IT General

If Windows 11 installs buggy drivers or you prefer installing device drivers manually, I’ll show you how to prevent your system from automatically finding and installing the connected devices’ drivers.

If you've looked at astronaut photos and wondered why they are wearing sunglasses in some, there are some very good reasons for it. While sunglasses are not always needed, including when astronauts don a spacesuit, space shades are far from a fashion accessory.

I've been building PCs for almost two decades, and I've yet to use an AIO liquid CPU cooler in any of my builds. The thing is, I won't, ever. Here's why.

Do you remember the first moment you felt connected to the stars? Were you a stargazer, like me, when you were young, or someone who developed an affinity for the cosmos through academia? Well, here are seven everyday moments that sparked my fascination with space and made me an astrophile!

Grand tourers are some of the most enjoyable cars on the planet, delivering the best in both performance and comfort. However, they often come with a pretty steep price tag. One model on the market stands out for its affordability, but it won’t be around much longer.

In terms of portability, graphics, and sheer computing power, Android phones make for great little game consoles. It's a shame, then, that game save data is often so hard to find, back up, sync, and transfer from one device to the next.

Using the right app is necessary if you write and take notes daily. After trying many tools over the years, I’ve come to a point where I only consider apps that offer some key features. These aren’t just lovely extras—they’re absolute must-haves. Here are the features I refuse to compromise on.

I was tired of paying for online storage to keep my Windows PC backed up, so I decided to figure out how to back it up to my NAS. Syncthing made that backup process easy, simple, and automatic.

Let’s be real. Every new phone launch follows the same script: better zoom, more megapixels, improved low-light shots, etc. But tucked away inside many smartphones is a feature that can actually change the way you capture your memories—and almost no one talks about it.

When my smart home is working perfectly, it can feel like magic. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Things go wrong all the time, whether from my incessant tinkering or things beyond my control, such as power outages.

Following biotechnology company 23andMe's filing for bankruptcy, losing its CEO, and trying to find a buyer last month, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce launched an investigation into the genetic data company's handling of customers' personal information.

On Friday, the committee sent a letter to 23andMe regarding selling people's sensitive information following its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The letter was signed by committee Chair Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida, and Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama. The latter two are chairmen of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, respectively.

SEE ALSO: 23andMe data: How to delete yours

The letter points out that in 23andMe's privacy policy, in a bankruptcy, customers' personal information may be "accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction."

"Additionally, a judge recently ruled 23andMe has the right to sell the sensitive medical and genetic information of its 15 million customers, which is considered to be the company’s most valuable asset," the letter states. "With the lack of a federal comprehensive data privacy and security law, we write to express our great concern about the safety of Americans' most sensitive personal information."

The committee then lists many questions for the company, including how 23andMe intends to vet potential buyers and what its plan is to protect people's data should a sale happen. The Committee of Energy and Commerce requested answers by May 1.

In a press release, 23andMe detailed bidding requirements and procedures for a sale, such as that it will not accept bids from entities based in or controlling investments from "countries of concern" like China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela.

Regarding handling personal data, the company stated in the release, "23andMe takes its responsibility as a steward of customer data seriously. The Company maintains strict data privacy and security protocols, and it is subject to consumer privacy and genetic privacy laws."

In the last few years, the genomics company has been under fire for a data breach and subsequent lawsuit. As 23andMe isn't an entity covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), customer information isn't protected by those privacy measures.

With the announcement of the bankruptcy and its former CEO, Anne Wojcicki, stepping down in March, Mashable published a how-to on deleting your data from 23andMe. If you haven't done so yet, now is the perfect time.

UPDATE: Apr. 21, 2025, 10:15 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to include a press release from 23andMe.

I wanted to like Apple Intelligence, especially after Apple's fake ad fooled me into believing that an AI-infused Siri was real. I gave Apple Intelligence more than one chance, enabling it and using it on all my devices every day to compare improvements between updates.

Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 comes with its own internal storage and can be expanded with a microSD card—but it can't be just any microSD card. Make sure you get the right microSD Express card by picking one of the options below.

The OnePlus 13R is a prime contender for the best mid-range Android phone of 2025, but faces stiff competition from Google's latest Pixel 9a, which might just steal its thunder. Let's compare the two and see which one is right for you.

If you're the type of person who rarely upgrades their phone, you're not alone. And sure, buying the latest flagship phone might help it last a little longer, but not as much as you think. Here's why you shouldn't buy an Android phone expecting it to last 5–7 years.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for 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.

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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.

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: Gear for the treadmill

• Green: Found in a gym

• Blue: NFL football division

• Purple: Shares/associates with a mesh material

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

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

• Yellow: Athletic Footwear

• Green: Gym Equipment

• Blue: AFC East Teams

• Purple: Things with Nets

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 #209 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Athletic Footwear - BOOTS, CLEATS, SNEAKERS, SPIKES

• Gym Equipment - ELLIPTICAL, MEDICINE BALL, ROWING MACHINE, TREADMILL

• AFC East Teams - BUFFALO, MIAMI, NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK

• Things with Nets - BASKETBALL HOOP, BROOKLYN, SOCCER GOAL, TENNIS COURT

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

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

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 today's Connections.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, April 20, 2025:

AcrossSpeaking confidently but dishonestly

• The answer is Glib.

Traditional dance at a Jewish wedding

• The answer is Hora.

"Scram!"

• The answer is Go Away.

Hyundai electric car with a creatively spelled name

• The answer is Ioniq.

Hoops legend with size 22 shoes

• The answer is Shaq.

DownAfrica's largest exporter of gold

• The answer is Ghana.

Score that's nowhere near Mensa-worthy

• The answer is Low IQ.

Baghdad's country

• The answer is Iraq.

Loading area for trucks

• The answer is Bay.

Army soldiers, for short

• The answer is GIs.

___ and aah

• The answer is Ooh.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

The gallery app that comes pre-installed on your Samsung phone is more than just storage for your photos and videos. It comes with all sorts of tools designed to make your gallery experience better that you might not even know about. Here are some worth checking out.

As Earth passes through the debris of Halley’s Comet, the sky lights up with shooting stars for more than a month. The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is an extended cosmic spectacle, and it’s calling on you to bear witness to nature's celestial fireworks.

Running Kubuntu or another KDE Plasma desktop Linux distribution? I work almost exclusively with KDE Plasma desktop environment. I use these shortcuts every day I as read, write, and edit, and you can too so long as you're running Plasma.