IT General

Top Tech Deals: Mini-LED TVs, iPad Air, Anker Portable Charger, and More!

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 18:00

Between tax season, the Super Bowl, and Presidents' Day all coming up, we're starting to see a big influx of deals and discounts on our favorite tech gadgets. Score a stunning Mini-LED TV for the big game, portable chargers for your travels, booming headphones, and more at the links below.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft Build 2025 dates are officially confirmed

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:59

Microsoft's next big event is officially on the calendar.

The 2025 edition of Microsoft Build was confirmed by the company this week, or more specifically, the dates when it will happen were confirmed. According to Microsoft's website, the developer-focused conference kicks off on May 19 and ends on May 22. It will take place in Seattle.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI, Microsoft, Trump admin claim DeepSeek trained AI off stolen data Tweet may have been deleted

While Microsoft could and might announce new hardware at its Build keynote, you should really expect a heavy emphasis on artificial intelligence.

At Build 2024, AI integrations for apps like Teams were the primary focus, with hardware decidedly taking a backseat. There's no guarantee Build 2025 will be exactly the same, but given everything we've seen from other tech companies recently, don't be shocked if this is a very AI-centric event.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon deal of the day: The 13-inch M2 iPad Air just hit a new low price

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:59
Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Feb. 5: OUR TOP PICK Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, 128GB, WiFi) $689 (save $110) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL Blink Mini 2 $19.99 (save $20) Get Deal BEST POWER BANK DEAL Anker Zolo Power Bank $12.94 (save $13.05 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Sony ULT Wear headphones $148 (save $51.99) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Sonos Ray $179 (save $100) Get Deal

This week started off on a strong note for shopping, with some of our favorite brands — from Apple to Sonos — getting the deal treatment at Amazon. And as we make it over the mid-week hump, they still haven't slowed down. If you're looking for a reason to treat yourself, consider this your go ahead.

Here are our picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Feb. 5. If these aren't getting the job done, take a look at our picks from Feb 3. and Feb. 4. Many of those discounts are still live, including a 22% price drop on the AirPods 4 and $100 off the Sonos Ace headphones.

Our top pick: Apple M2 iPad Air, 13-inch Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, 128GB, WiFi) $689.00 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $110.00 Get Deal

Our favorite iPad for most people, the M2 iPad Air can serve as a daily driver for streaming and scrolling or double as a laptop, thanks to the M2 chip's insane processing power. In our Geekbench 6 tests, it actually scored on par with the M2 MacBook Air. Aesthetically, not much changed from the previous generation, but internally it's a powerhouse that "delivers impressive performance and noteworthy battery life that will keep creatives, students, and on-the-go busy bees away from the imprisonment of charging cables and wall outlets," according to Mashable's former Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. As of Feb. 5, you can score the base model with 128GB of storage and WiFi connectivity for a new record low price of $689 (down from $799). That price only applies to the space gray model, though; if you prefer a different color, it'll cost you $699.99.

Read our full review of the M2 iPad Air.

Blink Mini 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Mini 2 $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

The second iteration of the Blink Mini, a plug-in smart security camera, offers better performance in low light settings, a wider field of view, a built-in LED spotlight for night view in color, and an overall better image quality compared to its predecessor. Plus, if you snag the Blink weather resistant power adapter (sold separately), it can also be used outdoors. As of Feb. 5, it's on sale for just $19.99 at Amazon — that's 50% in savings and matches its best price ever from Black Friday.

Anker Zolo Power Bank Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo Power Bank (10,000mAh) $12.94 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $13.05 with on-page coupon Get Deal

A portable charger is a must-have for any trip and the Anker Zolo makes for a solid companion. It packs a built-in USB-C cable to juice up newer phones or USB-C and USB-A ports to plug in charging cables for other devices. It also packs 30W two-way fast-charging, so it won't take a billion years to bring your devices back to life. I can personally vouch for this power bank and its ability to keep my phone and my boyfriend's phone alive on 12-hour road trips. It's usually $25.99, but thanks to an on-page coupon, it's on sale for only $12.94 — a total steal.

Sony ULT Wear headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear headphones $148.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

"We try not to make sweeping claims in our reviews at Mashable, but these honestly might be my favorite pair of headphones I’ve tried — especially when you consider the price," writes Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern about the Sony ULT Wear headphones. These babies offer multiple bass levels, solid noise cancellation, impressive 360-degree sound, customizable EQs, and intuitive on-ear controls — all the things you could want in a pair of headphones. Plus, not only are they under $200 at full price, but they're also on sale for 26% off at Amazon as of Feb. 5. That knocks the cost down to only $148.

Read our full review of the Sony ULT Wear headphones.

Sonos Ray Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ray soundbar $179.00 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If your TV's sound system doesn't quite live up to its impressive picture, the Sonos Ray is a great way to bump things up without spending a fortune. It's our favorite starter soundbar and it "delivers on the bottom line requirement of any speaker: true, quality sound," according to Mashable reviewer Han Schneider. It doesn't have a ton of fancy extras (no Bluetooth connection or smart home compatibility), but the price more than makes up for it. As of Feb. 5, you can snag the Sonos Ray for only $179 at Amazon. That's $100 cheaper than usual.

Read our full review of the Sonos Ray.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Secure 2TB of lifetime cloud storage from FileJump for just A$119

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:43

TL;DR: Get 2TB of secure cloud storage for life with FileJump for just A$119 (reg. A$742).

Running out of storage space? We’ve definitely all been there — that dreaded “Your storage is almost full” notification popping up at the worst possible moment.

With FileJump's 2TB of cloud storage, you won't have to worry about space for a while. For just A$119 (down from A$742), you get a massive 2TB of secure, lifetime cloud storage to handle all your files, from photos and videos to work documents and more.

What makes FileJump worth it? It’s secure, easy to use, and packed with features that make file management a simple process. Drag-and-drop uploads? Check. Media previews? Check. AES encryption to keep your files safe? Double check. Plus, with 2TB of storage, you’ve got more than enough room for your digital life — and then some.

https://youtu.be/AwIHO3-fMEg

FileJump is also known for seamless sharing and collaboration. Share files and folders with clients, friends, or family through secure links. Need to collaborate on a project? Create free accounts for your team and keep everyone in the loop. And with a 15GB per file upload limit, you can easily store even your biggest files.

Whether you’re backing up important documents, saving family photos, or sharing work projects, FileJump offers a reliable, affordable cloud storage solution that works across all your devices. And since it’s a lifetime subscription, you’ll never have to worry about monthly fees or surprise renewals.

At just A$119, this is an investment in peace of mind. No more frantic file deletions to free up space, no more paying for overpriced cloud subscriptions — just secure, easy-to-access storage for life.

Get lifetime access to 2TB of cloud storage from FileJump for less than dinner out while you still can. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription A$119.00
A$742.00 Save A$623.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Try two months of Spotify Premium Individual for $0

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:33

SAVE $23.98: As of Feb. 5, you can score two months of Spotify Premium Individual (ad-free music listening, high-quality audio, and offline access) for $0.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify 2 Free Months of Spotify Premium Individual Get Deal

Whether you’ve been sneaking your ex’s Spotify password or just taking the ads as they come, Spotify’s got a pretty sweet deal for new customers: Two months of Spotify Premium Individual for $0.

As of Feb. 5, you can score two months of ad-free music listening, high-quality audio, and offline access for the low, low price of zilch. Afterward, it's $11.99 a month, but you can cancel anytime.

SEE ALSO: No band? No problem — Supermusic AI lets you create music without one.

With Premium Individual, you get one Premium account, 15 hours of audiobook listening monthly, and the freedom to cancel whenever you want. Download music, play songs in any order, and skip as much as you like without hearing that annoying thump-thump-thump sound.

So, if you've been thinking about upgrading your Spotify experience, now's the time to do it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for February 5 (#605)

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:30

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Multiple Apple Watch, Google Fit, and Fitbit Users Can Compete on Activity, Here's How

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:30

Competing against friends in the Fitness app on your iPhone can be enjoyable, but you can only participate with one other Apple Watch owner per competition. However, with the help of the Competitions app, you can compete against more than one friend, even if they use a different fitness tracker.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 13-inch M2 Apple iPad Air just dipped to its lowest price ever at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:11

SAVE 14%: The 13-inch M2 Apple iPad Air (128GB, Space Grey) is on sale for $689 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $799. That's a savings of $110 and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M2 Apple iPad Air (13-inch, 128GB, Space Gray) $689.00 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $110.00 Get Deal

While your phone is likely by your side all day, there are some tasks it's not especially great at — like watching your favorite show, for example. It's hard to pick up on the fine details on the Great British Bake Off from a small phone screen. Your shows and movies deserve to be streamed on something bigger, brighter, and better than your phone. And how about something that can also double as a mobile work station? If this sounds up your alley, check out today's deal at Amazon.

As of Feb. 5, the 13-inch M2 Apple iPad Air (128GB, Space Gray) is on sale for $689 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $799. That's a 14% discount that takes $110 off the list price. It's also the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon. Beware this tablet might come with delayed shipped, with dates going into the beginning of March for some areas.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Studio Display is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon

When it comes to shopping for the best iPads, Mashable ranks the M2 iPad Air as the best option for most people. "It will be your new go-to device for streaming, reading, or creative projects. And if you plan on using your tablet as a substitute for a laptop, it'll work for that, too," explains Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino.

While the M2 version the iPad Air is no longer the thinnest (that award now goes to the M4 iPad Pro), it still packs in the features for the price. In Mashable's testing, the M2 iPad Air got over 13 hours of battery life.

The 13-display uses Liquid Retina for an impressive screen experience, meaning it'll be great for streaming your shows while cozy on the couch.

But since it's compatible with both the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil, you'll be able to use the iPad Air as a mobile work station instead of carting your laptop around. That means your carry-on bag with likely weigh much less and have much more space for important stuff like an extra sweater.

Since it's down to its lowest price ever of $689, consider snagging the M2 Apple iPad Air as gift to yourself for making it through January. Since there's no telling when the price will head back to the normal $799, it's best to jump on this one as soon as possible.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Need to Hide Cell Values in Excel? Use This Little-Known Tweak

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:00

Did you know that you can hide data in individual cells or ranges of cells in Excel without changing your spreadsheet's content or structure? It's surprising that Microsoft Excel doesn't have a pre-made tool for hiding data in visible cells, as this functionality has many uses.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflixs Toxic Town trailer traces one of the UKs biggest poisoning scandals

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 17:00

The child poisonings of Corby, Northamptonshire, described by the Guardian as "the worst child-poisoning case since thalidomide," lie at the heart of Toxic Town, a new four-part Netflix drama with a first look trailer out today.

Starring Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker, Sex Education's Aimee Lou Wood, The Diplomat's Rory Kinnear, Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie, and Trainspotting screen legend Robert Carlyle, Toxic Town traces the discovery and long legal battle led by the families, primarily mothers, of children born with deformities caused by toxic dust from Corby's former steelworks. In 2010, Corby Borough Council was found negligent for its botched removal of waste from the British Steel factory, closed in 1979.

Written by Jack Thorne (Enola Holmes, His Dark Materials, Stranger Things: The First Shadow), the limited series is a co-production between Netflix and Broke & Bones — owned by Black Mirror creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones.

Toxic Town is streaming on Netflix from Feb. 27.

Categories: IT General, Technology

9 Hidden Netflix Features You Probably Didn’t Know About

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 16:30

Netflix is the video streaming service that first brought the concept into the mainstream. Despite the growing number of competitors, many of us still have a Netflix subscription. If you do, there are some hidden features in Netflix that you may be unaware of.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't Be Intimidated By Linux's Notorious GRUB Bootloader

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 16:00

You may have heard about how difficult the GRUB Linux bootloader is to install and configure. If that's holding you back from installing Linux, you should know it's nothing to be scared of, if you have to deal with it at all.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jurassic World Rebirth trailer seeks the dinosaurs too dangerous for the original park

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 15:44

It's been three years since we've had a Jurassic movie, when the Jurassic World trilogy concluded with the reunion of the original cast and the long-awaited (I said LONG-AWAITED) arrival of Dimetrodon in the franchise.

Set five years after Jurassic World Dominion, Jurassic World Rebirth sees an extraction team (Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, and Rupert Friend) sent to the original research facility for Jurassic Park to get that all-important dino DNA.

Directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One) and written by Jurassic Park's original screenwriter David Koepp, Jurassic World Rebirth looks to the dinosaurs who "were too dangerous for the original park." Hell yeah.

Jurassic World Rebirth hits cinemas July 2.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save over $50 on Sony ULT WEAR headphones at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 14:17

SAVE OVER $50: As of Feb. 5, Sony's ULT WEAR headphones are on sale for $148 at Amazon. This is 26% off their list price of $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT WEAR Over-Ear Headphones $148.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

There have been quite a few deals on headphones and earbuds floating around recently, and Sony is joining in on the fun with an excellent discount on its Sony ULT WEAR headphones. If you've been looking to upgrade your headphones, this is a deal well worth taking advantage of. We even included these in our roundup of the best noise-canceling headphones, so you know they're worth every cent.

The Sony ULT WEAR headphones are on sale for $148 at Amazon. That's 26% off their list price of $199.99, saving you $51.99. Amazon also has them listed as a limited-time deal, so you'll want to act fast to save on these headphones as this discount may not stick around for very long.

SEE ALSO: For gym rats and picky audiophiles alike, these are the 7 best headphones of 2025

We rank these headphones as the best for bass lovers in our roundup of the best noise-canceling headphones. This is because, "The headphones have a dedicated ULT button that lets you bump up the bass on demand. The 40-millimeter driver keeps it sounding clear and not crispy, making these headphones a worthy competitor to the WH-1000XM5s." Our review had a lot of praise for them as well, with Miller Kern saying they, "prioritize bass and provide punchy sound without sacrificing quality at a relatively affordable price."

This limited-time deal won't last long, so grab the Sony ULT WEAR headphones for $148 at Amazon while the deal is still live.

There are plenty more headphone and earbud deals worth checking out right now as well. You can also save on the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC right now at Amazon, and if you'd like to see another over-ear headphone deal, the Beats Solo 4 are discounted at Amazon as well.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score over $1,000 off this 98-inch Samsung Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart TV

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 14:12

SAVE $1,500: As of Feb. 5, the Samsung 98-inch Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart TV is on sale for $3,499.99 at Best Buy. This is $1,500 off its list price of $4,999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 98-Inch Class Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $3,499.99 at Best Buy
$4,999.99 Save $1,500.00 Get Deal

If you've been looking to upgrade your TV to something even bigger, Best Buy has some excellent deals available at the moment on a wide range of huge TVs. In particular, this discount on a Samsung 98-inch Q80C QLED Smart TV caught our eye with its excellent discount and the fact that it comes with free installation, which is a fantastic bonus.

The Samsung 98-inch Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart TV is currently on sale for $3,499.99 at Best Buy, a whopping $1,500 off its list price of $4,999.99. Again, you also get free installation with your purchase, which has a $399 value. On top of that, this TV comes with a great treat for gamers as you also get one month free of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, granting you access to the massive Game Pass library on a brand new, gigantic TV.

SEE ALSO: Get $300 off this Samsung 85-inch 4K TV and score a free 40-inch bonus TV

This TV boasts 4K resolution on a QLED display that brings images to life with vibrant colors and a crisp, detailed picture. It also features Dolby Atmos technology that offers immersive, high-quality sound for your favorite shows and films. Not to mention, it's a smart TV, so you can keep all of your favorite streaming apps in one place for added convenience.

This deal may not stick around for long, so don't miss out on $1,500 off the Samsung 98-inch Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart TV at Best Buy.

Looking for even more TV deals? There are quite a few to check out right now. You can also save on an 85-inch Samsung 4K TV and score a free 40-inch bonus TV at Best Buy, and if you want to see a smaller pick, the 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV is also discounted right now at Best Buy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get 3 months of MUBI for just $1

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 14:09

THREE MONTHS FOR $1: As of Feb. 5, MUBI is offering a three-month subscription for $1. After the promotional period is over, the price will go back up to $14.99 per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: MUBI MUBI: 3 Months For $1 Get Deal

Deals on streaming services don't come around very often. You'll usually find deals around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but MUBI is shaking things up with a great deal to kickstart the new year, giving movie lovers access to some of the best films from last year for the low, low price of $1.

More specifically, MUBI is offering a three-month subscription for $1. Normally it costs $14.99 per month, totaling $44.97 after three months, so you're getting an excellent discount through this offer. After the three months is up it will go back to $14.99 per month, but three months is a great opportunity to test out the service and see if it's what you're looking for. You can cancel at any time if you find it's not for you.

SEE ALSO: Get a year of Peacock Premium for just $30

MUBI is home to some of our picks for the best movies of 2024, including Bird, The People's Joker, and The Substance. It's an excellent streaming service for movie fans with a massive library to look through. To see what films the service is showing at the moment, you can browse their collection here.

This deal won't stick around for much longer, so act fast to get three months of MUBI for $1.

If you're looking for even more streaming deals available right now, Peacock is also offering a year of its Premium plan for just $30. Hulu is also offering a couple of bundles that are worth checking out, which you can learn more about in our breakdown of the the best Hulu deals and bundles.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 5, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 13:39

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 5 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 5, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Foot-operated lever.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PEDAL.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 5

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 the latest Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 5, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 13:38

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

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for February 5 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: Work benefits and earnings

  • Green: A clue or a sign

  • Blue: Actions in a card game

  • Purple: Meanings of a common name

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Parts of a Compensation Package

  • Green: Indication

  • Blue: Things to do with A Deck of Cards

  • Purple: What "Bill" Might Refer To

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 #605 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Parts of a Compensation Package: BONUS, INSURANCE, SALARY, VACATION

  • Indication: FLAG, GIVEAWAY, SIGN, TELL

  • Things to do with A Deck of Cards: CUT, DEAL, FAN, SHUFFLE

  • What "Bill" Might Refer To: BANKNOTE, BEAK, INVOICE, WILLIAM

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 5

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 the latest Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Daily Show gets real about Elon Musks White House takeover

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 13:32

Like Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, The Daily Show's Desi Lydic unpacked the current aggressive White House takeover of Donald Trump's "special government employee" Elon Musk.

The tech billionaire and his team have been infiltrating U.S. federal government departments including reportedly accessing the computer systems of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government's HR department.

"Now you might be thinking, 'I don’t want white nationalist Tony Stark to have sole control of the inner workings of the federal government.' But relax, it's not just Elon. He has a fully equipped team," said Lydic, pointing to the fact that Musk's newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly staffed mainly by college grads — including a former Neuralink intern whose online tag was "bigballs".

"Great, bigballs has my social security number, now I feel better!" Lydic said. "I know we complained about our leaders being too old but doesn’t this go a little too far in the other direction? Surely there must be a middle ground somewhere between crypto bros and crypt keepers."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stephen Colbert says Elon Musk is blowing up the White House like a Tesla in Self Driving Mode

Mashable - Wed, 02/05/2025 - 13:25

"Elon was able to buy his way into the government and now he’s blowing it up like a Tesla in Self Driving Mode," said Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on Tuesday, taking time in his monologue to call out the Trump-supporting tech billionaire's aggressive White House takeover.

Over the past few weeks, "special government employee" Musk and his team have been taking control of U.S. federal government departments, including gaining access to computer systems and taking aim at USAID. Musk runs the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which is reportedly staffed mainly by college grads.

One Musk-rattled realm is the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government's HR department.

"You’re the richest man on Earth! You want to take over HR?" said Colbert. "Why can’t you be a fun billionaire like Richard Branson? Here he is kitesurfing wearing a naked lady on his back like a Jansport backpack. Or the Dyson guy? He invented a vacuum and grows delicious strawberries now.

"Elon, you could be the next Dyson — you never stop sucking."

Meanwhile, The Daily Show's Desi Lydic also got stuck into Musk's White House moves.

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