Technology

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To make amends.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ATONE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Recovery.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

REHAB

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Glimmering.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SHINY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Foundation.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BASIS

Final Hurdle hint

Preface.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

INTRO

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're an avid reader.

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 February 17, 2026 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 fly through

• Green: Asian condiments

• Blue: Done to a book page

• Purple: To fail

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Zoom

• Green: Sauces in Chinese cuisine

• Blue: Riffle (through)

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Dud"

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 #982 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Zoom: DART, FLASH, SPEED, ZIP

• Sauces in Chinese cuisine: HOISIN, OYSTER, PLUM, SOY

• Riffle (through): FLIP, LEAF, SKIM, THUMB

• Starting with synonyms for "Dud": BOMBAY, BUSTLE, FLOPPY, MISSUS

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 February 17, 2026

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love astrology.

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 February 17, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 17, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The year of the ...

The words are related to astrology.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe astrological phenomena.

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 Zodiac Signs.

NYT Strands word list for February 17

• Horse

• Snake

• Goat

• Zodiac Signs

• Dragon

• Rabbit

• Monkey

• Tiger

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love traveling in groups.

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 February 17, 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 February 17, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A crew.

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 S.

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...

SQUAD

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 yesterday's Wordle.

SAVE $270: The DJI Power 1000 V2 is on sale at Amazon for $429, down from the standard price of $699. That's a 39% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 $429 at Amazon
$699 Save $270   Get Deal

We're living through a lucky time when it comes to portable power. It wasn't all that long ago that we headed to the campground just accepting that our phones would die within the day or we had to run an extension cord across the yard to use power tools in the back shed. But now we have versatile portable power stations that solve our juice problems while we're off grid. If you're looking for a power station to use on content creation days, there's an excellent model on sale today during Amazon's Presidents' Day sale.

As of Feb. 16, the DJI Power 1000 V2 is on sale at Amazon for $429, marked down from the standard price of $699. That's a 39% discount.

Scoring a portable power station that comes with 1,024Wh of battery capacity for under $430 is a good deal. On top of this, DJI packed the Power 1000 V2 with elements that are excellent for creators. The dual SDC ports have the ability to super-fast charge DJI drone batteries. It's also an especially quiet model, operating at as low as 26 decibels. This will be excellent if you'll be filming content in the same room as the portable power station or you'll be using it to power up a CPAP machine at night during a power outage.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Presidents' Day sale is live — score huge deals on Apple, Lego, Roborock, and more

DJI improved the recharging time on the V2 and you'll now be able to get back to 80% battery power with just 37 minutes of recharging with standard AC power. You'll be able to get back to 100% with 56 minutes of wall recharging on grid power.

When testing the DJI Power 1000 V2, I found it easy to carry around since it weighs about 31 pounds. Another major benefit of the Power 1000 V2 is its expansion capability. Should you want more power, you can connect up to five DJI Expansion Battery 2000 to the Power 1000 V2. Each Battery 2000 brings another 2,048Wh to the party.

Before the next power outage or content creation assignment, upgrade your setup with the DJI Power 1000 V2. It's on sale for $270 off at Amazon.

SAVE $470: As of Feb. 16, you can get the 65-inch TCL Class QM6K Series 4K HDR Smart Google TV for $529.99 at Amazon and Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 65-inch TCL Class QM6K Series 4K HDR Smart Google TV $529.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 65-inch TCL Class QM6K Series 4K HDR Smart Google TV $529.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $470   Get Deal

Amazon is pouring so much energy into its Presidents' Day Sale that I think they honestly forgot to tag this TV.

Right now, the 65-inch TCL QM6K Series is down to $529.99. To put that value in perspective, Best Buy is currently selling this exact model for the same price but is explicitly flagging it as a $470 discount. You're basically getting a $1,000 TV for nearly half off, just without the flashy "deal" sticker on the Amazon page.

SEE ALSO: The best Presidents' Day TV deals: Save big on TCL, Samsung, Hisense, and more

This is a 2025 model with Mini-LED and QLED technology (aka deep blacks and blinding brightness), specs that typically cost twice as much. It also features a 144Hz native refresh rate, making it a smart choice for PS5 or Xbox Series X owners who want fluid motion without paying the "Samsung flagship" tax.

Top trim sports cars grab all the press. The Corvette ZR1/ZR1X, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and the Ford Mustang GTD are all examples. The same holds true for more modestly priced cars such as the Volkswagen Golf R and Nissan Z NISMO. Go to YouTube and search for reviews of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. You will find dozens, if not hundreds. Now look for reviews of the base 718 Cayman. You will be lucky to find a handful.

Nvidia's latest DLSS 4.5 update is, obviously, its best one yet. But the more I test it, the more I realize that not everyone needs it, at least not right now.

Paramount+'s movie library is deep enough that it's easy to spend more time browsing than watching. If you're wondering what to watch on Paramount+ this week, here are three can't-miss picks to add to your queue.

TL;DR: Right now, a 1-year BJ’s Club Card Membership is available for only $20 (reg. $60).

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ's Wholesale Club 1-year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® (Terms apply.) $20
$60 Save $40   Get Deal

Making a budget last is hard enough, but when you factor in things like the price of the gas you burn running errands all over town, you’re basically spending money for the opportunity to spend money. If you want a new way to get your shopping done, check out BJ’s. Whether you’re picking up bulk home essentials or grabbing all your groceries, they’ve always got something to offer, and a BJ’s Club Card Membership is only $20 right now (reg. $60).

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a place to shop for family essentials, including fresh foods, produce, deli items, household staples, and more. BJ’s members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, but that’s not the only reason to shop there. You can also look out for new clothes, seasonal décor, toys, tech, and furniture.

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Tank running low? Fill up on your way out, and don’t forget you could get extra savings through the BJ’s Fuel Saver Program when you buy eligible products in the club. That’s a whole lot easier than making one more stop on top of all your other errands.

You don’t have to shop in-store to use the membership. BJ’s has an app that lets you shop online and choose curbside pickup or same-day delivery when it’s available in your area. You can also add digital coupons directly to your membership card, so the discount applies automatically at checkout.

This deal is for new members only and gives you a code you can redeem the code directly on BJs.com to create your membership.

Right now, it’s only $20 to get a BJ’s 1-Year Club Card Membership.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Dolphin is a fantastic emulator for Nintendo Wii and GameCube games. Now, it has added emulation support for the GameCube-like ‘Triforce’ system, allowing arcade titles like Mario Kart Arcade GP and F-Zero AX to run on modern computers and Android devices.

When you're shopping for a new NVMe SSD, you're met with an overwhelming number of specifications to consider, from PCIe generation and read/write speeds to DRAM presence and NAND type.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdomscontinues to prove that the Game of Thrones universe remains as strong as ever. The spin-off continues to garner high ratings on websites like IMDb, and the fifth episode just set a new record.

If you want an Android tablet without Google apps and services, there’s now another option to check out. The Murena Volla Tablet is now available in the United States and Canada, with a de-Googled /e/OS software experience right out of the box.

Buyers who have their eyes on a compact SUV have tons of options, so much so that it almost seems overwhelming. In the endless sea of SUVs, many of which now have “luxury-lite price tags,” Subaru is pushing forward with its popular Forester and doubling down on what has made it a staple for the last 30 years: rugged affordability. And in the case of the Hybrid model, increased fuel economy.

Upscaling and frame generation are critical features today, especially since game optimization has seemingly only gotten worse. If you're using a GPU that doesn't natively support either, you're in luck: There is a third-party option that works on any GPU.

The RAM shortage due to AI is impacting tech prices and release dates. In the video game space, the next PlayStation console may be delayed, and the Switch 2 could see a price spike, Bloomberg reports.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation State of Play February 2026: How to watch, top games we hope to see

Sony is considering pushing back the debut of the PlayStation 6 to 2028 or 2029, according to people familiar with the situation interviewed by Bloomberg. Mashable reported back in December that this might happen, so there's only been confirmation of the bad news. Previous leaks estimated the PS6's release for 2027.

Further, due to memory shortages, Nintendo is apparently considering increasing the price of the Switch 2 later this year, according to Bloomberg. In 2025, rumors surfaced about the Switch 2's price increasing due to tariffs, but that didn't materialize.

Neither Sony nor Nintendo responded to Bloomberg's request for comment.

Have you ever had your homelab down for maintenance, but really needed to access a mission-critical service that was hosted on it? I’ve been there, and I never want to go back. That’s why I have a VPS as part of my homelab setup—and you should too.

If you need an easy win for movie night or just having the boys over this week, try these three Netflix flicks on for size. They swing from ridiculous raunchy comedy to a full-on pew-pew-pew alien adventure.

Scrolling through countless scattered files to find the one you need can be time-consuming and stressful. Here are some tips to help you organize and manage your Windows files more efficiently.