IT General

The idea of driving a luxury car is appealing. Whether it's the prestigious badges, robust build quality, or high-end materials that attract you to them, there's a lot to be desired. But going premium is costly, especially for hybrid cars. However, Toyota makes a reliable hybrid sedan that rivals the Lexus ES at a fraction of the price.

Valerion is celebrating a full year of redefining home entertainment with a special anniversary event that makes bringing cinematic visuals into any room more affordable than ever. For two weeks this June, the brand is marking its milestone with what it calls Valerion Day.

When I use Linux, I practically live in the terminal. As with any living space, I like to add my own touch when I move into a new place. Here are the apps I install on a new system to make it feel like home.

Apple's foldable iPhone could be (finally) right around the corner, with a new report saying the display has "finalized specifications" with production set for autumn 2025.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posted an update on X on Wednesday that Apple supplier Foxconn "is expected to officially kick off the project" in late third quarter or early fourth quarter 2025, meaning anywhere between August and November. Kuo shared a similar update in March, predicting the foldable iPhone's release would be 2026, Kuo says, which would line up with the expected launch of the iPhone 18 series.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

But of course, Kuo adds, "all plans remain subject to change."

One of the biggest updates here is that Kuo says the iPhone's foldable display is reportedly "one of the few components with finalized specifications." This display, the analyst says, will be built using Samsung Display panels, writing that the manufacturer "plans to build annual production capacity for 7-8 million foldable panels to supply the 2026 foldable iPhone."

SEE ALSO: Every foldable iPhone and iPad rumor we've heard so far

As for the rest of the foldable iPhone, "many component specifications (including the hinge, which has drawn considerable market attention) have yet to be finalized," Kuo added.

Rumours have run rife about the foldable iPhone for years, with Mashable's Stan Schroeder detailing the latest rumoured specs in March. In Kuo's latest post, they also report rumoured claims that "Apple has placed an order for 15–20 million foldable iPhones," and that Apple "may ship several million units annually in both 2027 and 2028, possibly due to its premium pricing."

And what towering pricing it is.

TL;DR: Watch Alcaraz vs. Munar in the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of top players competing in the 2025 Queen's Club Championships, including Carlos Alcaraz. The talented start will be looking to build some momentum before Wimbledon, and next he faces up against Jaume Munar for a place in the quarter finals.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Munar in the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Munar for free

Alcaraz vs. Munar in the 2025 Queen's Club Championships is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Queen's Club Championships by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Alcaraz vs. Munar for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Alcaraz vs. Munar without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 Queen's Club Championships before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 connection speeds

• 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 only $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Munar in the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE OVER $300: As of June 19, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This is 39% off its list price of $899.99 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8 through July 11 this year, but you actually don't have to wait to take advantage of the best deals. Amazon already has plenty worth checking out across a number of categories.

If you've been on the hunt for a robot vacuum to help you out, this deal on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop deserves your attention. Normally the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop is listed for $899.99, but it's currently down to $549.99 at Amazon for a limited time. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025: Dates and deals

Boasting 8,000 Pa suction, this powerful robot vacuum will give your floors a deep clean, picking up any dirt, debris, or hair that has dropped. And for your harder surfaces, the mop will help them look shiny and new thanks to MopMaster 2.0 technology. We had a lot of praise for it in our review, with Mashable's Leah Stodart saying, "Eufy's most all-encompassing hybrid vacuum is a rare option with a full self-cleaning station that actually performs almost every task sufficiently."

This is an excellent pre-Prime Day deal, and one that may not stick around for long, so act fast to save big on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon.

Want to join in on the Amazon Prime Day fun this year when the event kicks off? Have a look at our guide on how to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $99.00

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

SAVE OVER $700: As of June 19, the 75-inch TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV is on sale for $1,298 at Amazon. This is 35% off its list price of $1,999.99 (saving you $701.99), and its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-Inch Class QM7K Series QD-Mini LED 4K UHD TV $1,298 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $701.99 Get Deal

Prime Day is a great time to pick up a new TV, but why wait for the event to officially kick off? Amazon already has some great TV deals floating around, including this discount on the 75-inch TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV.

The 75-inch TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV has been marked down to $1,298 at Amazon. This marks a 35% discount and is its lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18-24? Get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free ahead of Prime Day.

It's a TV that's well worth the upgrade. With its massive 75-inch size, you'll feel completely absorbed in your favorite shows and movies. You also get QD-Mini LED TV with 4K resolution — which brings images on your screen to life in crisp, vibrant detail — and Dolby Atmos audio to immerse you in the sounds you hear, too. On top of that, it's a Google smart TV, so you can keep all of your favorite streaming apps in one place.

There's no better time than now to pick up the 75-inch TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV while it's at its lowest-ever price. Don't miss out on this great pre-Prime Day deal.

If you're planning ahead, Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8 through July 11 this year. If you're hoping to sign up for Prime ahead of the sale event, check out our guide on how to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $99.00

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

Have you ever used a tool so much that you assume it's open source? That was me, with more than one app on this list. They were free and dev-friendly, sometimes even on GitHub. But under the hood, they were locked down. Easy to miss—until you look closer.

Hurricane Erick, a storm heading towards the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico, has strengthened overnight to a Category 4 — and you can see the scale of it from space.

Footage shared on the official SEN YouTube channel shows Hurricane Erick churning over Earth, captured on 18 June at 20:06 UTC from a 4K camera on the International Space Station.

SEE ALSO: Live from space! Watch Earth live streamed on Mashable.

The storm is expected to produce "life-threatening flooding and mudslides" in areas of Southwest Mexico, with "coastal flooding" and "devastating wind damage" near its core, per the National Hurricane Center.

Amazon's biggest shopping event of the year is upon us. Prime Day, which is now four days long, officially kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, and runs through Friday, July 11.

With new deals dropping as often as every five minutes at certain points during the event, shopping can get pretty overwhelming. We know all too well that it's easy to get caught up in the sales, indulge in some impulse purchasing, and experience a little buyer's remorse.

As with every major Amazon sale, there are already plenty of live deals to shop ahead of the official event kickoff, with lots more to come — and you just might run into some questions along the way. Whether you're dealing with a classic case of buyer's remorse or have questions about deals, damage to packages, or your Prime membership, you want to know that you can actually speak to customer service.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership

Since contacting Amazon can be tricky at times, here are all the ways you can get in touch with customer service for a smoother online shopping experience before, during, and after Prime Day:

Amazon customer service help page

This is probably the most common, and easiest, way to look for answers to common queries, such as those about Amazon’s return policies or information about international shipping. The page contains a whole library of questions that users can get answers to, including how to track packages, cancel orders, or start a return. Your most recent purchases will pop up at the top of the page for easy navigation.

To access Amazon’s Customer Service Help Page, go to the website landing page and click on "Customer Service" in the top left of the screen. 

Amazon customer service email

Sometimes customer queries need to be worked through on a case-by-case basis, and the answers on the official website need to be more specific to offer any help to shoppers. In these cases, users can email cs-reply@amazon.com and explain their issues. Remember that contacting Amazon’s customer service via email might not be the best solution if you have an urgent question regarding your purchases, since customers are unlikely to get a prompt response.

Amazon customer service phone number

Need a quicker reply? Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331. When customers call this number, a bot picks up the phone and eventually connects them to Amazon staff, depending on the type of query that needs to be answered. It’s important to note that customers should have a cell phone number connected to their Amazon account. Customers must enter verification codes that will be messaged to their linked contact information before using this service. In other words, things can get a bit tricky if you're sharing an account with someone else.

Amazon online chat service

Real-time chatting with Amazon representatives is the most convenient way to get all your questions answered. To use the live chat feature, return to the Customer service help page and click on "Help with something else." When the list pops up underneath, choose "something else" once again. Another page opens with a list of more help options. Select "I need help with something else."

Now you've officially entered the chat. Type "Talk to associate" in the chat box. Amazon's messaging assistant might prompt you to give more info on your issue, which you can, but if you'd rather get to a real person ASAP, you can select, "I need more help" from the pre-written responses.

From there, you can choose if you’d prefer to talk via chat or call. If you're looking for immediate help with a Prime Day purchase — be it due to buyer's remorse, a damaged package, an address change, etc. — this is your best bet to get your needs met.

For simple questions, Amazon also launched a new AI chat feature last year called "Rufus," which can help customers solve some problems and make more informed purchase decisions.

Contact Amazon via social media

If your questions aren’t that urgent, you can contact Amazon Customer Service at @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon on Facebook.

It's officially summer as of Friday, June 20, which can only mean one thing: Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner. You may be wondering if you should pull the trigger on deals you've been eyeing once the official sale kicks off or wait until the next Prime event. We're here to lay out all the details to help you decide, including when to expect the next Prime Day.

When is the next Prime Day?

While it may seem like Amazon is holding Prime events every other month, Prime Day technically only happens once a year in the summer. However, Amazon has also been holding another major sale event the past three years in the fall (called Prime Big Deal days in 2024). For all intents and purposes, it's essentially Prime Day 2. Amazon has also held a week-long shopping event in the spring dubbed Amazon's Big Spring Sale for the past two years. The deals aren't quite at the level of Prime Day, but it is considered Amazon's first major savings event of the year.

In 2025, Prime Day proper kicks off on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through July 11. That's four full days of deal shopping, marking the longest Prime Day ever. While it's longer than usual by two days, the sale still comes at its usual time: Amazon historically holds the Prime Day event in mid-July with a Tuesday start date. Deals are already floating around ahead of the big event and will likely linger after the event concludes at 2:59 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 12 (aka 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, July 11).

Once the sales dry up, you'll have to wait until the fall for another Prime-centric shopping event. The next Prime Day likely won't take place until October, 2025 (unless, of course, Amazon decides to throw us a curveball) and it won't actually be called Prime Day.

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the October Prime Day-esque event was held the second week of October. If we assume Amazon will stick with a similar schedule as the past few years, the next Prime Day will probably fall on Oct. 7 and 8, 2025.

Are Prime Day deals worth it?

It's hard to get excited for a huge shopping event when you have recession on the brain. Everything from electronics to clothes to cleaning supplies has become more expensive this year due to President Donald Trump's tariffs and other general economic chaos.

If you're wondering whether or not Prime Day 2025 is actually worth shopping, inflation-weary shoppers can rest assured that Prime Day is notoriously full of great summer deals. Besides Black Friday, it's probably the best time of year to buy Amazon devices, Apple products, robot vacuums, everyday essentials, smartwatches, headphones, and more. If you're in the market for tech, it's certainly worth perusing. Mashable has a hub for Prime Day coverage that can give you more in-depth analysis on what products are worth grabbing and which ones are worth passing on.

The NZXT Capsule Elite USB microphone has no business being as good as it is for $90. The 24-bit depth and 192kHz sample rate really take center stage for making voiceovers sound like they came from a much more expensive microphone.

Shooting films on iPhone just keeps getting more high-profile, with Stormzy releasing a short film entirely made with the iPhone 16 Pro on Wednesday.

Big Man was directed by Aneil Karia (The Long Goodbye) and shot by director of photography Stuart Bentley (We Live in Time) using the iPhone's Cinematic Mode in 4K at 120 frames per second. The 20-minute film follows rap artist Tenzman (played by Stormzy), who's having an average time of it with his career. When he meets two kids running a fake sponsorship scam, they end up on a road trip to Brighton — and all the unexpected bonding that comes with it.

The film was produced by Stormzy's own #Merky Films, which launched on June 11, alongside Apple and Somesuch, the production company most recently behind Harris Dickinson's directorial debut Urchin.

Big Man is streaming on Apple’s YouTube channel or above.

Prime Day 2025 is coming, and if you want to shop all the best deals, you'll need an Amazon Prime account.

The annual summer shopping extravaganza known as Prime Day kicks off on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through Friday, July 11, marking the longest Prime Day ever. Deals will be dropping as often as every five minutes at certain points during the event, and most will be exclusive to Prime members. Sure, there will be plenty of deals available to shop regardless of your membership status, but Amazon typically reserves the best for its members — that's kind of the point of the event.

Not yet a Prime member? Want to revive your old Prime account? You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and unlock access to the sale. And nothing is stopping you from canceling before 30 days to avoid paying full price — just saying.

Regardless of whether or not you stick around, here's how you can sign up for Amazon Prime:

Total Time

• 5 minutes, email address or phone number

What You Need

• Internet access

Step 1: Go to the Amazon Prime sign-up page and click on Start your free 30-day trial.

Head to Amazon Prime's sign-up page.

Step 2: Input your email if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon account.

A new sign-in page will open up on the website. Input your email or mobile number and password if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon account. If you make a new account, you'll need to provide some basic information such as name, email, and password.

Step 3: If you're creating a new account, follow the steps to verify your email with a One-Time Password.

If you choose to create a new account, Amazon will send an OTP to your respective email address or mobile number for account verification. If you are using an existing account, skip to Step 5.

Step 4: Input the OTP and click on Verify.

Once the OTP verification page appears on the screen, input the code and click on Verify.

Step 5: Sign up for your free one-month trial or purchase a full subscription.

Now users have two options: sign up for a free one-month trial or purchase a full subscription, though many users might not qualify for a free trial if they have already availed it in the past with the same email or phone number. If you are purchasing a subscription, click on one of these four plans to become a prime member: Monthly Prime Membership — costs $14.99 per month Annual Membership — costs $139 per year or under $12 monthly Student Monthly Membership — costs $7.49 per month; students are eligible for exclusive offers including a 6-month free Prime trial. Prime for government assistance recipients — costs $6.99 per month (must verify eligibility)

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 June 19 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 June 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A trinket.

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 C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CURIO.

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 June 19

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

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 June 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 19 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Life is a highway

The words are travel-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things needed for long car rides.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Road Trip

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 19

• Motel

• Playlist

• Scenery

• Road Trip

• Audibook

• Photos

• Games

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 June 19 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: A student's worries

• Green: Found in Google Maps

• Blue: Found in a kid's room

• Purple: Needed for a competitive sport

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: Components of one's grade

• Green: Map app options

• Blue: Classic Toys

• Purple: Fencing gear

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 #739 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Components of one's grade: ATTENDANCE, FINAL, HOMEWORK, PAPERS

• Map app options: DESTINATION, ROUTE, STARTING POINT, STOPS

• Classic Toys: BALL, BLOCKS, JACKS, TRAIN

• Fencing gear: FOILS, GLOVES, JACKETS, MASKS

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 June 19

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 yesterday's Connections.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

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: Handful of surprises

• Green: Gold terms

• Blue: Initial hockey squads

• Purple: Same second word

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: Uno cards

• Green: Found around the green

• Blue: Original six NHL teams

• Purple: ___ shot

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 #269 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Uno cards - DRAW TWO, REVERSE, SKIP, WILD

• Found around the green - BALL MARKER, FLAGSTICK, HOLE, PUTTER

• Original six NHL teams - BRUINS, CANADIENS, MAPLE LEAFS, RED WINGS

• ____ shot - HOOK, JUMP, LONG, SLAP

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 yesterday's Connections.

Donald Trump's indecision over whether or not to join Israel's war against Iran has led to some infighting in his own camp, an example of which occurred on Wednesday, when Tucker Carlson sat down opposite Senator Ted Cruz for a TV interview on Carlson's own network.

"On the one side is Ted Cruz, who wants war with Iran. On the other is Tucker Carlson, who thinks Ted Cruz doesn't know shit about Iran," says Daily Show host Jordan Klepper in the clip above, before playing a clip of Carlson asking a struggling Cruz about the country's population.

"Oh, damn Ted Cruz! Are you a pair of $800 Ferragamo boat shoes? Because Tucker Carlson owned you, buddy," Klepper says. "Ted Cruz was like, 'I know the population, just give me a second to count, OK? Let's see, there's the Ayatollah, that's one, the Iron Sheik, that's two, er, is Aladdin one, I don't...know?"

Klepper follows that up with more clips of the two of them arguing, culminating in Cruz and Carlson yelling that the other one doesn't know anything about Iran.

"This is awesome! 'You don't know anything,' 'No, you don't know anything!' I don't care about who wins the fight, I just like watching the fight! It's like Alien vs. Predator, but somehow more gross."

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 Thursday, June 19, 2025:

AcrossElectronics upgrade for the living room

• The answer is NewTV.

Sneeze sound

• The answer is Achoo.

Common merch offering

• The answer is Shirt.

Journalism is a noted one in 2025

• The answer is Horse.

The "L" of L.A.

• The answer is Los.

DownMathematician John for whom an equilibrium is named

• The answer is Nash.

Word shouted into a canyon

• The answer is Echo.

Spin round and round

• The answer is Whirl.

Midsection of the body

• The answer is Torso.

Decides (on) democratically

• The answer is Votes.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.