings to discuss remedies that might apply if she and the jury agree that OpenAI breached the terms of its charitable trust. They will also need to agree that Musk filed suit within the three-year statute of limitations.

The TL;DR on that bit: if Musk believed OpenAI's terms had been breached before August 2021, he has no standing.

SEE ALSO: The Musk-Altman trial is already spilling the tea. Here's how.

Musk is asking for a remedy of $150 billion. Rogers isn't bound to give him anything close to that. And of course, no matter what happens, both sides may appeal her verdict to a higher court.

A Musk tweet that might haunt him

Amid the Musk-Altman drama, not to mention Brockman's drama-filled diary, in which he said it would be nice to be making billions, it's important to remember that Musk is also suing Microsoft.

The company's $10 billion investment in OpenAI was a catalyst for Musk's lawsuit; Musk's lawyer says that's when OpenAI's standing as a charitable organization was doomed. It was "a horse of a different color" compared to previous Microsoft investments, Molo said.

Microsoft's closing argument essentially boiled down to: you guys, leave us out of it. The company says none of its due diligence at OpenAI turned up any restrictions against its investment.

Ironically, however, it is Microsoft's presence that might doom Musk. OpenAI's lawyers pointed to a Musk tweet from 2020 that read "OpenAI is essentially captured by Microsoft."

The idea of a nonprofit being "captured" by a for-profit company seems like the very essence of a breach of charitable trust. So why did Musk wait another three years to take legal action? Thanks to the statute of limitations, that may end up being the $150 billion question.

Today's a big day on Paramount+, the premiere of Taylor Sheridan's wildly anticipated new Yellowstone sequel series, Dutton Ranch, has arrived on the streaming service, and I've got the details for you below.

Not everyone has the latest and greatest 3D printer with all the bells and whistles. Especially if you're focusing on bare-bones workhorse machines where raw capability mattered more to your budget than luxury.

Across films like Set It Off, Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, Independence Day, and Kill Bill, critically heralded actress Vivica A. Fox has played a bank robber, an outspoken widow, a single mom, and a former assassin. Now, in Is God Is she plays God. Well, sort of.

Playwright Aleshea Harris translates her celebrated play Is God Is into a compelling road movie centered on Black twin sisters Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson), who are on a life-changing quest for revenge. Minutes after being reunited with Ruby (Fox), the mother the girls had thought was long dead, she charges them with a mission: Make your daddy dead.

To the twins, Ruby is "God," because she created them. And who are they to deny God her bloodlust?

SEE ALSO: 'Is God Is' review: The first epic summer movie has arrived

Celebrating the film's release, Fox sat down with Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko to talk about her storied filmography, what it's like to play God, and her high opinion of Harris, who she counts as one of her favorite directors to work with, alongside Quentin Tarantino.

Plus, she shares what it is that drives her, and the advice she'd give to those inspired by her.

Is God Is is now playing in theaters.

Bambu Lab is the biggest name in 3D printing right now. Not content with making the hobby accessible to a more casual audience, the company frequently flirts with controversy and finds itself in the news for all the wrong reasons.

SAVE OVER $20: As of May 15, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden is on sale for $77.19 at Amazon. This is $22.80 off its full price of $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Fountain Garden (10359) $77.19 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $22.80   Get Deal

Lego has dropped some excellent new sets for May, but if you're looking to save cash on a build right now, Amazon has quite a few options on sale. The Lego Icons Fountain Garden is one of them, down to under $80 for a limited time.

As of May 15, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden is discounted to $77.19 at Amazon. This saves you $22.80 off its full price of $99.99, and isn't too far away from its lowest-ever price of $69.95.

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This brick-built garden display would make a delightful addition to your shelves. Coming with 1,302 pieces, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden includes a tiered fountain, lavabo, two cypress trees, flowering grape vines, four pergolas, and tiled pathways. It also comes with figures of a luna moth, bird, and frog that can be placed throughout the garden.

That's not all, though. There are even slots in the base of the garden that allow you to create different displays. That way, you can find the perfect way to show it all off once you're done.

This offer may not stick around for long. Don't miss out on the chance to save on the Lego Icons Fountain Garden set at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe returns to television in Dutton Ranch, a new spin-off series starring Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. The first two episodes are now streaming on Paramount+. If you don't have Paramount+, there is another way to watch.

May is off to an excellent start on Netflix, with some great new shows making headlines, climbing the streaming charts and Rotten Tomatoes rankings, including the cringy roast of Kevin Hart, the unsettling drama Lord of the Flies, and, to throw in a movie pick, Sally Field's heartwarming Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Stephen Colbert's Late Show is coming to an end next week, and David Letterman wasted no time helping him clear the place out.

In the clip above the two Late Show hosts stand on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater with some stolen talk show chairs, Colbert's Eames desk chair, and a few bonus melons, launching them over the edge at a giant CBS logo far below.

Needless to say it's extremely entertaining viewing, as is Letterman's final message to CBS: "Good night and good luck, motherf***ers."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Google Gemini can do a lot of cool stuff for free. Things like “Personal Intelligence” and ordering food from GrubHub. However, if you don’t pay for an AI subscription, you’re missing out on one of Gemini’s most useful features.