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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 14 min 8 sec ago

How to watch Rockets vs. Heat online for free

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 12:00

TL;DR: Live stream Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Houston Rockets have been riding high in the NBA Western Conference, and following a mid-week clash against Orlando Magic, they're back in Florida to play the Miami Heat — another potentially tough Eastern Conference opponent. Miami are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and hold onto their current playoff berth.

If you want to watch Rockets vs. Heat in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Rockets vs. Heat?

Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat in the NBA starts at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 28. This game takes place at the Kaseya Center in Inglewood, CA.

How to watch Rockets vs. Heat for free

Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S. and UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S. or UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

  2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 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).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buy is running free Pokémon Trade and Play events this weekend — score free packs, trade, and shop exclusive collections

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 12:00

TL;DR: Best Buy is running free Pokémon Trade and Play events on Feb. 28 (12-2 p.m. local time). Participants can score free packs, trade cards, and shop exclusive collections.

We've made a lot of noise about Pokémon's 30th birthday celebrations, and so has the rest of the world. We've seen genuine excitement over new Pokémon TCG releases, the first-ever Lego Pokémon sets, and the return of nostalgic Pokémon games, and it feels like there's more to come from this special anniversary.

Best Buy is clearly feeling the party vibes. On Feb. 28 (12-2 p.m. local time), Best Buy stores across the country will host in-store Trade and Play events, with demo stations, Pokémon TCG trades, exclusive card drops, freebies, expert tuition, and a whole lot more. Attend solo, bring a friend, or gather together everyone from your neighborhood. This is going to be big.

Somehow still on the fence? Here's a snapshot of what you can expect from these special events:

Before you set off, it's important to check out Best Buy's Pokémon page to find a Trade and Play event at a store near you. Once that's sorted, you're all set to capture the magic of Pokémon this weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Free Lego Star Wars Lightsabers? Yes, really — here’s how to claim yours.

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 12:00

TL;DR: Lego is running Star Wars make and take events on March 7-8. A limited quantity of Lego Star Wars Lightsabers will be available for free at participating stores in the UK.

Lego regularly runs make and take events in which participants can walk away with an exclusive set without spending anything. These free giveaways always cause a stir, but nothing gets the people going quite like Star Wars.

Visitors to select Lego Stores on March 7 (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. GMT) and March 8 (from 12-2 p.m. GMT) can participate in an awesome Lego Star Wars Lightsaber make and take event. This free giveaway is intended for children aged 10+, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations in the UK, while supplies last. Will we see similar events scheduled for the U.S.? That's down to the Will of the Force.

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This Lego Star Wars Lightsaber is not available for purchase. By taking part in this special event, Star Wars fans can take home something that money literally cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but come on — you can't just turn up and stock up on these exclusive Star Wars sets for free. That would be nice, but that's not the Way of the Force.

Score this free Lego Star Wars Lightsaber at your nearest participating store on March 7-8.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Eufy C28 is the most budget-friendly roller mop robot vacuum. I tried it against the top 2 in its class.

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 11:55

We're in the year of the roller mop robot vacuum. While the dual rotating mopping pad setup was heavily favored for most of 2025, the whole industry is doubling down on the roller's heavy-duty spill cleanup in 2026. The thing is, roller mop vacuums haven't been a chill purchase so far. Most take up a lot of floor space and cost $1,000 or more. As the robot vacuum pipeline goes, a need quickly arose for the premium roller mop feature to be condensed into a more budget-friendly and space-friendly package. That's where the Eufy C28 comes in — I've been testing it at home against the other top robot vacuums of the past year, including high-end roller mops like the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller and the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow.

Eufy Robot Vacuum C28 $599.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $200   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Eufy What's special about the Eufy C28?

The Eufy C28 is the most affordable mainstream roller mop robot vacuum we've seen so far. Its official MSRP of $799.99 is already lower than the regular asking price of others in this category, but its special $599.99 launch price is unprecedentedly cheap for the budding roller mop category. The cutback on price also comes with a cutback in suction power: The Eufy C28 has 15,000 Pa compared to the 30,000+ Pa models coming out of CES 2026.

The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller's huge dock is much more appropriate for Sansa. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Eufy's roller (right) doesn't seem as fluffy as Dreame's (left). Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The C28's compactness is also a huge selling point for consumers shopping for small spaces. The dock takes up far less room than most docks of the other best robot vacuum and mop combos that wash and dry their own mopping pads. (The new Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow's dock is a similar size, but it's a few hundred dollars more expensive.) This size comparison immediately had me thinking back to all of my smushed NYC apartments. The Eufy C28 is the rare compact robot vacuum that would have been a realistic squeeze.

SEE ALSO: Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete first impressions: It's tied for the most powerful robot vacuum of 2026. OK, prove it. Is the Eufy C28 good at mopping?

When it comes to big spills and dried stains, the Eufy C28 is easily the most efficient robot mop in the $600 to $800 price range I've ever tested. It even held its own against the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller and Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow.

Dust pickup has been one of the two overarching advantages of all of the roller mop robot vacuums I've tested so far, and the Eufy C28's roller has been leaving my tile and hardwood floors speck-free. The radius around a litter box is the ultimate dry debris test for a robot vacuum's mopping skills — especially the Litter-Robot in my kitchen, which uses tiny brown litter that blends in with the brown wooden floor. Instead of trying to eyeball, the Dyson PencilVac's laser set up such a clear before-and-after montage of the C28's mastery of dust and dirt.

Left: Before Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Right: After Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Kitty litter dust is so fine and clingy that a vacuum alone often can't lift the particles. But a wet pressurized roller mop coming through is the closest you'll get to a person's hand wiping with a wet towel. The C28's roller measures almost 11 inches long, so it covers a lot of ground in one pass, too. That perfectly polished trail tells me that the Eufy C28 would be a great robot vacuum for pet hair on hard floors.

The Eufy C28 has also been doing a solid job of sopping up a variety of liquid spills, from wine and orange juice to ranch and conditioner that exploded on my bathroom floor. The C28 handily wiped up spilled wine and all chunks of spilled salsa on its first attempt (I just know even the best spinning mopping pads would have spattered some peppers around). I sent it back for a second pass to absorb the faint liquid-y streak left at the site of the splatter, but I wouldn't even compare that "smearing" to the foot-long smear of assorted condiments that other robot mops have left in my kitchen. Roller mop robot vacuums rinse themselves as they're mopping to prevent gunking up the rest of the floor — Eufy says its HydroJet system cleans itself nine times per second.

The floor was covered in long hair, cat litter, and blobs of conditioner. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The C28 got it all, other than a few crystals left at the edge of the litter box. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

But I'm most surprised about the fact that the Eufy C28 doesn't completely flop along edges. Its roller mop doesn't extend out from under the vacuum like the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow's does, but the C28's square-shaped body has successfully made the bot more wall-friendly (and I've seen some robot vacs with flat sides that still cut corners). It might miss the first corner of the cleaning session while it gets its bearings, or if the flat edge is only a foot or two long. But overall, the Eufy C28 has skimmed walls, closed closet doors, and right up against our shoes near the front door.

Is the Eufy C28 good on carpet?

For having half the suction power of the most powerful robot vacuums in 2026, the Eufy C28 has proven to be pretty potent on the various rugs in my apartment. Its 15,000 Pa was potent enough to clear a mess of spilled catnip and crushed potato chips from my tufted living room rug, leaving no visible crumbs behind. The lint roller test afterward only revealed a few minuscule catnip flakes and some light cat hair and fuzzies.

I laid out a trail of crumbs for the vacuum. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Literally ate and left no crumbs. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I probably wouldn't classify the Eufy C28 as one of the absolute best robot vacuums for pet hair on carpet, but it could reliably keep up with surface-level shedding from a pet or two if you run it every day. Case in point: I gathered a big handful of lint from the dryer and dragged it all over the plush rug in the hallway, making sure to press the gray fluff into the furs. The C28 left that white rug virtually spotless.

The Eufy C28 didn't just give up on debris lingering around rug edges, either, and that's the last rug-related win I expected from the budget vacuum. Here's what I've gathered: What the C28 lacks in technical suction power, it makes up for by taking its damn time. My number one tip to make any robot vacuum work better is to simply make every cleaning session a twofer — any robot vac is bound to miss some spots the first time around. And the Eufy C28 takes that second pass seriously.

Sansa is supervising the catnip cleanup. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

After the standard "edges first, center last" sweep of session number one, the C28 goes back with a whole new game plan. Its cleaning path will often be perpendicular to what it did the first time, and every few seconds, it fully pauses to spin in a circle over the same spot to uproot the real stubborn stuff. This strategy worked wonders when straddling the rug and wood floor.

Factors I'm keeping an eye on

Competition from Dreame and Roborock aside, the Eufy C28's spotlight gets stolen a little bit by the unassuming Eufy E28. I personally don't think enough people know about this model from April 2025. The E28 is a roller mop robot vacuum mop combo that comes with a portable carpet cleaner built into the self-empty dock, and its 20,000 Pa of suction power slightly surpasses the C28's 15,000 Pa. It's more expensive than the C28 if they're both at full price, but the E28 is almost always on sale for $699.99 — just $100 more than the C28's $599.99 sale price at launch. Though the C28's edge scrubbing feels more evolved this year, the Eufy E28 could be an easier sell to pet parents in carpeted homes.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it?

While I have no concerns with the Eufy C28's overall smart mapping accuracy, its actual driving is a little bit wobbly. Literally. The best way I can describe it is the shaky steering of a kid who's riding without training wheels for the first time. The swiveling could cause it to miss some crumbs around the outskirts of the room (when it's really just supposed to be driving in a straight line). It was swerving enough to get itself wedged between my kitchen rug and dishwasher for almost a minute before ramming its way out. And that doesn't feel like an obstacle avoidance issue, since the C28 has been pretty perceptive otherwise. Its 4.5-inch build just isn't slim enough to safely scoot under most dishwashers or low-clearance furniture and cabinets.

The C28 eventually got itself out, but it left with some scrapes. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Eufy C28 is also one of the louder robot vacuums I've tested in the past year. The blaring roar of its max suction mode is somehow more intense than that of robot vacuums with twice the power. But the C28's auto-empty whoosh is the real jump scare — I haven't needed to plug my ears like that since the Roomba j7+ in 2021.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for February 28, 2026

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 07:00

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

A thin atmospheric layer.

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

OZONE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An infectious disease.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

POLIO

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Part of a flower.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PETAL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Land.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TERRA

Final Hurdle hint

Popular.

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

KNOWN

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 28

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 07:00

The Moon is so very close to being full, but believe it or not, there's still a few days to go. While it continues to appear bigger and brighter in the sky, keep reading to find out exactly what you can see on its surface.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Feb. 28, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 88% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

With just your naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Mares Tranquillitatis and Crisium. With binoculars you'll be able to see the Mare Nectaris, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Alps Mountains. If you love your moon-gazing gear, get out the telescope to catch a glimpse of and with a telescope you'll see also see the Apollo 15 and 11 landing spots, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

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, what we call the lunar cycle. 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28, 2026

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're into astrology.

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 28, 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: Yearning

  • Green: On the road again

  • Blue: Male callings

  • Purple: Space terms

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Craving

  • Green: Jobs that involve traveling

  • Blue: Name homophones

  • Purple: Astronomical terms plus a letter

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 #993 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Craving: DESIRE, ITCH, THIRST, URGE

  • Jobs that involve traveling: CRUISE DIRECTOR, PILOT, ROADIE, SALESMAN

  • Name homophones: EARNEST, KNEEL, RUSTLE, TAILOR

  • Astronomical terms plus a letter: COMETH, NOVAK, START, SUNG

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 28, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 28, 2026

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like the finer things in life.

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 28, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dressing up

The words are related to wealth.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe expensive things.

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 Glamorous.

NYT Strands word list for February 28
  • Heels

  • Necktie

  • Tuxedo

  • Gown

  • Glamorous

  • Cufflinks

  • Diamonds

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 28, 2026

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:00

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

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 28, 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 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A mythological creature.

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 H.

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...

HYDRA

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Trump orders Pentagon to stop using woke Anthropic in fiery Truth social post

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 03:33

Negotiations between the Pentagon and the AI company Anthropic were severely complicated on Friday when President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the government would stop utilizing the company’s tech. The president ordered the Pentagon to begin a six-month phase-out, accusing Anthropic of being run by "Leftwing nut jobs."

The Truth Social post said that Anthropic wanted the government to abide by its terms of service.

"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS!,” Trump wrote. “That decision belongs to YOUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, and the tremendous leaders I appoint to run our Military. The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution."

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Truth Social

The federal government and Anthropic have been at odds for weeks as they tried to hammer out an agreement on how the military can use Claude, Anthropic’s AI model. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has been firm that he will not allow the Pentagon to use Claude for mass surveillance of Americans or to create autonomous weapons, like pilotless drones.

The government reportedly agreed to those terms, according to the New York Times, but the contract's legal language provided too much wiggle room for Anthropic’s comfort. Anthropic is known for taking a more cautious approach to AI development, and its founders famously left OpenAI over AI safety concerns.

On Thursday, Amodei explained his stance in a blog post:

"Anthropic understands that the Department of War, not private companies, makes military decisions. We have never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner.

However, in a narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values. Some uses are also simply outside the bounds of what today’s technology can safely and reliably do."

A deadline of Friday evening was set for an agreement between the Pentagon and Anthropic. It’s not clear if Trump’s announcement of a phase-out will equate to more time for negotiation or if the government is truly moving forward with firing Anthropic by declaring it a supply chain risk. The government may also seek to compel Anthropic to agree to its terms through the Defense Production Act, according to the Times. The government may also choose another AI partner, like Elon Musk's Grok, but CIA officials believe that product is inferior to Anthropic's, the Times reports.

Following the president's Friday afternoon announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared on CNBC and voiced support for Anthropic. "For all the differences I have with Anthropic, I mostly trust them as a company and I think they really do care about safety, and I’ve been happy that they’ve been supporting our war fighters," Altman said, according to a clip of the appearance posted to X.

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Meanwhile, dozens of employees at Google and OpenAI, both competitors of Anthropic, signed letters backing Amodei’s stances. And outside Anthropic’s San Francisco headquarters, words of support appeared in chalk on the sidewalk, according to a post on X.

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This week, Anthropic softened its safety policy — often viewed as one of the strongest in Silicon Valley — citing competitors' reluctance to do the same and the federal government’s disinterest in prioritizing security.

"The policy environment has shifted toward prioritizing AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level," the company wrote. "We remain convinced that effective government engagement on AI safety is both necessary and achievable, and we aim to continue advancing a conversation grounded in evidence, national security interests, economic competitiveness, and public trust. But this is proving to be a long-term project—not something that is happening organically as AI becomes more capable or crosses certain thresholds."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How Resident Evil Survived Itself

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 01:08

For decades, Resident Evil has constantly reinvented itself. From fixed-camera survival horror to explosive co-op action to first-person psychological terror. At times, those reinventions pushed the franchise to the brink of losing its identity entirely. But through resets, remakes, and refinement, Capcom rediscovered what truly defined the series: structured vulnerability, spatial tension, and controlled escalation.

With Resident Evil 9, the franchise no longer feels reactive. It feels confident. In this episode of How It Hits, we break down how Resident Evil survived itself, and why it finally feels like everything has come together.

Resident Evil Requiem is now available.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This tiny $22 cable could replace your whole charging setup

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 01:00

TL;DR: Avoid the dreaded low-battery alert on your devices with this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable, now just $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $21.99
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal

Sick of keeping up with all the chargers your devices require? From what seems like constantly changing iPhones chargers to requiring a different type for your iPad and laptop, it can feel like a full-time job keeping up with your charging cables. That’s where GoCable comes in, offering an 8-in-1 keyring cable you can take along anywhere.

Right now, you can score a GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

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Whether you’re heading on vacation or just trying to stay powered up on a workday, this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable is ready to simplify how you keep your devices charged. This convenient gadget combines eight essential features into one sleek design that you can bring along anywhere.

Packed with 100W ultra-fast charging, the GoCable makes it speedy and simple to supercharge your device efficiently — from laptops to smartphones and everything in between. It also offers high-speed file transfer capabilities. All you need to add is a power bank or wall adapter, and it’s ready to work with everything from Type-C and Type-C+ to Apple Lightning connectors.

If you’re curious about a device’s charging status, an LED power display provides real-time status information. The magnetic cable also ensures you don’t have to deal with annoying tangled cables; just toss it in a bag and rest easy knowing it will be mess-free.

Aside from keeping devices powered up efficiently, the GoCable includes hidden tools for extra convenience. You’ll have quick access to a bottle opener and a hidden cutter for opening packages safely. The included carabiner clip lets you attach this to bags or belts in seconds, so you can always keep it within arm’s reach.

Get this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for only $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hacker says he accidentally breached 7,000 DJI robot vacuums with a PS5 controller

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 00:49

February has been a turbulent month for DJI. The Chinese tech giant, best known for making drones, escalated its fight against the U.S. drone ban by suing the FCC. Then the internet erupted over an entirely different DJI device: The Romo robot vacuum.

Thousands of Romo vacuums and their live cameras worldwide were reportedly hacked — and not by an evil mastermind sitting in a room surrounded by screens, but by a guy trying to get his PS5 controller to control his robot vacuum.

Sammy Azdoufal told The Verge he wasn't trying to hack anyone else's robot vacuum. It was merely a fun project for the software engineer, who alerted DJI about its massive authentication slip-up — while sharing how little work it took to access the ins and outs of a Romo owner's home.

SEE ALSO: Firefox adds AI kill switch for users who are sick and tired of AI-everything

And yes, AI was involved. Azdoufal specializes in AI strategy; he got coding help from AI assistant Claude to change the communication protocol between DJI's servers and his Romo.

After creating a custom app for his PlayStation setup, Azdoufal discovered he was looking at way more than his own robot vacuum's data. He'd accidentally unlocked the data of thousands of DJI robot vacuum owners around the world.

The exposed information wasn't just 3D floor plans of homes, which would be bad enough. But the device's live camera feeds and microphone audio were also accessible.

As of Feb. 24, DJI has patched the problem by restricting access to this authentication loophole, Azdoufal found. Meanwhile, the Romo itself appears to have vanished from the online DJI Store, as of Feb. 26.

New fear unlocked: Your robot vacuum as a spy

Even with this issue fixed, the idea that someone could spy on you via your robot vacuum doesn't exactly boost confidence in the whole category. What if another brand of camera-toting robot vacuum brand has a similar undiscovered security flaw — and what if the person who discovers it isn't as goodhearted as Azdoufal?

We've had glimpses of this kind of vulnerability in the past. In 2024, multiple Ecovacs Deebot X2 robot vacuums across the U.S. were hacked and made to yell racial slurs at owners. Other smart home devices with cameras have faced security breaches, from baby monitors to smart doorbells.

But a robot vacuum is the only kind of device that regularly roves around your home. That gives this vulnerability a unique sense of foreboding, perhaps enough to provide the plot to a found footage horror film.

And of course, there are even more opportunities for bad actors when AI has access to personal info.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft says Copilot was summarizing confidential emails without permission

I test robot vacuums for a living, and I really don't want to have to be paranoid about their camera usage. The livestream camera is an incredibly comforting robot vacuum feature for pet parents who get anxious about leaving pets at home alone.

All of the robovacs I've tested have announced out loud when they're in remote viewing mode. But not all robot vacuums provide that courtesy notification (the DJI Romo, for one, does not).

In any case, if a hacker was able to get to the point that they could control the vacuum's camera, would it be that hard for them to disable the warning? While the issue remains, it might be wise to disable your vacuum's camera, at least when not in use, with the lowest-tech hack of all: putting tape over it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Want screen time without the guilt? This app was built for that

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 00:30

TL;DR: Let kids learn while having fun with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale now for just $44.97 with code PLAY through March 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $44.97
$250 Save $205.03   Get Deal

Looking for a guilt-free way to give your kids a little screen time? Pok Pok is the answer parents have been looking for — offering a Montessori-based approach to learning and fun for kids ages 2 to 8.

Right now, you can keep the learning going with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale for $44.97 with code PLAY through March 22.

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Screen time is a controversial topic these days. If you’re looking for a non-addictive way to let kids have a little fun on the tablet, it’s time to meet Pok Pok. This award-winning app keeps kids entertained while serving as a great introduction to screen time with hand-drawn animations, low stimulation, and in-house-made gentle sound effects.

With a Montessori-based approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, and natural development, Pok Pok makes learning fun. This way of learning allows kids to navigate the app on their own as they learn STEM concepts, numbers, and language. There are no rules, levels, objectives, winners, or losers — they just get to have fun.

This app was made in collaboration with early childhood experts, so it has been thoughtfully crafted to made sure each experience in Pok Pok is enriching and supportive your little one’s development. It’s also COPPA certified and GDPR compliant, so you can rest easy knowing your kids won’t be tricked into making any purchases.

Your lifetime subscription includes new content, with seasonal and cultural updates. You’ll also get an exclusive surprise gift mailed directly to your door.

Give your kids a safe screen time option with lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, on sale now for just $44.97 with code PLAY through March 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI says it will change ChatGPT safety protocols in the wake of mass shooting

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 00:22

OpenAI is speaking out about changes and overhauls coming to its safety protocols and communications with law enforcement after a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, that left nine dead, including the shooter, earlier this month.

The perpetrator of the shooting had their ChatGPT account suspended in June 2025 after OpenAI detected content from the user that presented "an indication of potential real-world violence." OpenAI banned the user and considered alerting authorities. However, OpenAI decided not to inform law enforcement after determining that the user had no credible plan to act out.

OpenAI's decision not to alert authorities has become a major concern of the Canadian government.

While OpenAI did have a protocol to handle credible threats, the company is now saying it will do more. In an open letter to the Canadian government, OpenAI's Vice President of Global Policy Ann M. O’Leary did not offer any specific policy changes, but did mention that changes were already being implemented and more were coming.

In addition, O'Leary also shared another oversight in OpenAI's protocols. According to OpenAI's open letter, the Tumbler Ridge shooter had opened a second ChatGPT account, which the company only discovered after the shooting occurred and the name of the shooter was publicly released. OpenAI did share that account with police after making the discovery.

In its open letter, OpenAI says it will "continue to strengthen" its law enforcement referral protocol. The company said it's working with mental health experts to better assess difficult cases and when conversations cross the line into being a risk.

OpenAI also said they are establishing a direct point of contact with Canadian law enforcement to refer cases with potential for "real world violence."

ChatGPT will also be tweaked to provide help to users who are in distress or are pursuing prohibited behavior by providing them resources to localized support within their communities. 

In addition, OpenAI said it is addressing its protocols that allowed for the shooter to open a second account. The company said it had a system in place to detect repeat policy offenders and is committing to "strengthening our detection systems to better prevent attempts to evade our safeguards and prioritize identifying the highest risk offenders."

Mashable has reached out to OpenAI for additional information regarding these policy overhauls and to find out whether these affect the company's policies in the United States as well. We will update this piece when we hear back.



Categories: IT General, Technology

This $20 lifetime ad blocker gives the whole family a more peaceful internet experience

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Give your family a more peaceful internet experience with this lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan, on sale now for just $19.97 through March 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $19.97
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For better or worse, we all spend a lot of time on the internet. What if you could change the way you browse and banish online ads for good? AdGuard makes it happen, offering an internet free of pop-ups, videos, and banner ads while keeping you safer online.

Right now, you can score a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan, on sale for just $19.97 for two more days through March 1.

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It’s time to enjoy the internet as it was meant to be browsed — peaceful and ad-free. AdGuard is an advanced ad-blocking module that not only blocks ads from appearing on your screen but also keeps you safer online.

Save time closing out annoying pop-up ads and quieting video ads with this tool. It not only makes your time online more enjoyable but also keeps you safer. AdGuard keeps your data safe — it helps block trackers, hides your data, and stops malware, phishing sites, and cyberattacks.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

NASA no longer plans to land on the moon in the next Artemis mission

Fri, 02/27/2026 - 21:14

NASA will trade the Artemis mission that was expected to land astronauts on the moon for a new plan intended to increase launch frequency of the agency's mega rocket.

At a news briefing on Friday, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman described a vast overhaul to the moon-to-Mars program. The changes scrap the Artemis III lunar landing and instead make it a flight in low-Earth orbit for a crew to practice meeting up with either the SpaceX or Blue Origin-built lunar landers — or, perhaps, both. 

Those efforts also will impact the U.S. space agency's timeline for the future Artemis missions, moving up the revised Artemis III flight to the middle of 2027, which could make way for Artemis IV and Artemis V at the beginning and end of 2028. Under the new direction, Artemis IV would be the first mission to put astronaut boots on the lunar surface. 

The sweeping revisions to the agency's program came during an update on repairs to the Space Launch System rocket, which will launch Artemis II, a 10-day lunar flyby mission with a crew, as early as April. 

"There has to be a better way in line with our history," Isaacman said. "We did not just jump right to Apollo 11. We did it through Mercury, Gemini, and lots of Apollo missions, with a launch cadence every three months. We shouldn't be comfortable with the current cadence. We should be getting back to basics and doing what we know works."

SEE ALSO: These 'avatars' will fly around the moon with NASA's Artemis 2 astronauts

NASA leaders said the shakeup is meant to address a larger underlying problem: the U.S. agency is flying its most powerful rocket too infrequently and repeating some of the same technical issues from one mission to the next.

Isaacman pointed to hydrogen leaks on Artemis I and helium flow problems on Artemis II as signs that a three‑year gap between launches is not sustainable. When teams only fly every few years, he said, they lose "muscle memory" — the routine, hands-on experience required to handle a complex rocket safely and efficiently.

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To fix that, NASA is redefining the Artemis campaign as a step‑by‑step test program. The agency now aims to launch roughly once every 10 months, standardize its rocket configuration, and rebuild in‑house expertise that has withered over time.

Increasing the Artemis launch cadence

A major change is the decision to treat Artemis III as a practice mission in Earth orbit rather than a landing attempt. That mission will let astronauts and engineers test how the Orion spaceship and the landers find each other, fly together, and possibly dock. It will also allow crews to start checking life‑support systems and other hardware inside the landers before sending them all the way to the lunar surface. Officials said they may even try limited tests of the new moonwalking suits in weightlessness, if schedules allow.

NASA leaders argued that it makes more sense to uncover problems and practice operations close to home, in Earth orbit, rather than discovering them for the first time while attempting a landing on the moon. If the faster launch tempo holds, Artemis IV and Artemis V together could give NASA two opportunities in 2028. Officials stressed that the timeline still depends on hardware readiness and safety reviews.

Work toward Gateway, a small space station that would orbit the moon and serve as a staging point for future missions, is not going away, officials said. But they made clear the agency’s priority is getting Artemis flights off the ground more often before building out that lunar outpost.

Not far from their minds is the reality that China is also attempting to land its own crew on the moon before 2030 and may be able to get there before the United States. NASA hasn't sent humans to the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. And though no other nation has followed in the giant leap for humankind, that won't always be true.

NASA leaders announced an overhaul to the Artemis program's timeline, trying to simplify the missions and created a stepped approach from one launch to the next. Credit: NASA infographic

"[In] the 1960s [it] turned out, in hindsight, we had a near-endless schedule margin there," Isaacman said. "That is certainly not the case today. I'd say this is very, very close from a timeline perspective."

Artemis 2 works toward April launch

The revised campaign comes as engineers work through immediate issues on Artemis II, the first crewed flight of the program. After a successful "wet dress rehearsal" — a full countdown test that loads the rocket with super‑cold fuel — teams discovered that helium was not flowing correctly to the engines in the rocket's upper stage.

Helium is used to pressurize tanks and help push fuel into the engines. Without proper helium flow, the rocket cannot safely fly. Because the upper stage is hard to reach at the launchpad, NASA rolled the stacked rocket back into the Vehicle Assembly Building, the sky-scraping hangar where it was originally put together.

While the rocket is inside, technicians will remove and inspect suspected helium system components, update any faulty hardware, and perform other work. That includes replacing batteries in the flight termination system — the emergency system that can destroy the rocket if it strays off course — swapping out a seal on the line that feeds liquid oxygen into the rocket, refreshing items inside Orion, and giving the closeout crew more practice sealing the capsule.

NASA wants to streamline that work to preserve a chance to launch Artemis II on April 1, April 3 through 6, or April 30. They have not provided potential launch dates beyond April, despite many requests from reporters to do so. 

Technicians are trying to diagnose a helium flow problem in the upper stage of the moon rocket ahead of Artemis II, which could launch as early as April. Credit: NASA Back to the Apollo-era approach

Beyond the near-term, Isaacman said NASA will standardize the current moon rocket configuration instead of evolving the design after only a few flights, as originally planned. The goal is to avoid turning each booster into a bespoke project and instead fly a simpler, repeatable version that industry can achieve quicker.

Isaacman also highlighted a push to rebuild NASA's workforce, shifting some key roles from contractors — who today make up about 75 percent of the agency's technical labor — back to in-house expertise. NASA leaders say that will give them more control over launch preparations, as it did in the Apollo and space shuttle eras.

The White House, Congress, and major contractors support the new approach, he said. The bigger question is whether the American public will get on board. Many people are unaware that NASA is just weeks away from launching astronauts into deep space for the first time in over a half-century.

"It's a different environment than the 1960s. There's more than three channels on a TV, so capturing people's attention at times can be challenging," Isaacman said. "I have no doubt when Artemis II takes flight, the world will take notice to that."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pokémon Presents: Every Pokémon Day announcement today

Fri, 02/27/2026 - 20:13

Pokémon Day is here!

On this day, 30 years ago, the original Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, were first released in Japan. 

SEE ALSO: Warning: The Gen 10 Pokémon starters will give you major cute aggression

And today, Feb. 27, 2026, The Pokémon Company held a special event broadcast on its YouTube channel to share some news and updates regarding upcoming Pokémon games and products.

Here's everything you need to know about what was announced on Pokémon Day on Pokémon's 30th anniversary.

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves 

Let's start with the biggest news up at the top.

The event started with the President and CEO of The Pokémon Company recalling how there were only 151 Pokémon when Pokémon Red and Green were released. Now, there are 1,025 Pokémon.

The event ended with the introduction of the 10th generation of the Pokémon mainline games: Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.

And with those new games come brand new Pokémon.

A brief teaser video was shown at the end of the event for Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, and based on fans' reactions, it's clearly the biggest news to come out of the Pokémon event.

Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua Credit: The Pokémon Company

The games feature 3 new starter Pokémon: a bird-like Pokémon called Browt, a dog-eque Pokémon called Pombon, and a Pokémon that looks like a gecko called Gecqua.

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will come out in 2027.

Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue Game Music Collection

The Pokémon event didn't start with the big news of a new game, though. The event began with a new product celebrating the now-iconic music of the Pokémon games.

Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue Game Music Collection Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue Game Music Collection is a small music player jukebox that looks like a mini old-school Game Boy. The jukebox plays all 45 songs from the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue games. Users choose their songs by just swapping out cartridges that look like Pokémon games.

Pokémon World Championships and Pokémon XP

Next up was the announcement that this year's Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco will be held simultaneously alongside the inaugural Pokémon XP.

Pokémon XP is a brand new fan fest for Pokémon aficionados, which will include all sorts of interactive events, workshops, panels, meet and greets, and more.

Pokémon Trading Card Game: 30th anniversary

While details were sparse, the Pokémon event announced that the Pokémon Trading Card Game will also be celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary.

Special Pokémon Trading Card Game products for the 30th anniversary will be released worldwide later this year.

Pokémon GO

To celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, the popular Pokémon GO mobile game will see the return of a "huge range of Pokémon" that have previously appeared in the game.

Pokémon Masters EX

Speaking of mobile games, Pokémon Masters EX is also receiving an update with Red (1996) & Pikachu, Florian (Anniversary 2026) & Ogerpon, and Juliana (Anniversary 2026) & Terapagos all arriving in the game.

Pokémon Café ReMix

The mobile puzzle game Pokémon Café ReMix is getting in on the 30th anniversary action too with a "roundup of first partner Pokémon in special outfits."

Pokémon Sleep

Yes, there's a Pokémon mobile game that collects Pokémon while you sleep called Pokémon Sleep. Whether you've already been playing or just looking to get into it, as part of the 30th anniversary, Pokémon is launching new Mew missions that begin tonight.

Pokémon United

The popular Pokémon United game is seeing new character additions as part of the 30th anniversary of Pokémon.

Pokémon United Credit: The Pokémon Company

The legendary Pokémon known as Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno, as well as others, are being added to the Pokémon United game.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket players will be able to earn some freebies to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon.

Players can complete "30 Days of Gifts" missions, which will earn them enough pack hourglasses to open 10 packs.

Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness 

If you've been itching to play Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness on the GameCube but haven't owned a GameCube in years, you're in luck

The 2005 Pokémon title is coming to Nintendo GameCube Classics on the Nintendo Switch 2 in March.

Pokémon Fire/Red and Pokémon Leaf/Green 

Looking for something to play today? Pokémon Fire/Red and Pokémon Leaf/Green, remakes of the original Japanese Pokémon games now available as downloadable titles on Switch and Switch 2. 

The titles will also soon be made compatible with Pokémon Home, so you can transfer your Pokémon from other games into these titles, too.

Pokémon Champions

The month of April will see the release of Pokémon Champions, the battle-centric, multiplayer-focused Pokémon game.

A mobile version of Pokémon Champions will also be released later this year.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimensions

If you have the Mega Dimensions DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, then there's a brand new challenge for you.

The Pokémon event announced that Mega Garchomp Z has been "discovered" in the game. Players can claim this mystery gift starting today. 

Pokémon Pokopia

And, finally, before showing us the teaser for the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the Pokémon event gave us a good look at Pokémon Pokopia, which comes out on March 5.

The game is less classic Pokémon and more like Pokémon meets Animal Crossing. Players assume the character of a Ditto, which transforms into its old human master. From there, they can build their home, farm, and town.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Happy Pokémon Day. Heres where to buy the 30th-anniversary card collection for the best price.

Fri, 02/27/2026 - 19:51

TL;DR: As of Feb. 27, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection in stock for $38.95, but you can currently snag it for a few bucks cheaper at TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Store Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection $38.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Store Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection $25.49 at TCGPlayer
  Shop Now

It's Pokémon Day, which means you're probably seeing a ton of hype around the franchise's 30th anniversary. But before you blindly add the official commemorative TCG collection to your Amazon cart, you should know you can get it way cheaper somewhere else.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon Presents February 2026 livestream: Watch live on Pokémon Day

As of Feb. 27, the Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection (which actually launched back in January) is sitting on Amazon for $38.95. However, the exact same box just dropped to a surprisingly low $25.49 (plus an additional $5.99 for shipping) over on TCGplayer. That means you have a choice: Save a few bucks on the secondary market, or pay a bit more at Amazon for fast Prime delivery and a better return policy, you know, just in case.

To celebrate the milestone, this collection features an exclusive foil Pikachu promo card stamped with the official Pokémon Day logo. You'll also get a metallic 30th-anniversary coin and three assorted booster packs to rip open. It's a fun commemorative pickup for the holiday — just make sure you weigh whether you care more about getting the absolute lowest price or the easiest shipping experience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Camping season is around the corner — grab this Anker Solix C800x power station for over 40% off

Fri, 02/27/2026 - 19:38

SAVE $269: As of Feb. 27, the Anker Solix C800x portable power station is on sale for just $379.99 at Amazon. That's over 40% off its list price of $649.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C800x portable power station $379.99 at Amazon
$649 Save $269.01   Get Deal

There may still be snow on the ground outside, but spring is only a few short weeks away. That means camping season is just around the corner. You can prepare yourself for those off-grid adventures to come by snagging a portable power station. Better yet, you can save some money by thinking ahead.

As of Feb. 27, the Anker Solix C800x portable power station is down to just $379.99 at Amazon. That's $269 cheaper than usual and almost down to its record low, making it an excellent time to grab it.

With a built-in lightbar, a three-mode camping light that packs into the top of the power station, 768Wh and 1200W rated power, and enough ports to plug in up to 10 devices at once, the Solix C800x makes a great companion for off-grid living. You can charge it up with a traditional outlet, a solar panel (sold separately), or a car port for convenience. And since it's just 24 pounds, it's easy to take with you on the move.

If you want to stay powered up this camping season, a portable power station is a smart investment. While it's not exactly cheap, this 41% off deal makes it much easier on the wallet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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