IT General

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if something's always in your way.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 24, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Get over it ... or get through it

The words are related to barriers.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that get in the way.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Obstacle Course.

NYT Strands word list for March 24

• Wall

• Hoop

• Barricade

• Obstacle Course

• Hurdle

• Fence

• Tunnel

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you breed animals.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 24, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 24, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Offspring.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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...

BROOD

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.

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.

TL;DR: A $15 Sam’s Club membership can help streamline your spring refresh with bulk essentials and lifestyle finds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club 1-Year Sam's Club Membership with Auto-Renew $15
$50 Save $35   Get Deal

Spring tends to bring a long list of to-dos — organizing closets, kitchens, outdoor spaces, and even office setups. It’s also a time when shopping trips can start to add up.

A one-year Sam’s Club membership for $15 (reg. $50) through March 29 offers a way to streamline that process by bringing a wide range of essentials into one place.

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Rather than bouncing between multiple stores, members can access groceries, household goods, seasonal outdoor items, clothing, and more in a single trip. For anyone tackling a spring refresh, that convenience alone may help save time and simplify planning.

Bulk purchasing is another key advantage. Buying larger quantities of frequently used items — like pantry staples, cleaning supplies, or paper goods — can help reduce the cost per unit over time. For families, that can translate into fewer midweek store runs.

For small business owners or home-based entrepreneurs, it can also support more predictable inventory and supply management. Beyond products, membership includes additional perks that add value. These include discounts on travel, which is a fan favorite. There’s also a practical side to having fewer errands on your list. Consolidating shopping into fewer trips can free up time for other priorities, whether that’s work, family, or simply enjoying the season.

Don’t miss getting a one-year Sam’s Club Membership for just $15 (reg. $50) through March 29 with code MARCH15.

Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Lifetime access to Babbel Language Learning is just $159, thanks to the StackSocial code LEARN.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$646.20 Save $487.20   Get Deal

Planning a trip often comes with a familiar thought: I wish I knew at least a little of the language. And it makes sense. Learning to speak the language is a surefire way to enjoy your trip more.

Babbel makes it easier to learn, and a lifetime access is just $159 (reg. $646.20) with the StackSocial code LEARN.

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Babbel focuses on helping users build practical conversation skills, not just memorize vocabulary. Lessons are designed by more than 100 linguists and structured around real-world scenarios — like ordering food, asking for directions, or navigating transportation. The idea is to help learners feel more comfortable actually speaking, not just recognizing words on a screen.

Lessons typically run 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to fit learning into a daily routine without the overwhelm. Over time, that consistency can add up, and many users find they can handle basic conversations within a few weeks. A key part of the experience is its speech recognition technology, which helps guide pronunciation. Instead of guessing how something should sound, learners can practice speaking and get feedback along the way.

There’s also an AI-powered conversation feature that allows users to simulate real dialogue, helping bridge the gap between studying and actual communication.

The subscription includes access to 14 languages. With offline access, personalized review sessions, and a focus on everyday topics, Babbel positions itself as a practical tool for building language confidence.

Don’t miss getting lifetime access to Babbel for a one-time $159 payment (reg. $646.20) with the StackSocial code LEARN.

Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The refurbished Lenovo 11.6-inch Chromebook 100E Gen 2 is on sale for $59.99 (reg. $199).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo 11.6-Inch 2019 (Refurbished) $59.99
$199.99 Save $140   Get Deal

A capable everyday laptop doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For anyone who browses, streams, or handles light work on the go, this refurbished Chromebook checks the right boxes, and for a limited time, it’s down to just $59.99 (reg. $199).

The Lenovo 11.6-inch Chromebook 100E Gen 2 is built for lightweight, web-based use. Powered by an AMD A4-9120C processor and 4GB of RAM, it handles multitasking across browser tabs, email, and cloud-based apps like a charm. The 32GB of solid-state storage isn’t meant for a large local library, but it delivers quick boot times and reliably smooth day-to-day performance.

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Because it runs on Chrome OS, it’s designed around cloud storage and browser-based tools, which help keep things fast and simple without requiring much maintenance. Automatic updates and built-in security features also make it a low-effort option for everyday use.

Its compact 11.6-inch HD display and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, whether you’re moving between rooms, commuting, or packing it in a bag for school or travel. You’ll also get a mix of modern ports, including USB-C for charging and accessories, plus USB 3.2 and an SD card slot for added flexibility.

This laptop is listed as Grade A refurbished, meaning it should arrive in near-mint condition with minimal signs of wear. That can be a practical way to save on a device that still handles everyday computing needs.

This setup makes the most sense for students, casual users, or anyone who primarily works in a browser and doesn’t need high-powered specs. If you’re editing video or running demanding software, this won’t be the right fit, but for lighter tasks, it keeps things straightforward.

For a limited time, you can get the Lenovo Chromebook 100E Gen 2 for $59.99 (reg. $199), which is 70% off.

Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Crunchyroll, the popular anime streaming platform, is currently investigating an alleged breach that may have led to the leak of personal data belonging to 6.8 million of its users.

The stolen user data from Crunchyroll appears to have been obtained by exploiting vulnerabilities at a third-party company, Telus International, which Crunchyroll outsources its customer support to.

"We are aware of recent claims and are currently working closely with leading cyber security experts to investigate the matter," Crunchyroll said in a statement.

The cybersecurity outlet Bleeping Computer says that the hacker reached out to them to provide information and proof of the stolen data.

SEE ALSO: Apple responds to DarkSword spyware, the hacker tool targeting iPhones

The hacker says that they infected a customer support agent's computer with malware and gained access to the employee's Okta login credentials. From there, the hacker gained access to multiple accounts that Crunchyroll has with other third-party services such as Zendesk, Google Workspace Mail, Slack, Mixpanel, Jiro Service Management, Wizer, and MaestroQA.

According to the hacker, the breach occurred on March 12, and their access was revoked after 24 hours. However, within that time frame, the hacker downloaded 8 million support ticket records from Crunchyroll's Zendesk account. There were 6.8 million unique email addresses included in these tickets.

The hacker showed Bleeping Computer screenshots detailing the types of personal information allegedly stolen from Crunchyroll's users, which includes full names, usernames, email addresses, IP addresses, general geographic location, and what was included in the support tickets. Credit card information does not appear to have been stolen; however, if a user provided the last four digits of their card number or their card's expiration date in a support ticket, then that information would be among the stolen data.

The hacker claims to have sent a $5 million ransom to Crunchyroll for the data, but the hacker says that they have not heard back from the company.

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The International Cyber Digest account on X also shared that they received screenshot evidence of the breach from the hacker. The account also reported that 100GB of data was stolen.

According to the cybersecurity firm SOCRadar, a post was published on a hacker forum on the same day of the alleged hack titled "Crunchyroll email and IP." The post included obscured sample data allegedly from the data stolen in the breach.

Interestingly, Telus had also confirmed with Bleeping Computer on March 12 that the company had suffered a breach from the well-known hacker group ShinyHunters. However, it is believed that the Crunchyroll-related breach at Telus is unrelated to the hacker group.

Crunchyroll has not yet issued a statement or acknowledgement of the potential breach to its users.

Buying a used vehicle always comes with its share of unknowns, but when you add a high-voltage battery, a complex braking system, and a more expansive warranty to the mix, things can get a little more confusing. While a well-maintained hybrid can easily cruise past the 200,000-mile mark, the hidden costs of a neglected one can erase any potential fuel savings.

Who's ready to start their week off with some thrills? It might be a Monday, but the excitement of the weekend does not have to end. One of my favorite categories on Netflix is thrillers, a diverse genre with plenty of options. Whether you want action or horror with your excitement, the streamer's thriller page has it all.

Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, has spent the last year or so as the AI industry's favorite buzzword. As the sector's leading companies burn through capital at historic rates, racking up energy costs and investor expectations that grow harder to meet by the quarter, the promise of imminent human-level machine intelligence has become a useful thing to have in your back pocket.

Whether we're actually close to that milestone depends almost entirely on how you define it. That definitional flexibility, it turns out, is doing a lot of work.

Take, for example, Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA — a company currently valued at roughly $4 trillion, built largely on the GPU hardware that powers the AI boom — who recently sat down with podcaster Lex Fridman for a wide-ranging conversation covering data centers, geopolitics, and the question of whether AGI has already arrived. Huang thinks it has. The reasoning behind that claim, however, is fairly dubious.

As Fridman points out, Huang has previously said the timeline for AGI depends on what defines it. At the 2023 New York Times DealBook Summit, Huang defined AGI as software capable of passing tests that approximate normal human intelligence at a reasonably competitive level. He expected AI to clear that bar within five years.

For his part, Fridman offered Huang a generous definition to work with: true AGI, in Fridman's framing, would look like an AI capable of starting, growing, and running a technology company worth more than a billion dollars. He asked whether that was achievable in the next five to 20 years, given the recent proliferation of agentic AI tools like OpenClaw.

Huang didn't need five to 20 years. "I think it’s now. I think we’ve achieved AGI," he replied to Fridman.

That, however, is based on a narrow interpretation of what Fridman asked. The way Huang sees it, the AI doesn't need to build anything lasting. It doesn't need to manage people, navigate a board, or sustain a business. It just needs to hit a billion dollars once.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft dumps $1 billion into 'artificial general intelligence' project

"You said a billion," Huang told Fridman, "and you didn't say forever."

The through-line in both cases isn't a consistent theory of machine intelligence. It's a consistent pattern of defining the threshold in whatever way makes "yes, we're there" the easiest possible answer. His illustration of what that might look like is telling.

After his initial answer, Huang lays out his thoughts, describing a scenario in which an AI creates a simple web service — some app that goes viral, gets used by a few billion people at 50 cents a pop, and then quietly folds. He then points to the dot-com era as precedent, arguing that most of those websites were no more sophisticated than what an AI agent could generate today.

Huang was also candid about the ceiling of that vision. "The odds of 100,000 of those agents building NVIDIA," he said plainly, "is zero percent." That's not a small caveat. It's the whole ballgame.

What Huang is actually describing — a viral app that monetizes briefly and dies — is a far cry from the transformative, economy-reshaping AGI that dominates the public conversation. So, by his own admission, the kind of compound institutional intelligence required to build something like NVIDIA is nowhere in the picture yet.

It may officially be spring, and while we do very much encourage you to get outside and breathe the warmer air, us movie diehards still need to unwind during the week with a good movie or two.

Mozilla has started rolling out Firefox 149, one day ahead of schedule. It focuses on smarter multitasking and productivity-focused features. The latest version finally delivers a built-in split-screen mode that’s been in testing for months. There’s also a polished interface with updated visuals. Here’s everything new in Firefox 149.

March is typically a slow month for new movies. It comes after "Dumpuary" and before summer blockbuster season. Credit goes to Netflix, which has used March to its advantage by releasing several anticipated movies on its 2026 slate.

We all know Prime Day, Amazon's flagship sale that has millions of deals for Prime members. Additionally, Amazon has hosts Prime Big Deal Days in October in the lead up to Black Friday. And to tack on one more sale a year, there's Amazon's Big Spring Sale. The March event focuses on seasonal items as you start to prep for warmer weather.

The Big Spring Sale is different from Amazon's other sales, though. During both Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days, the deals are available only to Prime members. However, the Big Spring Sale is available to shop for non-members, too. Plus, it's Amazon's longest sale. So, how long does the sale actually last, and when does it end? Here's what you need to know about the Big Spring Sale.

How long does Amazon's Big Spring Sale last?

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is the retailer's longest sale. The Big Spring Sale officially runs for seven days from March 25 to 31. However, that doesn't include all the lead-up as Amazon is already running early deals, which basically makes it a two-week event.

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When does the Big Spring Sale end?

The final day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale is March 31. That means once April 1 comes around, the sale is over — no joke. Official deals will end March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT (or 2:59 a.m. ET), though we might see some linger after the sale's end.

What's on sale during the Big Spring Sale?

As we wait for the sale to officially start on March 25, we're looking out for early deals. Already, we've spotted some early deals worth your attention, including a Kindle at its lowest price ever.

Best early Big Spring Sale deals Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $169.99 (Save $80) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $219.99 (Save $29.01) Get Deal Best Robot Vacuum Deal Roborock Q10 S5+ $279.99 (Save $270) Get Deal Best Headphones Deal Sony WH-CH720N $98 (Save $81.99) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $897.96 (Save $400.03) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station $489.99 (Save $309.01) Get Deal

Engine additives are to cars what protein powders are to gym-goers: passionately praised by some as essential for performance, dismissed by others as mere hype or snake oil.

DietPi is a popular operating system for Raspberry Pi boards and other low-power systems, offering improved performance and pre-made configurations for common applications and self-hosted services. DietPi v10.2 has now arrived with Immich as an optional package, along with other changes.

It's been a rough, unsteady console generation for Xbox, but the company has a product showcase for our perusal later this week.

Microsoft's gaming brand announced a new Partner Showcase livestream on this morning, slated to take place on Thursday, March 26 at 1 p.m. ET. You can watch the stream on YouTube or Twitch at that time.

Xbox was very clear to point out that first-party Xbox Game Studios productions will not be the focus here, as it will instead center around upcoming third-party releases. These include RGG Studio's Stranger Than Heaven, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, and something new for the already-released Stalker 2.

SEE ALSO: Former Xbox President Sarah Bond breaks silence after surprise exit This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

While it's normal for game companies to periodically show us their wares in this fashion, the timing is a big part of why this Xbox partner stream is interesting. Just last month, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and president Sarah Bond both simultaneously left the company. Spencer's exit wasn't terribly surprising, given the tough position Xbox found itself in under his leadership, but Bond hitting the ejector seat rather than stepping into Spencer's shoes was a big deal. Instead, Microsoft put former AI executive Asha Sharma in charge of Xbox.

Those leadership changes came after a years-long spiral that has resulted in Xbox being in a pretty tough place, financially and in terms of reputation. Big acquisitions of brands like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard have not resulted in a higher output of quality first-party games as some hoped they would, while Xbox Series hardware has lagged behind the competition. There's also the matter of Xbox being a priority target for the BDS movement thanks to Microsoft's work with the Israeli military; speaking anecdotally, many people I know have stopped playing Xbox games because of this. Xbox has unveiled some very vague plans about its next console, but that hasn't stopped the bleeding on its own.

If nothing else, it will be interesting to see if Xbox's marketing changes at all under the new leadership team. We can all find out together on Thursday afternoon.

I'm the last person to tell you that you need to buy new hardware when you clearly don't. While it's easy to get stuck in an upgrade loop and always want the next best thing in PC hardware, it's not a good idea. GPUs are a great example of this: upgrading every generation isn't optimal for most users.

Along with choice and sustainability, privacy is one of the three central pillars of the Open Home Foundation, the non-profit behind the free and open source Home Assistant software. The core of this pillar is the ability to control your devices locally without having to share data with cloud services. If you want to set up an offline smart home, it can be quicker and cheaper than you might think.

Mastering Microsoft Excel's tools is a never-ending process, even for those who have used the program at work or at home for decades. With this in mind, here are some of my favorite Excel hacks I've picked up over the years that you can take away and use to speed up your spreadsheet workflow.

One of the most common issues that sometimes pops up in smartphones is overheating. It’s very noticeable when the phone in your hands gets too warm, and manufacturers try their best to avoid this. However, Samsung went too far with precautions in the Galaxy S22 series—now they’re paying for it.