Technology

I used to waste hours in Microsoft Excel manually cleaning data, fixing formulas, and reformatting worksheets. That was until I realized I could use the Find and Replace dialog (Ctrl+H) to achieve the same results in seconds. As a result, I can now spend more time on the things that matter.

If you want to master Google Sheets on your phone, you need to make a significant change in how you think about it. Your smartphone isn't just for looking at data while you're out and about. It's actually a fully functional, highly optimized platform that handles complex data management and analysis perfectly well.

Some smart home tech feels like it's solving a problem that doesn't exist. Does your fridge really need to be able to tell you when you've run out of milk? Used well, however, smart home tech can help to solve some of the problems you face every day.

I never had much interest in VR headsets, but XR is a different story. I like the idea of working with virtual windows floating around me in my physical space. So after experimenting first with AR glasses, I took the plunge with a full-blown XR headset, and while it wasn’t cheap, I’m glad I did.

Cross-browser extensions are easy to write, thanks to the WebExtension initiative and core Web technologies. Using a common format, you can write extensions that work anywhere, without the need to target specific browsers.

Many of us have old phones shoved away in a box somewhere, and there are plenty of great ways to repurpose them. If you’ve been interested in getting into the home media server craze, you may be hesitant to buy a bunch of new hardware. What about that old Android phone?

Throughout the past year, I took a break from Linux to try and find a mobile platform that could fulfill the role of a desktop computer. First it was the BOOX Tab Ultra, an eReader. Then I moved onto the Moto Edge+ with Motorola's desktop mode, and later a Galaxy Z Fold 5 with DeX. Yet I'm back on Linux, and for good reason.

I recently purchased a TCL CM6K mini-LED TV, and I've been extremely happy with it. This is basically a regional variant of the excellent TCL QM6K, and as such it also comes with a built-in Google TV that serves as the operating system for the set.

When I decided to switch to Linux, I'd only ever used one OS: Windows. Admittedly, the differences between the two operating systems made the first few months of my switching experience challenging, but also interesting and exciting. Although Linux doesn't have an unbearably steep learning curve, it truly started making sense when I developed productivity-boosting workflows and stopped defaulting to habits I'd developed from years of using Windows.

This year, Isabela Merced topped IMDb's list of most popular stars, which ranks actors by the number of views their pages have had on the movie database website. She appeared in several high-profile productions this year, like The Last of Us and Superman, and is only going from strength to strength.

America’s most affordable family sedans are disappearing fast, and one of the last great bargains is on its way out. As automakers shift toward crossovers and EVs, the traditional midsize sedan has been pushed to the margins, and with it, the models that once offered roomy cabins, strong safety scores, and genuine value. Now, one of the segment’s final holdouts is being discontinued, making this a rare moment for buyers who still want comfort and practicality without an oversized footprint or an inflated price tag.

When Wear OS first launched as “Android Wear,” it had an awesome gesture that allowed you to navigate without touching the screen. The feature went away at some point, and I’ve missed it ever since. Google has finally brought it back, but it works a bit differently.

The early 2010s were a fascinating time for portable devices. Not only were smartphones advancing rapidly, but smartwatches were ushering in a new era of wearable technology. One company that was at the forefront of this movement was Sony.

After getting annoyed with having to switch between so many different remotes for my AV equipment, I ended up investing in a Logitech Harmony Hub and the Harmony Companion remote. I was able to replace all my existing remotes with just a single remote. Sadly, Logitech stopped making these products, and after mine broke, I was forced to find an alternative option.

When I decided to try a different Linux distro, I did what most people would do: I typed ‘the best Linux distros for beginners’ into my search bar. The AI overview and top ten organic search results recommended Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, Pop!_OS, Elementary OS, and a few other Linux distros. I ran with Pop!_OS because it promised a fast, organized, intuitive, and modern UI, customizations, security, and hardware compatibility.

Do you have old tech sitting around your house unused? Well, it’s time to put that old Mac mini or Wii U to use and repurpose it as a network-attached storage server.

Excel's Format Painter button is seductive. It promises speed and efficiency, and for a quick fix on a handful of cells, it delivers. But once your workbook grows, the tool becomes frustrating, inefficient, and error-prone. That's why I use Find and Replace instead.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you fall hard.

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 December 14, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To swoon

• Green: Written characters

• Blue: Unspoken

• Purple: Oink oink

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Lay it on thick

• Green: Hans Christian Anderson figures

• Blue: Silent "L"

• Purple: Fictional pigs

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 #917 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Lay it on thick: FAWN, FLATTER, GUSH, PRAISE

• Hans Christian Anderson figures: DUCKLING, EMPEROR, MERMAID, PRINCESS

• Silent "L": CALF, CHALK, COLONEL, WOULD

• Fictional pigs: BABE, NAPOLEON, PIGLET, PORKY

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 December 14, 2025

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 fine dining.

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 December 14, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 14, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pricy pairing

The words are related to food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe expensive foods.

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 Surf and Turf.

NYT Strands word list for December 14

• Ribeye

• Sirloin

• Surf and Turf

• Crab

• Shrimp

• Scallop

• Lobster

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 a rocker.

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 December 14, 2025 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 December 14, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To sway.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SWING

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 14, 2025

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.