Technology

Arch Linux has built up a fanbase of dedicated Linux users who use it as their main distro. Here's why I'm not one of them, despite Arch's importance to my work.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

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: Keep from scoring

• Green: Used in England's summer sport

• Blue: Offensive players who play or played in LA or St. Louis

• Purple: Athletes known by their father's name

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

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

• Yellow: Prevent a goal

• Green: Cricket equipment

• Blue: Rams WRs past and present

• Purple: Famous juniors

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 #97 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Prevent a goal - BLOCK, PARRY, SAVE, STOP

• Cricket equipment - BAIL, BALL, BAT, STUMP

• Rams WRs past and present - BRUCE, HOLT, KUPP, NACUA

• Famous juniors - BECKHAM, EARNHARDT, GRIFFEY, RIPKEN

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.

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.

If you want to merge multiple PDF files into one, there are multiple ways to do that on Windows 11. You can use a free desktop app, a website, or run a command from Command Prompt to combine the files.

Whether you enjoy gaming on the go or in the comfort of your own home, you'll want to keep your Steam Deck protected against accidental drops and shock damage with a decent protective case.

As streaming and downloadable media increase their dominance, Blu-ray players are being discontinued across the industry, which means that sooner or later you won't find any players on the shelf should your current one give up the ghost. So what now?

Hertz is reportedly trying to sell some of its electric vehicles to the people who are currently renting the cars. The rental car company is apparently looking to unload a portion of its EV fleet and is proactively reaching out to customers about the option to outright buy the vehicles they're renting.

A viral post on Reddit showed an apparent email from Hertz offering a customer the option to buy the very EV they were renting. In this case it was a 2023 Tesla Model 3 for $17,913. Folks in the comments mentioned getting similar offers for other EVs.

Reddit

Hertz communications director Jamie Line told The Verge that this wasn't a new strategy and seemed to suggest it wasn't limited to EVs.

"By connecting our rental customers who opt into our emails to our sales channels, we’re not only building awareness of the fact that we sell cars but also offering a unique opportunity to someone who may be in the market for the same car they have on rent," Line said.

Hertz has long sold vehicles from its fleet and there are a number electric cars currently for sale on its site. Hertz did announce this year a plan to sell-off some 30,000 EVs after major losses.

The generative AI boom has led to more tools for upscaling and enhancing photos. I’ve been using the free Upscayl app to improve photos and screenshots, and the results have been (mostly) impressive.

Apple's Family Sharing lets you share Apple purchases and subscriptions with your family group, but it's more than just a way to let your wallet catch a breather. Here are the others ways it can help you instill a sense of togetherness.

Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to install and update apps on your Windows 11 machine? One of the best tools for doing so is the Windows Package Manager (WinGet), which ships with the operating system itself.

The AirTag is arguably the best smart tracker for keeping an eye on your valuable belongings. While it’s easy to slip into a purse or luggage, you’ll need an AirTag holder to attach it to your keys, straps, pets, and more.

Fans of retro tech, including me, often get nostalgic about Windows XP. I used it in my childhood but didn’t think it was anything special, until a few months ago when I came across a project that modified Windows 11 to look exactly like XP. I’ve been down the XP rabbit hole since and learned some cool things you might not know.

When I’m asked to recommend a Linux distribution for beginners, I always suggest Ubuntu. It’s one of the easiest to master, but there’s still a learning curve for longtime Windows users. Here's what recommend for first-time Ubuntu users to make the transition much easier.

The 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl featured stunning football: No. 18 ranked Iowa St. knocked off No. 13 Miami in a high-scoring, 42-41 victory. However, when it came to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, hardly anyone was talking about the actual football.

That's because it is one of the most wonderfully unhinged events you'll ever see. Last year, the game generated headlines after it "sacrificed" its strawberry mascot as a toasted trophy for the winning team. In 2024, the Pop-Tarts Bowl ramped things up. They had a competition among Pop Tart mascots to be sacrificed, they resurrected last year's pastry, they ripped packaging off, and all-in-all just got super weird.

Only at this weird college football game could you see a humanoid Pop-Tart being lowered to its "death" with a sign reading "Follow Your Dreams." Naturally, the internet loved it all.

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This BlueSky post from Anne T. Donahue really summed the festivities — which all centered around a Pop Tart going to "mouth heaven" — by basically calling it a Mad Men fever dream.

don draper: the pop tart, he's selfless. the sacrificial lamb; a testament to his commitment to his truth -- a greater good. pop tarts rep: i ... i still don't get it. don draper: gentlemen (takes a long drag off his cigarette) he's jesus christ.

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— anne t. donahue (@annetdonahue.bsky.social) December 29, 2024 at 8:56 AM

The festivities truly were something else — I, for one, cannot wait for the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Apple Numbers isn't as popular as Excel, but it’s a powerful spreadsheet application that offers all the essential features you’d expect. If you're thinking about making the switch, here are some functions and features you should master.

Taking a digital detox can involve things like app and website blocking or finding ways to focus without picking up your phone. These iPhone features and third-party apps can give you a head start.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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 December 29 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: Variations of a warm color associated with passion or intensity

• Green: Details you would confirm when setting a meeting or schedule

• Blue: Varying quantities of hair

• Purple: Sounds like a tree but isn't

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: Shades of Red

• Green: Appointment Specifications

• Blue: Different Amounts of Hair

• Purple: Tree Homophones

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 #569 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Shades of Red: BRICK, CHERRY, MAROON, RUBY

• Appointment Specifications: DATE, DURATION, LOCATION, TIME

• Different Amounts of Hair: HEAD, LOCK, STRAND, WISP

• Tree Homophones: BEACH, FUR, PAIR, YOU

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 29

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.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, December 29, 2024:

AcrossGetting closer, so to speak

• The answer is Warm.

First-string crew

• The answer is A team.

___ journalism, style associated with Hunter S. Thompson

• The answer is Gonzo.

Prized "activity" for new parents

• The answer is Sleep.

Opposite of more

• The answer is Less.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 29, 2024 DownMoves like an excited dog's tail

• The answer is Wags.

Ring-shaped reef

• The answer is Atoll.

Zellweger of "Bridget Jones's Diary"

• The answer is Renee.

Puzzles in a children's coloring book

• The answer is Mazes.

Cleans the floor

• The answer is Mops.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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.

Reactions on FaceTime can be fun, but you might not want them enabled on every video call. Here is how I disabled FaceTime Reactions on my devices and why I did it.

Using separate Windows accounts for your work and personal life is an excellent way to set clear boundaries. It helps keep your data secure and well-organized. If you use a single account for both, here are some reasons to switch to separate ones.

A fast USB car charger can be a great backup power source for laptops, battery banks, and other devices during emergencies or unexpected trips. If you don’t have one already, you should get one.