Technology
I can't believe these 4 Windows features aren't better known
Windows is packed with features that rarely get the spotlight. While most users stick to the basics, there are plenty of useful tools and settings buried deep in the operating system that can make everyday tasks a little easier. I decided to explore the deepest layers and found some worth sharing.
The Slate Truck changed what I want from my next vehicle
I've been a gearhead for as long as I can remember, with a particular weakness for muscle cars, motorcycles, trucks, and anything that feels a little different. The problem is that most of the new vehicles I find exciting today, including Rivians, Corvettes, Teslas, and Hemi-powered vehicles, cost far more than I'm willing to spend.
5 hobbies you're spending way too much money on
If you enjoy something enough to do it in your spare time, use it to brighten your day, or see it as a platform for self-development, it’s totally worth your hard-earned money. But there’s a point of diminishing returns, where you feel inclined to buy more things for little gain.
This free, open-source app saved me from buying a new SSD I didn't need
With SSD prices still sky-high, I wanted to check my SSD’s health to see whether I actually needed a replacement. Windows gave me a concerning percentage, but no context—no trend, no cause, no countdown. I was on the verge of buying an expensive new SSD, but decided to get a second opinion. That’s when I turned to CrystalDiskInfo. It gave me the missing context and showed that my SSD still had plenty of life left, giving me the confidence to delay the purchase.
How to watch Brazil vs. Norway online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Brazil vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is really heating up. Places in the quarter-final stage are now up for grabs, and Brazil vs. Norway will do everything they can to secure a spot. This is one of the most unpredictable matchups of the round. Brazil look shaky, and Norway have a certain Haaland leading the line.
If you want to watch Brazil vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Brazil vs. Norway?Brazil vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on July 5. This fixture takes place at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
How to watch Brazil vs. Norway for freeBrazil vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World 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 live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Brazil vs. Norway for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch Brazil vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world
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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Brazil vs. Norway (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.
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 10 simultaneous connections
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.
Live stream Brazil vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
How to watch Mexico vs. England online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Mexico vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is slowly creeping towards it's dramatic conclusion, with some huge matchups in the Last 16.
Mexico vs. England is a standout fixture. The hosts will be confident of moving into the quarter finals after dominating their group and comfortably beating Ecuador in the last round. England have stuttered, but they have a number of top stars who can win any game. They'll be relying on the likes of Harry Kane and June Bellingham to power them through.
If you want to watch Mexico vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Mexico vs. England?Mexico vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on July 5. This fixture takes place at the Mexico City Stadium.
How to watch Mexico vs. England for freeMexico vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer 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 BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Mexico vs. England for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Mexico vs. England for free from anywhere in the world
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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Mexico vs. England (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 10 simultaneous connections
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.
Live stream Mexico vs. England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
This $35 AI-powered Mac app transcribes your voice three times faster than typing — last chance to save
TL;DR: Type faster and save valuable time with a lifetime subscription to Voibe, on sale now for just $34.99 (reg. $199) with code JULY30 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Opens in a new window Credit: Essence AI Voibe Lifetime Subscription $34.99$199 Save $164.01 Get Deal
We could all use a little more time in the day. Fortunately, there’s now an app for Apple lovers that can help you turn your voice into text that’s three times faster than typing — Voibe.
If you act fast, you can save time forever with a lifetime subscription to Voibe for just $34.99 with code JULY30 if you buy it before tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Give your fingers a rest and let Voibe get to work. This AI voice dictation tool makes it easier to get things done on your Mac, turning your voice into text and transcribing three times faster than typing.
Voibe runs in the background on your Mac and works with nearly any app where you can place a cursor, so you can have AI-powered assistance anytime you need it. It uses OpenAI’s latest Whisper model, too, so you know you’re in good hands.
There’s no waiting around with Voibe; it offers zero-latency performance, so words show up in real-time. Just hold a key, talk naturally, then release, and your words will appear on your screen. It can even handle accents and technical jargon.
Traditional dictation tools need cloud processing, but Voibe doesn’t require any connection. It works directly on your Mac, and audio is never sent to the cloud, so you can work offline and enjoy better security and privacy.
This tool makes drafting emails, notes, content, and feedback a lot easier. It also streamlines your workflow, as you can capture your thoughts instantly without losing focus.
Lock in a lifetime of convenient dictation on your Mac with this lifetime subscription to Voibe for just $34.99 with code JULY30 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
This ChatGPT-powered smart investing app helps you pick ideal stocks for your portfolio
TL;DR: Easily identify the best investments for your portfolio with this lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker, now only $48.29 (reg. $486) with code JULY30 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sterling Stock Picker Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $48.29$486 Save $437.71 Get Deal
The most successful investors don’t just hop on hot stocks. They take a long-term approach, choosing investments that align with their financial goals. Sterling Stock Picker helps make stock picking easier with AI-powered insights that simplify the process.
If you want to invest confidently, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for just $48.29 with code JULY30, but you need to act fast — this deal ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Investing doesn’t have to be intimidating. Sterling Stock Picker makes it accessible for all — with no prior knowledge or intense research required.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, powers this app, which features patent-pending technology for its North Star Rating System. These ratings provide technical and risk analysis for each stock on the market and a clear recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or avoid.
Want a stock rocket? Sterling Stock Picker shows you companies with more than 50% quarterly revenue growth. You’ll also get access to Finley, a personal finance coach that can answer questions about your portfolio, individual stocks, and the market in general.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Sterling Stock Picker has a five-minute questionnaire that provides the app with info about your values, investment goals, and risk preferences so it can give you the best options for your portfolio. If you prefer to be hands-off, there’s also a Done-for-You portfolio option, too.
Learn more about the market within the app thanks to in-depth explanations of financial concepts and expert-backed strategy guides. Want to talk things over with a fellow investor? There’s a member chat forum, too.
Lock in this lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for just $48.29 with code JULY30 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Im watching the British GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free
TL;DR: In the UK, Channel 4 will be providing live coverage of the 2026 British Grand Prix for free. In the U.S., sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the British GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop NowThe Austrian GP offered another thrilling weekend of racing from the best drivers in the world. George Russell came out on top after holding off the advances of Verstappen and Antonelli. Ferrari and McLaren constantly swapped positions just behind in what was one of the most interesting GPs of the season.
Will we get more of the same from the British GP? We certainly hope so.
SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presenceIf you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the British GP?The British GP is the ninth race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from Silverstone:
Practice 1 — 7:30-8:30 a.m. ET on July 3
Sprint Qualifying — 11:30 a.m. to 12:14 p.m. ET on July 3
Sprint — 7-8 a.m. ET on July 4
Qualifying — 11 a.m to 12 p.m. ET on July 4
Race — 10 a.m. ET on July 5
Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.
How to watch the British GP for freeIt's important to note that Channel 4 will be providing live coverage of the 2026 British Grand Prix for free in the UK. That's nice and easy for fans in the UK.
If you're based in the U.S., you'll need to take a few additional steps to watch this race weekend for free.
I subscribe to Amazon Prime. I subscribe for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. It's the access to Prime Video that becomes all-important for F1 fans.
It is now possible to sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel this renewal at any time. By cancelling ahead of the renewal, you can watch the British GP this weekend without spending anything.
I understand the argument that I'm not really watching for free because I subscribe to Amazon Prime. I get that, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you're new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races for free this season.
If you've already used this hack to watch a race this season, there are some alternatives.
My recommendation is to go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.
The best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. If you're planning on buying something from Apple, you could gain access to Apple TV for a pretty large chunk of this season. You will obviously need to buy something, but if you were already in the market for an upgrade, this method makes a lot of sense.
How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026 Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop NowFIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 5
The 2026 World Cup weekend excitement reaches a crescendo today with two heated matches: Norway vs Brazil followed by England vs Mexico.
It all kicks off at 4 p.m. ET, with the first game taking place in the United States and the second taking place in Mexico City, where the hometown fans will have the opportunity to cheer on their national team in a decisive match.
Read on to learn where and when the games are being played, as well as how best to watch them.
FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 5Brazil vs. Norway (New York New Jersey Stadium) — kickoff at 4 p.m. ET
Mexico vs. England (Mexico City Stadium) — kickoff at 8 p.m. ET
Fan-favorite Erling Haaland, Norway's 6'5" giant center forward, is proving himself one of the game's most unstoppable forces, but he will have his work cut out for him against the more experienced Brazil team, led by their all-time top goal scorer, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. Legendary soccer manager and current coach of the Brazil team, Carlo Ancelotti, known as "Don Carlo" to the soccer faithful in Brazil, will battle Norway's Ståle Solbakken in what is sure to be a chess-like battle of wits between the two master strategists.
Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.
Watch Mexico vs. EnglandComing into Sunday's match, Mexico has not allowed a single goal in the entire tournament thus far, the only team to have held their opponents scoreless going into the round of 16, but if they're going to continue this streak, they'll have to shut down the two-pronged attack of Harry Kane (now the nation's top scorer in the history of the World Cup!) and top-tier midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has already racked up four goals and one assist in England's journey to the top.
And for this match, there's an added twist: Mexico will have home-field advantage in Mexico City, one of the loudest venues in all of soccer. ¡Olé!
Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One (3-Month Subscription) $39.98$59.97 Save $19.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock (Spanish Language) Starting at $10.99/month Get Deal More live streaming optionsLive TV cable replacement
Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:
YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months
Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month
Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month
It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.
You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpresVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get DealHurdle hints and answers for July 5, 2026
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.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
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 hintTo spill.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerSLOSH
Hurdle Word 2 hintSide face.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for Juy 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerCHEEK
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Hurdle Word 3 hintSlope.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerSLANT
Hurdle Word 4 hintNot a friend.
Hurdle Word 4 answerHATER
Final Hurdle hintManeuver a car.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerDRIVE
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on July 5
The Moon is changing in appearance and visibility each night. This is because of the lunar cycle. We're currently on day 20 of this 29.5 day of this cycle, which means we're approaching the Third Quarter, when the Moon appears half full.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Sunday, July 5, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in its Waning Gibbous phase, with 75% of its surface visible.
If you look up tonight with just your naked eye, you should be able to see the Mare Vaporum, Aristarchus Plateau, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Mare Humorum, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Grimaldi Basin. And if you have a telescope, you'll see all this plus the Apollo 16 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.
What are Moon phases?According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth approximately every 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. Although the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the amount of its surface illuminated by the Sun changes as it travels around our planet. As a result, the Moon appears to shift in shape throughout the month, progressing from slender crescents to quarter moons and eventually reaching the brightly lit Full Moon stage. This repeating pattern is known as the lunar cycle.
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.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 5, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a big spender.
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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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 July 5, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Healthy snack
Green: Spending methods
Blue: Swipe it
Purple: One letter
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Granola ingredients
Green: Payment methods
Blue: Amex card types
Purple: What "W" might stand for
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 #1120 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayGranola ingredients: HONEY, NUTS, OATS, SEEDS
Payment methods: CARD, CASH, CHECK, WIRE
Amex card types: CENTURION, GOLD, GREEN, PLATINUM
What "W" might stand for: TUNGSTEN, WEST, WIN, WITH
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 July 5, 2026Are 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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for July 5, 2026
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a dog lover.
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 MashableBy 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 July 5, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Barking up the right treeThe words are related to animals.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe types of dogs.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Hunting Breeds.
NYT Strands word list for July 5Pointer
Spaniel
Retriever
Hound
Hunting Breeds
Terrier
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 5, 2026
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're Hindu.
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 July 5, 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 July 5, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A religious teacher.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
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...
SWAMI
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.
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Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
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Wireless chargers are very convenient, whether you're determined to minimize cord clutter or just tired of plugging in your phone every day. However, there's a hidden cost: your charger is wasting electricity, and that's costing you both money and time.
You can get your dream Aston Martin with a roaring V-8 for less than a Golf R
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How to watch Paraguay vs. France online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Paraguay vs. France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
France have looked unbeatable in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now they face Paraguay for a spot in the quarter finals, a team that just knocked out Germany on penalties. It'll take something special for Paraguay to keep out the likes of Mbappé and Olise, but that result in the last round will have given them a lot of confidence.
If you want to watch Paraguay vs. France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Paraguay vs. France?Paraguay vs. France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on July 4. This fixture takes place at the Philadelphia Stadium.
How to watch Paraguay vs. France for freeParaguay vs. France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer 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 BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Paraguay vs. France for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Paraguay vs. France for free from anywhere in the world
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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Paraguay vs. France (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U
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 10 simultaneous connections
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.
Live stream Paraguay vs. France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
Stop opening ports on your router to access your home server (do this instead)
You've done the work—you picked a solid router, set a real admin password, maybe even splurged on a mesh system and a VPN subscription. Your home network feels locked down, and honestly, it probably is. Then, one day, you want to check your security cameras from the office, and you flip on one innocent little setting to make it happen.


