Mashable

We geeks are a passionate bunch. We'll happily spend hours dissecting the latest superhero movie or Star Wars series, but ask us to decode dating signals, and we're lost. Our love language might be quoting obscure anime, and our idea of a perfect date might involve tabletop games and cosplay, but finding someone who gets that? That's a challenge.

For nerdy women, dating means sifting through profiles of guys who think "gamer girl" is a personality (or creeps chasing their Manic Pixie Dream Elf-girl fantasy). For men, it's the struggle to express your love for all things nerdy without scaring off potential partners or, worse, being labeled "that guy."

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for introverts who prefer books to bars Is there a dating site for nerds?

"For folks looking for a partner that shares their same nerdy interests and passions, the best thing to do is to join a platform with a robust algorithm like eharmony, and include your specific interests in your profile," Kiana Reeves, Somatic Sex Educator, Intimacy Coach, and Chief Education Officer at Foria, tells Mashable. "You can also opt for a platform more frequented by young people, like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge, and make sure your bio and photos indicate your interests and values — this will help you more easily sift through and attract potential matches who are interested in the same things."

You might notice we no longer recommend geek-specific sites like Soul Geek, Gamer Dating, and Dating for Muggles). Sadly, these platforms haven't kept up with the times and are feeling a bit... well, dated. (You can get the full scoop in our 'How we tested' section below.) So, which apps and dating sites are worth trying? We've got you covered.

The top dating apps for geeks and nerds Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

We compared the internet's top dating sites, trendy swiping apps, and geek-specific platforms to pinpoint the ones where you can proudly fly your nerd flag. With the best dating sites for geeks, you might just find that special someone who shares your obscure passions. We're talking about someone who'll happily debate the merits of Pokémon Emerald vs. Scarlet/Violet or create the perfect couples cosplay for the next Comic-Con. The best part? These platforms are all easily accessible via the App Store and Google Play Store.

Just remember this: Even if a potential match doesn't share your specific hobby or interest, they could still be the right partner for you. Don't fall for this common geek relationship fallacy. The most important thing is that they respect your nerdy obsessions, and you respect theirs.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know

Here are the best dating apps for nerds, geeks, and anyone else who isn't afraid to be their unfiltered self:

SAVE 33%: The Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker is on sale at Amazon for just $79.99, down from the typical price of $119.99. That's a $40 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker $79.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

If you're on a mission to eat more fruits and vegetables, it's likely you've considered smoothies. Blending up some frozen berries, a banana, and some spinach is a great way to pack in the vitamins without spending a ton of prep time in the kitchen. But if your blender sound awful when it's chopping through frozen fruits, check out this great deal at Amazon on a powerful smoothie specialist.

As of Feb. 6, the Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker is on sale for only $79.99, marked down from the usual price of $119.99. That means you're in for a 33% discount that takes $40 off the list price.

SEE ALSO: Get a free Heart Cocotte at Le Creuset with $250+ purchase

Like the name suggests, this Ninja Foodi does a great job at creating smoothie bowls. These produce a texture that's thicker than your standard drinkable smoothie and makes something closer to a sorbet texture. Enjoy it topped with granola, seeds, nuts, or coconut flakes, and you'll have a bowl full of something so much more enjoyable than cereal in the morning.

Of course, if you prefer the texture of drinkable smoothies, the Ninja Foodi has you covered there, too. And they'll fit perfectly in the two included 24-ounce cups.

You'll also be in line for crafting your own frozen coffee concoctions at home at a fraction of the price they cost at the cafe. That also means it's the perfect machine for summer margaritas.

The powerful 1200-peak-watt motor is also ready to take charge when it comes to making nut butter, sauces, fresh salsa, pesto, and more. Plus, you won't need to dedicate a bunch of counter space since the base of the Ninja Foodi Smoothie Maker is pretty compact.

If you've been reaching for goals to eat more fresh fruit and veggies, check out the great functions of the Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker. In addition to smoothie bowls, you'll be whipping up your own almond butter and homemade frappes in no time. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, you'll save 33% on the blender.

TL;DR: Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Indiana Pacers head to Intuit Dome to face the LA Clippers in a non-conference matchup. The Pacers are 28-21, which puts the team in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Clippers are 28-22, which puts the team in sixth place in the Western Conference.

The Pacers have won four of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Clippers have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.

When is Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers?

Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers in the NBA starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 6. This game takes place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Pacers vs. Clippers basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Pacers vs. Clippers from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Golden State Warriors head to crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference matchup. The Warriors are 25-25, which puts the team the 11th place. The Lakers are 29-19, which puts the team in fifth place.

The Warriors have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the Orlando Magic. The Lakers have won four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive wins over the LA Clippers, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards.

When is Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers?

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This game takes place at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

This game will air on TNT and TruTV, and it will stream on Max.

How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Lakers basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Warriors vs. Lakers from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Dallas Mavericks head to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics in a non-conference matchup. The Mavericks are 26-25, which puts the team in 11th place in the Western Conference. The Celtics are 36-15, which puts the team in second place in the Eastern Conference.

The Mavs have lost three of their last five games, all of those losses have come consecutively. The Mavs have not won a game since the organization announced the trade of 25-year-old star Luka Doncic. The Celtics have won four of their last five games, and all of those wins have come consecutively.

When is Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics?

Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 6. This game takes place at TD Garden in Boston.

This game will air on TNT and TruTV, and it will stream on Max.

How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Mavs vs. Celtics basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Mavs vs. Celtics from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Global superstar Rihanna enters "her blue era" in the trailer for the upcoming Smurfs, which sees her playing Smurfette. She's the latest in a string of pop stars to take on the role, with Katy Perry voicing her in 2011's The Smurfs and 2013's The Smurfs 2, and Demi Lovato taking on the role in 2017's Smurfs: The Lost Village.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

Inspired by the comics of Belgian artist Peyo, 2025's Smurfs once again sees the titular blue creatures leaving their idyllic village for our real world. This time, they're on the hunt for Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman, The Righteous Gemstones), who's been kidnapped by the evil wizards Gargamel and Razamel. They find themselves in Paris, where they ally themselves with Papa Smurf's brother (Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman).

Watch the trailer above to meet Rihanna's Smurfette, a bizarre influencer Smurf, and more. Bonus points if you can count how many times they say "smurf." (Warning: It's a lot.)

Smurfs hits theaters July 18.

At the top of each Apple Cider Vinegar episode, characters break the fourth wall and tell us, "This is a true story based on a lie."

SEE ALSO: 2025 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

The true story in question? The rise and fall of Australian influencer Belle Gibson (Booksmart's Kaitlyn Dever), who used her brain cancer diagnosis to build a wellness empire. The lie? That she ever had cancer in the first place.

Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar examines how Belle's lie came to be, placing it in the context of the rise of Instagram and influencer stardom. The limited series also dramatizes the lives of key people in her orbit, from a rival wellness influencer to a cancer patient who hangs onto Belle's every word. These story threads should help flesh out the full impact of Belle's actions, but in reality, they turn Apple Cider Vinegar into a strange paradox. The show is a flashy examination of so-called wellness influencers, but it's also a very upsetting cancer story — and neither side gets quite the depth it deserves.

Apple Cider Vinegar brings scammer Belle Gibson's story to life. Kaitlyn Dever in "Apple Cider Vinegar." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Apple Cider Vinegar takes a nonlinear approach to Belle's story, beginning with her 2015 meeting with a crisis management PR firm following the exposure of her lies. Then, the show jumps back in time to show us how she first lied about having brain cancer, how she claimed she had mitigated the cancer through healthy eating and a natural lifestyle, and how these fabrications spiraled into the popular app The Whole Pantry. The show's jumbled chronology has little impact though, seeming more like a tool to give Apple Cider Vinegar the guise of prestige TV sheen than an actual meaningful narrative device.

Belle's isn't the only story at the heart of Apple Cider Vinegar. The show also introduces us to Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey, It's What's Inside), a fictionalized version of "wellness warrior" Jessica Ainscough. Unlike Belle, though, Milla actually has cancer. At age 22, she was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in her arm. But instead of amputating her arm, as recommended by her team of doctors, she chose to pursue a "natural" treatment path involving juicing and coffee enemas. Her blog on the subject earns her quite the following, including an obsessive Belle, who sees Milla as the blueprint for who she wants to be.

SEE ALSO: 'Mo' Season 2 review: Here's why it's still one of TV's most important shows

Rounding out the main cast of Apple Cider Vinegar are breast cancer patient Lucy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), who hopes to follow in Belle's footsteps and stop medical treatment, and Milla's close friend Chanelle (Aisha Dee), who becomes entangled in Belle's business. Each represents a different kind of victim. Lucy's belief in Belle's lies results in great physical harm. Chanelle, on the other, realizes she's been caught up in a predatory financial scam.

Based on the scam-heavy nature of Apple Cider Vinegar, it's hard not to draw comparisons to another Netflix true crime show: Inventing Anna. Like Anna Delvey, Belle has her fair share of horrendous girlboss moments that boggle the mind and will keep viewers pressing play on further episodes. But her scam also involves cancer, a deeply painful subject matter that is at odds to Apple Cider Vinegar's frothy approach to elements of Belle's story.

Apple Cider Vinegar's flashy Instagram aesthetics are at war with its cancer-centric story. Kaitlyn Dever in "Apple Cider Vinegar." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Apple Cider Vinegar is bursting with stylized sequences. In a jam-packed opening, Britney Spears's "Toxic" blares while Dever, Debnam-Carey, Cobham-Hervey, and Dee perform a choreographed dance in gold sparkly dresses. Throughout the show, during scenes involving social media, comments and posts pop up on screen, while glowing thumbs up and heart emojis swirl around Belle as she gets the attention she so craves. With all these elements, as well as a nonstop parade of big-name needle drops and gorgeous stars, Apple Cider Vinegar co-opts the aesthetics of aspirational social media posts in order to highlight just how big a role these platforms played in Belle's rise. But in making use of this visual language, is it really commenting on how shallow and artificial influencers' posts can be? Or is it falling prey to that very same artificiality?

Both things can be true. Apple Cider Vinegar's flashiness is undoubtedly an effort to critique Milla and Belle's approach to social media. Several scenes show them painstakingly drafting their posts in the hopes of walking that perfect line between relatable and unattainable. After all, it takes a lot of effort to appear effortless.

SEE ALSO: Sleepmaxxing is TikTok's latest wellness trend, but does it really work?

Yet Apple Cider Vinegar barely dives into how social media can actually perpetuate harmful messaging around health. We don't understand what led Milla or Belle to be so "naturally" focused in the first place beyond some nods to vague "research," so their strict adherence to their lifestyles feels hollow and somewhat unmotivated. Meanwhile, Lucy's character becomes the stand-in for Apple Cider Vinegar to explain how what Belle and Milla are doing is harmful, but she's so often sidelined that that messaging just falls away.

Belle's manipulation is what most viewers will be familiar with, and what spawns the most cringeworthy sequences of the show, all at her expense. But it's Milla's storyline that is the hardest to watch. Her refusal to treat her cancer — along with forcing her family members to partake in her "all-natural" lifestyle — is some of the most upsetting TV I have seen in a while. It borders on body horror, not in the sense that Apple Cider Vinegar is showing us gore, but in the sense that Milla is violating her own body in order to try to uphold an impossible standard of health. To watch anyone buy into it in the show is nothing short of nauseating.

Yet how much of this reaction comes from what Apple Cider Vinegar is actually showing us, versus audience members bringing their own emotional experiences with cancer to the show? Despite strong performance by Dever and Debnam-Carey, I know that my main reaction to Apple Cider Vinegar was less tied to Belle and Milla as characters, and more due to projecting my own family members and friends onto the cancer patients in the series.

Apple Cider Vinegar tries to tackle true crime, with mixed results. Alycia Debnam-Carey and Aisha Dee in "Apple Cider Vinegar." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

On top of juggling complex topics about the beginnings of social media, wellness grifters, and the emotional weight of cancer, Apple Cider Vinegar also gets meta about its own status as a true crime show.

Not only does each episode begin with the aforementioned warning, they often come with another reminder, either spoken or written, that Belle Gibson was not paid for the recreation of her story.

These moments showcase Apple Cider Vinegar's efforts to distance itself from claims that it's glorifying its true crime story, claims which have impacted other Netflix series like Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. But in drawing attention to Apple Cider Vinegar's roots in reality, the series feeds the fire of awed disbelief that makes people want to keep watching true crime in the first place.

SEE ALSO: Untangling true crime: Inside the ethics of Hollywood's greatest guilty pleasure

Apple Cider Vinegar chides the audience for that instinct too, at one point asking whether we even care about whether some names and characters were fictionalized. (At another point, we're told we can just Google what happened next, as if the series won't be held responsible for our continued interest in the subject it informed us on.) That scolding attitude is a double-edged sword. Yes, your audience may want to keep watching, but who made the series in the first place? Who brought more notoriety to Belle Gibson and glammed up her story with Instagram filters?

Apple Cider Vinegar's reflection on the true crime genre is still somewhat fascinating, but in the end, like so much of the show, it just lacks the depth or focus to get at the root of the issue.

Apple Cider Vinegar is now streaming on Netflix.

UPDATE: Feb. 6, 2025, 7:41 a.m. EST This article has been updated to reflect current streaming options.

There are two kinds of Super Bowl watchers: the ones that watch for the game and the ones that watch for the halftime show.

But, every now and then, a halftime show comes along that is so electrifying, it definitively overshadows the actual sporting event. A good halftime show has the power to transcend barriers, unite viewers all over the world, and make, break, or revitalize a career. These shows also light up the internet with memes and takes (see: left shark).

SEE ALSO: The 8 songs Rihanna should perform at the Super Bowl halftime show

This is by no means a comprehensive list. But below, in no particular order, are some of the most memorable performances to grace the football field. Actual football performances not included.

Rihanna and her baby bump (2023)

This writer found Rihanna's halftime show to be underwhelming and lacking energy. But since I am in the very small minority here, I will begrudgingly add RiRi's name to the list, since it was the most watched halftime show of all time with 121 million views and her relaxed delivery and lack of special guests was praised for letting Rihanna's iconic zero-fucks attitude and banger hits shine.

Rihanna hasn't released an album since 2016, so expectations about her setlist and who her "surprise guest" would be were all over the place. It turns out the surprise guest was her second child in utero, which she casually revealed by not directly calling attention to her pregnancy, but strutting on a suspended platform in an unzipped red jumpsuit. The anti-reveal reveal was so quintessentially Rihanna that the internet promptly lost its mind.

Effectively, Rihanna reminded everyone what we were missing and left us wanting more, which is just about as successful an outcome as any halftime performer could ask for. Here's hoping for new Rihanna music in 2025.

Prince (2007)

For Super Bowl XLI, the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears braved the pouring rain and driving winds (Colts won 29-17). But Prince fought those same elements while playing a live electric guitar, a pretty metal move considering water and electricity are a dangerous combination. 

SEE ALSO: How to stream Super Bowl LVII for free, without cable

Unfazed, Prince set a high bar for halftime shows. He started with Queen's "We Will Rock You," and transitioned into his own "Let's Go Crazy," eventually bringing the stadium down with "Purple Rain." Watching him shred on his signature Prince symbol guitar in the pouring rain instantly became an iconic sight and solidified Prince's status as one of the best performers of all time. 

Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé but really just Beyoncé (2016)

Wait, the 2016 halftime show was headlined by Coldplay? We forgot because Beyoncé's special guest appearance completely stole the show. First Bruno Mars crashed the stage with "Uptown Funk," to which Beyoncé responded by storming the field with her perfectly synchronized backup dancers, performing "Formation." 

Wearing a military-style getup, a nod to Michael Jackson's halftime show outfit, Bey strutted to the stage and slayed (sorry) in a dance-off with Bruno Mars. By the time Coldplay's Chris Martin came back to the front, even he seemed to realize this was Beyoncé's moment.

Katy Perry (2015)

(Stefon voice) This show had everything: a giant lion puppet, a historic viral moment, inspired guest appearances, ample costume changes, and a shooting star. The 2015 halftime show may be best remembered for the left shark, but Katy Perry also put on a hell of a show. Perry came riding in the lion, then passed it off to Lenny Kravitz singing "I Kissed a Girl."

Then the left shark captivated the internet with its blasé dance moves. Through it all, Perry brought strong energy and impressively sang live. By the time Perry brought on Missy Elliot who performed "Work It" and "Lose Control," we knew this halftime show was one for the record books. Perry capped it all off by singing "Firework" as she was lifted up onto a shooting star. Bravo.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent (2022)

In the comments of the official recording, one YouTuber said, "This is not just a concert, this is also a history class," which sums it up pretty well. Rapper and producer Dr. Dre's influence on hip hop can't be overstated. He's credited with launching the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Anderson .Paak, Kendrick Lamar, and many others. And during the 2022 halftime show he brought his famous friends to the stage for a legendary performance. 

The "history lesson" started with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg performing "The Next Episode" and "California Love." The show played off the West Coast vs. East Coast rivalry with New York native 50 Cent rapping "In Da Club," while hanging upside down. Then Mary J. Blige belted out "Family Affair" and "No More Pain," followed by Kendrick Lamar delivering powerful renditions of "m.A.A.d City" and "Alright," and Eminem giving everyone goosebumps with "Lose Yourself." Dre even fit in a tribute to 2Pac. The show closed out with everyone on stage performing "Still D.R.E." A perfect close to a celebration of Dre and historic hip hop moments.

Diana Ross (1996) 

Pyrotechnics, mass-coordinated dance routines, and costume changes are de rigeur for halftime shows these days. But not only was Diana Ross the first to do it, her performance still holds up today. Ross performed a medley of some of her biggest hits including "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love" with her signature smile. Then, in the middle of singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," her gold cape spread across the entire stage as she rose on a scarily high platform. Then, the platform descended and she covered a banger version of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." 

Up until this point, Ross's performance was solid, but what happened next proves she is the ultimate diva queen. Ross casually said "Oh, here comes my ride," as a helicopter literally came to pick up. She sat on the edge of the chopper and waved to the crowd as it ferried her away, legs still dangling from the open helicopter door. That's how you make an exit.

SAVE $80: As of Feb. 6, the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) is on sale for $169 at Best Buy. This is $80 off its list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (GPS) $169.00 at Best Buy
$249.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Whether you frequently workout or just want something that can keep up with your day-to-day activities, a smartwatch can be a helpful investment. The Apple Watch, in particular, fits perfectly into an Apple ecosystem. While models like the Apple Watch Ultra have hefty price tags, if you're just looking for the basics, the Apple Watch SE is a great budget pick and currently enjoying a very nice discount at Best Buy.

The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) is on sale for $169 at Best Buy. This is $80 off its list price of $249. Your purchase even comes with a couple of bonuses to get you started: four months free of Apple Fitness+ and up to three months for free of Apple Music.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

This smartwatch boasts a variety of features to keep you motivated in your workouts or updated on your health, including a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, advanced metrics for workouts, and safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS. In our comparison of Apple Watch Series 9 vs. SE 2, Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon also notes that, "If you're more fitness-focused, and you don't mind the thicker bezels and lack of always-on display, the Watch SE is a solid choice."

Don't miss out on this excellent deal on the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) at Best Buy.

If you're on the hunt for even more Apple deals, there are quite a few worth checking out right now. Alongside this Apple Watch deal, you can also save on the 10th Gen iPad right now at Best Buy. The AirPods 4, both with active noise cancelation and without, are also discounted at the moment at Amazon.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Feb. 6, Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds are on sale for $248 at Amazon. That's 17% off their list price of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds $248.00 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

Sony has some truly excellent headphones and earbuds, but that kind of quality often comes with a pretty steep price tag. That's why it's always nice when their tech pops up in a sale, so you can save some cash while investing in high-quality headphones that'll stand the test of time. That's currently the case for one of our top picks for the best earbuds to buy in 2025, the Sony WF-1000XM5s, which are discounted at Amazon.

These earbuds are currently marked down to $248, a 17% discount from their list price of $299.99. This allows you to pocket $51.99. This deal applies to every color available as well, so you can have your pick from black, silver, or smoky pink.

SEE ALSO: For gym rats and picky audiophiles alike, these are the 7 best headphones of 2025

We consider these earbuds to be the best picks for sound in our breakdown of the best earbuds to buy in 2025, noting "People who enjoy great active noise cancellation and even better sound quality will appreciate the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds — the full package." Not only that, but they also hold a spot in our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones, with Mashable's Bethany Allard saying, "These earbuds deliver a rich, well-balanced sound profile, without the weight of over-ear headphones."

Boasting excellent sound quality and noise-cancelation, this deal is well worth jumping on if you've been looking to scoop up some new earbuds. Don't miss out on this discount on the Sony WF-1000XM5s.

If you're looking for even more headphone and earbud deals, you can also save on Apple's AirPods 4 earbuds (both with active noise cancelation and without) and the Beats Studio Buds+ earbuds are also discounted right now.

If you're a Gmail user, you might have noticed the arrival of Google's AI Gemini in your inbox.

Maybe it's a welcome addition. Or maybe you're ready to throw your laptop into a sea so deep only mystery molluscs and psychedelic marine worms will hear it scream.

If you don't want "help" to write emails, you can switch it off. Credit: Mashable screenshot / Gmail

If you're of the latter state, but aren't ready to feed underwater alien ecosystems with fresh tech, there's a way to disable Gemini in your Gmail, as well as your other Google platforms like Drive, Calendar, Meet, Maps, and more.

Out of pure, bubbling frustration, here's a guide to switching the damn thing off.

How to turn off Gemini in Gmail Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Laptop
• desktop or smartphone
• Gmail

Step 1: Open Gmail.

Step 2: Go to Settings.

It's the icon that resembles a cog.

Step 3: Click "See all settings."

Step 4: In the "General" section, scroll to "Google Workspace smart features."

Step 5: Click "Manage Workspace smart feature settings."

Credit: Mashable screenshot / Google

Step 6: Toggle smart features on or off.

If you're looking to turn off Gemini in Gmail, toggle off "Smart features in Google Workspace." This will also turn off the AI for Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. The second toggle for "other Google products" will switch Gemini off for Maps, Wallet, Google Assistant, and the Gemini app itself.

Credit: Mashable screenshot / Google

Step 7: Click "Save" at the bottom right of the pop-up.

If you want to turn Gemini on again in Gmail, follow the same steps. It's your life.

SAVE $20: As of Feb. 6, Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99. That's 40% off its list price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

When it comes to streaming your favorite shows and films, being able to enjoy them in 4K quality is a game-changer. Thankfully, accomplishing this doesn't have to break the bank. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K can bring you high-quality streaming at a price that won't make a massive dent in your wallet. What's even better is it's currently on sale right now, so you can save more while setting yourself up with a sleek new streaming device.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is discounted to $29.99 right now. This is 40% off its list price of $49.99, allowing you to pocket $20. Amazon has this listed as a limited-time deal, so if you've had your eye on this streaming device you'll want to act fast to secure it at this price before it disappears.

SEE ALSO: Best streaming services: We compare Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and more

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K boasts smooth streaming quality with 4K Ultra HD resolution for a crisp, vibrant picture. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio to create an all-around immersive viewing experience. And if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can even access the Game Pass library via cloud gaming, which is a great way to play something new and exciting without a console.

This limited-time deal won't last long, so grab the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $29.99 while the deal is still live.

If you're looking to pick up a new 4K TV to go with this 4K streaming stick, there are plenty on sale right now that are worth checking out. Over at Best Buy, you can save on models like the 65-inch LG C4 OLED and the massive 98-inch TCL Q6 4K QLED Smart TV, if you really want to go big with a new TV.

Apple's got a new app. Launched seemingly out of nowhere earlier this week, Apple Invites is a free app, available on the App Store, that lets you create colorful invites to events that you can share with friends and family.

The app is very simple to use. Choose a background, set a title and location for your event, and you can start sending it to potential guests.

You can use your own photos, or choose from Apple's predefined backgrounds. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

While the app is free to use and anyone can freely receive invites, one caveat is that you can only send invites if you have a paid iCloud+ account. This is a bummer, but it makes some sense as storing the invites in the cloud does consume storage space. Apple iCloud+ accounts start at $0.99 per month, and Apple now lists Invites as one of the benefits of subscribing to iCloud+ (others include Hide My Email, HomeKit Secure Video, and iCloud Private Relay, as well as more storage for your data).

Apple Invites: How it works

To create a new invite, hit the "+" button in the upper right corner of the Apple Invites app. Start with adding a background; Apple lets you choose from pre-defined options which include emoji-themed, photographic, and colorful backgrounds, but you can also use a photo from your iPhone's library or take a photo with your camera, using the buttons in the top left of the "Add Background" menu.

Next, set a title for your event, choose date and time, and pick a location, which you can do by searching real world locations — and you can add an optional name for your location, which is useful if it's your house.

You can also add an event description with a 1,000 character limit, and the host's name. Finally, you can create a photo album, as well as an Apple Music playlist, and share it with participants.

It's not a real event. Please do not show up. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Once you're done, you can invite guests by creating a shareable link. And if you need to send an update related to the event to your guests — such as detailed entry instructions or the fact that all the shrimp cocktails are sadly, already gone — you can do that via the "Send a Note" button.

Apple Invites: Tips and tricks

All of the above is pretty straightforward, and I'm sure you won't have any issues creating and sharing your event. But the app does have a couple of additional features that are easy to miss.

For example, tap on an existing event in the app, and then tap on the three dots menu in the upper right corner. From there, you can duplicate the event, which is handy when you're hosting repeating events, for example a Pokémon-themed pub quiz in your basement every Wednesday.

Some advanced options are hidden in Event Settings. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

For more options, hit Event Settings from the same menu. There, you can choose whether guests need your approval before they can join the event. You can also choose to only show the background image to guests after they've opened the invitation with a verified email address (maybe you don't just want anyone to see how great your basement is). For people who use a screen reader, you can provide a description of your invitation's background.

Finally, you can also cancel and delete the event, as well as pause replies (for the last time, there won't be free beer, folks, and I will not entertain any further inquiries).

There are a few other, somewhat hidden privacy options in the app, too. For example, once there's a group of guests coming, you can grant some of them the ability to invite their own guests to the event. Handy.

Sorry folks, this event is not for everyone. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Also, when you invite guests, you can create a public link that allows anyone to join the event, but you can also just invite individual people with one-off links.

Apple Invites: Customizing your notifications

When you're hosting events — especially if they're big, and if you're hosting more than one — things can get messy fast. Apple Invites allows you to get push notifications about events, but fortunately, it also lets you be quite granular when it comes to choosing which types of notifications you want to see.

You might want to fine tune these. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Tap on your profile image in the Invites app, and hit Push Notifications. From here, you can choose whether you only want to see notifications for events you're hosting, or events you're invited to.

You can also choose whether you want to see Apple's updates with recommendations, new features and tips, and offers related to the app.

Go a step back, and you'll be able to set whether you want to receive email updates about events you're hosting, or are invited to. This is unrelated to push notifications, and you can have both on or off at the same time.

Apple Invites: How to get it

This one is simple. Apple Invites is a free download at Apple's App Store. It requires iOS 18 or later, and you do need an iCloud+ account in order to send invites.

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 February 6 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: Gentle or barely noticeable

• Green: Showing generosity

• Blue: Parts that extend upwards

• Purple: Iconic musicians' monikers

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: Delicate

• Green: Magnanimous

• Blue: Things with Necks

• Purple: First Names in Jazz

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 #606 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Delicate: FAINT, LIGHT, MILD, SOFT

• Magnanimous: GRAND, GREAT, LOFTY, NOBLE

• Things with Necks: BOTTLE, GIRAFFE, GUITAR, LAMP

• First Names in Jazz: CAB, COUNT, DIZZY, DUKE

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 6

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for February 6 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's The Mini crossword answers for February 6, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

One's protégé.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter P appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PUPIL.

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 February 6

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.

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.

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.

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: Sports moves, typically by an organization or GM

• Green: Where you play on the pitch

• Blue: Defensive moves in football

• Purple: Of the foul kind.

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: Transaction

• Green: Soccer positions

• Blue: Types of blitzes

• Purple: Foul __________

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 #136 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Transaction - DEAL, EXCHANGE, TRADE, TRANSFER

• Soccer positions - FULLBACK, GOALKEEPER, MIDFIELDER, STRIKER

• Types of blitzes - SAFETY, SIMULATED, ZERO, ZONE

• Foul _________ - BALL, OUT, POLE, TERRITORY

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're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 6 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I'm a person of my word

These words are common names.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are names that double as words.

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 FirstNames.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 6

• Drew

• Will

• Chuck

• Jimmy

• Robin

• Chase

• Miles

• FirstNames

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.

TL;DR: Unblock XVideos from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best VPN for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Access to your favorite porn sites is not guaranteed. There are many locations around the world where your access to sites like XVideos will be restricted. There are good reasons for this, but there is also something to be said for the right to online freedom.

In an effort to preserve your online freedom, we're giving you the information you need to bypass online restrictions and access sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world. And fortunately, the process is straightforward.

Want to unblock porn sites like XVideos for free from anywhere in the world? We have the information you need.

How to unblock XVideos for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses content restrictions so you can access porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world.

Unblock XVideos by following these simple 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 XVideos

4. Unblock XVideos

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-year subscription + 3 months free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial periods 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 temporarily away from home on an unsecured network.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like XVideos, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.

Companion filmmaker Drew Hancock hid a special easter egg for Jack Quaid that goes all the way back to 'City of Angels' in 1998.

Companion is now in theaters.

SAVE $52.50: As of Feb. 6, the MAXSHOT electric scooter is on sale for $196.50 at Amazon. This deal saves you 21% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: MAXSHOT MAXSHOT Electric Scooter $196.50 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $52.50 Get Deal

If you've been looking for an affordable electric scooter to get you from point A to B, look no further than this latest deal. As of Feb. 6, you can find the MAXSHOT electric scooter on sale for $196.50 at Amazon, saving you 21% on list price.

The scooter boasts a 350W motor, giving you speeds of up to 19mph. And the battery life can take you up to 21 miles. Although MAXSHOT adds that this range is only under "specific conditions."

SEE ALSO: The Anker SOLIX C200 power bank is on sale for under $100 — a must-have for camping and emergencies

The scooter can be locked and managed from an accompanying app. Just connect the scooter to see the customized speed and cruise control options. You can also see current speed and cruise control options from the LED screen on the scooter. Nice and easy.

It also boasts a dual braking system, featuring drum braking and EABS anti-lock braking. It even has a bright headlight, so you'll have good visibility at night. And if you hate clutter in your house, the e-scooter won't take up unnecessary space. It folds for easy storage in car trunks, closets, and other compact spaces.

This is a limited-time deal, so head to Amazon and save.