IT General

It's not been long since the news broke that director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead at their home in LA, but the tributes from Hollywood have already started to pour in.

SEE ALSO: 'This Is Spinal Tap' re-release trailer cranks it up to 11

Reiner had a long career in Hollywood, starting as an actor before moving on to direct some of the best known films of all time. Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Misery, This is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men are among his many movies. His most recent was Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which came out earlier this year.

In the hours since his death, actors and politicians have taken to social media to share their tributes and memories of a Hollywood legend.

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Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest released the following statement, per Variety:

“Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them. There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”

Well, Carol, you did it.

Apple TV has announced that Pluribus is its most watched series ever, reportedly surpassing the company's wildly popular shows like Severance and Ted Lasso.

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's dystopian mystery series, which sees Earth's humans united as a hive mind excepting 12 people, is now Apple's streaming service's top show — an announcement you should take with a grain of salt considering Apple does not release viewership numbers on specific shows (Ben Stiller reportedly doesn't know how many people watched Severance.)

SEE ALSO: 'Pluribus' episode 6: What did Carol find in the warehouse?

However, Apple's announcement was deeply on-theme, posting on X a scene from Pluribus showing non-Joined human Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) celebrating solo in her driveway with a sparkler and a six-pack. Go off, Carol.

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Pluribus' penultimate episode will air on Friday, Dec. 19 before its Season 1 finale the week after, so let's raise a tiny carton of milk to the show that fills us with existential questions and drops horrific twists into our weekly viewing.

Pluribus is now streaming on Apple TV+ with new episodes Friday.

Tesla Robotaxis in Austin are finally doing what they were always supposed to do: drive themselves without a human at the wheel.

A Tesla Model Y was recently spotted driving on one of Austin's public roads with absolutely no one at the wheel, or at the passenger seat.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Tesla Optimus robot falls over, goes viral

While that may be a scary sight to some, it's basically the same thing Alphabet's Waymo's been doing in Austin for years now. The biggest difference, however, is that Tesla is using seemingly unmodified Model Y cars, the same ones you can buy as your own personal car, while Waymo is relying on heavily modified Jaguar I-Pace vehicles.

So far, Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in Austin has been operating with a human safety monitor in the driver's seat, but this is seemingly changing soon.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company is testing fully driverless Robotaxis, writing on X, "Testing is underway with no occupants in the car."

In November, Musk said that he expects "Robotaxis to to operate without safety drivers in large parts of Austin this year." The year is almost at its end, but judging by this latest development, the company might just make the deadline.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love to compete.

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 December 15, 2025 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: Competition stages

• Green: Huge

• Blue: Rundown

• Purple: A, B, ___

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Tournament rounds

• Green: Enormous

• Blue: Disreputable establishment

• Purple: What "C" might mean

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 #918 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Tournament rounds: FINAL, QUALIFIER, QUARTER, SEMI

• Enormous: BUMPER, GIANT, MONSTER, TITANIC

• Disreputable establishment: DIVE, DUMP, HOLE, JOINT

• What "C" might mean: CELCIUS, COLD, ONE HUNDRED, SEE

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 December 15, 2025

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a TV fanatic.

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 December 15, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 15, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Palette episodes

The words are related to entertainment.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe popular series.

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 Color TV.

NYT Strands word list for December 15

• Green

• Blue

• White

• Golden

• Color TV

• Bloods

• Acres

• Lotus

• Girls

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're dishonest.

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 December 15, 2025 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 December 15, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Deceitful.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter D appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DODGY

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 December 15, 2025

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.

UPGRADE AND SAVE: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box is currently $29.99 cheaper on TCGplayer compared to the Standard Booster Box for $249.99 on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box $220 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $29.99 Possible $60 Gift Card if you qualify for Amazon Visa. Get Deal

Getting an upgraded product for $29.99 less is a no-brainer, end of story. Right now, TCGplayer is offering just that, with the Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box going for $220, which is a much better deal than Amazon's Standard Booster Box for $249.99. The difference is the epic Bulbasaur Illustration Rare Stamped Promo card, which in itself is worth $18.10 right now. Now that's a deal.

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Enhanced Booster Boxes randomly get included in set releases. The last one was Journey Together, featuring N's Reshiram Illustration Rare Stamped Promo. It's a nice bonus, especially when the Enhanced Booster Box contains the same count of 36 booster packs. Plus, stamped promo cards tend to hold value and climb steadily over time, which is a big bonus for sealed collectors.

The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you're just bothered about ripping packs and finding chase cards, a Booster Box is the best product to buy. However, buying a Booster Box doesn't guarantee pulling the top card of the set, which is a feat only achieved when opening multiple Booster Boxes. I'd sooner just buy the chase card I'm after to save money long term over ripping open what feels like a million packs.

Here's the top five for Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames with up-to-date values and links to TCGplayer to catch your very own:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $514
   Market price: $535.60
   Most recent sale: $514

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $360.48
   Market price: $386.07
   Most recent sale: $369.59

3. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $320
   Market price: $385.01
   Most recent sale: $323

4. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $278
   Market price: $302.38
   Most recent sale: $281.97

5. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $195.73
   Market price: $206.79
   Most recent sale: $191.99

AT MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection is now at market value on Amazon compared to TCGplayer's current listing starting at $163.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection $164.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal

It's been a pain trying to get hold of the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection for a good price.

It was number one on scalper hit lists, with ridiculous listings on eBay going at or above $250. Well, The Pokémon Company is starting to flood the market with stock, meaning you can now get this bad boy for a decent price, or in Amazon's case, at market value when compared with TCGplayer. You will be looking at a post-Christmas delivery, something to keep in mind if you're looking to gift this UPC.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG's Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box is over $20 cheaper on TCGPlayer, but Amazon offers a gift card

You're getting booster packs from the best of Scarlet and Violet on top of Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames, specifically:

• 4 x Phantasmal Flames

• 4 x Mega Evolution

• 4 x Destined Rivals

• 4 x Journey Together

• 2 x Surging Sparks

On top of that, you're scoring Mega Charizard X-themed deck sleeves, deck box, playmat, damage counter dice, and a metal coin. The main draws of this collection for me are the promo cards, specifically the Mega Charizard X ex Mega Attack Rare promo card, with the Oricorio ex SIR promo offering some of the most detailed artwork I've seen in a Pokémon card.

There's no difference to the usual ex variants of Mega Attack Rares, but the cell-shaded comic-style artwork features the main attack in Japanese script, much like the old-school X and Y Mega Pokémon cards.

The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

While this set is packed with boosters, it's still going to be tough to pull the case card you're seeking. Unless you're after the exclusive items in this UPC, I'd recommend checking out how much your chase cards are worth and just buying them for their market value. Pokémon TCG has recently found a new floor value-wise, so it's a great time to pick up the cards you need:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $514
   Market price: $535.60
   Most recent sale: $514

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $360.48
   Market price: $386.07
   Most recent sale: $369.59

3. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $320
   Market price: $385.01
   Most recent sale: $323

4. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $278
   Market price: $302.38
   Most recent sale: $281.97

5. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $195.73
   Market price: $206.79
   Most recent sale: $191.99

In the spirit of the season, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is changing color as it leaves the sun behind — shifting from a reddish tint to a faint green glow. 

That visible change signals the comet is reacting to solar heat and releasing new gases in space, giving scientists fresh clues about what it is made of and how it behaves.

Astronomers used the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii to capture new color images of the comet after it emerged from the other side of the sun on Nov. 26. Earlier images taken from Gemini South in Chile showed the comet looking redder. That ruddy color comes from gases surrounding the comet — called a coma — that heat up and shine as frozen material turns directly into gas, skipping the liquid phase. Some of those gases emit green light, which Gemini’s cameras can detect.

"Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has a post-perihelion greenish glow in time for the holidays," said Bryce Bolin, a research scientist from Eureka Scientific who led the observations, in a post on X. 

Just days later, a space telescope added another piece to the puzzle. The European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton spacecraft observed 3I/ATLAS in X-rays for nearly 20 hours on Dec. 3. X-rays are a very high-energy form of light that human eyes cannot see.

SEE ALSO: A NASA spacecraft is piercing the sun's scorching atmosphere right now

The new observations offer a rare chance to study material from another star system while the comet is still somewhat close. By tracking its changes across multiple types of light, scientists can better identify what it's made of and consider how interstellar objects form. 

Comet 3I/ATLAS came from another part of the galaxy and was later ejected — likely by a gravitational jolt from a planet or passing star — before drifting across interstellar space for hundreds of millions of years. Only two other confirmed interstellar visitors have ever been sighted: 'Oumuamua in 201, which wasn't a comet, and Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.

Earlier images taken from Gemini South in Chile showed the comet looking redder. Credit: International Gemini Observatory / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / Shadow the Scientist / J. Miller & M. Rodriguez / T.A. Rector / M. Zamani

The latest visitor entered the solar system traveling roughly 137,000 mph, a speed far too fast for the sun’s gravity to trap it. Scientists say that means it's only swinging by and will never return.

Comets are icy boulders that heat up as they approach the sun, releasing gas and dust in bright, sweeping tails. Most known comets are leftover materials from the solar system’s construction 4.6 billion years ago, though thousands more likely lurk beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt and, farther still, in the Oort Cloud.

NASA and ESA have pointed many spacecraft cameras at the comet — including the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Lucy and Psyche missions — to collect as much information as possible while the space interloper remains in the solar system.

The Gemini North pictures took place during a live public event organized through Shadow the Scientists. The program invites students and the public into telescope control rooms so they can watch astronomers work in real time. As the telescope tracked the comet, it stayed sharp in the images while background stars streaked across the frame in different colors.

Scientists are especially interested in how 3I/ATLAS will continue to change. Comets often respond slowly to the sun's heat, because warmth takes time to reach their interiors. As a result, new gases can begin escaping later, or the comet may suddenly brighten.

The European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton spacecraft observed 3I/ATLAS in X-rays for nearly 20 hours on Dec. 3, 2025. Credit: ESA / XMM-Newton / C. Lisse, S. Cabot & the XMM ISO Team

"Sharing an observing experience in some of the best conditions available gives the public a truly front-row view of our interstellar visitor," Bolin said in a statement. "Allowing the public to see what we do as astronomers and how we do it also helps demystify the scientific and data collection process, adding transparency to our study of this fascinating object."

Astronomers generally expected the comet to glow in X-rays because gas flowing off it crashes into the solar wind, a constant stream of charged particles blowing outward from the sun. That collision creates X-rays, revealing gases that are otherwise hard to detect.

These X-rays are especially useful because they can point to gases like hydrogen and nitrogen, which are nearly invisible to regular cameras and even to many space telescopes. Learning which gases are present helps scientists figure out the comet's composition.

Because 3I/ATLAS comes from a different stellar neighborhood, scientists expect some of its characteristics to be different from native comets. Early readings show that its carbon dioxide–to–water ratio does not match solar system comets, and researchers have spotted some unusual amounts of metals and dust features.

But none of those traits, NASA officials have emphasized, suggest it's not a comet or that it could be an alien spacecraft, as some have speculated on the internet. Tom Statler, NASA's lead scientist for solar system small bodies, compared these differences to coffees of various regions, such as Kona and Sumatra.  

"It's different, and yet it's still coffee," he said. "In this case, we have a cometary body. It resembles the homegrown comets that we have in our solar system, and yet it's excitingly different in particular ways."

AT MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is now at market value on Amazon compared to TCGplayer's current listing starting at $82.49. It's an extra $1.50, but that's worth guaranteeing delivery before Christmas.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box $83.99 at Amazon
Possible $60 Gift Card if you qualify for Amazon Visa. Get Deal

Phantasmal Flames is on fire right now in every way thanks to Mega Charizard X, including the Elite Trainer Box. It's one of the best artworks seen on an ETB in recent memory, and it's now at market value on Amazon

The Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is $83.99 at Amazon, down from a ridiculously bloated $106.89 a couple of days ago. TCGplayer has listingsstarting at $82.49, but it's worth the extra charge for guaranteed delivery seven days before Christmas.

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I'm so happy to see the Mega Evolution era offering some brilliant chase cards. It's ridiculously promising, plus the amount of new Mega Evolution Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives the era plenty of opportunities to knock it out of the Poképark. Genuinely, this is one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG eras we've had since X and Y (when Mega Evolution Pokémon cards debuted).

The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

It's a great time to buy Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames chase cards right now thanks to more stock becomng available and prices on single cards coming down due to better availability. While it's an awesome feeling ripping a pack and getting your favorite chase cards, it's rare and will likely cost you lots of Pokédollars.

Some of these chase cards are expensive, but the majority will likely save you money in the long run. Here's the top five you can pull right now alongside up-to-date market value data and links to TCGplayer to buy your very own:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $514
   Market price: $535.60
   Most recent sale: $514

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $360.48
   Market price: $386.07
   Most recent sale: $369.59

3. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $320
   Market price: $385.01
   Most recent sale: $323

4. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $278
   Market price: $302.38
   Most recent sale: $281.97

5. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $195.73
   Market price: $206.79
   Most recent sale: $191.99

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 15, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 15, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 15 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this purple space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 15 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this red space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 3-3, palced horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 15 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this purple space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this red space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this light blue space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Number (1): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this green space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this red space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

SAVE OVER $100: As of Dec. 15, the Bose Ultra Open-Ear Earbuds are on sale for $189 at Best Buy. This is $110 off their list price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open-Ear Earbuds $189 at Best Buy
$299 Save $110   Get Deal

Looking for deals on last-minute gift ideas before the holidays? Best Buy's Deal of the Day is a great place to find some stellar offers. As of Dec. 15, Best Buy is offering a discount on Bose Ultra open-ear earbuds, an excellent pick-up for someone in need of new earbuds or replacements.

The Bose Ultra open-ear earbuds are currently on sale for $189 at Best Buy, $110 off their list price of $299. This deal only applies to the lunar blue models, but if they've caught your eye, you have through the rest of Dec. 15 to scoop them up at this price. It's even lower than their $199 price during Cyber Monday, so why not?

SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own

Thanks to their open, clip-on design, the Bose Ultra Open-Ear earbuds are a great pick for those who use earbuds during workouts or like to be aware of their surroundings while listening. Our review from writer RJ Andersen said they, "have a unique design that prioritizes awareness over noise cancellation. Though we were skeptical at first, these buds are extremely comfortable and score top marks for battery life, spatial audio, and sound quality."

They even rank as a top pick for working out with in our roundup of the best Bose headphones and earbuds. Mashable's Samantha Mangino notes that, "These earbuds clip onto your ear like a cuff and don't block your ear canal. They provide the right balance of high-quality audio while keeping you connected to the world around you."

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Don't miss out on this one-day-only deal on the Bose Ultra open-ear earbuds at Best Buy. And if you're looking for even more items to pick up as last-minute gifts this year, check out our breakdown of the best tech gifts of the year.

SAVE $140: As of Dec. 15, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 33% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $279.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $140   Get Deal

The Kindle Scribe is just one of many in the Kindle lineup, but it's definitely a favorite. Combining reading and writing, this model is ideal for anyone who loves to put notes in book margins, doodle, or even create sketches. And as of Dec. 15, you can get it on sale for its lowest-ever price, now down to just $279.99. This price is for the 32GB model and the tungsten color only. It's the perfect gift (or treat) for Christmas.

The Scribe is more than just an e-reader, it's a notebook too. It even has AI tools that can convert handwritten notes into readable text, summarize content, and adjust the length or tone. It comes with the Premium Pen, a stylus that is designed to make writing feel like pen on paper. The pen doesn't need charging either, just pick it up and start writing.

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You can even import and mark up documents and PDFs via Send to Kindle, perfect if you need to take work on the go. And like you'd expect from any Kindle device, it has a 10.2-inch, glare-free, 300 ppi front-lit display, so it's suitable for reading and writing in all different kinds of lighting conditions. And don't worry about the battery life either, a single charge is designed to last up to three months.

Get this Kindle deal at Amazon before Christmas.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know your baseball slang.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Group of competitors

• Green: Fielding

• Blue: Player history

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Big 12 teams

• Green: Descriptors for baseball catches

• Blue: Teams Skylar Diggins has played for

• Purple: Sand ___

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 #448 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Big 12 teams - COWBOYS, MOUNTAINEERS, RED RAIDERS, WILDCATS

• Descriptors for baseball catches - BASKET, CIRCUS, SHOESTRING, SNOW CONE

• Teams Skylar Diggins has played for - FIGHTING IRISH, MERCURY, STORM, WINGS

• Sand ____ - BAGGING, LOT, TRAP, WEDGE

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

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to 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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Dec. 15, 2025:

AcrossCold winter blanket

• The answer is Snow.

Number of candles in a full menorah

• The answer is Nine.

"Point taken"

• The answer is Noted.

Rude sound at the dinner table

• The answer is Burp.

Kind of bomb developed by Oppenheimer

• The answer is Atom.

DownDog's nose and mouth

• The answer is Snout

___ cold brew

• The answer is Nitro.

An hour after noon

• The answer is One PM.

Get married to

• The answer is Wed.

Org. infiltrated by aliens in "Space Jam"

• The answer is NBA.

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

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.

TL;DR: The Sellful White Label Website Builder and Software ERP Agency Plan is on sale for $349.97 (reg. $1,497) through Dec. 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sellful Sellful - White Label Website Builder & Software: ERP Agency Plan (Lifetime) $349.97
$1,497 Save $1,147.03   Get Deal

If you want to manage websites, client communication, online sales, and business automation without using multiple tools, Sellful’s ERP Agency Plan streamlines these tasks under one roof. The lifetime subscription is $349.97 (reg. $1,497) through Dec. 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, making it a one-time purchase for a sizable stack of software.

Instead of using separate tools for newsletters, forms, scheduling, and payments, this package consolidates many tasks into a single dashboard.

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You get an AI-powered website and funnel builder, e-commerce tools, a CRM for client tracking, and automation for outreach. Agencies can create up to ten white-label sites under their branding. This means less time spent switching platforms, making it simple and convenient.

Additional features cover memberships, online courses, project management, and marketing — email and SMS included. Businesses offering services can use appointment scheduling, while those selling products have access to shop-building, inventory sync, and point-of-sale.

There are also options for contract signing, social media automation, and integrations with thousands of third-party apps. For most, it’s a way to access a comprehensive toolkit without having to stack up separate subscriptions across various productivity platforms.

The ERP Agency Plan costs $349.97, which is 77% off the MSRP. It’s a one-time payment that appeals to users seeking predictable costs or fewer recurring subscriptions.

Agencies, small businesses, and freelancers managing multiple client projects or digital services can benefit from this kind of all-in-one platform. If you’ve been considering consolidating tools like your website builder, CRM, and marketing software, this offer presents a chance to do so at a notable discount and without adding another recurring bill to your budget.

Sellful’s ERP Agency Plan is available for $349.97 (reg. $1,497) through Dec. 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: These earbuds were made for bedtime, and now you can get the SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds for Sleeping for just $19.97 (reg. $34.99) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: HyperGear SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds for Sleeping $19.97
$34.99 Save $15.02   Get Deal

Have you ever tried to sleep with your normal earbuds in? It may seem like a great idea, but the first time you roll over, you know you’ve made a big mistake. That’s where the SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds for Sleeping can help, offering earbuds designed for slumbertime.

Give yourself the gift of drifting off to sleep comfortably while listening to your favorite content for just $19.97 (reg. $34.99), on sale for a limited time.

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Whether you prefer to fall asleep to classical music or your favorite true crime podcast (to each their own), it can be tough to listen to your content if you’re sleeping with a loved one. The SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 technology, so you can listen lying down and everyone can fall asleep peacefully.

The SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds feature a flat design that remains comfortable no matter how you sleep — on your stomach, back, or side. They weigh just 3g each, so there’s no pressure on your ears, and you won’t even realize you’re wearing them. Comfy ErgoLoops also keep them in place all night long, so you don’t need to worry about losing one mid-slumber.

With -20dB of noise reduction, your partner’s snoring or that loud traffic outside your window will be muffled for better sleep. You can also set a sleep timer ranging from 30 minutes to two hours.

The SleepEEZ earbuds also offer an impressive five hours of battery life, with a case that adds 15 more hours for on-the-go charging. When you need to power them back up, they are back to 100 percent in just 60 minutes.

Sleep easier with the SleepEEZ Mini Noise-Blocking True Wireless Earbuds for Sleeping on sale for $19.97 (reg. $34.99) while stock is still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 15, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal

Looking for a new headphones deal before Christmas? Look no further than this latest Amazon deal on Beats Solo 4. As of Dec. 15, you can save $70 on these headphones, with a new price of $129.95.

Beats are famed for their incredible sound quality, and these headphones are no different. They use updated drivers and custom acoustic architecture to deliver clear, balanced sound, and have support for Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking. They're even designed for long listening periods, with a lightweight shape, flexible headband, angled adjustable ear cups, and UltraPlush cushions.

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Battery life is another strong point, with up to 50 hours on a single charge. When you do need a top-up, a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge provides around five hours of playback. There’s also a built-in microphone for calls and voice assistant use, so they're not just great for music and podcasts, but phone calls, voice notes, and work calls as well.

You can find this great Beats deal on Amazon right now. But don't wait too long, this deal has a "limited-time" stamp.

SAVE $170: As of Dec. 15, the Dyson Airstrait is on sale for $379.99 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airstrait $379.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $170   Get Deal

The Christmas countdown is on, and if you're still hunting for the perfect gift, check out this latest Amazon deal on the Dyson Airstrait. The Airstrait has seen several discounts over recent months, but this is the biggest yet, bringing it down to its lowest-ever price. As of Dec. 15, take it home for just $379.99 and save $170 on the list price.

The Dyson Airstrait does what the name suggests; it dries and straightens hair at the same time. And it does so with no hot plates or extreme heat. It uses a high-pressure, precisely heated airflow projected evenly through the hair. It's created to work with multiple hair types too, helping prevent heat damage and protect strength and shine.

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The airflow is directed downwards at a 45° angle to create the tension needed to smooth your hair, while intelligent heat control measures temperature up to 30 times per second for consistent results. It features wet and dry modes, with preset temperature options ranging from 175°F to 285°F, plus an optional Boost mode for extra styling impact. It even has sensors that can detect when hair is between the arms to automatically adjust airflow for quieter, more efficient styling.

Find this Dyson deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $25: As of Dec. 15, the Kindle Paperwhite is on sale for $134.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 16% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Get Deal

The big day is just around the corner, and if you're still scrambling for some last minute Christmas gift ideas, don't worry — you've got some time. And if you have a book lover in your life, you've also got a discount. As of Dec. 15, the Kindle Paperwhite just got a $25 discount, bringing the price down to $134.99.

The Kindle Paperwhite is a great yet affordable Kindle for the book lover in your life. It features a 7-inch display with higher contrast and 25% faster page turns, so reading feels natural, and there's no lag between pages. It's designed in an ultra-thin, travel-ready design with a larger glare-free screen that stays sharp wherever you read, no matter the lighting conditions. You can even adjust the screen from white to warm amber to read comfortably in bright sunlight or complete darkness.

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This model is built for reading and reading alone. It's not a tablet, so you won't have social media or other apps complicating things. That's a reason the battery lasts so long; a single USB-C charge can last up to 12 weeks, perfect for taking on vacation. And the waterproof design means it’s safe by the pool, in the bath, or on the go.

Pick up this Kindle Paperwhite deal from Amazon now.