IT General

SAVE 50%: Now through Dec. 24, get up to 50% off MasterClass annual memberships or MasterClass Certificates.

Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass Annual Membership: 50% off through Dec. 24   Get Deal

I’ve always been a little skeptical of “growth” apps, but MasterClass is the one exception that actually delivers. If you’ve been looking for a gift that doesn’t just end up in a drawer, the company’s running a 50% off sitewide sale from now through Dec. 24.

An annual MasterClass membership gives you access to more than 200 classes that you can watch anywhere (desktop, TV, mobile) and anytime. Each class is taught by a person who’s at the top of their field, with some being led by literal icons like Anna Wintour, Gordon Ramsay, and Martha Stewart. Each class has around 20 video lessons that average about 10 minutes each, though I’m sure some run a little longer. With Offline Mode, you can download lessons and watch them without WiFi, and a membership also gets you on the exclusive, members-only newsletter list.

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The discount runs across all three program tiers (billed annually): Standard ($5/mo), Plus ($8/mo), and Premium ($10/mo). The main difference is that Standard covers one device and doesn't include offline mode, while Plus covers two devices and Premium covers six — both with offline access included. Each membership also comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you hate it, you can cancel for a refund as long as it’s within 30 days of purchase.

In addition to the memberships, MasterClass is also taking 50% off certificates. These are a little more intense, offering 15-20 hours of info including a syllabus, learning modules, quizzes, and a capstone project. You’ll get instant feedback and a shareable certificate upon completion to display in your office or use to help land a promotion. These courses usually start at $299 without the discount and include programs like “Scaling AI Strategy” with NVIDIA and “Lead With AI” with Microsoft.

The lights are back on at the Muppet Theatre, because The Muppet Show is back!

The beloved variety series, which ran for five seasons from 1976 to 1981, returns for a special event on Disney+ and ABC next year. The original Muppet Show featured musical giants like Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Gladys Knight, Liza Minelli, and Paul Simon. Who's going to join their ranks as a guest in 2026?

SEE ALSO: All the ways 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' avoided failure to become the greatest 'Christmas Carol' ever

None other than Sabrina Carpenter. The Grammy-winning "Espresso" star will be joining Muppet favorites like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy onstage. This isn't the first time Carpenter and the Muppets have crossed paths. At the final show of Carpenter's Short n' Sweet tour, Miss Piggy earned the honor of being Carpenter's "Juno" arrest, meaning Carpenter arrested Miss Piggy with a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs for being "too hot." Flattery will get you everywhere with Miss Piggy, so I'm guessing they'll get along just great during the special.

On top of the Muppets and Carpenter, The Muppet Show will bring back veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel. Goelz was one of the original performers on The Muppet Show, originating the roles of Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and others.

The Muppet Show premieres Feb. 4 on Disney+ and ABC.

PRE-ORDER ASCENDED HEROES: Unlike previous Pokémon TCG releases, it seems that The Pokémon Company is releasing Ascended Heroes preorders in waves, with the Pokémon Center only releasing preorders for Elite Trainer Boxes and Booster Bundles at the time of writing.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box Pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from best buy Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $49.99 Pre-Order Here

Ascended Heroes is listed as a “Holiday” or “Special” set, so there's no booster boxes this time around. That means getting the Elite Trainer Box is one of the best ways to get booster packs this time around. You'll also get Mega Dragonite-themed card sleeves (65), card dividers, a tournament-legal coin, purple damage dice, a green transparent status die, a set of Energy cards, and an N’s Zekrom Illustration Rare promo card. Oh, and of course, nine Ascended Heroes booster packs.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle Pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here Pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle $26.94 Pre-Order Here

Booster Bundles are always the cheapest way to grab six booster packs, and it's no different here with Ascended Heroes. It's a simple package: just six Ascended Heroes booster packs in a box that can double up as a deck box.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection $49.99 Pre-Order Here

Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collections are absolutely stacked. 10 Ascended Heroes booster packs alongside a Mega Lucario ex or Mega Gardevoir ex Mega Attack Rare promo card. The included poster is also a giant print of the aforementioned promo card, coming in at 27 inches by 39 inches.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes 2-Pack Blister $9.99 Pre-Order Here

The two-pack blister does exactly what it says on the tin: two Ascended Heroes booster packs, a tournament-legal coin, and a promo card. It's cheap and cheerful for just under $10, with a couple of cheeky bonuses thrown in for your trouble.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Target Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $15.99 Pre-Order Here

Focusing on Mega Charizard Y and Mega Gengar stickers, each blister comes with three Ascended Heroes booster packs and a respective Charmander or Gastly promo card.

Where to pre-order the Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection pre-order from Amazon Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Best Buy Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from target Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here pre-order from Walmart Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection $24.99 Pre-Order Here

This Deluxe Pin Collection focuses on the starter Pokémon found in Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita. You'll get an enamel pin with them all on, as well as three promo cards for each starter Pokémon. You'll also get five Ascended Heroes booster packs.

Don't want to wait? Buy the Japanese Mega Dream ex set. Buy the Mega Dream ex sealed product and top chase cards Available Now Mega Dream ex booster box (High Class Pack) $101.99 Shop Now Available now Mega Dream ex Booster Pack (Japanese) $9.29 Shop Now Available Now Mega Gengar ex - 240/193 $399.99 Shop Now Available Now Mega Dragonite ex - 250/193 $240 Shop Now Available Now Mega Dragonite ex - 246/193 $232 Get Deal Available Now Pikachu ex - 234/193 $202.49 Shop Now

Ascended Heroes has already released in Japan, but it's called Mega Dream ex. The good thing about Japanese sets is you're guaranteed a top chase card. Specifically, you can look forward to pull rates similar to other Mega Evolution sets:

• 1 x Super Rare or better (Mega Ultra Rare/Special Art Rare)

• 1 x item-specific Super Rare

• 3 x Art Rares

• 5 x Double Rares

The Mega Dream ex High Class Booster Box also means there's a small chance to get a “God pack,” which is a booster pack that contains most (if not all) top chase cards in one pack. So if you don't mind your chase cards being less valuable than English ones and just want Pokémon cards for the artwork, Japanese sets are great products to open.

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Fallout's second season is full of Easter eggs and references to the post-apocalyptic Bethesda games it's based on, including one iconic location that's usually crawling with enemies.

In Season 2, episode 1, Lucy (Ella Purnell) and Cooper (Walton Goggins) are tracking her father across the Wasteland when they wander into a crumbling outdoor cinema, where cars and audience members remain parked exactly where they were when the nuclear blast hit 200 years ago. This is the Starlight Drive-In, a location you'll visit — or try to avoid — in Fallout 4.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout 2' is full of game details. Here's a handy guide.

Production designer Howard Cummings has crafted a stunning onscreen version of the Starlight Drive-In for the series, with its retro-futurist aesthetic and towering, dilapidated movie screen. You'll see on the cinema's ravaged marquee that the very last movie to be shown here was A Man and His Dog 3, starring none other than Cooper Howard — double-billed with a Dracula movie.

Featured Video For You What tech would the 'Fallout' cast steal from the show?

In the games, the drive-in and its surrounding area is infested with mole rats and radroaches (irradiated cockroaches), Feral Ghouls (zombie versions of the mutated humans) and the odd Super Mutant — a formidable enemy yet to feature in the Fallout TV series. Luckily, no such enemies await Lucy and Coop in the episode.

In another treat for Fallout fans, the drive-in is located near the entrance to Vault 24, a vault that was actually cut from Fallout: New Vegas (meaning the TV series has a blank slate for its backstory).

And there's plenty more Easter eggs for Fallout fans to spot in the series.

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with a new episode every week.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Dec. 17, the Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike set has dropped to its lowest price yet of $31.99 at Amazon. This is $33 off its list price of $64.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike $31.99 at Amazon
$64.99 Save $33   Get Deal

Lego fans of all ages have had some nice deals to check out leading up to the holidays. If you're shopping for a younger Lego builder this year, Amazon is currently offering an excellent 51% discount on the Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike, dropping to its lowest price of $31.99 for a limited time.

Usually this Lego Batman set is listed for $64.99, so this is a great opportunity to grab it at its lowest-ever price and save $33. Amazon even states on the sale page that it'll arrive before Christmas, so you'll have plenty of time to wrap it up if you're gifting it this year.

SEE ALSO: The 30 best new Lego sets run the gamut from Game Boy to 'The Goonies' and the U.S.S. Enterprise

The Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike is an excellent build for younger Lego and Batman fans, with a recommended age of 12 and up. It comes with 713 pieces that create The Dark Knight with movable shoulders, arms, hip, and leg joints for posing. He can even be attached to the motorcycle once that's built, which comes with two stud launchers, so he's ready for action once everything is pieced together.

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There may not be much longer to take advantage of this deal, though. Act fast to save 51% on the Lego DC Batman Construction Figure and The Bat-Pod Bike set at Amazon ahead of the holidays.

If you're still getting some last-minute shopping done and looking for more ideas to give this year, check out our breakdown of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 to see even more options we think are worth your time and money this holiday season.

The Fallout games have been long celebrated for their soundtracks, a plethora of '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s tunes that somehow make the horrors of the Wasteland more tolerable. It's something Season 1 of the Prime Video adaptation appreciated, and the first episode of Season 2 makes it clear we're in for more where that came from.

In particular, thanks to music supervisor Trygge Toven, the first episode includes one hell of a needle drop: "Big Iron," Marty Robbins' iconic 1959 Western ballad, a song known to Fallout fans as associated with the game Fallout: New Vegas.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 review: Our introduction to New Vegas is a blast, and more relevant than ever

At the start of episode 1, we find Lucy (Ella Purnell) and Cooper (Walton Goggins) in a literal bind, with Coop captured by the Great Khan raiders, a gang from Fallout: New Vegas located in the Mojave Wasteland. For the Fallout show, the gang's base is actually the Dino Dee-lite Motel, another location from the game which features that giant T-rex in which Lucy is hiding.

Featured Video For You What tech would the 'Fallout' cast steal from the show?

Of course, Coop and Lucy fight their way out of peril in signature Fallout style, and it's all set to "Big Iron." The song is available to play in the New Vegas game through the radio station accessible on your Pip Boy (the wearable computer all Vault-Dwellers have). When you're not listening to the game's score, you can tune into America's last bastion of broadcasting with either Mojave Music Radio or Radio New Vegas. The jaunty tunes make it wildly less terrifying to venture into locations infested with enemies, just as "Big Iron" makes surreal the bloody scene in episode 1.

It's also not the only needle drop in the episode, with Peggy Lee's "Cheek to Cheek," The Del-Vikings' "Come Go with Me," and The Ink-Spots' "It's All Over but the Crying," and Roy Orbison's "Working for the Man" all featuring in scenes.

And importantly, "Big Iron" is not the only Easter egg for Fallout fans.

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with a new episode every week.

SAVE $60: As of Dec. 17, the JBL Tune Buds are still on sale at their lowest-ever price of $39.95 at Amazon. This saves you $60 off their list price of $99.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune Buds $39.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $60   Get Deal

If a new pair of earbuds has been on your shopping list for the holidays this year, whether to give to yourself or someone else, Amazon's had some excellent last-minute deals available. The JBL Tune Buds are among the options on sale right now, still marked down to their lowest-ever price of $39.95, though probably not for much longer.

Amazon has the JBL Tune Buds listed as a limited-time deal, so the clock is ticking to grab them for $60 off their list price of $99.95. It even says on the sale page that they'll arrive before Christmas, so last-minute shoppers can feel a bit more relaxed grabbing them now.

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

Not only do the JBL Tune Buds boast high-quality audio that's boosted by JBL's Pure Bass Sound, they also have noise-cancelling features. For when you want to block out sounds around you entirely, they offer Active Noise Cancelling, and for when you want to be a bit more aware of your surroundings, you can swap to Ambient Aware. They even provide up to 48 hours of battery life with the case.

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All of that for just under $40 is a steal. So why wait to pick them up? Now is the time to grab the JBL Tune Buds while they're still at their lowest-ever price.

Looking for even more deals like this one ahead of the holidays? Our roundup of the 65 best tech gifts of the year features even more items worth giving this year.

TL;DR: Ben & Jerry's is launching Ice Cream Bars. More than 150 Scoop Shops are handing out free Cookie Dough bars on Dec. 17.

We're coming at you with a double dose of good news.

First, you should know that Ben & Jerry's is officially launching Ice Cream Bars. This exciting new product line features five delicious flavors arriving as soon as January 2026. We're getting Cookie Dough, Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Peanut Butter Pretzel, and Caramel Blondie in handy-on-the-go-bars. What a time to be alive.

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But that's not all. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Ben & Jerry's is hosting a huge giveaway. On Dec. 17, over 150 participating Scoop Shops nationwide will be handing out free Cookie Dough bars (while supplies last). Over 20,000 of these new bars are being given away in total. Get to your nearest location nice and early to avoid missing out.

Free ice cream simply cannot be ignored. Find participating locations and further info here.

TL;DR: Live stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the EFL Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Newcastle United are enduring a fairly tough time right now. They're in the bottom half of the Premier League standings and just lost to fierce rivals Sunderland. The EFL Cup could be a welcome distraction, but if they're dumped out by Fulham at the quarter-final stage, the pressure will mount on manager Eddie Howe.

If you want to watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Newcastle United vs. Fulham?

Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup kicks off at 8:15 p.m. GMT on Dec. 17. This fixture takes place at St. James' Park.

How to watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham for free

Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

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

Live stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Carabao Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Newcastle United vs. Fulham in the Carabao Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

We're just days away from the New Moon, with the Moon now shrinking to a just a thin sliver of light. This waning phase marks the final stretch of the lunar cycle.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Dec. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means only 6% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

If you don't have any visual aids, you won't be able to see anything. However, with binoculars and a telescope, you should be able to see the Grimaldi Basin.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. During this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a devout Christian.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Small boats

• Green: Flat

• Blue: Popular cars

• Purple: Religious figures

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Human-powered watercraft

• Green: Flush

• Blue: Honda models

• Purple: Biblical figures plus starting letter

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 #920 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Human-powered watercraft: DUGOUT, KAYAK, RAFT, SHELL

• Flush: EVEN, FLAT, LEVEL, PLANE

• Honda models: ACCORD, CIVIC, ODYSSEY, PILOT

• Biblical figures plus starting letter: FLUKE, LABEL, MADAM, TRUTH

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you don't seek perfection.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Out of line

The words are related to positioning.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that aren't straight.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is A Little Off.

NYT Strands word list for December 17

• Askew

• Crooked

• Lopsided

• A Little Off

• Uneven

• Titled

• Aslant

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 love the outdoors.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Green plant.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GRASS

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 17, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 17 Pips

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 17 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 17 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

SAVE $20: As of Dec. 17, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Amazon’s Fire Stick 4K has been renamed — it’s now the Fire Stick 4K Plus. There's nothing different about it other than its name, which has changed to make way for a new model in the 4K range called the Fire Stick 4K Select. And as of Dec. 17, you can get the Plus on sale, currently down to $29.99. That's a $20 saving on list price.

This streaming stick is designed for improved performance on 4K TVs, giving you a smoother playback and faster streaming than previous generations of the streaming device. Enjoy an impressive 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio experience with whatever you watch.

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If you're a gamer, this model also supports cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass, without a console. It also has Alexa built in, so you can use voice commands to ask it pretty much anything. It can even be used to control other smart devices in the home, like robot vacuums. And with the Fire OS, you'll have access to more than 1.8 million movies and TV episodes across streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Max, alongside free content from Tubi and Pluto TV.

You can find this streaming stick deal at Amazon now.

Apple's iPhone lineup is about to get a lot more interesting.

Yes, we already know about the iPhone Fold, as well as the prospect of an upcoming "20th anniversary iPhone" with an all-screen design. Now, however, The Information has a detailed report about all of the new iPhones Apple is working on, with some details we haven't seen elsewhere.

Perhaps the most interesting is the sheer breadth of the upcoming iPhone lineup. The company added the iPhone Air to its lineup this year, increasing the number of the models it sells to five: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, alongside the entry-level iPhone 16e which launched in February.

SEE ALSO: Review: The new iPhone Air is the sexiest iPhone I've ever tested

Now, Apple reportedly has a total of seven iPhone variants in the works: iPhone 17e (and its successor, the iPhone 18e), iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Air 2, iPhone Fold, and iPhone 20.

Incremental upgrades for the base models The Camera Control button might actually lose some functionality on the iPhone 18. Credit: Apple

The Information's report sheds some light on each model. The iPhone 17e will be an "incremental upgrade" to the iPhone 16e, but it will have magnetic wireless charging which was painfully absent from the older model. It's unclear why the iPhone 18e is mentioned separately, as the report doesn't have any new details about it.

Then there's the "base" upcoming iPhone model, the iPhone 18. It will reportedly be announced in the spring for the first time, marking a massive change from Apple's traditional September iPhone launch. As for new features, the only thing that's mentioned is actually a downgrade of sorts, with haptic feedback and touch sensing being removed from the camera capture button to save costs.

According to the report, the iPhone Air 2, which is launching in the spring of 2027 (meaning next year will be completely iPhone Air-less), will be significantly redesigned, with (perhaps) a second camera, and a lower price.

Featured Video For You How 6 generations of iPhone captured 20 years of motherhood in 'Motherboard' No Dynamic Island on the Pro models? Will Apple 'eliminate' the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro, or will it merely be smaller in size? Credit: Apple

The flagship iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models are coming, as always, in the fall of next year. Key improvements include an under-display FaceID sensor, fully eliminating the Dynamic Island. The display won't be fully uninterrupted, as the selfie camera will reportedly be relocated to the top left of the display.

While the report calls the Dynamic Island "unsightly," Apple put in significant effort in turning what is essentially a camera cutout into a useful feature; it would be odd for the company to simply abandon it in favor of a pedestrian punch-hole camera cutout. This part of the report is also in conflict with an earlier Bloomberg report, claiming Apple will merely reduce the size of the Dynamic Island in the near future, with the plan to fully eliminate it later.

At least one of the rear cameras on the iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max is reportedly getting a mechanical aperture, and there will be a new image sensor that can capture more light at night. Finally, an improved chip design could make the phone faster in AI tasks.

The new, new flagships Apple's foldable iPhone might have a different design compared to most modern foldable phones. Credit: Alexandr Bognat/ Getty Images

The most interesting bit in the report is the part that deals with the entirely new iPhone flagships, which could actually sit above the Pro models in Apple's iPhone hierarchy.

First, there's the foldable iPhone Fold, which is reportedly coming the fall of 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It's said to have a 5.3-inch display when folded and a 7.7-inch, landscape-oriented display when unfolded. In contrast, Samsung and Google's foldable phones are portrait-oriented main display. The iPhone Fold will reportedly have a single selfie camera, as well as sensors, embedded in the top-left corner of the display.

It's worth noting that a 5.3-inch display is tiny by today's standards, given that Apple's most recent "small" iPhone, the iPhone mini 13, had a 5.4-inch display.

The report also says the design of the iPhone Fold is incredibly complex and that Apple is being "particularly secretive" about it, meaning the reports we've seen (including this one) may have gotten some details wrong. For example, The Information claims that the screen sizes for the iPhone Fold could change — something that seems unlikely to us if the device is about to launch in less than a year's time.

Finally, the crown jewel of Apple's iPhone lineup could be the iPhone 20 (we're not sure about the name, but it would be timed to launch at the 20th anniversary of the iPhone), launching in the fall of 2027. It will reportedly have a curved glass enclosure both on the front and back and along all four edges, meaning it might not have a typical frame that's typical on today's phones. Instead, it would have a "narrow metal band running around the midpoint of the device's edge, where the buttons sit."

The iPhone 20 will also reportedly have all the sensors and the front camera under the display, which would make this the first iPhone with a fully edge-to-edge display.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Can be worn

• Green: Same modified word

• Blue: Competitors

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Big 12 teams

• Green: Descriptors for baseball catches

• Blue: Teams Skylar Diggins has played for

• Purple: Sand ___

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #450 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Headgear - CAP, HAT, MASK, VISOR

• Prefixes to -season - MID, OFF, POST, PRE

• Ligue 1 teams - LENS, MARSEILLE, NICE, PSG

• Batting ____ - AVERAGE, GLOVES, PRACTICE, STANCE

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

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

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

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

Apple's AirPods Max sound great, look stylish, feature lossless audio, and sit basically at the bottom of the list of popular headphones I recommend.

That's not to say anyone who owns a pair of the AirPods Max should upgrade immediately. Considering they hit the market over five years ago, they hold up surprisingly well with the competition. The problem is, as someone who tests headphones for a living, I've watched as release after release offers more than the Maxes — yet somehow, the AirPods Max remain one of the most expensive consumer headphones on the market.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

To be transparent, I haven't tested the AirPods Max for myself, but my colleagues have. So together, with my headphones knowledge and their testing notes about the over-ear headphones, I've broken down why the AirPods Max are probably not worth it for most people to buy in 2025 and beyond.

Form over function

As I said up top, their design is nothing to scoff at. Yes, they're ultimately a pair of over-ear headphones; they have the uniquely sleek Apple look, from the stainless steel headband frame to the knit mesh canopy and memory foam ear cups. These design choices also work to provide a comfortable fit, and certainly established Apple as a leader in balancing form and function back in 2020, upon these headphones' release. However, newer headphones, such as the Sonos Ace, offer an equally sleek and stylish design at a more affordable price.

In the years since their launch, the only meaningful upgrade these headphones have received is a swap in their charging port from Lightning to USB-C. Beyond that, they also now support lossless audio. (Even in Apple's own press release from the event when the "new" USB-C Maxes were launched, the headline is an anti-climactic "AirPods Max Get Five New Colors."

SEE ALSO: New AirPods Max aren't coming soon, report says

The main selling point of these headphones, then, remains buying into Apple's ecosystem with a pair of over-ear headphones. It's not a moot one — the connection speed to Apple devices is essentially automatic, with the Maxes offering some of the most seamless switching between audio streams on different devices.

Yet once again, that point gets undermined, thanks to the existence of the Beats Studio Pro headphones. As Apple-made headphones, they fit just as well into the ecosystem. Even better, the 2023-released headphones are far more up-to-date than the Maxes, with ANC on par with the older pair, as well as improved sound quality and battery life.

Plus, though they're $349.99 at full price, they're frequently on sale for under $200, putting them less than half the price of the AirPods Max at full price and at their record-low sale price of $399. As Mashable Contributor Alex Bracetti writes in his guide to the best Beats headphones, the Studio Pro headphones are for "anyone who wants Apple noise-cancelling headphones without drastically overpaying for them (cough AirPods Max cough)."

Beats Studio Pro $179.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $170.04   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy How does the sound quality hold up?

Despite being an older pair of headphones, the AirPods Max still sound reliably great. Mashable's Stan Schroeder described the sound as "pleasant, balanced," and not too bass-heavy. He wrote of the balance, "Audiophiles will call this a 'V' shaped sound: bass and treble are slightly pronounced, while midrange tones are slightly recessed, which works for rock and electronic music, but it can leave intimate, acoustic performances a bit lacking."

They also feature Dolby Atmos, which provides a spatial listening experience. Essentially, you feel like the music is coming from around you, as it might if you were to listen to it in person.

SEE ALSO: Spotify and Apple Music will offer lossless audio. Here's what you need to know.

More recently, Apple upgraded the headphones to include lossless audio, which Schroeder wrote did provide a notable bump in the sound quality. To him, the songs opened up, sounding more detailed and less compressed. That quality works nicely with the larger design of the Apple earcups, which provide more physical space around your ear, "which helps create an airiness that closed over-the-ear headphones rarely possess," according to Schroeder.

Audiophiles should note that lossless audio is only supported up to 24-bit, 48 kHz quality (as opposed to Apple Music's support of 24-bit, 192 kHz quality), but that difference is more noticeable and more applicable to professionals using professional gear.

The ANC is fine, but starting to lag behind

Back in 2020, the AirPods Max featured some of the best noise cancellation available. It's a testament to what a good job Apple did that five years later, the ANC is still solid.

That said, it doesn't quite match up with newer models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones (both of which clock in $100 cheaper than the Maxes at full price). In comparing them directly against the latter headphones, Mashable Bracetti wrote that the AirPods Max "[silence] a high number of low- and mid-frequency sounds, but it struggles with high-frequency sounds," while the "QC Ultra delivers class-leading ANC capable of eliminating close to 90 percent of unwanted sounds."

The ANC on the AirPods Max doesn't quite match up to the newer Bose QC Ultra 2 headphones. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

While Bracetti called out that the Maxes still have one of the best Transparency modes available, they lack the conversation boost modes you can find on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3.

They also lack any manually adjustable ANC, which can be found on both headphones like the QC Ultras, as well as mid-range and budget headphones.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What's different this time? A pretty mid option for travel

The quality of a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make or break your travel experience. While the AirPods Max-owning travelers among us aren't likely to have a bad time, there are a few key features that make these headphones less suited to journeying.

1. The battery life sucks: Plain and simple, 20 hours of battery life with ANC is way behind the standard of premium headphones these days. The aforementioned Bose QC Ultra 2 headphones and Sony XM6 headphones each have 30 hours of battery life, while options like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones get up to 60 hours and 55 hours, respectively. The Maxes' saving grace here is the five-minute quick charge, which gets you a 1.5-hour charge. But maybe that gets cancelled out by the way you can never really turn these headphones off, thanks to their lack of a power button.

2. The case isn't really a case: Call me crazy, but I feel like a headphones case should cover the entire headphones, including the more delicate mesh headband. Apple seems to disagree, though, resulting in the AirPods Max "case" that isn't likely to provide you a great deal of protection when you're taking them on the go.

3. They're bulky: In addition to having large ear cups, these headphones don't fold up. Apple could probably take a page out of Sony's book when it comes to the next upgrade, because a folding ear cup design allows for a significantly more travel-friendly pair of headphones.

This case design is a choice. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable The value just isn't there anymore

Simply put, I struggle to think of another brand resting its laurels on a five-year-old pair of headphones. Where the AirPods Max were once innovative, they're now just solidly OK, but just as overpriced as they were upon release.

Instead of shelling out $549 for headphones with five-year-old specs, we recommend picking up these headphones instead:

Headphones to buy instead of the AirPods Max Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) $449 at Amazon Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM6 $459.99 at Amazon Shop Now Beats Studio Pro $349.99 at Amazon Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM5 $399.99 at Amazon Shop Now Sennheiser Momentum 4 $449.95 at Amazon Shop Now Sonos Ace $279.00 at Amazon Shop Now Who should buy AirPods Max in 2026?

To anyone waiting with bated breath for the AirPods Max 2, maybe don't. The rumors back in November 2024 that we wouldn't be likely to get an upgrade to the over-ear headphones seem to be holding strong, according to Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter.

With no likely upgrade on the horizon, should anyone really be buying the AirPods Max these days? If you're an Apple user who really likes the design, don't often use headphones for travel, and don't run your battery life down often, these could be a good option if and only if they're on sale. At their record low, we've seen them drop to $399.99. Just be aware that the sale price point still puts them on par with the sale prices (and, in some cases, full prices) of most of the above 2025-release headphones we recommend, so even going for a significantly older model isn’t making a difference in how much money you can save.

Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Best Buy
$549.99 Save $100   See It at Best Buy See It at Walmart See It at Amazon

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025:

AcrossNod (off)

• The answer is Doze.

Naval submarine in W.W. II

• The answer is Uboat.

Tricky thing to do on a busy highway

• The answer is Merge.

Heat-resistant glassware for cooking

• The answer is Pyrex.

Put into groups

• The answer is Sort.

DownBreak up with

• The answer is Dump

Falls in line, so to speak

• The answer is Obeys.

Legendary vigilante who cuts a "Z" with his sword

• The answer is Zorro.

Rarin' to go

• The answer is Eager.

Common reminder for an upcoming appointment

• The answer is Text.

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $100: As of Dec. 17, the iRobot Roomba 105 has dropped back to its lowest-ever price of $169 at Amazon. This is $150.99 off its list price of $319.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 105 Combo $169 at Amazon
$319.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal

Keeping a clean house around the holidays can be tricky if you're having lots of people over. That's where a robot vacuum can be a helpful investment. It can zoom around picking up any crumbs that have dropped on the floor or dirt that's been tracked in. If you've had one in mind, the good news is quite a few are on sale right now, including the iRobot Roomba 105 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

The iRobot Roomba 105 has plummeted back to its lowest-ever price of $169 at Amazon. This allows you to save $150.99 off its usual price of $319.99. If you're hoping to grab it ahead of the holidays, Amazon even has a note on its sale page that states it'll arrive before Christmas to give you a little peace of mind.

SEE ALSO: The 65 best tech gifts of the year, hand-picked by professional gadget nerds

We consider the iRobot Roomba 105 to be the best value Roomba in our roundup of the best robot vacuums. Mashable's Leah Stodart states "the Roomba 105 series vacuums are iRobot's most advanced and fairly-priced entry-level robot vacuums to date." This particular model boasts 70x more suction compared to Roomba 600 series robots, a multi-surface brush and edge-sweeping brush, alongside a microfiber mop pad to wash away any messes on harder surfaces.

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The iRobot Roomba 105 also comes with ClearView LiDAR navigation, which allows it to map out your home and avoid any obstacles in its way for a more efficient clean. If this robot vacuum sounds like it would be a helpful addition to your home, now is your chance to save 47% at Amazon.

If this robot vacuum was on your holiday season shopping list and you're looking for more gift ideas this year, check out our roundup of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 for more recommendations worth grabbing before the holidays.