IT General

SAVE $39.01: As of July 18, get the Apple AirPods 4 for $89.99, down from their usual price of $129 at Amazon. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods 4 $89.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $39.01 Get Deal

If you've been looking for a new pair of earbuds, you might want to go back to the classics for something reliable and affordable: Apple's AirPods. Sure, they can be pricier than some of the alternatives, but you also are pretty much guaranteed to have a good experience no matter whether you're listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts. And this deal on Apple AirPods 4 is still going on this week, which means it's not too late to pounce.

As of July 18, get the Apple AirPods 4 for $89.99, down from their usual price of $129 at Amazon. That's $39.01 off and a discount of 30%. This is the model without active noise-cancelling, so be aware when purchasing.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

This pair of fourth-gen Apple buds are comfortable, solidly built, and perfect for just about any use case. They boast spatial audio, voice isolation, and Siri integration so you can ask all the questions you need while controlling your music and phone hands-free.

They're great for throwing in while at the gym or doing something else that keeps you moving. When they're in, they stay put, and you don't have to worry about them falling out. That makes them a great choice for your new set of daily driver headphones, especially now that they've fallen to under $100.

If it's high time you changed out your current pair of earbuds for something a little more luxurious or part of the Apple ecosystem, pounce on this deal before it goes away.

Best tech deals

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

Years ago, fans were excited to see the return of Master Chief, who vowed in Halo 2 that he would “finish this fight.” Now, though, the fight looks finished in the worst possible way. When Halo Infinite debuted, it was a hit title that once had over 272,000 gamers playing simultaneously on Steam. Now the game is nearly dead, with only about 2,000 players (give or take) playing on Steam at the same time.

Nearly every tech company has launched vertical videos, imitating TikTok, the unequivocal leader in this space.

Twitch is the latest to do so. The Amazon-owned livestreaming service made an announcement about vertical video at TwitchCon earlier this year, and it's now officially testing this video format, according to market intelligence provider AppSensa. The firm discovered that Twitch is testing vertical videos, with a handful of references found in the app's code. Twitch is supposedly only testing the feature with a handful of streamers so far.

If users encounter the feature, they'll be shown dialogs declaring "vertical video is here" and told that this is still being tested. Users can decide whether to view streams in vertical format or in classic mode.

In a statement following TwitchCon, Twitch said that the new format will allow it to "better optimize the viewing experience for a device and how a viewer is using that device." The streaming service said that viewers on mobile can watch live streams vertically if they hold their phones that way.

"We really care about getting this right, so we’ll be testing dual-format streaming and the new vertical theater with a small number of channels this summer before slowly expanding to more users later this year," said the company.

With Twitch lagging behind the likes of TikTok and YouTube, this move marks its efforts to compete with other livestream platforms.

Hatchbacks are seriously underrated—they’re practical, fun, and way easier to maneuver than those bulky crossovers. A hatchback might be your perfect match if you want great value without sacrificing style or drivability.

There are pink ones, small and dainty, that fit into the palm of your hand and are charged with a USB port. There are black ones, large enough to blow wind through both your hairline and your collarbones, kept alive by the electric pulses of a Duracell battery. There are paper ones, folded small and powered completely by the manual force of your own hand, that splay out to show off intricate designs or ads for clubs. They're portable fans, and they're everywhere.

Directly under the California sun at VidCon this summer, influencer Naomi Hearts, walking around with a portable fan, told me, "That's all you need." At the Creator Weekend for the 2025 Webby Awards, "demure" icon Jools Lebron never went anywhere without one of her four handheld, battery-powered fans because she "always [has] to have the wind." There are thousands of reviews and recommendations for handheld fans on TikTok: for your car, for a festival, for a cookout.

This isn't just my personal observation from the floor of a variety of admittedly sweaty conventions and the depths of TikTok recommendations — climate change is here, and $10 portable fans are trending. According to market research consulting company Credence Research, the portable fan market is projected to grow from $558.92 million in 2024 to $979.16 million by 2032. According to a different market research consulting company, Business Research Insights, the global personal portable fan market size is "set to expand to $1.06 billion by 2033." A third market research company echoed the others' insights, adding that part of the reason behind personal fans' success is online retail and e-commerce. The trend is clear and, as Mashable shopping reporter Samantha Mangino pointed out, the cause is clear, too: We're experiencing devastating heat waves across the world, with a recent heat dome that reached from Chicago to New York.

Stormzy and Helen Mirren with their fans at Wimbleton. Credit: Getty Images / Karwai Tang / WireImage SEE ALSO: Personal fans are the product of summer

We've responded to this by increasing our air conditioning usage inside. According to Columbia Climate School, "Air conditioning is no longer just a luxury, but an imperative for human health, as heat stress is the leading weather-related cause of death." But, as the researchers wrote, "the more we cool, the more planet-warming global greenhouse gas emissions we pump into the atmosphere."

And you can't bring a Frigidaire onto the subway with you. Enter: Personal fans that you can buy from companies like Shein and Amazon, both of which contribute wildly to climate change by producing textile waste, microplastic pollution, and astounding amounts of plastic waste, making the problem you're trying to solve even worse. Capitalism both produces the crisis — rising global temperatures — and then commodifies the coping mechanisms — portable fans.

I should be clear: If you're buying a portable fan to use instead of your air conditioner or as a way to decrease your air conditioning use inside, you'll be decreasing your carbon footprint. A 2022 University of Sydney study found that using fans in conjunction with occasional AC use can drastically cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. But the trend I'm seeing isn't folks using handheld fans in this way — instead, it's using them to avoid the heavy blanket of heat that smacks you when you step outside while keeping the AC on blast while inside.

The fans' existence is twofold: a response to our economic system — our capitalist modes of production rely on a dependence on fossil fuels and a global supply chain built on ecological destruction and exploitation, leading to rising temperatures as well as a rise in people buying and depending on portable fans (the production of which adds to the destruction) — and a trend, thanks to social media.

It’s also worth noting that fans trending isn’t solely a necessary response to the creeping climate crisis. When a trend reaches escape velocity, it becomes a logic ouroboros: You get a fan because getting a fan is what everyone is doing, which means someone else gets a fan, and the snake eats its tail. And people love having the right accessories, even if they don’t necessarily need them. Sure, it’s mindless consumption, but sometimes we buy things because they’re cute and they’re in vogue. To wit: Nobody needs a Labubu. Sometimes a portable fan is just a thing attached to your bag, even if it’s also a sign of climate doom.

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Still, portable fans are just one of many ways capitalism has commodified survival by prioritizing profits above all else. Bottled water is essential in areas where public water is either unavailable or contaminated; air purifiers and N95 masks are necessary in some areas with wildfire smoke, pollution, or industrial smog. There's climate insurance; emergency survival kits; portable solar panels — the list is ongoing.

As heat becomes more intense and widespread, the economic system we have built our lives upon will force many of us to look to it for solutions we must purchase privately, like portable fans. In the absence of a government that addresses the systemic causes of climate change, we are forced into the role of helping companies squeeze profits from existing systems. Governments and corporations avoid large-scale climate mitigation to instead place responsibility on individuals to attempt to manage these risks.

All this individualizes responsibility while absolving state actors. We’re left to our own devices. Portable fans are cute; they're also a symbol and tool of alienation.

When the response to climate change is reduced to choosing the "best" fan on Amazon or TikTok, political energy is funneled into consumer decision-making rather than collective action. In short, the  portable fan is a microcosm of capitalist climate failure — but at least it comes in seven pastel colors.

The race for the largest self-driving taxi service area in Austin is on.

Shortly after Tesla increased the geofence for its Robotaxis in Austin to a larger, penis-shaped area, Alphabet's Waymo followed up with an area increase of its own.

SEE ALSO: Tesla to launch Model 3 Plus with massive range

The company's autonomous taxis now serve 90 square miles of the city, including new areas like Crestview, Windsor Park, Sunset Valley, Franklin Park, and more. With this increase, the company serves a significantly larger area than Tesla.

Tesla's Robotaxi service area now looks kinda small. Credit: Tesla

Waymo chose to keep this fight civil, though, so its new coverage area isn't shaped like genitalia. It is, as one would expect, bordered mainly by major roads and avenues, such as the MoPac Expressway on the west and Route 183 up north.

In a press release, Waymo pointed out that it's the "only fully autonomous, 24/7 experience for anyone in Austin," with "more than 100 Waymo vehicles" in the city. In comparison, Tesla's service is limited to a fairly small number of Model Y vehicles, and is only available to a handful of users who'd received invites from Tesla.

The company said it plans to expand to both new communities in existing markets and new cities from coast to coast. Waymo currently covers more than 700 square miles across the U.S.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently said the company's Robotaxi service will expand to the Bay Area (Waymo is already present there), pending regulatory approval.

Samsung just released its latest book-style foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, with numerous improvements over its predecessor. Given the thinner and lighter chassis, bigger screens, and a more powerful chipset, I prefer the Fold 7 over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The fun thing about Android is that there's always something happening. This week was no different, of course, and you may have missed some big stories. We know when the Pixel 10 is going to be announced, Gemini is replacing Assistant on more watches, and Android will be merging with Chromebooks at some point. Read on for more!

Tesla is reportedly working on a new variant of its Model 3 sedan, and this one might have the longest range of them all.

A new filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), spotted on Thursday by Electrek, is called the Tesla Model 3+. According to the filing, the new vehicle will be a single-motor, rear-wheel drive variant with a larger, 225kW motor.

SEE ALSO: Tesla's Robotaxi fare increases from $4.20 to that other number Elon Musk likes

While the currently available RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) version uses LFP battery cells, the new version uses LG's ternary lithium ion cells, which have a higher energy density. The other basic specs of the car — overall length, wheelbase length, and weight — are the same as those of the base Model 3 version.

Not all of the specs of the car are known, but what we know (along with the car's name, Model 3+) all points to this being a longer-range variant of the car.

The (translated) Tesla Model 3 specs page shows three currently available models. The new Model 3+ might beat them all when it comes to range. Credit: Tesla China

Currently, the Tesla Model 3 with the longest range (that's the RWDe model) is listed as having 753 kilometers of range in China. The new variant could potentially exceed 800 kilometers (roughly 500 miles), which would be a first for Tesla.

In the U.S., the Model 3 with the most range can do 363 miles per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s estimates, though in China the range figures are based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) which is a bit more generous in its estimates.

The news comes shortly after a new variant of the Model Y was also filed with the MIIT. Called the Tesla Model YL, it has an extended wheelbase and three rows of seats with two seats in each, for a total of six.

There's no word on when (or if) the two new variants are coming to the U.S. and Tesla's other markets. Both are very interesting as they address two very important pain points for today's electric cars: interior space and range.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites with a VPN. The best service for unblocking free porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Your access to porn sites is restricted in many locations around the world, and we're not talking about far away places on dodgy networks. We're talking close to home.

A number of U.S. states have introduced laws that require visitors to upload ID before accessing pornography sites. As a result, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website, and there's no guarantee that things will stop there. The same situation is now taking place in France, so where's next?

There are valid reasons for restricting access to porn, but there is also something to be said for protecting online freedom. When the time is right, you should be able to access all your favorite porn sites without hassle. Fortunately, there is a simple workaround for these online restrictions.

Want to unblock porn sites for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

How to unblock porn for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This quick and easy process means you can bypass geo-restrictions to access your favorite porn sites from anywhere in the world.

Follow these simple steps to unblock porn sites:

1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to porn

4. Watch porn from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites in an unsupported location.

If you want to retain permanent access to all your favorite sites, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking porn sites, 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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock porn for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Another day, another Pornhub ban.

Earlier in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. After the introduction of these new requirements, Pornhub responded by blocking users from those locations. Now the same situation is taking place in France, with users in the country unable to access YouPorn, RedTube, and Pornhub.

There are complicated reasons for the blockade, but the workaround is actually very simple. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from France, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in France

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in France with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $50: As of July 18, the Garmin Lily 2 Active is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its list price of $299.99. This also marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Lily 2 Active $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you've been hoping to scoop up a smartwatch for your summertime activities, the good news is there are still some great deals available after Prime Day. Amazon is currently offering a very nice discount on the Garmin Lily 2 Active, which is an excellent pick if you want a smartwatch that combines style with plenty of helpful health and fitness stats.

The Garmin Lily 2 Active is currently marked down to $249.99. This is a 17% discount from its list price of $299.99, allowing you to save $50. It also marks a return to its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so there's no better time than now to pick it up.

SEE ALSO: I've tested a lot of smartwatches, but the Versa 4 is the only Fitbit I'd recommend

As mentioned before, the Garmin Lily 2 Active has a more stylish design compared to other smartwatches, but still boasts plenty of features to help you out. Some of these include a sleep score, respiration tracking, heart rate monitoring, hydration tracking, all-day stress tracking, and a Body Battery energy monitor that shows you what your energy levels are like throughout the day.

There's plenty for fitness-loving individuals to enjoy, too. From a built-in GPS to step counting, intensity minutes, and tracking your calories burned, the Garmin Lily 2 Active can help you stay on top of your goals.

Don't miss out on this excellent deal on the Garmin Lily 2 Active at Amazon.

This isn't the only smartwatch deal that's crossed our radar, either. Right now, you can still score an incredible discount on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 at Amazon, which is currently at a record-low price.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

SAVE $70: As of July 18, the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (refurbished) is down to $129.99 at Amazon — a 35% discount off its usual $199.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire Amazon Fire Max 11 (Refurbished) $129.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $70 Get Deal

For those who’ve been dying for the latest Fire tablet for streaming, reading, and gaming, Amazon has a sweet deal on the Fire Max 11 (if you don’t mind a refurbished model). As of July 18, you can grab a refurbished Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet for $129.99 — 35% off its standard list price of $199.99. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s the lowest price this tablet has dropped to in 2025.

This Fire Max 11 model has been tested and certified to look and function like new and even comes with the same warranty as a brand-new device. 

SEE ALSO: The best Android tablets in 2025

With a whole $70 off the price tag, you’re getting a vibrant 11-inch display, a powerful octa-core processor, and 14 hours of battery life, making it a seriously capable all-around performer for the price.

The 2000x1200 resolution screen is built for watching shows, reading ebooks, and casual gaming — and it’s certified for low blue light, so your eyes won’t take a hit after hours of use. The aluminium build with reinforced glass also aims to add to its premium feel and durability. Amazon even claims it’s three times tougher than the 10.9-inch iPad in drop tests.

You’ll also get 64GB of storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD), WiFi 6 support for speedy connections, and access to Alexa features like smart home control and Show Mode. 

You can easily download streaming services like Netflix to watch Stranger Things on the go, and be ready to watch the upcoming Wednesday Season 2 in style. Add on the optional keyboard and stylus (sold separately), and the Fire Max 11 starts to feel like a productivity tool, too.

If you’d also like an extra Kindle for reading, you can still score a like-new Kindle Paperwhite for $53 off at Amazon as well.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

If you want to start watching a new show but the thought of catching up with countless seasons is off-putting, I've put together this selection of high-quality Netflix series that you can realistically binge over the next few days.

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 July 18 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 July 18, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A slow-moving animal.

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 L.

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...

LORIS.

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 July 18

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 today's Wordle.

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.

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's The Mini crossword answers for July 18 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: Pattern

• Green: To notice

• Blue: Stretches

• Purple: Charged

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: Sequence

• Green: Pick up on

• Blue: Yoga backbends

• Purple: Electric ___

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 #768 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Sequence: RUN, SERIES, STREAK, STRING

• Pick up on: CATCH, NOTE, SEE, SPOT

• Yoga backbends: BRIDGE, COBRA, COW, WHEEL

• Electric ___: BLANKET, EEL, GUITAR, SLIDE

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 July 18

Are you also playing NYT 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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Abracadabra!

The words are magician-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are magic tricks.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Its Magic.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 18

• Escape

• Its Magic

• Multiply

• Levitate

• Transform

• Disappear

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!

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

Jlab's Epic Open Sport are a premium pair of air-conduction earbuds made to be worn while running, working out, or training. Yet their comfort and sound quality make them a good option for anyone who needs to be able to hear their surroundings or who finds in-ear earbuds to be uncomfortable, regardless of their lifestyle.

SAVE $90: As of July 18, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is on sale for $189.99 at Amazon — that’s 32% off its original price of $279.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazfit Amazfit T-Rex 3 Outdoor Smartwatch $189.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $90 Get Deal

Fitness fanatics seeking a smartwatch that’s a little cheaper than the big brands like Apple or Samsung have got a strong alternative on offer in the Amazfit T-Rex 3. 

As of July 18, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Smartwatch is on sale for $189.99 at Amazon — a 32% reduction from its standard $279.99 — its lowest price ever since launching last year (according to the camelcamelcamel). If you’ve been looking for a smartwatch that’s as tough as your trail shoes, this deal might be what gets you off the fence. 

SEE ALSO: We tested the top fitness trackers of 2025: See our favorite wearables and smart rings

This rugged-looking 48mm watch is designed for the outdoors, with a peak brightness of 2000 nits on its AMOLED display for clear map and workout visibility even under harsh sunlight. It’s also ready to handle some serious wear and tear, thanks to a 316L stainless steel bezel, freediving support up to 147 feet, and tested durability across extreme temperatures from -22 degrees farenheight to 158 degrees.

The battery life is another win here — the T-Rex 3 can go up to 27 days on a single charge with regular use or 180 hours in GPS mode. That’s a huge plus for anyone planning multi-day hikes or extended backcountry adventures. Speaking of GPS: with dual-band GPS, six satellite systems, and offline global maps, the T-Rex 3 offers precision location tracking even when you're off the grid. You’ll also get turn-by-turn navigation, a huge help when trails start to blur together.

For fitness junkies, this smartwatch covers a ton of ground with 170+ sport modes, AI-driven training plans, and real-time metrics across everything from hiking to surfing.

Alternatively, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is still on sale for $159.99 at Amazon. 

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

Murderbot and Dexter: Resurrection star David Dastmalchian wears many hats: actor, writer, host, and devoted Muppets fan.

The last item started from a very young age, Dastmalchian told Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards as part of Mashable's Say More interview series.

SEE ALSO: 'Murderbot' finale: David Dastmalchian breaks down Gurathin and Murderbot's heartbreaking goodbye

"When I was in kindergarten, having already become transported by the magic of The Muppet Movie and addicted to The Muppet Movie and so moved by all the themes and everything that matters about The Muppet Movie — which I still am, I think about that film every day, if not multiple times a day — I memorized the lyrics to 'The Rainbow Connection,'" Dastmalchian said. "I wanted to be Kermit the Frog. I did feel a little bit of an outcast and a loner and a little bit left behind because I was the baby of the family, and I had a difficult time at first just getting over the sads on a daily basis. And that song really lifted me up."

Dastmalchian would sing the song to his mother, and even dreamed of having a Muppet Movie–style road trip of his own. His love of The Muppet Movie led him to perform "The Rainbow Connection" at his kindergarten talent show, fake banjo and all. The only problem? Dastmalchian forgot the words.

"I completely fled the stage in abject terror, and I yelled out, 'I forgot!'" Dastmalchian recalled. "I was so ashamed, and I was so embarrassed, and I felt like I'd let everybody down. I went many years without ever wanting to get back in front of an audience."

Of course, audiences around the world now know Dastmalchian from his roles in everything from Late Night with the Devil to The Suicide Squad, so it's clear he found a way past that initial fear.

"I was always scared, but I learned to present and create something that wasn't," Dastmalchian said.

While Dastmalchian originally wanted to be Kermit the Frog, he realized around kindergarten that he actually felt a kinship with a different Muppet. "It's not Kermit who I was. It was his good friend Gonzo," Dastmalchian said. "Gonzo, having come from another planet, another galaxy, and very, very, very, very strongly connected to anything that's blue. I have a deep affinity for the color blue. I'll eat anything that's blue; I don't even care what it is. Could be rotten milk; I'll drink it."

Earlier in 2025, Dastmalchian got to live out his Muppets dream and performed as Gonzo in Dynasty Typewriter's live reading of The Muppet Movie script. Check out his moving performance of "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday."

For more Dastmalchian, check out Mashable's full Say More video on YouTube, where he breaks down the finale of Murderbot, his moving Mike Flanagan monologue from The Life of Chuck, and what to expect from his Dexter: Resurrection serial killer character.

Murderbot is now streaming on Apple TV+. Dexter: Resurrection is now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, with new episodes every Friday.