Technology

SAVE OVER $350: As of Feb. 24, the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 is back to its lowest-ever price of $538.99 at Amazon. This 40% discount saves you $361 off its list price of $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Segway Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 $538.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $361   Get Deal

If you're planning ahead for camping trips and outdoor adventures this spring, a portable power station is worth considering. At the moment, Amazon is offering quite a few discounts on various models, making now a great time to buy. In particular, the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 has dropped back to its lowest-ever price at the retailer.

While it's usually listed for $899.99, the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 is marked down to $538.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $361 on list price.

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A portable power station like this isn't just helpful for having around on a camping trip. It's also great backup power for your home in the event of a bad storm or other emergency. The Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 packs quite a punch when it comes to power, offering 2,200W AC power that's extendable to 4,400W with the R-drive function. It's also equipped with multiple ports for charging, including three AC outputs, a car outlet, two DC5525, four 18W USB Type-A, and two 100W USB Type-C.

This power station boasts quite a hefty build. It comes with a durable LiFePO4 battery and features an IP56 rating for water and dust protection. So no matter where you take it this year, it can handle tough environments.

If a portable power station has been on your shopping list, don't miss out on this limited-time deal on the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 at Amazon.

With a seemingly endless selection available, it might feel overwhelming to pick the right Linux distro. However, you don't need to fret over every single detail before making your choice. As long as you know what makes one Linux distribution different from another, there are only three things you need to consider.

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 Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026:

AcrossGoosebumps-inducing

• The answer is Scary.

Buddy, informally

• The answer is Homie.

Rub off, as pencil markings

• The answer is Erase.

Enjoys a quiet weekend morning, perhaps

• The answer is Lazes.

David Szalay novel that won the 2025 Booker Prize

• The answer is Flesh.

DownSection of a bookcase

• The answer is Shelf.

Color similar to salmon that's also named for a sea creature

• The answer is Coral.

Leave speechless

• The answer is Amaze.

Gets out of bed

• The answer is Rises.

"Uff-da!"

• The answer is Yeesh.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

There's no love lost between Jimmy Kimmel and Donald Trump, and it doesn't look like the relationship will be healing anytime soon.

In the clip above the late night show host breaks down a recent fundraising email reportedly sent by the president to his followers in which he attacks Kimmel with insults and calls Jimmy Kimmel Live! a "failing late night show."

"He thinks he can sit in his Hollywood studio and laugh at the greatest political movement in the history of our country," reads Trump's letter, per Kimmel. The host's response? "Yeah, he does."

The email ends, as Kimmel reads, "Join my MAGA Rally Blitz now & I'll add you to my exclusive 2026 MAGA Membership!"

"Well, that is tempting," says Kimmel. "We could be part of his MAGA Rally Blitz. What even is that? It's like something you order at Dairy Queen, right? But please, give until his feelings don't hurt anymore, folks. Why is a president in his second term even sending fundraising emails?"

Robot vacuums are clutch when they're working correctly — and uniquely infuriating when they're not. (A broken dishwasher could hardly incite the rage of stepping on crumbs that a robot vacuum should have easily sucked up.) If your robot vacuum isn't cleaning your floors as well as it used to, consider how long it's been since you cleaned your robot vacuum.

Obviously, general lifespan also plays a role in a robot vacuum's declining abilities. Most robot vacuums last between three and six years, inevitably suffering from normal wear and tear, aging tech, and batteries that probably get worse over time. But if it's a relatively recent purchase, sudden crappy performance could really just be your robot vacuum begging to be cleaned.

SEE ALSO: I tried the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow: It's cracked the code to roller mopping along edges

A monthly maintenance routine is the best way to keep your vacuum in peak condition for as long as possible. From weird noises to loss of suction, here's a checklist for when your robot vacuum is acting up.

My robot vacuum is just pushing dirt around

Loss of suction doesn't necessarily mean that your robot vacuum is on the fritz. The "set and forget" tagline is a great selling point for self-emptying robot vacuums, but taking it too literally is a recipe for some sort of blockage that weakens suction power. There are a few inner parts that could be jammed here.

Check the brushes: Long hair starts to spool around the vacuum's brush roll after a few months, even on vacuums with elite anti-tangle brush rolls. That wrapped hair can get so thick that it physically constricts the brush from spinning correctly, preventing optimal debris and hair pickup. (I've also experienced a similar incident with fake snow yanked from underneath our Christmas tree.) Every week or two, flip the vacuum over and pull or cut out any hairs that are caught.

Check the filter: Neglecting a vacuum's filter is a universal habit for robot vacuum and stick vacuum owners, despite the fact that a clogged vacuum filter is guaranteed to affect suction power. If the filter is caked with dust bunnies, the motor doesn't have the breathing room to pull air in to create suction in the first place. The gray gunk builds up way faster than you probably think.

This robot vacuum's filter was packed after two months, and it wasn't being used even close to daily. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The filter really should be rinsed and air dried at least every two weeks, more often if you have multiple pets (or allergies). They're typically located under the hood near the dustbin. Most robot vacuums come with a replacement filter in the box.

Check the dust bins and dust pathways: A full dustbin is probably the most "duh" maintenance issue that might cause your robot vacuum to spit debris back out. Plus, most self-emptying robot apps will alert you when the dust bin needs to be replaced. But you'll also want to ensure that no dust pathways are backed up, like the opening where debris enters the vacuum or where debris sucks out of the vacuum into the dock.

The queso mopped by this Roborock completely gunked up the brushrolls. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Luckily, most brushes and mopping pads are removable for easy cleaning. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Two heavy-duty mopping tests that I've conducted recently resulted in finding dried queso and strawberry daiquiri crusted along the pathways of two high-end robot vacuums. Not only was it vomit-inducing, but a reminder of how easily parts can get plugged up.

My robot vacuum is making a weird noise

You know what your robot vacuum sounds like normally. So if you're hearing a sudden clanking sound, or it has just gotten really loud out of nowhere, there's probably something trapped underneath. Most times, it's a large or awkwardly-shaped object that the vacuum probably shouldn't have tried to suck up. It might be wedged somewhere on the bottom of the vac or already rattling around inside the dustbin.

Off the top of my head, I've had to rescue mini nail files, skincare spray caps, twist ties, and a spider ring from the bottom of a robot vacuum. If you have cats, don't underestimate the variety of small plastic items that could be lingering around the house.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

One of my cats loves playing with bobby pins, specifically via bolting behind furniture or through her tunnel to chase them across the hardwood floor. I try my best to pick them all up before sending a robot vacuum out to clean, but I occasionally miss a few rogue ones. Once, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra was mopping my kitchen and making an uncharacteristically unsavory scraping sound. I flipped it over to find three bobby pins stuck to the magnets in the middle of the rotating mopping pads.

Your robot vacuum app should warn you if there's a major clog involving a sock, but smaller soft items like tissues or pet toys could also cause a weird rumble.

My robot vacuum's mopping pad stinks

There's a large crowd who want a robot vacuum that doesn't mop. Keeping up with mildewy mopping pads and leaky water tanks just isn't worth it to them. That's valid, especially when we're talking about super basic 2-in-1 models that don't wash and dry their own mopping pads. But even the best robot vacuum and mop combos can get gross if they're not taken care of properly,

Most of us are all too familiar with the smell of damp clothes that were accidentally left in the washing machine overnight. Damp mopping pads get similarly stinky being tucked away against the floor or the wall of a dock — even self-washing mopping pads start to develop a brown tint and need a legitimate laundry day once every month or so.

Robot mops are soaking up dirty shoe water constantly. That calls for hand washing. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The good news is that almost all robot vacuum mopping pads are machine washable. It'll be attached by velcro, magnets, or a clicking or sliding mechanism. Most vacuums come with a backup pad in the box, so you don't have to wait for the other one to be ready. Roller mops usually pop out of the bottom of the vacuum with the click of a button, and you can wash those by hand with dish soap. I also use my emotional support hypochlorous acid spray, which is an extremely effective, non-toxic odor eliminator and disinfectant.

Alternatively, the dock itself might be gross.

The mopping pad bay where the robot vacuum parks to charge can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's not wiped out every week or so. Aside from the small chunk of time that the robot vacuum is out cleaning, that area doesn't see the light of day. The airflow used to dry the mopping pads isn't enough to completely air out the moisture-prone space, covered in layers of nastiness that your robot vacuum brought back from countless cleaning runs.

Mopping pad bays get quite soggy and hairy. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

After I sent the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller to clean up spilled strawberry daiquiri, I found a few pink splatters both on the underside of the vacuum itself and on the dock's mop tray. Until I gave both a good clean, there was a faint smell of strawberry in the dock and wherever the Aqua10 was mopping. I wasn't about to walk barefoot on that.

If there's a lot of shedding in your household, soggy clumps of pet hair could end up blocking the fan vents altogether, potentially leading to a malfunctioning drying system.

My robot vacuum is suddenly getting lost

If the issue is related to charging or not turning on at all, you'll want to check the warranty or chat with customer service. Not all cleaning tips can troubleshoot technological or software errors. However, navigational blips could be due to something as simple as dirty sensors — a frequently-used robot vacuum encounters plenty of various splatters and puffs of dust. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lenses on the front, as well as sensors located in the dock near the charging magnets.

Moving furniture around can trip a smart mapping robot vacuum up, though most premium robot vacuums from 2025 and 2026 can update their maps in real time if they notice a change in a room's layout.

I once tried to move a robot vacuum a foot away from its original spot in the corner, merely facing it toward a different wall so I could put a lamp in the old spot. The vac got confused enough that it gave up on getting back to the dock, requiring a total re-map.

SAVE OVER $80: As of Feb. 24, the Skyrover S1 Mini Drone has dropped back to its lowest-ever price of $268.99 at Amazon. This 23% discount saves you $80.01 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skyrover Skyrover S1 Mini Drone with Camera $268.99 at Amazon
$349 Save $80.01   Get Deal

With spring right around the corner, we can all start speningd a little more time outside. And if you're hoping to use some of that time to send a fancy new drone into the sky, now is a great time to grab one on sale. Amazon has some excellent deals available at the moment, including on the Skyrover S1 Mini Drone.

As of Feb. 24, Amazon has slashed the price on the Skyrover S1 Mini Drone from $349 to $268.99. This marks a return to the drone's lowest-ever price at the retailer. What better time to pick it up?

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The Skyrover S1 Mini Drone captures crisply detailed and colorful images and videos, as it supports 4K/60fps video and 8K/48MP photos. It also has cool features that help it navigate the skies safely, such as forward obstacle avoidance which prevents it from running into anything, and a Smart Return-to-Home feature that helps it fly back to its original takeoff spot. That way, you don't have to worry about losing it.

This drone also boasts up to 40 minutes of flight time per battery, so you have plenty of time to explore and capture what interests you before it needs a recharge. Again, it's currently listed as a limited-time deal at Amazon. You might need to act fast to secure this low price.

If you're curious what other options are worth checking out, the DJI Neo drone is another pick that has hit its lowest price at Amazon. Check it out, and be quick to make a move on your favorite model.

SAVE $499: If you pre-order the Google Pixel 10a through Verizon, you'll get the mobile device for free when you open a new line.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Free Google Pixel 10a from Verizon   Shop Now

OK, let's get into it. This is indeed one of those "free" deals that actually isn't free because you need to spend money to qualify for the giveaway. We're guilty. Lock us up and throw away the key. You don't get anything for free these days, so we're doing our best. We're doing our best, OK?

The Google Pixel 10a retails for $499 and is currently available for preorder. By all means, secure your preorder and pay full price for the privilege. But savvy shoppers should know that if you pre-order the Google Pixel 10a with Verizon, you can get Google's latest midrange phone for free when you open a new line.

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Usually these "free" deals offered by mobile carriers are locked behind the most expensive plans, but that's not the case here. To get the free Google Pixel 10a with Verizon, you can add the phone to the Unlimited Welcome ($55 per month), Unlimited Plus ($70 per month), or Unlimited Ultimate ($80 per month) plan.

The Google Pixel 10a launches on March 5 — that's when Verizon will ship the smartphone. There is a one-time $40 activation fee, but once you pay that off, the only thing you'll have to pay is the monthly service plan cost.

Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

From Mashable's hands-on with Google Pixel 10a, Joe Maldonado said "the Pixel 10a is looking like another high-value mid-range phone from a company that's gotten very, very good at making those in recent years" and "delivers modest upgrades over its predecessor." If you're keen to get your hands on this new smartphone, we strongly suggest you check out Verizon's latest offer.

Do robot vacuums work well on carpet?

Yes, several top robot vacuums that I've tested do a pretty phenomenal job on carpets and rugs. I'd ultimately recommend a cordless stick vacuum over a robot vacuum if you're serious about deep cleaning carpeted rooms. But if you don't have the time or motivation to keep up with manual vacuuming, there are a few deciding factors that make a robotic vacuum effective on soft floors with stubborn fibers.

Suction power is, of course, the most important stat in determining the best robot vacuums for carpet. Most robot vacuum brands measure suction power in Pascals, though iRobot and Shark are weird about disclosing Pascals sometimes. When suction power in Pascals (Pa) is advertised, you'll ideally want to hit at least 8,000 Pa for sufficient carpet cleaning, and will almost definitely be underwhelmed with anything lower than 5,000 Pa. For reference, robot vacuums at the premium end of the spectrum clock between 18,000 and 35,000 Pa.

SEE ALSO: Dreame doesn't just want to be a top vacuum brand. It wants to be a top everything brand.

But beefy suction power needs to be aided by competent brush roll systems — a dual brush roll design is your best chance when it comes to pet hair pickup. These are designed to dig into carpet pile and physically pinch hair and large chunks, while the suction power itself inhales finer dust and powder that a weaker robot vac would pass right over.

If fine dust on hard floors is one of your non-negotiables when it comes to tidying, a robot vacuum that can mop should be a priority. Luckily, the most powerful robot vacuums on carpet are typically the best mopping robot vacuums, too.

Recent changes to this guide

February 2025: The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete takes over as the most powerful robot vacuum, beating the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller by 5,000 Pa suction power. Due to the X60 Max Ultra Complete's meticulous corner cleaning and market-leading suction power, the Roborock Saros 10R has been removed from the list.

September 2025: I added the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Roborock Saros 10R (previously named the best robot vacuum right now) to the option for best corner cleaning.

July 2025: I removed the Shark Matrix RV2300S robot vacuum from this guide. While it was a solid budget mopping robot vacuum for its first year or so on the market, it's now a little bit too basic compared to other newer budget robot vacuums.

June 2025: I replaced the Shark Matrix RV2300S with the 3i G10+ as the best budget robot vacuum for pet hair. While the Shark was a solid budget cleaner when it first came out, its suction power isn't nearly as strong as the 18,500 Pa of the 3i G10+. The 3i G10+ also has small obstacle avoidance and a pet camera.

New robot vacuums announced at CES 2026

Several top robot vacuum brands unveiled new flagship models at CES in early January. These include the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic and Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete, and the Narwal Flow 2. I'm in the process of testing these at home and will update this guide accordingly as each are officially released to the public.

It seems like every week or two there's a trendy new AI buzzword flying around the internet. This week, it's "claws," a new type of AI assistant.

Many people, from prominent AI evangelists to regular folks on message boards, have started using the term in recent weeks, which can feel pretty alienating if you aren't totally plugged into the AI ecosystem. To fully understand claws, you need to be familiar with OpenClaw (aka Clawdbot), agentic AI, and a few other recent AI trends. So, allow us to give you a basic breakdown of what claws are and why everyone is talking about them.

What are claws? A simple explanation.

Put simply, a claw in this context is a special type of open-source AI personal assistant that runs locally on a device, often a Mac Mini. You can give it access to your calendar, your email, coding tools, internet browsers, AI models, and more. Using all these tools, your "claw" can autonomously perform tasks on your behalf. If you want it to answer your emails and schedule any necessary meetings, it can do that. If you want your claw to code a new app while you're sleeping, you can connect it to your ChatGPT or Claude account and let it go to work.

Recently, AI researcher Andrej Karpathy posted a mini-essay on X, where he talks about "tinkering with claws."

You might recognize Karpathy as the man who helped coin the term "vibe coding," the AI buzzword of 2025. So, when Karpathy starts throwing around new AI lingo, people pay attention.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Want to try Clawdbot? Get the Apple 2024 Mac mini for under $550 at Amazon.

As Karpathy talks about in the post, it's become popular to run claws locally on a Mac Mini, Apple's very powerful little desktop computer. However, you can run it on other devices, with Raspberry Pi devices being one popular alternative.

If you want an etymology of the term, it's a direct reference to Clawdbot. Clawdbot is an open-source AI assistant with read-level access to a user's device, and it's been the talk of the town in Silicon Valley for weeks. (Clawdbot recently changed its name to OpenClaw to get out of Anthropic's crosshairs, at which point its inventor was hired by OpenAI.) In Karpathy's post, he also lists several OpenClaw alternatives, like NanoClaw, ZeroClaw, IronClaw, and more. The point is that there are suddenly a lot of these agentic AI assistants floating around the internet, making it perhaps the most trendy movement in AI right now.

Hopefully, this is a decent enough starting point for understanding what claws are and why people are excited about them. If you feel moved to try it out, be our guest. If not, you'll probably be fine, too. The world is your oyster.

TL;DR: The Super Console X2 is a plug-and-play retro and streaming entertainment hub packed with games, apps, and multiplayer support for $89.97 (reg. $159.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02   Get Deal

Modern entertainment is fragmented — streaming apps here, game downloads there, and endless updates everywhere. The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro, currently $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping, feels like a throwback not just because of the games, but because it simplifies everything into one device.

Inside is a dual-system setup. Android 9.0 handles streaming apps and media playback, while EmuELEC runs dozens of classic gaming emulators. That means you can watch something, grab a controller, and immediately switch to playing — no installs, accounts, or patches waiting in the background.

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The hardware keeps it practical: an S905X2 processor, Mali-G31 GPU, and 4K output so older games still look sharp on modern TVs. Dual-band Wi-Fi connects wireless controllers and downloads extra 3D titles, while expandable storage lets you add more later.

It works with TVs, monitors, projectors, and laptops, making it easy to bring it to a friend’s place or move between rooms. Multiplayer support also turns it into a quick social activity instead of a solo login ritual.

It ends up functioning less like a standard console and more like an entertainment shortcut — a single box that covers casual gaming, nostalgia, and simple streaming without the usual setup overhead.

Sometimes convenience is the real upgrade. Get the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro while it’s still on sale for $89.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League playoff round has already produced some stunning moments. Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge was one of the most entertaining matchups in the first leg of this round. We got a penalty, an own goal, and a last-minute equalizer. What more do you need?

The score is tied 3-3 going into the second leg. Atletico Madrid are pretty formidable at home, so most fans will expect the Spanish side to progress to the next round. Club Brugge will need to produce a stunning performance to upset the odds, but anything can happen at this stage of the competition. Club Brugge will need to rely of big performances from the likes of Christos Tzolis and Hans Vanaken.

If you want to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge?

Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Feb. 24. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge for free

Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, 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 Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge 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 Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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

• 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 Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Your access to porn sites like xHamster is not guaranteed in many locations around the world. There are obvious and legitimate reasons for online restrictions, but there is also something to be said for retaining your right to online freedom. When the time is right, you should be able to access your favorite sites without hassle.

Fortunately, it's possible to bypass content restrictions in a few simple steps. f you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but the process is actually really simple.

Unblock xHamster by following these steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to xHamster

4. Unblock xHamster

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

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

If you want to retain permanent access to free porn sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, 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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• 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).

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.

Bluesky has gradually been adding more basic features such as drafts, helping it compete with other microblogging platforms such as X and Threads. Fortunately, dark mode is one feature that Bluesky has already had for a while, allowing users to switch to a dimmer colour scheme so their eyes aren't blasted with bright light when scrolling through their feed.

SEE ALSO: Bluesky finally has drafts

Here's how to turn on Bluesky's dark mode.

Total Time

• 30 seconds

What You Need

• Bluesky; smartphone or desktop PC

Step 1: Open Bluesky.

Step 2: If you're on desktop, click on "Settings" in the navigation bar on the left. If you're on mobile, tap on the "≡" in the top left corner to open the navigation bar first, then tap "Settings."

Step 3: Click or tap on "Appearance."

Step 4: Click or tap on "Dark" to switch to Bluesky's dark mode.

Credit: Mashable screenshot: Bluesky

Step 5: Once activated, you can choose how dark you want Bluesky to be by selecting either "Dim" or "Dark."

If you want to turn off Bluesky's dark mode, simply follow the same procedure until step four, then select "Light." Alternatively, you can select "System" instead to have Bluesky's colour mode follow the overarching preferences you've set for your phone's operating system.

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

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

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

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

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

Flaky.

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

SCALY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Sightless.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 24, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BLIND

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Honestly.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 24 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 24, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TRULY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A mound.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

KNOLL

Final Hurdle hint

Cautious.

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

LEERY

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love the theater.

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 24, 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: Milk is full of it

• Green: Scot pride

• Blue: Legendary writers

• Purple: Gymnastics equipment

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Calcium-based structures

• Green: Symbols of Scotland

• Blue: Famous playwrights

• Purple: ___ Beam

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 #989 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Calcium-based structures: BONES, CORAL, SHELLS, TEETH

• Symbols of Scotland: BAGPIPES, SCOTTIE, TARTAN, WHISTLE

• Famous playwrights: CHEKHOV, COWARD, MILLER, SHAW

• ___ Beam: BALANCE, JIM, LASER, TRACTOR

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 24, 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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love looking things up.

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 24, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 24, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Just for reference

The words are related to information.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe reference books.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Look it Up

NYT Strands word list for February 24

• Encylopedia

• Directory

• Look it Up

• Thesaurus

• Dictionary

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

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

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

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

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 24, 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 24, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A consumer.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BUYER

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.

It's a new lunar phase tonight, which means the moon is nearly 50% lit up. With each night the Moon will appear bigger and brighter in our sky, until we reach the Full Moon, so keep reading to see what you can spot tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Moon phase is First Quarter. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 48% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Without any visual aids, you can see plenty, but three Mares will stand out the most: the Fecunditatis, Tranquillitatis, and Serenitatis. If you add binoculars you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater, the Mare Nectaris, and the Posidonius Crater.

Add a telescope to this line up and you'll see much more, including the Apollo 16 and 17 landing spots, and the Rupes Altai.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. Over the course of this period, it moves through eight recognisable phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it continues along its path. The shifts in sunlight create the different appearances we see from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin sliver or near darkness. The eight phases are:

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.

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 24, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 24, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 24 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 24 Pips

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-0, placed; 2-2, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 24 Pips

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who have watch soccer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: American soccer teams

• Green: Athletic showcase

• Blue: Collegiate sports organization

• Purple: Used in algebra

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: An MLS Player

• Green: NFL Combine Components

• Blue: NCAA

• Purple: Math, But Make It Sports

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #519 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An MLS Player - EARTHQUAKE, RED BULL, TIMBER, WHITECAP

• NFL Combine Components - 40-YARD DASH, BENCH PRESS, BROAD JUMP, INTERVIEWS

• NCAA - ASSOCIATION, ATHLETIC, COLLEGIATE, NATIONAL

• Math, But Make It Sports - 3-POINT ARC, DIVISION I, LAUNCH ANGLE, PLUS/MINUS

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

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

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

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