Technology

People's profound connection with the Solar System led them to feel a remarkable sense of sympathy for Pluto when it was demoted to a dwarf planet in 2006. But why was it reclassified, and why did this cause so much controversy?

You're probably familiar with games created by big-budget developers or small indie studios, but there is another category of game that's easy to overlook. In fact, AA (double-A) developers are likely responsible for some of your favorite games.

You can save money with a free VPN, but is it worth it? Your data might just be the commodity being sold. Here's what you need to know.

Having trouble figuring out what to use to get your Windows apps and games running in Linux? Let's compare three oft-discussed applications: Wine, Bottles, and Valve's Proton.

The "demoscene" is one of the most fascinating computer subcultures, and chances are that you've already enjoyed some of the fruits of this movement. "Demos" have been at the leading edge of digital art and programming for decades, and even the classics are still beautiful to watch.

One of the realities of adulthood is that I don't have the time to spend on games like I used to. Yet, some games have epic storylines that I'd like to experience. The solution is watching gaming videos while I do other stuff. I used to think I was weird for this, but it turns out I'm not.

Air quality monitors detect pollutants and deliver real-time data to help you make smarter ventilation decisions and reduce exposure to harmful particles. They play a key role in creating a safe and healthy home for you and your family.

You may have noticed that there's been a resurgence in the popularity of music on vinyl, and even new albums are often released in this format. So record players are now readily available, but why on earth would some offer Bluetooth?

Ever wanted to search the web without leaving your Linux terminal? The ddgr program lets you do just that using the DuckDuckGo search engine.

I use Spotify for a lot of things, from crowded parties to a relaxing self-care day. There is, however, one thing that I keep coming back to Spotify for. Spotify has been one of my top apps to use while at work, and my productivity is at an all-time high.

The announcement of the Qi2 wireless charging standard got many Android fans excited about the prospect of MagSafe-like magnets being built into phones. Well, that hasn't quite turned out like we thought.

If you have an iPhone, you use Apple Pay. On most Android phones, you use Google Wallet. On Galaxy phones, you actually have a choice: Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet—and there isn't a clear winner.

Notepad has been one of the most iconic Windows apps since it was bundled with Windows 1.0 in 1985. Its simplicity and ease of use are unrivaled, but this app does a great job of recreating Notepad for the web.

FREE LEGO: On Feb. 9, build a Lego Valentine's Day Heart at participating stores and take it home with you for free. Find participating stores here.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free Valentine's Day Heart Learn More

We're always on the lookout for deals that represent great value for money. We search high and low for special offers and limited-time discounts, scouring the online world for anything that could save you some valuable cash. But sometimes, we find something that doesn't require any research. The value is there for all to see.

Lego is offering something for nothing ahead of Valentine's Day. On Feb. 9, you can build a Lego Valentine's Day Heart and take it home with you for free. A limited quantity will be available from 12-2 p.m. at participating stores. Clear your schedule. You've now got plans this weekend.

SEE ALSO: Grab this Lego Bouquet of Roses ahead of Valentine's Day for 20% off

This special event is intended for participants aged 6+ years, and the Lego Valentine's Day Heart model will be available on a first come first serve basis while supplies last. Participants are also limited to one build each.

What makes this free giveaway particularly interesting is that the Valentine's Day Heart model cannot be purchased. So by taking part, you're getting your hands on something pretty exclusive.

Celebrate Valentine's Day by building and taking home a Lego Valentine's Day Heart for free.

If you're like me, then manually organizing your media is not something you do for fun. So, instead of having a jumbled mess of a Plex library, here's my top tip to keep your media neat and tidy.

Do you want to extract pages from a PDF file and save those pages as a separate PDF? If so, you have both built-in and third-party ways to do that on your Windows 11 PC.

Virtual machines (VMs) allow you to explore Linux without permanently altering your computer. If you're curious about Linux but hesitant to commit, a VM offers a safe, flexible solution.

The M4 Mac Mini is tiny, mighty, and whisper quiet. After using it for about two months, I've fallen in love with this wee machine despite macOS-related quirks. While it's a perfect entry point for Apple newcomers, it does have a few dings that, luckily, don't imperil its excellence.

Super Bowl LIX is just hours away and you can watch it online without cable this year.

The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in this year's edition of the big game, which kicks off at 6:30pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 9 on Fox.

SEE ALSO: What songs will Kendrick Lamar perform at the Super Bowl? Here's our dream setlist.

If the Chiefs win, it will be the first time in the history of the NFL that a team has won three championships in a row. In fact, no two-time defending champion has ever even made it to a third straight Super Bowl, so we're already in uncharted territory. If that wasn't enough of a reason to tune in, the Chiefs and Eagles played one of the best Super Bowls of all time just two years ago.

In other words, this will probably be a pretty good football game on top of the menagerie of commercials and Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated halftime performance.

But, if you don't pay for cable, you might be wondering how you can watch the game without shelling out for a month of an expensive streaming service. The good news is you don't have to do that at all. Here is how to watch Super Bowl LIX without taking a hammer to your piggy bank.

SEE ALSO: Super Bowl LIX is set: When to watch, halftime show, commercials, and more How to watch Super Bowl LIX without cable for free

This year's game is broadcast on Fox, which means color commentary will be provided by some new guy they just hired named Tom Brady. I hear he's been to a few Super Bowls before. Anyway, in previous years when Fox has broadcast the game, it was available for free via the Fox Sports app.

That is not the case this year. Instead, the game will stream for free on the streaming service Tubi, and that should include all pregame and postgame coverage, all the same commercials people who are watching on regular TV would see, and yes, Kendrick's halftime show.

SEE ALSO: Will Kendrick Lamar diss Drake during the Super Bowl halftime show? Why and why not.

You'll need to make a Tubi account to watch the game, but fortunately, Tubi is a free streaming service by nature. Tubi will be by far the simplest way for most people who don't pay for cable to watch the game.

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's The Mini crossword answers for February 8 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: Enormous in size

• Green: Common kitchen items

• Blue: A way to refer to a person

• Purple: Famous futuristic stories

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Massive

• Green: Used When Serving Soup

• Blue: Somebody

• Purple: Sci-Fi Franchises

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 #607 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Massive: GIANT, JUMBO, MONSTER, SUPER

• Used When Serving Soup: BOWL, LADLE, POT, SPOON

• Somebody: CHARACTER, INDIVIDUAL, PARTY, PERSON

• Sci-Fi Franchises: FALIEN, AVATAR, DUNE, TRON

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 9

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

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

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