IT General

When YouTube's recommendations work, they can highlight great content that you enjoy watching. But over time, they seem to get less and less relevant. When my YouTube recommendations started serving up junk, I delved into the Watch History to fix them.

Best Nintendo Switch 2-compatible power banks we’ve found on sale this week: Best deal overall Anker Nano Power Bank $35.99 (save $4) Get Deal Best for portability VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank $23.99 (save $6) Get Deal Best high capacity deal INIU Portable Charger $26.97 (save $5.24) Get Deal

If you were lucky enough to get your hands on the brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 (it’s out of stock at most retailers), you’ve probably realized that the handheld battery life isn’t exactly the greatest. (Though, this wasn’t a surprise, as Mashable’s Alex Perry puts it, “more horsepower and a better display also mean more drain on battery.”)

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 restock tracker (June 13): Walmart has the console in stock, but there's a catch

Through testing, we’ve found that you can get around three hours of battery life at best, which isn’t ideal if you’re traveling or don’t have a wall socket nearby. The good news is that the Switch 2 can be powered via a USB-C charger, so just about any standard power bank should, in theory, work.

Of course, we’re expecting some Nintendo-specific chargers to hit the market soon, but in the meantime, we thought we’d save you some time and effort by rounding up some of the best Nintendo Switch 2-compatible power banks we’ve found on sale this week.

Best deal overall Anker Nano Power Bank, 10,000mAh Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C Cable, PD 30W Max Output with 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Compatible for iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max, MacBook, Galaxy, iPad $39.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

The Anker Nano Power Bank has a built-in USB-C cable, so if you forget to bring one, you can still charge your Switch 2 without having to scrounge for a spare. At 10,000mAh, you should be able to get at least one full charge out of it, which is pretty great considering how small and compact it is (4.09 × 2.06 × 1.02 inches).

It has bidirectional charging, meaning you can charge your devices from the power bank and charge the power bank itself from a separate power source at the same time. According to the manufacturer, you can get it to 50 percent in just 45 minutes.

SEE ALSO: The best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories include an irresistible Piranha Plant webcam and an upgraded controller

The case is made from 80 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, and it comes in multiple color options, (most power banks do not). It also has a 24-month “worry-free” warranty.

Get it now for $35.99, down from $39.99, at Amazon. That's a 10% discount and $4 off.

Best high capacity deal Why we like it

The INIU Portable Charger has a 20,000mAh battery, meaning it can fully charge a Switch 2 at least two times. But, keep in mind, that at 22.5W, it will be noticeably slower than the Anker Nano, especially if you're playing a more demanding game.

It has one USB-C port and two USB-A ports, so you can charge multiple devices at once, and it features a three-mode LED flashlight, which could come in handy in a pinch. You’ll also get a three-year warranty with this one.

Get it now for $26.97, down from $32.21, at Amazon. That's a 16% discount and a $5.24 savings.

Best for portability VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank 10000mAh, 22.5W Fast Charging Small Portable Charger with PD 3.0 & QC 3.0,USB C Slim Lightweight iPhone Charger, Dual Output Compatible with iPhone, Samsung,Travel Must Haves $23.99 at Amazon
$28.99 Save $5 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re looking for something that’s a little more compact, the VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank is one option. (It weighs 5.8 ounces.)

It has a 10,000mAh battery and features one 20W USB-C port, one 22.5W USB-A port, and one 18W micro input port. It also has a little LED display that shows how much battery is left.

SEE ALSO: My day one Nintendo Switch 2 review: It's here, and it's awesome

This portable charger doesn’t charge up as quickly as the Anker Nano Power Bank (you’ll get a full recharge in about 2.5 to 3 hours), but it is smaller and more lightweight, making it a better option for portability.

Get it now for $26.97, down from $29.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and $6 in savings.

As follow-up to her critically heralded romantic drama Past Lives, writer/director Celine Song offers Materialists. The romantic comedy stars internet favorites Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, and Pedro Pascal as three New Yorkers looking for love in a cynical world.

In the film, Johnson plays Lucy, a matchmaker whose job is to pair wealthy clients with a could-be mate who checks all the boxes, from income to politics to height! When she meets Harry (Pascal), a suave man in finance, she tells him he's a "unicorn" — the ideal that all of her female-seeking-male clients are dreaming of. So when he asks her out, what could possibly distract her from his attention? John (Chris Evans), her first love, who is passionate but poor, a struggling actor working as a cater waiter.

SEE ALSO: Pedro Pascal recites famous Mr. Darcy quote in rom-com quiz with Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans

The battle between love and money has been at the heart of romantic stories since at least the Regency era of Jane Austen and Bridgerton. But in the streets of Manhattan, such tensions spark a fight between John and Lucy in the middle of the street. Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko asked Materialists stars Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson what it was like shooting such an emotionally intense scene on location in New York City.

The pair also touched on another crucial moment of John and Lucy's onscreen relationship. He knows her favorite drinks: a beer and a Coke. So what do these two stars favor when it's time to order at the bar? Tune in to find out!

Materialists debuts in theaters June 13.

SAVE $300.01: As of June 13, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.98 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop $399.98 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $300.01 Get Deal

If you live in a home where you're constantly vacuuming and mopping, you're probably tired of the seemingly endless cycle of dirt, clean, repeat. But we live in the future, which means you don't have to worry about manually pushing a stick vacuum or dunking a mop into a bucket for tidy floors. You can just have a robot do the dirty work for you. And right now, you can do so at a significant discount.

As of June 13, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for $399.98, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $300.01 off and a discount of 43%.

SEE ALSO: Eufy E20 shoutout: The most underrated robot vacuum of 2025 so far doubles as a stick vacuum

This all-in-one vacuum and mop combo can handle every part of the cleaning process on its own, from vacuuming on a schedule and making its way around your home to mopping and drying as it goes. It offers 7,000 Pa of suction with a rolling brush and side brush to cut through hair and other dirt and debris. It also features a mop that features 180 rotations per minute and 6N of pressure so it can scrub tougher stains, mopping and drying with room temperature air as it goes along.

You can control the vacuum and mop with the Eufy app, set up cleaning schedules, safe zones, and much more for a customized cleaning plan that doesn't have to involve you. Plus, when it's full, it can handle emptying its dustbin on its own so that's one less chore you have to focus on.

This could make a great gift or an auspicious addition to your smart home setup, especially since it can work with virtual voice-controlled assistants. And at this price, it's even nicer than usual.

Best Home and Kitchen Deals

• Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $139.99 (List Price $159.00)

• Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.95 (List Price $179.99)

• Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $161.99 (List Price $249.99)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $449.95

• Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.98 (List Price $699.99)

SAVE $1,199.99: Through June 22, Best Buy will give you a free Sony 65-inch Bravia X90L 4K TV when you buy a Sony 98-inch Bravia 5 mini LED TV at full price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Free Sony 65-inch Bravia X90L 4K TV with purchase of Sony 98-inch Bravia 5 mini LED 4K TV Get Deal

You can usually find some decent deals on TVs at any given time. But even the biggest discounts on record still won't beat free.

If you're in the market for a fancy TV upgrade and want to splurge on a huge 98-inch Sony Bravia 5 — the company's latest mini LED TV — Best Buy will give you a gift: a free Sony 65-inch Bravia X90L. To qualify, add both the 98-inch Bravia 5 and 65-inch Bravia X90L to your cart on the promo page. Best Buy will then automatically apply the discount for your free TV, knocking the $1,199.99 price tag down to a satisfying $0.

Nothing hits like watching the price drop from $1,199.99 to $0. Credit: Best Buy

So, what's the catch? (There's always a catch). While the deal is straightforward — buy one TV and get another completely free — the catch is that the new 98-inch Sony Bravia 5 comes with quite the sticker shock at $6,499.99. A free 65-inch X90L TV valued at $1,199.99 takes a little bit of that sting out, but that's still a very expensive TV. Granted, our friends at ZDNet (also owned by Ziff Davis) called it the best big-screen Sony TV. "The Bravia 5 is a solid option for creating a movie theater in your own home. The updated Mini LED panel supports automatic HDR tone mapping for console and PC gaming, a 120Hz refresh rate, and enhanced picture and audio processing," their reviewer wrote. In other words, since it's brand-new, you'll be future-proofing your home theater setup and shouldn't have to buy a new TV for many years.

The free Bravia X90L TV hails from 2023 and remains one of the best-performing TVs in its price range. ZDNet wrote that while it "might not set any records for picture quality, it does feature some of the best audio you can get."

If you're already in the market for a new big-screen TV and you're looking to splurge on the latest technology, this is a pretty sweet deal. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly model, we certainly wouldn't recommend dropping $6,499.99 just to get a free TV.

Regardless, both TVs offer everything you've come to expect from high-end models, like excellent picture and audio quality, innovative features like preloaded streaming apps and voice controls, impressive refresh rates, and Sony upscaling. Through June 22, you can upgrade two rooms in your home for the price of a single (albeit expensive) 4K big-screen TV.

The best TV deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $329.99

• 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $648.00 (List Price $699.99)

• Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,699.99

• LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV   — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)

BUY $50, GET $5: As of June 13, spend $50 on a Google Play card and get $5 in promo credit at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spend $50 on a Google Play card, get $5 in promo credit Get Deal

Father's Day is just two days away. If you forgot to pick something up or you're buying for a picky dad, now's the time to start considering last-minute gifts. One great idea is a Google Play gift card. That way Dad can choose what he wants from the Google Play Store. And if you're thinking of grabbing one, now's a good time thanks to this Amazon deal that sweetens things even further.

As of June 13, spend $50 on a Google Play card and get $5 in promo credit at Amazon. Just add Google Play cards from the promo page to your cart, making sure to spend at least $50. When you're finished, go to your Amazon cart, check out, and you'll see your $5 promo credit automatically applied. You have to spend at least $50 in a single order, however, so make sure you aren't breaking those purchases apart.

A Google Play card is a versatile gift that you can send digitally, so you don't have to worry about hand-delivering it if you're short on time or Dad lives a little too far away. You can use it to make in-app purchases, buy apps, movies, books, games, music, and plenty of other stuff from the Google Play Store.

If you're going to grab a card anyway, might as well get some money back while doing so. This offer is only available for a limited time, so make sure you get those last-minute gifts in while you still can. Or stock up on some Google "cash" for yourself.

AI-generated commercials are ready for primetime.

If you watched the NBA finals on Wednesday, you may have seen an ad that features a shirtless elderly gentleman draped in an American flag, a farmer floating in an inflatable pool filled with eggs, an alien chugging a pitcher of beer, and a lady in a sparkly pink tracksuit driving a Zamboni.

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Once your eyes recovered from the unhinged scenes, you would be right in assuming that this ad was created using generative AI. What's more, the Kalshi AI ad only took $2,000 and two days to create, according to YouTuber and filmmaker PJ Ace, who created the commercial.

The AI creation was an advertisement for Kalshi, a market where users can place real-money trades on real-world events. Obviously, since it aired during the basketball game, the ad's AI-generated characters shared (yelled) whether they wanted the Oklahoma City Thunder or Indiana Pacers to win the championship (Indiana currently leads 2-1 in the series). But it also showed AI characters betting on things like whether the price of eggs would go up, hence the inflatable pool.

After posting the video on X, Kalshi confirmed that it was created using Veo 3, Google's latest AI video generator that also supports audio. Now that Veo 3 has been unleashed, the ability to create inexpensive and eye-catching videos is undeniably seductive to advertisers. Meta is going all in on AI-generated ads for its platforms and reportedly plans to fully automate ad creation by the end of next year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"We were not specifically looking for an AI video at first, but after getting quotes from production companies that were in the six or seven figure range with timelines that didn't fit our needs, we decided to experiment," a Kalshi spokesperson told Mashable. "We did want some outrageous scenes as that fit the ad's theme of the world going mad; another factor here is that Veo-3 has a clip length limit of 8 seconds, so it was going to need to be structured as a commercial that cut around to different scenes quickly."

In a thread on X, Ace shared how he created the Kalshi AI ad. He said he was asked by Kalshi to "create a spot about people betting on various markets, including the NBA Finals" and decided to pursue this creative vision because "the best Veo 3 content is crazy people doing crazy things while showcasing your brand." And in a YouTube description of the video, Ace said, "Kalshi hired me to make the most unhinged NBA Finals commercial possible." He also predicted that "High-dopamine Veo 3 videos will be the ad trend of 2025."

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Ace wrote a rough script of wild characters and dialogue, with brainstorming help from Gemini and ChatGPT, then started prompting. All in all, Ace said it took him "300–400 generations to get 15 usable clips," resulting in a commercial that he says is 95 percent cheaper than traditional ads.

The AI filmmaker, who has over 15 years of experience as a director, said that while this commercial was made inexpensively, some brands will still "pay a premium for taste." But the future of ads in his opinion, is "small teams making viral, brand-adjacent content weekly, getting 80 to 90 percent of the results for way less."

Tech company Anker has recalled more than one million of its popular power banks due to fire and burn hazards, according to a June 12 alert from the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

The brand has received 19 reports of fires and explosions from customers using the PowerCore 1000 A1263 model, which includes at least two instances of burn injuries and 11 property damage claims totaling over $60,700.

SEE ALSO: Apple will soon be ending support for Intel-based Macs

Anker has since posted its own update on the developing situation, announcing that the company will be replacing the China-manufactured charging banks affected by the recall. In order to qualify for the replacement, customers must submit photo evidence that they own the indicated model, as well as proof that they have disposed of the device properly. The company has advised those customers not to throw their power banks in their standard trash recepticles, but to instead contact their local hazardous waste collection service for further instructions.

This isn't the first time that Anker has had to recall one of their portable batteries — the PowerCore 1000 A1263 is just one of four current recalls from the company. (The 334 MagGo 10K, 321 Power Bank 5K, and 535 Power Bank 20K have all been recalled as well). For more information on how to check if you have a qualifying Anker power bank, visit the company's official recall instruction page.

FREE GIFT CARD WITH PURCHASE: When you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Ring at Best Buy ($399.99), you'll get a free $100 Best Buy gift card to spend on other tech.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Ring + free $100 Best Buy gift card Get Deal

The only thing that tops saving money on a new tech purchase is getting free money from a new tech purchase. While the "creepily accurate" Samsung Galaxy Ring isn't currently on sale (it's rare to see it discounted), you can get $100 back to spend on another tech purchase when you buy one.

As of June 13, Best Buy is giving away free $100 gift cards with the purchase of all sizes and colors of the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Take your pick from black, gold, or silver. Once you make your purchase, the $100 Best Buy e-gift card will be created and send via the email address you have on file. Make sure it's a valid one; if not, you'll be asked to confirm and you must respond within 60 days to claim your free gift. Amazon is also running a similar deal, but stock is running low.

We're major fans of the Samsung Galaxy Ring — we even like it better than the popular Oura Ring. Our reviewer Kim Gedeon gave it a near-perfect rating and claimed it's "so good, it has made me consider the unthinkable: dropping my beloved Apple Watch Series 9 for the Korea-based tech giant's new wearable."

Standout features of the Galaxy Ring include an impressive six-day battery life, a comfortable and durable design (water resistance!), crazy-good health tracking and stress monitoring, and — unlike the Oura ring — zero subscription fees. Mashable's own reviewer wore the Galaxy Ring for a week straight and was shocked when it outperformed her Apple Watch Series 9. In other words, even at full cost, it's a worthy purchase. And considering you'll get $100 back to spend on other tech at Best Buy? It's a no-brainer.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• 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) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

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

SAVE 43%: As of June 13, you can get the Dewalt 20V MAX cordless drill combo kit (with two batteries) for $149, down from $260.83. That's a 43% discount, or $111.83 off.

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit, 2-Tool (DCK240C2) $149 at Amazon
$260.83 Save $111.83 Get Deal

If you’re still scrambling to find a Father’s Day gift, we’re seeing tons of deals on power tools across Amazon right now. And the best part? Most will arrive at least one day before the big day.

As of June 13, you can get the Dewalt 20V MAX cordless drill combo kit (with two batteries) for $149, down from $260.83. That's a 43% discount and a $111.83 savings. Amazon also promises a June 14 arrival if you order within the next 10 hours.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot is running a massive Father’s Day Sale — get the best deals on cordless power tools

The Dewalt 20V MAX cordless drill and impact driver power tool combo kit comes with two batteries, a charger, and a contractor bag to keep everything organized — a great gift for new homeowners or anyone looking to upgrade their current set of tools.

The DDC771 features a two-speed transmission and 300 unit watts out of power. It also has a one-half-inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck for tight bit gripping strength, as well as an ergonomic handle for comfort and control. The DCF885 has a compact design made for one-handed loading and features a three-LED light ring with a 20-second delay, so you can see what you’re working on even in dim conditions.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• 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) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

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

Apple's AI-enhanced Siri is probably coming in the spring of 2026, a new report claims.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims that this is an "internal release target" within Apple for the "delayed upgrade" of Siri.

In terms of iOS releases, Apple is targeting the iOS 26.4 software update to bring this new Siri into the world. For reference, Apple released the first iOS 26 beta to developers earlier this week, following a launch during Apple’s 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26 adds 'Emoji Game' for Apple News+ subscribers

And while the iOS 26 release did come with a number of new Apple Intelligence features, Siri was mostly left the same as before.

Some of the features that are coming were announced more than a year ago, at Apple's WWDC 2024, which took place last June. This includes Siri being aware of what's happening on your iPhone's screen and providing personalized answers. Officially, this is coming with a future software update; according to Apple's senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi, that software update will be ready sometime next year.

In an interview at this year's WWDC, Federighi said that the problems arose when the company tried to consolidate two different Siri architectures, one dependable but without the new features, and the other far more advanced but ultimately not stable enough for a wide release yet.

According to Bloomberg's report, if all goes well, Apple might preview some of the new features when it launches the new iPhone this fall, but the timeline could shift and nothing is set in stone just yet.

The Schwartz has been awakened! That's right: Writer-director Mel Brooks' cult classic Spaceballs is getting a sequel, 40 years after the sci-fi parody's original release. Jury's still out on whether it will be called Spaceballs 2: The The Search for More Money, as the original film joked.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2025 (so far), and where to watch them

Amazon MGM Studios announced the sequel will be arriving in theaters in 2027, with a video of Brooks himself discussing making more Spaceballs.

"After 40 years, we asked, 'What do the fans want?'" Brooks says. "But instead, we're making this movie."

The video also sends up just how drastically the franchise landscape has changed since Spaceballs' 1987 release. In an opening title crawl, the video reminds us that there are now three Star Wars trilogies, several spin-off TV shows, and a whole host of other massive franchises, like "36 MCU movies with two different Robert Downey Jr.'s."

So where will Spaceballs 2 fit into the world of franchises? Is it a sequel? A prequel? A reboot? According to its log line, it's actually "A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film."

While Spaceballs 2's plot details are currently under wraps, there's still lots to get excited about. Brooks will be reprising the role of Yogurt, Spaceballs' Yoda stand-in who encourages hero Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) to use the Schwartz.

According to Deadline, Pullman is also set to return in Spaceballs 2, along with Rick Moranis, who played Spaceballs' villainous Dark Helmet. The role would mark Moranis' return to live-action films after a hiatus of 28 years. (Moranis did do voice work, like Brother Bear, as well as TV work during this time.) TheWrap reported that Daphne Zuniga, who played Princess Vespa, will be back for Spaceballs 2 as well.

On top of the returning Spaceballs cast members, Spaceballs 2 will star Keke Palmer. Josh Gad is also expected to star. Gad wrote the script alongside Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. Josh Greenbaum (Will & Harper, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) will direct.

Spaceballs 2 hits theaters in 2027.

UPDATE: Jun. 13, 2025, 9:19 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect the announcement that Daphne Zuniga is also starring in "Spaceballs 2."

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.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: By the water

• Green: Football score

• Blue: Hall-of-famer destinations

• Purple: Matching like to like

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: Bay Area teams

• Green: Touchdown

• Blue: Teams Charles Barkley played for

• Purple: ___to___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #262 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Bay Area teams - 49ERS, SHARKS, VALKYRIES, WARRIORS

• Touchdown - 6, PAYDIRT, TD, TUDDY

• Teams Charles Barkley played for - 76ERS, AUBURN, ROCKETS, SUNS

• ___to___ - DAY, HEAD, MAN, TOE

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

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $100: As of June 13, the Sonos Ace headphones are on sale for $329 at Amazon. This is $120 off their list price of $449.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace $329 at Amazon
$449 Save $120 Get Deal

If you're prepping for summertime travel and looking for some headphones to keep you company on your adventures, there are some great discounts available at the moment. One of our favorites is on the Sonos Ace, which are still at their best-ever price at Amazon.

The Sonos Ace are marked down to $329 at the moment. This is a 27% discount from their list price of $449, allowing you to save $120. You'll want to be quick to pick them up at this price, as they're currently marked as a limited-time deal.

SEE ALSO: The best headphones in 2025

The Sonos Ace boast great sound quality (even featuring Dolby Atmos), a comfortable fit, Active Noise Cancelation so you can keep the outside noise where it belongs while listening to your favorite tunes, and up to 30 hours of battery life with the ANC enabled.

Our review had plenty of positives to say about the Sonos Ace. Mashable's Miller Kern said, "I would recommend Sonos Ace to people who 1) are true audiophiles who value incredible sound quality above all else, and 2) have a Sonos ecosystem at home and will use the TV audio swap feature with their Sonos Ace and soundbar."

This limited-time deal may not last for long. If the Sonos Ace have caught your eye, there's no better time to pick them up.

If you're on the hunt for earbuds instead, you can also score a great deal on the Beats Studio Buds + right now at Amazon. Or if you're a runner, the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are down to their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The best deals this week, 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) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

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

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 13 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 13, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Part of a ship.

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 B.

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...

BILGE.

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 13

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.

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 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 13 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Scattering Petals

The words are garden-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of colorful plants.

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 Flower Girls

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 13

• Daisy

• Violet

• Azalea

• Lily

• Flower Girls

• Petunia

• Rose

• Poppy

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.

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's The Mini crossword answers for June 13 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: Outlook

• Green: Found at Ben & Jerry's

• Blue: Popular in the '90s

• Purple: They share the first word

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: Perspective

• Green: Seen at an ice cream shop

• Blue: Hit songs of 1998

• Purple: Hot ___

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 #733 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Perspective: ANGLE, BENT, LENS, POINT OF VIEW

• Seen at an ice cream shop: CONE, CUP, LITTLE SPOON, SCOOP

• Hit songs of 1998: CLOSING TIME, IRIS, ONE WEEK, TOO CLOSE

• Hot ___: DOG, POTATO, ROD, WATER BOTTLE

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 13

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.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF Auvio, France TV, RaiPlay, or RTVE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The focus of the cycling world is now firmly set on the 2025 Tour de France, with the top stars ramping up preparations for the second Grand Tour of the season. The best thing about this period of preparation is the Critérium du Dauphiné, with Tour de France favourites battling it out in southern France.

The likes of Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel will be feeling each other out before the main event, and you can follow all the action without spending anything.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Critérium du Dauphiné?

The Critérium du Dauphiné is an annual cycling road race in the Dauphiné region of France. The race takes place over eight days during the first half of June, and acts as one of the most important events in the lead-up to the Tour de France.

The defending champion is Primož Roglič.

When is the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné?

The 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné is the 77th edition of the event. This year's Critérium du Dauphiné takes place from June 8-15.

How to watch the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free

The 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:

• Australia — SBS on Demand

• Belgium — RTBF Auvio

• France — France TV

• Italy — RaiPlay

• Spain — RTVE

These services are geo-restricted, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné from any location.

Live stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 a location that is offering free coverage of the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné

4. Connect to your favorite streaming platform from the list above

5. Stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to follow the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for sport?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams from around the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

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• 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 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free with ExpressVPN.

Taylor Tomlinson's After Midnight, the late night comedy show that took over James Corden's old slot in 2023, has come to an end.

In the clip above Tomlinson, who is leaving to continue her standup career, expresses her gratitude for the opportunity, thanks her team, and expresses some regret that After Midnight won't continue after she's gone.

"As you can imagine it's a very emotional night," she says. "It's gonna be an amazing show, but you know, there's a lot happening internally for me, at least. I'm so grateful that I got a chance to do this. I am. I never thought that I would be able to host a late night show. This was never something that was on my vision board at all because I just didn't think that it was possible for me. I'm a touring standup and I feel very grateful to have that career, I really do, and this opportunity came along at a time in my life when I could take advantage of it, and while unfortunately I couldn't keep doing the show – it just wasn't sustainable for me – I can't believe that I got to do it as long as I did.

"It was my dream that I would finish off this season and get to hand it off to a new host. I really wanted CBS to replace me because I just think there are so many amazing comedians who would have done a great job with this show. And the reason I feel that way is, honestly I can't really express, how special this team of people is that I got to work with on this show."

After Midnight's time slot will now be replaced with episodes of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, per Deadline.

Tesla's updated Model S and Model X are here, but you have to look very closely to see the differences.

Tesla's own list of highlights for the new Model S and X starts with a new color option, Frost Blue, which tells you that this is just a retouch of the company's premium models.

Other highlights include:

• quieter cabins, with less wind and road noise and more effective Active Noise Cancellation

• new wheel designs with improved aerodynamics

• improved front fascia camera with better visibility

• dynamic ambient lighting, with "unique animations along the dash & doors upon entry"

• improved suspension design for a smoother ride

• adaptive driving beams

That's for both the Model S and the Model X, but there are a couple of specific improvements for each model, respectively.

The 21-inch Velarium wheels are a $4,500 option. Credit: Tesla

For the Model S:

• The Model S Long Range now has up to 410 miles of range, making it the longest-range Tesla in the company's lineup

• Model S Plaid has new exterior styling, which the company says is optimized for high-speed stability

For the Model X:

• there's now more space for 3rd row occupants and for cargo

In terms of exterior styling, the cars are very similar to what they were before; the Frost Blue color, which is a $2,500 option for both the Model S and Model X, as well as new wheels, will make the biggest difference.

The wheel options now include the 20-inch Perihelix and the 22-inch Machina wheels for the Model X, and the 19-inch Magnetite, and the 21-inch Velarium wheels for the Model S.

The headlights are now adaptive. The new, 22-inch Machina are an optional, $5,500 upgrade. Credit: Tesla

Inside, the new, customizable ambient lighting is the thing that'll make the biggest difference, though that's merely catching up to the new Model 3 and Model Y, which got the ambient lighting as part of their most recent upgrade.

Woohoo, ambient lighting is here! Credit: Tesla

As for the Model X's improved third-row space, that could be a big deal for people who often haul more than five passengers, but Tesla didn't share any details and it's hard to judge the differences based on official photos alone.

SEE ALSO: Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program loses its head

Potential customers won't like the fact that both the Model S and Model X now cost $5,000 more than before. The starting price for the Model S is now $84,990, while the Model X now starts at $89,990. That's for the All-Wheel Drive variants; if you want the Plaid versions, they start at $99,990, and $104,990, respectively.