Technology

Usually, by this time of year, everyone who wants the newest Samsung Galaxy flagship phone already has one. However, we're still waiting for the official announcement of the upcoming Galaxy S26.

There's good news on that front, though: You don't have to wait long. Samsung has confirmed a Galaxy Unpacked event for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. ET. Since the Galaxy TriFold already went on sale (and immediately sold out) in the West, it's time for Samsung to fully focus on the Galaxy S26. Of course, if you're here, you want to know what the deal is with these phones right now.

Luckily, we've seen numerous leaks and reports before the big unveiling on Wednesday, from the colors and camera specs to cool-sounding display tech called Privacy Display. Catch up on everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S26 specs, price, and release date.

SEE ALSO: See Samsung Galaxy S26's rumored Privacy Display feature in action What will the Galaxy S26 phones look like?

Recently, leaker @onleaks posted a gallery and video on X that claims to show dummy units of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. We can't verify the authenticity of the video, but it looks plausible, at least.

Overall, it looks very similar to the S25 Ultra, as expected, with one notable change — it has a camera bump similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. As 9to5Google points out, because this bump is on the left side of the phone, it will make the phone wobble when placed down on a table or desk. (The TriFold has the same problem.) In comparison, the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max has a more symmetrical shape and thus no wobble.

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However, we would be a little skeptical of this leak. Android Police recently posted its own alleged S26 Ultra leaks, only without the camera bump.

As for colors, leaker Evan Blass posted what could be the full list of color options on X. The colors are:

• Black

• White

• Silver Shadow

• Sky Blue

• Cobalt Violet

• Pink Gold

Those all sound pretty standard for a Samsung phone, so it doesn't seem like the company is doing anything wildly bold this year in terms of colors. That's either a relief or a disappointment to you, depending on how you felt about the controversial cosmic orange iPhone last year.

What models will be included in the S26 lineup?

We're expecting three phones at the next Galaxy Unpacked event:

• Samsung Galaxy S26

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Less than a year ago, rumors and leaks pointed to a significant shakeup in the Galaxy S26 line. It was said that Samsung would rename the base model to S26 Pro, drop the Plus model that sat in the middle of the annual lineup for years, and replace that with a new Edge phone modeled after last year's S25 Edge (which was something of a flop). However, that's apparently no longer happening, and you can thank Apple for that, per Korean outlet NewsPim (via 9to5google).

How will the S26 differ from the S25? Credit: James Martin / Mashable

Due to Apple's success in offering significant year-over-year upgrades to the base iPhone 17 (such as a 120Hz display) without raising the price, Samsung has reportedly dropped the Pro branding for the base model and reverted it back to just the Galaxy S26, which was corroborated by a separate report from SamMobile. According to that report, you can expect a retread of the usual S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra lineup in 2026. That may be disappointing to anyone who was expecting a big shakeup based on previous reporting, but if nothing else, it makes it easier to keep track of what's going on.

As for the previously rumored S26 Edge, it's unclear what's going to happen with that. It might be dead, or it might come out later in the year as a separate release like the S25 Edge did. Given that phone's relative lack of success, it might be smart to assume there won't be an S26 Edge at this point.

Galaxy S26 rumored specs

For specs, the rumors aren't particularly surprising. The Galaxy S26 series is currently rumored to have the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, which Qualcomm rebranded to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There is also a rumor that Samsung will equip some S26 models with an Exynos chip, which Samsung fans hope is the Exynos 2600, which has also been making some noise in the rumor mill lately.

In terms of the small stuff, like storage and RAM, there have been some small rumblings. One rumor says that the Galaxy S26 (all models) will feature 16GB of RAM, a 4GB increase from the last few years, and the most a Galaxy phone has had since the Galaxy S21 Ultra. In terms of storage capacity, there are no rumors that anything will change, so the 128GB base (256GB on the Ultra) is likely to remain in place for now, with upgraded storage available as an option. 

Galaxy S26: Is a price hike coming?

We're in the midst of a major global memory shortage, and this has been very bad news for smartphone and laptop shoppers (you can blame the AI industry for hogging all the RAM). And according to leaker @kro_roe, this could not only lead to an S26 price hike, but also the end of a popular launch offer.

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Typically, when Samsung launches a new phone, customers who pre-order or purchase at launch can claim double the storage at no extra cost. But with RAM in short supply, that may no longer be the case. The most recent rumors suggest that Samsung hasn't landed on a final price for the S26 phones, however.

That last part is important because it's very possible that the prices won't change after all. At least one new report suggests Samsung is trying to make sure the prices don't increase from last year, even if that means the company has to eat some of the cost of each unit sold.

Battery and charging

Based on early rumors, this may be one of the most interesting changes coming to the S26 lineup. Samsung has been working on a stacked battery design that would allow for more dense batteries in the same physical space. This could bring a long-awaited bump to battery size. According to early rumors, the S26 Ultra is slated to come with a 5,500 mAh stacked battery, a 10 percent increase from the S25 Ultra.

Samsung reportedly experimented with removing a camera to add even more battery capacity, but that doesn't mean it's certain to happen in the mass-produced model. While the S26 Pro was rumored to have a bigger 4,900mAh battery compared to previous base model Galaxy phones, NewsPim's report claimed that the base S26 (now that it's no longer a Pro device) has been adjusted down to a more modest 4,300mAh cell.

For charging, it’s unlikely that the Galaxy S26 series will get a serious upgrade. Samsung is definitely working on 60W wired charging, but so far, it seems that Samsung will wait for the Galaxy S27 series (or later) to implement it. This could change as we get closer to launch for the S26 series, but for now, it seems that 45W will be around for at least one more year. There are also rumors that wireless charging may see a bump to the Qi2 standard

Galaxy S26: What about the cameras?

The camera system in the Galaxy S26 series may change quite a bit, and there are a few different rumors that say different things. Jumping right in, one older rumor says that the S26 series will have the same megapixel count but will feature a new, as-of-yet unannounced sensor from the same ISOCELL GN series as prior Samsung models. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a 200MP camera is rumored, as is a 324MP lens with a 50MP, 3x telephoto lens. It’s more likely that Samsung will do the 200MP with a new sensor, but all leaks are being considered right now. 

S25 Ultra with its five cameras. Credit: James Martin / Mashable

In addition, there are rumors that Samsung will bring back its variable aperture on the main shooter, which Samsung hasn’t included on its camera system since the Galaxy S10 series back in 2019. As previously mentioned, Samsung may be considering dropping the number of cameras to three instead of four, like on prior models, to make space for a larger battery. Other rumors about the camera include a dual periscope design that’ll magnify to 8x, but that is just speculation at this time.

However, many of these rumors come from the time when we thought Samsung was significantly altering the S26 lineup. Newer reports indicate that, at least for the base S26 and S26 Plus, things won't change that much from previous years. According to Korean outlet The Elec, those two phones will have the exact same megapixel count on the triple-lens rear array as previous Galaxy models: a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. Those have been the specs going all the way back to the Galaxy S22. If you were hoping for big changes in the cheaper S26 models this year, you have our condolences.

As we have gotten closer to the Unpacked event, Samsung has given us a little tease about photography that's worth discussing briefly. The company announced in a very vague press release that AI editing tools for photos and videos will live in one unified app experience, rather than asking users to switch from one app to another for their AI editing needs. Whether this means all of that stuff will live in the basic camera app remains to be seen, but for frequent photo editors, this is worth keeping an eye on.

Other features and hardware

Android Police recently alerted us to a very interesting feature that could make its debut with the S26: A new mode called Privacy Display. This rumored feature would make the display resemble a frosted screen protector, except it would be built into the UI. This leak comes from Samsung itself, so it's all but confirmed.

Other details on the Galaxy S26 lineup are pretty predictable. It’ll come with the latest One UI out of the gate with the latest version of Android. That is no surprise, and we don’t need rumors to predict that one. The S26 series will likely get One UI 8.5, which is slated for a rather large redesign along with a host of new features, including the aforementioned privacy screen feature. According to rumor, the redesign emulates Apple’s Liquid Glass in some ways with transparent UI elements. 

The only other piece of hardware we haven’t talked about is the S-Pen. Samsung appears to be set to do something big with the S-Pen. The rumors speculate that the S-Pen is sticking around and will come with some upgrades. The new functionality may have something to do with how magnetic accessories work, and this seems to be linked to the aforementioned Qi2 wireless charging upgrade. 

We'll find out how much (if any) of this is true in just a matter of weeks, going by previous Samsung announcement timelines.

TL;DR: Live stream Zimbabwe vs. West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage is over and a number of teams came away undefeated. West Indies were one of the most impressive sides from the opening stage of this tournament, topping a group that included England. Their reward? Being placed in a group with all the other undefeated sides: India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

South Africa and India are probably favorites to progress into the semi-final stage, so this opening Super 8 game is absolutely vital for Zimbabwe and West Indies. A defeat here and it's going to be very tough to recover.

If you want to watch Zimbabwe vs. West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Zimbabwe vs. West Indies?

Zimbabwe vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 23. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch Zimbabwe vs. West Indies for free

Zimbabwe vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Zimbabwe vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 Cricket World 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 a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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. 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Luxury SUVs have gotten wildly good over the past decade—and wildly expensive. As buyers chased bigger screens, more power, and every badge upgrade imaginable, sticker prices climbed right along with them.

Netflix's homepage is probably where many customers find new movies and shows. The homepage is curated to show programs that you might like based on your streaming habits. If you know the type of movie you want to stream, then visit the specific genre page to explore popular categories like dramas, comedies, and romance.

Most Linux users settle into a stable setup. Pick a distro based on convenience or support, install it once, tweak it slowly, and then try not to think too hard about what is happening under the hood. That is fine, and often sensible, but sometimes, it is worth looking at the edges of the ecosystem, where people are asking stranger questions and building operating systems around them.

When the day is over, in comes the fun, so make sure you have plenty of popcorn in stock for this week’s movie recommendations on Amazon Prime Video.

John Oliver has given his opinion on the current state of X (formerly Twitter) — and as you can probably imagine, he doesn't pull any punches.

In the Last Week Tonight episode above, the host summarises the many issues the platform has faced since Elon Musk took over — from changes to the verification system to users being fed right-wing content and misinformation.

"The fact is, a massive media platform has been shaped in the image of its poisonous owner, and it doesn't seem like Elon's gonna see the error of his ways anytime soon — seeing his brain seems to be thoroughly cooked by the garbage he consumes on his own site," Oliver says.

The host's conclusion? Stop posting on the platform altogether.

"There are certain areas, like news in particular, where Twitter is now worse than useless," Oliver says. "In fact, for breaking news, it is an active liability, as people routinely push out false information in the wake of tragedies and crises, often for money, and there don't seem to be many guardrails to stop them.

"All of which is really a long way of saying that the Twitter that we may have once relied on and the Twitter that was fun and occasionally useful is just well and truly gone. And collectively, while it might be sad, it might be past time for all of us to, if I may borrow a truly poisoned phrase, let that sink in."

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

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 23, 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: "I'm starving!"

• Green: Same shape

• Blue: A facade

• Purple: Smooch

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Eat voraciously

• Green: Conical things

• Blue: Pose

• Purple: Settings for a kiss

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 #988 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Eat voraciously: BOLT, GORGE, INHALE, SCARF

• Conical things: CHRISTMAS TREE, CONE, PARTY HAT, VOLCANO

• Pose: BLUFF, FRONT, MASQUERADE, POSTURE

• Settings for a kiss: BLARNEY STONE, MISTLETOE, NEW YEAR'S EVE, WEDDING

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 23, 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 the latest Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a musician.

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 23, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 23, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Strike a chord

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a string instrument.

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 Guitar.

NYT Strands word list for February 23

• Headstock

• Neck

• Guitar

• Pegs

• Body

• String

• Bridge

• Fretboard

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 the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love extra storage.

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 23, 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 23, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An overhead space.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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...

ATTIC

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box (Mega Gardevoir edition) is down to $94.89 at Amazon — its lowest price of the year and about $5 off its typical $99.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box (Mega Gardevoir Edition) $94.89 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $5.10   Get Deal

Elite Trainer Boxes tied to major Pokémon TCG expansions don’t dip below $100 as often as we’d like to see, but this Mega Evolution box has taken us by surprise. As of Feb. 23, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box (Mega Gardevoir edition) is available for $94.89 on Amazon, shaving 5% off its usual $99.99 price.

When checking price tracker camelcamelcamel, we have confirmed that this is definitely the lowest we’ve seen for the Mega Gardevoir ETB on Amazon this year — not dropping lower than this since before December 2025. While it’s not a massive discount on paper, sub-$95 pricing on one of 2025’s most in-demand Mega Evolution ETBs is quite a big deal considering how stock fluctuates. The release of new expansions (like Ascended Heroes) hasn’t stopped demand from staying high.

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This box will give you a chance for some of the expansion’s most valuable chase cards, including the Mega Hyper Rare Mega Gardevoir ex and Mega Lucario ex, which bring huge HP totals and high-risk, high-reward attacks into play. 

Inside, you’ll get nine Mega Evolution booster packs, a full-art foil promo card featuring Alakazam, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a player’s guide to the expansion, and a collector’s storage box with dividers. There’s also a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

For other solid Pokémon TCG deals, you can still get the Pokémon Day 2026 Collection for under $40 at Amazon. As for the new expansion, Amazon buyers can still grab Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collections on sale. 

SAVE $30: As of Feb. 23, the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) has been marked down to $219 at Amazon. This 12% discount saves you $30 off its list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $219 at Amazon
$249 Save $30   Get Deal

Are you dreaming of springtime and soaking up the sunshine? It's not too far away now, and if you're looking to get back in your athletic groove outdoors, now is a great time to look into a smartwatch. For Apple users, the Apple Watch SE 3 is an option worth checking out for basic fitness tracking, and it's even on sale right now at Amazon.

As of Feb. 23, the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) has dropped to $219 at Amazon, a $30 discount from its list price of $249. Both the starlight and midnight colors are available at this price, so you can scoop up your favorite and save some cash.

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The Apple Watch SE 3 is a solid choice for those who aren't looking to have all of the bells and whistles of its high-end smartwatch siblings. We consider it our favorite smartwatch for most people, with Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth saying, "In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you're looking for in a smartwatch — all for $150 less than the Series 11." With a deal price like this, it's really worth grabbing.

To get into the specifics of what you can expect from the Apple Watch SE 3, it comes with features like an activity tracker, heart rate monitor, a daily sleep score, temperature sensing, and safety features (Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS). Its battery life will last you up to 18 hours as well.

If it's caught your eye, now is an excellent time to pick up the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) for less 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 Monday, Feb. 23, 2026:

AcrossAmorphous shape in a lava lamp

• The answer is Blog.

"Wonderful performance!"

• The answer is Bravo.

Social media currency

• The answer is Likes.

Cars that move around a miniature map

• The answer is Ubers.

Partner of relaxation

• The answer is Rest.

DownOffer money corruptly

• The answer is Bribe.

Canada has an estimated 2 million of them, the most of any country in the world

• The answer is Lakes.

In-your-face

• The answer is Overt.

Work overseer

• The answer is Boss.

Memory of a hectic day, perhaps

• The answer is Blur.

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.

With a smart thermostat, ceiling lights plus fans we can control via a voice assistant, and doors I can unlock remotely, our home is clearly smart. The question is—can anyone in the house make sense of it all but me? This is a question it's vital to ask as early as possible in your smart home journey, or you will find yourself swapping out technology like I am now.

We knew that Honor is about to bring its oddball Robot Phone to this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

What we didn't know, however, that the company is also bringing its first-ever AI-powered humanoid robot to the show.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

Honor announced the news on Monday via a teaser video on X, featuring both the Robot Phone and its robotic camera, and the unnamed humanoid robot.

"Something revolutionary is about to step out of the shadows. We’ve combined cutting-edge robotics with the ultimate mobile experience. The result? Something you have to see to believe," the company wrote in a tweet.

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The video actually gives us a decent glimpse of the robot, which looks just like you'd expect: a humanoid clad in matte black with a glass face, and a light bar where its eyes should be (the robot also appears to have a single camera on its forehead). In another image (below), sent to Mashable by Honor, the robot is seen from the side.

Slightly odd head shape on this one, but we'll let it slide for now. Credit: Honor

Honor shared some details about the upcoming robot with Bloomberg. Apparently, the robot will be a "service robot" which should be able to help you out with shopping, among other tasks.

Other details are scarce, except that the robot will somehow be connected with Honor's Robot Phone, which will also be shown in Barcelona.

Mashable will be there to cover Honor's event in Barcelona, which kicks off at 7 a.m. ET on March 1, 2026, so stay tuned for more updates on the company's fast-expanding robotics portfolio of products.

I used the NETGEAR Nighthawk 5G M7 Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot every day for close to two weeks. This hotspot is ultra-portable and delivers reliable speeds for moderate use, making it an excellent mobile option for workers on the go. Speeds vary by location and network conditions, so it may not always hit peak performance. But its functionality is top-tier.

The explicit tube site Pornhub is now blocked in 23 U.S. states.

This is due to age-verification laws. These laws vary state by state, but typically require visitors of a site with over a third of explicit content to submit a government ID or other form of age authentication. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a bill a couple of years ago, and now others have followed suit. In June, the Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for such bills that come before and after.

SEE ALSO: Porn censorship is going to destroy the entire internet

According to one preliminary study, age verification won't work to keep minors off porn sites. This is because of software like VPNs that allow someone to appear to be in a different location, and because of non-compliant websites. (The Florida attorney general is suing foreign-based porn sites for not instituting age verification.) Yet, these laws keep getting passed — and are encroaching on non-explicit websites as well, experts told Mashable.

While Pornhub is not blocked in Louisiana, it is blocked in these states, a Pornhub representative confirmed to Mashable:

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Florida

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nebraska

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Virginia

• Wyoming

Pornhub isn't blocked in Ohio despite the state's age-verification law, due to a clause stating that establishing age verification methods doesn't apply to a provider of an interactive computer service (Aylo considers itself one).

In Louisiana, where users must submit ID to view Pornhub, the site has seen traffic decline by around 80 percent, Aylo (Pornhub's parent company) told Mashable.

"These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don't ask users to verify age, that don't follow the law, that don't take user safety seriously, and that often don't even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children," Aylo stated when asked for comment by Mashable back in January.

In a statement to Mashable, Aylo continued:

First, to be clear, Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years, but we believe that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy, and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults.

Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous. Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy. Moreover, as experience has demonstrated, unless properly enforced, users will simply access non-compliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws.

Industry experts say that, in addition to not working for their intended purpose, age verification laws also raise concerns about privacy protection and safety since websites now have to host (even more of) people's personal information. It will be harder to be anonymous online, which experts warn is dangerous to free speech. Adult industry experts Mashable spoke to in an explainer on age-verification laws advocated for device-level filters, as did Aylo in its statement.

SEE ALSO: YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week

Some in the adult industry worry about what Trump's second presidential term will bring due to the conservative policy outline Project 2025 and its measures to ban porn. One of Project 2025's authors, Russell Vought, was caught on a secret recording stating that age-verification laws are the "back door" to a broader porn ban.

TL;DR: The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE wireless gaming mouse is down to $66.99 at Amazon — a $40 discount off its $109.99 list price and its lowest price of the year so far.

Opens in a new window Credit: Corsair Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE Wireless Gaming Mouse $109.99 at Amazon
Get Deal

If you’ve been holding out for a premium wireless gaming mouse without paying triple digits, Corsair is giving you a solid reason to upgrade today. As of Feb. 23, Amazon has cut the Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE to $66.99, shaving $40 off its regular $109.99 price. 

That’s a 39% discount on a fully loaded FPS/MOBA mouse built for speed and customization — the lowest price we’ve currently seen this year, confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

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The Dark Core Pro SE gives you three ways to connect: sub-1ms Corsair Slipstream Wireless, low-latency Bluetooth, or wired via USB-C. Inside, it’s powered by a custom PixArt PAW3392 optical sensor with up to 18,000 DPI and hyper-polling technology that communicates with your PC at up to 2,000Hz. That’s twice the standard polling rate for gaming mice.

What’s more, you also get eight fully programmable buttons for macros and remaps, onboard storage for up to three profiles, and nine-zone dynamic RGB backlighting controlled through Corsair’s iCUE software. If you like to have specific loadouts for different types of games — MOBAs like League of Legends, shooters such Arc Raiders, or trading card-based games along the lines of Magic: The Gathering Arena — iCUE can have you ready for any title with just a quick switch.

The contoured shape includes interchangeable side grips for a more tailored feel, and Qi wireless charging support makes topping up its 50-hour battery effortless.

The Logitech G305 is also on sale at its lowest price this year — now as low as $26.99. If you're keen on competitive features and RGB, Razer’s Basilisk V3 Pro wireless gaming mouse is now only $89.

SAVE $700: As of Feb. 23, the Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $700 on its list price of $1,999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock roborock Saros Z70 Robot Vacuum and Mop $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $700   Get Deal

It's coming up on that point in the year when it's time to think about spring cleaning. If you're hoping to have a little extra help when it comes to tidying up your floors this year, it's worth looking into a robot vacuum. And for those looking for a premium model that can tackle both vacuuming and mopping, there's quite a few discounts to explore right now. At Amazon, this includes a deal on the Roborock Saros Z70.

The Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop usually comes with a hefty price tag of $1,999.99, but for a limited time Amazon has dropped its price down to $1,299.99. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price, so if you've been hoping to splash out on this fancy device, now is a great time to grab it.

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The Saros Z70 boasts powerful cleaning performance: 22,000Pa suction power for vacuuming and 200RPM pad spinning speed alongside 30 adjustable water flow levels for mopping. It also features the StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 for smart navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's most unusual feature is the OmniGrip mechanical arm, which can move things like socks and tissues out of the way. In our review from Mashable's Leah Stodart, she said "the arm has been so hit or miss for me that I'd probably just turn the feature off completely."

However, she does note that mopping is where the Saros Z70 really shines, saying she's "so glad that Roborock opted to give the Z70 dual spinning mopping pads like the Saros 10R has." She continued on to say that, "they provide better angles and floor agitation to scrub drier stains."

Since it's listed as a limited-time deal, it may not stay on sale for very long. Now is the time to make a move on the Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop.

Awards season is into the very thick of it now, with the 2026 BAFTA winners announced on Sunday.

Ahead of the Oscars, the 79th British Academy Film Awards celebrated an outstanding 2025 in movies, with this year's ceremony hosted by Alan Cumming at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London.

SEE ALSO: Oscars 2026: The biggest surprises out of the nominations list

One Battle After Another topped the BAFTA total nominations with 14, winning six including Best Film, Best Director, and Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson. Sinners had 13 nominations, winning three including Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler and Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku.

Hamnet and Marty Supreme had 11 nominations each; the former won two for Outstanding British Film and Best Actress for Jessie Buckley, with the latter going home with no awards.

I Swear's Robert Aramayo had one of the biggest wins of the night, beating Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor and taking home the EE Rising Star award. British films that weren't as represented at the Oscars, including Pillion, 28 Years Later, and The Ballad Of Wallis Island, saw well-earned nominations, though without awards.

Featured Video For You Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley reveal the real surprise in 'Hamnet'

So, did your favourite film make the cut? Here are the 2026 BAFTA Film Award nominees and winners (who are bolded).

Best Film

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Best British Film

28 Years Later

The Ballad Of Wallis Island

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

Die My Love

H Is For Hawk

Hamnet

I Swear

Mr Burton

Pillion

Steve

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director and Producer

Pillion

The Ceremony

Eastman

A Want In Her

My Father’s Shadow

Best Director

Yorgos Lanthimos, Bugonia

Chloé Zhao, Hamnet

Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Ryan Coogler, Sinners

Best Leading Actor

Robert Aramayo, I Swear

Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme

Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another

Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon

Michael B Jordan, Sinners

Jesse Plemons, Bugonia

Best Leading Actress

Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue

Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another

Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value

Emma Stone, Bugonia

Best Supporting Actor

Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another

Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein

Paul Mescal, Hamnet

Peter Mullan, I Swear

Sean Penn, One Battle After Another

Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value

Best Supporting Actress

Odessa A'zion, Marty Supreme

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value

Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

Carey Mulligan, The Ballad Of Wallis Island

Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

Emily Watson, Hamnet

Best Makeup and Hair

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

Sinners

Wicked: For Good

Best Original Score

Hamnet 

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Begonia

Frankenstein

Best Original Screenplay

I Swear

Marty Supreme

Sentimental Value

Sinners

The Secret Agent

Best Film Not in the English Language

The Voice of Hind Rajab

It Was Just an Accident

The Secret Agent

Sentimental Value

Sirat

Best Costume Design

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

Sinners

Wicked: For Good

Best Cinematography 

Frankenstein

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Train Dreams

Best Children’s and Family Film

Arco 

Boong

Lilo and Stitch

Zootropolis 2

Best Casting

I Swear

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Best British Short Film 

Welcome Home Freckles 

Magid / Zafar

Nostalgie

Terence 

This Is Endometriosis

Best British Short Animation

Cardboard 

Solstice

Two Black Boys in Paradise

Best Animated Film

Elio

Little Amelie

Zootropolis 2

Best Adapted Screenplay

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Bugonia

Hamnet

One Battle After Another

Pillion

Best Documentary 

2000 Meters to Andriivka

Apocalypse in the Tropics

Cover-Up

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

The Perfect Neighbour

Best Editing

A House of Dynamite

F1

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Best Production Design

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Best Sound

F1 

Frankenstein

One Battle After Another

Sinner

Warfare

Best Special Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash

F1

Frankenstein

How to Train Your Dragon

The Lost Bus

Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema 

Claire Binns

And now for the Oscars...