IT General

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game 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. Like dominoes, the tiles 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 August 29, 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 August 30, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 31 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must equal 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must equal 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 31 Pips

Equal (1) : Everything in this space must equal 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

Greater than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 0-4 placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 31 Pips

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

Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (13): Everything in this space must add up to 13. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must equal 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every dot in this space must be 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Every dot in this space must be 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

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 August 4 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: To condemn

• Green: Parts of Monopoly

• Blue: They have various meanings

• Purple: Twigs

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: Criticize harshly

• Green: Common components of board games

• Blue: Heteronyms

• Purple: ___Sticks

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 #813 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Criticize harshly: BASH, BLAST, FLAME, ROAST

• Common components of board games: BOARD, CARDS, DICE, PIECES

• Heteronyms: AXES, BASS, COORDINATE, DOES

• ___Sticks: CHOP, DRUM, FIDDLE, FISH

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 August 27, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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

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

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Up the hill

The words are song-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are found in a classic nursery rhyme.

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 Jack and Jill.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 30

• Tumbling

• Water

• Fetch

• Jack and Jill

• Broke

• Pail

• After

• Crown

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.

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 August 4 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 August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Part of a flower.

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 P.

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...

PETAL.

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 August 4

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.

7-Zip is one of the best archive managers for Windows, offering a long list of features. However, I recently came across PeaZip, an open-source archive manager, and I find it very similar to 7-Zip. Let's compare both tools so you can determine which one to use on your computer.

Good backups are an essential thing in the modern digital era, when so much of our lives revolves around computers, phones, and the internet. Here is how I back up my Linux laptop to make sure I don't lose anything important.

TL;DR: Give an old PC an upgrade with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through Sept. 7.

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$219.99 Save $180.02 Get Deal

Jealous of all those kids going on back-to-school shopping sprees? Take advantage of a deal on something your PC could use: a fresh Microsoft Office Professional 2021 lifetime license. Right now, you can enjoy this suite of Microsoft Office apps for life for just $39.97 — $180 off the usual price — if you purchase before Sept. 7.

Bring Word, Excel, Outlook, and more to your PC for less

Whether you’re heading back to school or just trying to get through the work day, a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license gives your PC a new lease on life. It equips your device with eight helpful apps that can help you tackle everything from creating a killer presentation to whipping up an informative spreadsheet.

This license gives you lifetime access to Microsoft Office staples like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, while also including newer additions like Teams, Access, OneNote, and Publisher — all for just $5 each. There are no monthly fees or renewals, unlike Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

SEE ALSO: Back to school, AI edition: College students get big discounts on AI tools like Gemini and Grammarly

Don’t let the year of this edition worry you. The 2021 version actually offers some unique advantages like redesigned features, the ability to work offline, and no cloud dependency. Just make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11, as these apps are not supported by Windows 7 or 8.

Get things done with some help from this affordable lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now only $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through Sept. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Dads rejoice – this one’s for you. It’s an excuse to have a mid-life crisis of a maturely immature kind, and a cool one at that. Just bring a fresh pair of New Balance 530s. You know you deserve it, so ditch the SUV and instead buy a car that celebrates your life stage without too much compromise. Go buy a performance wagon.

Picking out a computer to travel with is difficult. You want to have a computer that is powerful enough and big enough, without being too large and unwieldy. It’s also nice if you can entertain yourself, whether it’s through streaming, playing games, or maybe even some drawing.

This electric hatchback stands out as one of the smartest budget-friendly cars you can buy, offering low running costs and everyday practicality. With its compact size, easy maneuverability, and quiet electric drive, it’s perfectly suited for city life while still capable enough for longer commutes.

Are you looking for a replacement for Windows File Explorer? If so, I would recommend trying the Files app, which is one of the best file managers for Windows 11.

SAVE $150: As of Aug. 30, a Pink 10th Generation 256GB  10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display Apple iPad with A14 Bionic chip is $349, down from its list price of $499.

Have you always wanted to become an iPad girly, boy, or person? This Labor Day weekend deal on Amazon has a 10.9-inch 256 GB Pink 10th Generation Apple iPad at 33% off. If you were waiting on a sign to spring for a back-to-school Apple iPad, now is a perfect time to take the leap (especially if you love pink). There’s nothing like coming home after a long day to play around on your iPad, seriously. These devices have been around for 15 years, and it seems they just continue to get more useful. 

One of the best things about Apple iPads is their versatility. You can manage your whole life with an iPad while seamlessly integrating it into your existing Apple ecosystem. Not only does it do everything that your iPhone can (save for connecting to Data, with this particular model), it also has excellent new features that just put a cherry on top.

Customize your home page with widgets that represent your hobbies, classes, work, or all of the above. Download apps like Procreate and pick up an Apple Pencil to revolutionize the way you can make art, digitally collage, take notes, journal, and more.

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Disney's 2025 Destination D23 event may not come with as many major film and TV announcements as its biennial D23 Expo, but it still gave Disney fans lots to be excited about.

SEE ALSO: Disney sues Sling TV over new short-term TV passes

Destination D23's Aug. 30 Walt Disney Studios Showcase event offered attendees first looks at upcoming titles from Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, including Toy Story 5, Avengers: Doomsday, and The Mandalorian & Grogu. From new film announcements to key release dates, we've rounded up every major announcement below so you don't have to miss a thing.

Toy Story 5 gets new characters and new plot details.

At last year's D23 Expo, director Andrew Stanton revealed a teaser for Pixar's latest sequel, along with the plot synopsis that this time around, it's toys versus tech. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the whole gang will be facing off against the Pixar version of an iPad: Bonnie's antagonistic Lily Pad tablet.

This year's D23 offered up new looks at Toy Story 5, including concept art for Lily Pad and the film's opening scene, which sees a vast army of Buzz Lightyears washing up on a deserted island. This army will be among the film's villains after they get stuck in a malfunctioning play mode.

The Toy Story 5 segment of the Walt Disney Studios showcase also revealed that Conan O'Brien would be joining the cast as the voice of Smarty Pants, a potty training toy.

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How to watch: Toy Story 5 hits theaters June 19, 2026.

Pixar reiterated its sequel-heavy slate of upcoming films.

Pixar also showed off its upcoming slate of films, which is highly sequel-focused. The animal body-hopping comedy Hoppers hits theaters March 6, 2026, followed by Toy Story 5 on June 19.

Next up is the original film Gatto, directed by Enrico Casarosa (Luca). The movie, set for a June 2027 release, follows a black cat who lives in Venice and forges an unlikely bond with a street artist. From there, Pixar pivots hard into sequel territory, with Incredibles 3 and Coco 2. While neither film have hard release dates, Pixar has them slated for releases in "2028 and beyond."

Marvel screened the first footage of Avengers: Doomsday.

In a video message from the Avengers: Doomsday set in London, Paul Rudd and directors Joe and Anthony Russo introduced footage from the upcoming superhero team-up film. The footage has not yet been released to the public. However, according to the Russo Brothers, Avengers: Doomsday is the biggest movie they've ever made. How in the world are they going to top Avengers: Endgame?

How to watch: Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters May 1, 2026.

Star Wars showed footage from The Mandalorian & Grogu.

D23 attendees also got a taste of the upcoming Star Wars film The Mandalorian & Grogu with footage that has yet to be release to the public.

The movie continues the team-up between Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his adorable Baby Yoda son Grogu. In addition to Pascal, The Mandalorian & Grogu also stars Sigourney Weaver as Ward, a veteran Rebel Alliance pilot; Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba the Hutt; and Jonny Coyne as an Imperial Warlord. Star Wars Rebels' Zeb is also set to make an appearance.

How to watch: The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.

Ice Age 6 gets a title and a release date.

The sequels just keep coming, as Disney released new details about the sixth film in the Ice Age franchise. Titled Ice Age: Boiling Point, the animated adventure is set for release on Feb. 5, 2027. It will also feature Baby Scrat, who I'm praying is way better at finding acorns than his accident-prone father.

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How to watch: Ice Age: Boiling Point hits theaters Feb. 5, 2027.

Walt Disney Animation announced a new film, Hexed.

Walt Disney Animation announced its next original film, Hexed, set for release on Nov. 25, 2026. The film centers on an oddball teenager and his mother. When the pair discovers the teenager's "weirdness" is actually hidden magic, they're transported to a brand-new magical world.

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How to watch: Hexed hits theaters Nov. 25, 2026.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw gets a release date.

The fourth animated Diary of a Wimpy Kid film will premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 5, allowing audiences to celebrate Christmas alongside the Heffley family.

How to watch: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw premieres Dec. 5 on Disney+.

Zootopia 2's opening scene teases trouble for Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.

Disney revealed more details about the upcoming Zootopia 2 at D23, including screening the film's opening scene. In the scene, police partners Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) get into a car chase that goes horribly wrong, which doesn't bode well for their new partnership.

The film adds two new cast members: Patrick Warburton, who will voice Zootopia Mayor Winddancer, and Yvette Nicole Brown, who will voice Bearoness Bear and an EMT Otter.

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How to watch: Zootopia 2 hits theaters Nov. 26.

SAVE $300: As of Aug. 30, the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot Vacuum is down 33% on Amazon. This Labor Day deal is on sale for $599, down from $899.

One of the most intelligent robot vacuums on the market, the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot Vacuum, is over a third off for a sweet Labor Day Deal. This auto-docking, self-emptying, and obstacle-avoiding robot vacuum will make the start of the school year and the end of summer simpler and cleaner. This particular model is excellent for carpet and hard floors.

The iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot Vacuum can be controlled via buttons on the device itself, voice control, app control, or seamless integration into the smart home ecosystem of your choice. Tell your smart home device to start the Roomba (or the unique name you've given it) to get to work in your stead. Delegation has never felt better.

You also don’t have to go hunting for a dead robot vacuum deep under your couch later in the day, or trip over your fallen vacuum soldier that died in the middle of a dark room. It also features state-of-the-art obstacle avoidance, preventing traffic jams and eliminating the need for behind-the-couch search-and-rescue missions. Additionally, this model can also pay attention to which of your rooms gets the dirtiest most frequently and adjust its cleaning schedule accordingly.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot Vacuum $599 at Amazon
$899 Save $300 Get Deal

Curl up with your coziest fall book, and let the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot Vacuum handle the vacuuming, sweeping, and overall cleanliness management of your space. 

SAVE $16: As of Aug. 30, the Google TV Streamer 4k is on sale for $84.00 right now at Amazon. That's 16 percent off the rarely-on-sale list price of $99.99. 

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$99.99 Save $15.99 Get Deal

The Google TV Streamer 4K is among some of the best Amazon Labor Day Deals happening this weekend. The streamer is on sale right now, which is rare for this specific device. The Google TV Streamer 4K’s sleek, porcelain shade and design blend seamlessly into your living room decor. It also seamlessly integrates with Google’s other smart home devices.

It’s the perfect streamer for those who already have Google smart hubs or speakers because you can simply tell any one of them to turn on whatever show or movie you’d like to watch. You can also speak into the remote to dim your lights or view your camera feed without pausing the game, movie, or season finale.

It’s also an excellent standalone streamer if you don’t have any Google smart home products or ecosystems. It can turn any TV into a smart TV, offering twice the storage of its previous model at 32 GB and 22 percent faster streaming. The Google TV Streamer 4K enables you to stream your favorite services, including Live TV, and access up to 800 free channels. This device is compatible with any speakers, especially Dolby Atmos, for a more immersive 3D audio experience.

Unfortunately, HDMI cords are sold separately, so be sure to plan ahead if you don’t already have one. The remote features a customizable option that allows you to use the home button to launch your favorite app. It will also ring if it gets buried under the couch or kicked under a chair. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 28, 2025 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: Lost the ball

• Green: Found in the Buckeye State

• Blue: Pitching MVPs

• Purple: Related to Falcon's Robinson

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: Ways a Football Changes Possessions

• Green: Ohio Teams

• Blue: Last 4 NL Cy Young Winners

• Purple: Associated with Bijan Robinson

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 #341 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Ways a Football Changes Possessions - DOWNS, FUMBLE, INTERCEPTION, PUNT

• Ohio Teams - BENGALS, BLUE JACKETS, CREW, OHIO STATE

• Last 4 NL Cy Young Winners - ALCANTARA, BURNES, SALE, SNELL

• Associated with Bijan Robinson - FALCONS, MUSTARD, RB, TEXAS

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

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

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

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

The best self-emptying robot vacuums speak to the life hack seeker in you. If vacuuming every day is something you don't feel like doing manually, you probably also don't feel like manually dumping a vac's dustbin into the trash every day. Such is the natural pipeline of being spoiled with technology.

Let's set the scene: When you outsource vacuuming to a robotic vacuum cleaner, your floors get cleaned way more often, right? There's just one little downside to that extra attention: The more gunk picked up off the floor, the faster the dust bin fills up — especially if you have pets. You could either empty the dustbin yourself multiple times a week, or just get a robot vacuum that empties itself. These vacuum cleaners take care of vacuuming and bin maintenance on their own, storing the debris collected on each trip in a larger compartment that's located in the charging dock.

SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros Z70 review: If you think you need the robot vacuum with an arm, no you don't

Most brands claim capacities between six to eight weeks, but almost every auto-empty vacuum I've tried is self-sufficient for much longer than that. The feature is so core to the hands-off cleaning experience nowadays that it's rare for any new robot vacuum release to arrive to market without a self-emptying dock. Automatic emptying is the precursor to any of my tips for making your robot vacuum work better in general, and people on Reddit seem to agree that self-emptying vacuums are worth the convenience.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineups

The best robot vacuum and mop combo models that auto-empty even take it a step further with auto-washing and -drying mopping pads and self-refilling water tanks, and it all goes down in the same dock where the robot vac empties itself. If your home's a tight squeeze, you certainly don't need such a full-fledged auto-empty dock (you don't even need to skip self-emptying altogether). I've tested a ton of solid self-emptying robot vacuums for small spaces in my own apartment.

I've been testing the latest and greatest self-emptying robot vacuums from 2025 against the top vacs from years prior. Three-quarters of the way through 2025, these top five picks offered the most efficient automated cleaning experience in my home.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I've tested several other robot vacuums that auto-empty that didn't make the cut. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and Roomba j7+ were top picks in this list at one point, but were merely upstaged in power and price tag value by newer models.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but didn't wow enough to be contenders for this list. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). A slew of new Dreame robot vacuums are slated to come out in fall 2025, among them a model with improved climbing abilities and a model whose self-empty dock can hold three sets of mopping pads. I'll be getting my hands on these as soon as possible and updating my top picks for this list accordingly.

Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth it?

A robot vacuum that can empty its own dust bin is for sure worth it in just about every home — no one should have to settle for an add-on task related to the gadget they just bought to automate another chore. However, automatic emptying is particularly valuable in homes with pets. Daily pet hair pickup could easily fill up a vacuum's tiny onboard dustbin after just a few rooms, but that capacity is significantly expanded when there's a large alternate dustbin on the dock. If they get full mid-cleaning session, self-emptying vacuums know to head back to the dock to unload, then finish the rest of the session with a clean slate.

Not for nothing, even the most ergonomic upright vacuums are a pain to wrestle out of the closet sometimes. In a pinch, it's inarguably worthwhile to have the option to start sweeping with a click on an app.

For people with allergies, auto-emptying also spares you from inhaling the inevitable puff of dust that emerges when dumping a dustbin into the trash. Speaking of avoiding the grosser parts of the job, if you're specifically seeking a robot vacuum that mops, many self-emptying docks also take it upon themselves to wash and dry the dirty mopping pads after the job is done.

The next batch of iPhones is nearly upon us, so let's make some wishes while we still can.

Apple is all set to announce the iPhone 17 lineup in a couple of weeks, but we still don't know anything about these phones for certain just yet. Sure, there are lots of rumors and leaks to go off of, but for now, they only exist in our heads. With that in mind, here are 3 of the biggest features we hope Apple brings to the iPhone 17 lineup.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could get liquid silicone cases, leak reveals 120Hz displays across the lineup

Apple has been way, way behind the curve when it comes to refresh rates for years.

Sure, more expensive models like the iPhone 16 Pro have had 120Hz displays for a few years now, but it's impossible to get an iPhone with a smooth display like that for less than $1,000, barring any huge discounts. That's aggravating because even the budget version of Google's Pixel phones has a 120Hz display for only $500. What gives?

The good news is that this isn't just an idle wish on our part. Rumor has it that the entire iPhone 17 line will have 120Hz displays for the first time. Apple might be several years late to the party, but we're glad it arrived anyway.

Fun colors for the Pro models

For years, Apple has offered fun, vibrant color options for base model iPhones, but kept things boring with the iPhone Pro phones. For instance, the iPhone 16 comes in a gorgeous pink hue, while the 16 Pro comes in white, black, and a couple different varieties of beige. Yuck.

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Fortunately, this is another wish that's backed up by leaks. Leaker Sonny Dixon recently posted some photos on X of iPhone 17 Pro dummy models, and while two of the four colors are still white and black, there also appear to be dark blue and orange hues this time. That's definitely an improvement over previous years, but Apple can still do better. Give us a pink iPhone Pro next time.

Reverse wireless charging

Getting caught away from home with a depleted AirPods charging case isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's certainly not fun, either.

That's where reverse wireless charging would come into play. If this were added to any of the iPhone 17 phones, it would allow users to charge other Apple devices (at least) by placing them on the back of an overturned iPhone, effectively turning it into a portable wireless charger. That way, you could set your AirPods case down for 10 to 15 minutes and at least get enough juice to fuel your commute home from work.

Luckily, once again, this wish has some meat on the bone. A leaker named Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo posted just this week that the iPhone 17 Pro models might offer reverse wireless charging. While it's far from certain, this would just make too much sense for Apple not to do at some point.

The Chromebook Plus line is a step above traditional Chromebooks, and the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is superior even to its fellow Plus competitors. This laptop looks more lavish than its relatively affordable price tag would suggest, and it’s decked out with fairly powerful internals to boot. 

That’s not to say this Chromebook is perfect — it’s not. However, the Flex 5i’s smooth overall performance, crisp and full-bodied speakers, impressive battery life, and healthy port selection greatly overshadow the few tiny things I didn’t love about this laptop, like its display and webcam.

All in all, this laptop has earned a solid place as one of the best Chromebooks you can buy right now, but it does cost a little bit more than budget options you might see more often.

This laptop looks high-end. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable composite; Sarah Chaney Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus price and specs 

Chromebooks have come a long way since their conception in 2011, and they’re not the wimpy, can-only-surf-the-web Chromebooks you might be more familiar with. In particular, Chromebook Plus models are guaranteed to have certain relatively powerful specs, including: 

• At least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor (i.e., a CPU from 2022 or newer)

• At least 8GB of RAM

• At least 128GB of storage

• A 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction

• An IPS display with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD)

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus goes beyond these minimum spec requirements, delivering a reliable Chrome OS-powered device wrapped up in a gorgeous package. Our review unit is available for $599 at Costco, with the following specs: 

• Intel Core i5-1334U

• Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics

• 8GB RAM

• 256GB of SSD storage

• 14-inch, 1920 x 1200, IPS touch display

For a Chromebook Plus model, $599 is a fairly steep price, but in exchange, you get a powerful, easily portable device with great battery life and better-than-average port variety, speakers, and overall build quality.

The lid is luckily not a fingerprint magnet. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable composite; Sarah Chaney I love when a laptop looks way more expensive than it is

I would’ve guessed the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus was a $1,000 laptop if I didn’t already know its price. The build quality is superb. The laptop feels solidly constructed, with practically no give when pushing on the chassis, sturdy hinges that don’t creak or stick, and a cool-to-the-touch aluminum lid that resists fingerprints well. 

The aluminum lid features a two-tone gray design, with a straight line dividing a light gray third from the darker Storm Grey shade that covers the rest of the chassis. The bottom part of the chassis that houses all the laptop’s internals and the keyboard is made with plastic, so it’s not able to keep greasy fingerprints at bay like the lid, but it still looks and feels great.

At 3.5 pounds, the Flex 5i isn’t the lightest Chromebook available, but its compact dimensions of 12.4 x 9 x 0.8 inches and its flexible 2-in-1 capabilities make it an easily portable option that’s great for remote workers and students.

A plain old, decent display

Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus features a 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel IPS glossy display, and it’s decent. After inspecting a few movie trailers on YouTube and the colors in my personal Trello I use every day, I can confidently say the display is sharp, but its color vibrancy and contrast could both use some work.

What’s meant to be deep black comes across slightly gray, and colors that should be popping off the screen are quite muted. On top of muted colors, the display is capped at 60Hz. That said, for casually watching TV episodes and YouTube videos, this display was perfectly OK.

Then, the laptop’s touchscreen is highly responsive, but it’s not super smooth while scrolling.

A great array of ports

Most Chromebooks offer just one or two ports, but not the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. 

The left side ports. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable composite; Sarah Chaney

On the left, you’ll find: 

• 3.5mm audio jack

• microSD card reader

• USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port

• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2

The right side ports Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable composite; Sarah Chaney

And on the right: 

• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2

• Power button

• Volume rocker

• Kensington lock slot

The only port this laptop lacks is an HDMI port, but at this price, I’m certainly not docking points for that. The Flex 5i even manages double-sided USB-C ports for convenient charging, a feature that some expensive laptops refuse to include.

Refreshingly crisp, full-bodied audio

Laptop speakers aren’t great, and because Chromebooks are typically even cheaper than low-end Windows laptops, their speakers are generally worse than those on most laptops. Luckily, that’s not the case with the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus.

This laptop’s top-firing stereo speakers are optimized with Waves MaxxAudio, and honestly, they don’t sound much worse than my daily driver, the Yoga 9i’s high-quality rotating soundbar. 

I listened to MGK’s new album “Lost Americana” on repeat and forgot I wasn’t using my dedicated Bluetooth speaker multiple times. His vocals were velvety and crisp, bass notes came through to fill out each song, and I felt like I could hear every instrument and subtle musical element.

SEE ALSO: The best Bluetooth speakers, tested for sound, portability, and cool factor

My only complaint with the Flex 5i’s speakers is that at 30 percent volume or below, they’re laughably quiet. The speakers do get quite loud at full volume, but 40 percent volume sounds like it should be 20 percent. 

A well-spaced, comfortable keyboard

I’m in like with the Flex 5i’s keyboard. There’s a decent amount of travel, the keys are comfortably spaced, and typing overall is a pleasantly bouncy experience. As a freelance writer, I type quite a bit every day, and I enjoyed the way my fingers lightly bounced from key to key and generated minimal errors on this keyboard. My only minor complaint is that I wish the keys were slightly clackier for a better sound. 

The Chromebook features a comfortable, usable keyboard. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable composite; Sarah Chaney

I can’t express the same fondness for this laptop’s trackpad. It’s a mylar trackpad, which is second-rate compared to glass trackpads, but makes complete sense in this Chromebook from a price perspective. Unless I was using the trackpad with a super light touch, my finger would stutter and skip when trying to navigate. I’d recommend pairing a good wireless mouse with the Flex 5i instead of using the built-in trackpad.

The Flex 5i’s webcam is just like most laptop webcams 

After this laptop surprised me with fantastic speaker quality and a pleasantly bouncy keyboard, I hoped it’d have an above-average webcam, too. But, alas, the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has a plain old 1080p webcam that delivers the same disappointingly grainy picture so many other laptop webcams do.

Nothing special about the webcam. Credit: Sarah Chaney/Mashable

In its favor, this webcam is fairly sharp and color-accurate in the right lighting, at least compared to other laptop webcams. Plus, it has a slidable privacy shutter, which I consider a nice bonus feature at its affordable $599 price.

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus benchmarks and performance

There’s no denying the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus isn’t a top-performer among all laptops — MacBooks and gaming laptops would blow this little machine out of the water. However, for a Chromebook, it delivered an impressive Geekbench 6 score and real-world testing results. 

The Flex 5i Chromebook Plus earned a multi-core Geekbench 6 score of 7,024. At the time of testing, there was only one Chromebook that earned a higher Geekbench 6 score: the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, which earned a score of 7,660. 

I used the Flex 5i as my daily driver for a few days, and it had no issues handling my typical workload, which usually includes a photo-editing program in Chrome, multiple other Chrome tabs open for research, the Clock app to run a timer, and the Spotify app to play music. With multiple tabs open, there was no lag when working in Google Docs or loading new pages.

The Flex 5i’s fans do a great job keeping the laptop cool while working, but they are constantly running. The noise is mild (and not noticeable at all with music playing), so it didn’t bother me while testing, but the fan noise is constant, whether the laptop is plugged in or not.

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus battery life

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus lasted 12 hours and 13 minutes in our battery test, which involves looping a 1080p version of Tears of Steel at 50 percent brightness until the laptop’s out of juice. This result may pale in comparison to MacBooks and modern Windows laptops, but compared to our median Chromebook battery life at the time of writing, the Flex 5i performed admirably, lasting roughly 30 percent longer than the median.

Is the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus worth it?

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is definitely worth it for anyone looking for a budget-friendly laptop with excellent battery life, a sleek, easily portable 2-in-1 design, and the ability to carry out simple productivity tasks seamlessly. On top of those must-have features many people look to tick off a list when shopping, the Flex 5i also has a few extra perks, like a wonderful array of ports, a bouncy keyboard, and great speakers.

Chromebooks used to be fairly limited in what they could do with ChromeOS, but now, multiple apps have native options, cloud gaming is more accessible, and Plus variants like the Flex 5i offer increased RAM and storage that boost its longevity. 

That said, the Flex 5i Chromebook Plus won’t be the perfect choice for everyone. I’d steer clear of the Flex 5i if you plan to use your laptop’s trackpad a lot or if you’re looking for a Chromebook to play games on frequently, as this laptop’s display is capped at 60Hz. Instead, I’d recommend the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE, a gaming-forward laptop featuring a large 16-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1334U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $549 at Best Buy
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Whether you're trying to cut back on subscription fees, avoid auto-renewal after a free 30-day trial, or align your spending more closely with your values, there are tons of reasons you may want to cancel Amazon Prime.

Of course, you may want to time your Prime membership around Prime Day, since Prime members have exclusive access to most of the deals during the shopping event.

Nevertheless, here's a step-by-step guide on how to bid Bezos goodbye if and when the time comes to cut ties with the mega retailer. Trust us; it's not as straightforward as it should be.

How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership in the Amazon app

The process for canceling your Prime subscription via the Amazon app is the same on both iOS and Android.

Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Smartphone
• Amazon mobile app

Step 1: Open the app and tap the middle button at the bottom (it should look like a person).

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Tap "Your Account."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 3: Scroll down through the list of options to "Manage Prime Membership" (under "Account Settings").

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Hit "Manage membership" at the top of the page.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 5: Tap "Manage Membership (Update, cancel and more)."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 6: Tap "End membership."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 7: Review how many days are left in your current Prime billing cycle. Scroll all the way down to "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 8: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "End on [date]."

Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership on desktop Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Laptop or PC

Step 1: Log in to your Amazon account on your browser. Hover over "Accounts & Lists" in the upper right hand corner. In the menu of options, click "Prime Membership."

You'll pull up your personal Prime membership page with a collection of plan benefits and options.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Click "Manage Membership" in the top right-hand corner. Click "End Membership."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 3: Review how many days are left in your current Prime billing cycle. Click the yellow button on the lower-right side of the page that says "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "End on [date]."

Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon