Mashable

I want to share something personal with you. It’s about my mom, who is my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and my safe place.

She passed away this past May. And every day since, I’ve found myself reaching for the things she left behind. Not jewelry, or clothes, or designer bags. But her voice. Her laugh. Her smile.

Growing up, our bond was unshakable. The holidays were our time. We had this holiday tradition where we would head to Fifth Avenue. We’d shop until our arms ached, bags swinging from our wrists, before heading to Bergdorf Goodman for dinner. It was our little luxury, sitting across from each other, tired but happy. Sharing food. Swapping stories. Telling each other "I love you," like it was breathing.

Credit: Ty Cole

Here’s the thing: the most important piece of her I carry with me today almost didn't happen.

Two or three years ago, I didn’t even have my voicemail set up. As a millennial, it just felt… unnecessary. My Aunt Tanya called one day and asked me why it wasn’t on. I shrugged it off. 

"Tyler, turn it on," she said. "People want to leave you a message."

So I did. And this year, since my mother passed, one of my most treasured possessions has become my saved voicemails of her saying "happy birthday" and "I love you." I can hear her any time I need her.

I have our final text thread with her telling me she will love me forever. And I believe her.

We took photos together. We made videos. Silly little clips while she lays in her bed. Selfies and photos in the middle of crowded stores. Random snaps of her laughing at something I said. Those moments… they’re everything now. They’re proof that she was here, that we were here, that love like ours existed.

Credit: Ty Cole

She taught me strength. She taught me resilience. She taught me how to keep going when the world feels like it’s stopped. And in the moments when I feel lost, her voice and our memories are the map that leads me back to myself. They remind me: everything will be okay.

That’s why I’m telling you to use every tool you have to make memories. Take the picture, even if your hair’s not done. Record the video, even if it’s only ten seconds. Save the voicemail. Keep the texts. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; make it perfect because you’re in it together.

The holidays are a time to rejoice in your own way. For some of us, that’s loud celebrations. For others, it’s quiet reflection. But for all of us, it should be about savoring the people we love while we can.

So the next time you’re with the ones who matter most, capture it, because one day those images, videos, and voicemails might be the lifeline that pulls you through your hardest days.

For me, they’re the reason I can still hear my mom say, "I love you." And that’s something I’ll hold onto forever.

Credit: Ty Cole

This story is part of Holidays With Heart, a series in which Mashable and other CNET Group Perspectives contributors share personal stories involving technology.

While chastity reigned as 2025's fetish of the year, the explicit site Clips4Sale has a new frontrunner — and it's practically the opposite: gooning. It's the act of edging for hours or even days while watching porn, so much so that participants enter a hypnotic state (aptly called the "goon state").

Sales of gooning videos have spiked 151 percent since November 2023 on Clips4Sale, according to a blog post shared with Mashable — and 49 percent in the past six months alone. It's the fastest-growing fetish on the site.

SEE ALSO: 10 fastest-growing fetishes of 2025 so far Credit: Clips4Sale

The phenomenon has entered our cultural lexicon in recent years, as seen by a similar trajectory on Google Search. "Gooning" accounted for nearly one million searches in the past month, and since 2023, it has soared in search rankings.

Credit: Glimpse / Google Trends

"Gooning isn't JUST about masturbation! It involves overstimulation of the senses, bright color, exposure to stimuli (porn) at an excessive amount and exaggeration in visuals, demands, etc," performer Master Celestress, who's been creating gooning content since 2019, stated in a press release shared with Mashable.

"There's a psychological aspect to gooning that I feel is overlooked. It became a buzzword where jerking off equals gooning and nope, it's not!" she continued. "Gooning is more of a state of mind than anything else!"

The rise of gooning has occurred at the same time as an increased scrutiny of the porn industry and online speech. Age-verification laws, which typically require personal data like a government ID or a facial scan to view such content, have been enacted in half of U.S. states and other countries like the UK and France. And in the U.S., several bills have been introduced this year to ban porn (though none have been passed). Despite widespread disapproval of porn, gooning — which takes porn viewing and masturbation to another level — has prevailed.

"Gooning is the perfect fetish for our sex-and-tech obsessed culture," Clips4Sale spokesperson Avery Martin said in the press release. "It's an embrace of radical pleasure at a time of reactionary sexual politics. In the midst of moral panics about porn and technology, gooners have reclaimed both to turn the narrative on its head, embracing an almost religious pursuit of pleasure. In the past year, creators have seized on the moment and are creating incredible, and incredibly creative, content to feed this large and voracious audience."

Meanwhile, giantess, which was Clips4Sale's 2024 fetish of the year, was the most searched for fetish in the U.S. in 2025. Wrestling, tickling, vore, and ballbusting followed it in the top five.

SAVE $250: As of Dec. 12, the 13-inch Apple M4 MacBook Air base model (with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD) is back down to its Black Friday price of $749 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's 25% off its list price and its best price on record. If you purchase from Best Buy, you'll also get a free $25 e-gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Best Buy
$999 Save $250 + get a free $25 e-gift card Get Deal

While Black Friday, one of the absolute best time of the year to buy a laptop, is technically long over, one of our favorite deals from the shopping event has resurfaced. Long live the $749 MacBook Air deal.

As of Dec. 12, the 13-inch Apple M4 MacBook Air with the M4 chip, 16GB RAM and 256GBG of storage is back down to just $749 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's $250 or 25% off its list price of $999 and its lowest price on record. It's hardly the first time it's dropped to this record-low price, but we still consider it one of the best deals you can get on an Apple laptop. Better yet, if you purchase from Best Buy, you'll also get a $25 e-gift card to spend on a future Best Buy purchase.

While the 15-inch version is our top pick for most people, the 13-inch version still holds a high ranking on our list of the best MacBooks — particularly for students looking for a laptop with longevity. Besides the ultra-low cost, we love the M4 MacBook Air for its processing power, improved 12MP FaceTime camera, and open-lid support for two external displays, which still allows you to use its own screen even when it's hooked up to monitors. So long as you don't need the more advanced specs of the MacBook Pro for demanding tasks like video editing or graphic design work, the M4 Air will treat you wonderfully.

Other than more screen real estate, the larger 15-inch model adds two extra speakers and a slightly better GPU. But it'll also cost you an extra $250. If the lowest priced MacBook is what you're after, the 13-inch M4 Air is a no-brainer.

It's been well over three years since Euphoria aired its season 2 finale, but we finally have our first look at footage from Season 3.

The clips are part of HBO Max's sizzle reel for their 2026 slate, which also includes Westeros-set series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon, DC series Lanterns, and the return of Emmy-winning medical drama The Pitt.

SEE ALSO: Netflix and Paramount's bidding war over Warner Bros, explained

In the Euphoria trailer, narration from Rue (Zendaya) reveals that it's been several years since high school. "I don't know if life was exactly what I wished," she says.

Cue snapshots of where Euphoria's cast — many of whom have been minted as movie stars since Season 2 ended — are now. At an event in London, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson revealed key plot points following the show's five year time jump. Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) are engaged and living in the suburbs, which fails to explain why she's dressed as a dog in the teaser. Jules (Hunter Schafer) is in art school, while Maddy (Alexa Demie) and Lexi (Maude Apatow) are climbing the ranks in Hollywood.

As for Rue herself, she's in a lot of trouble. Still in debt to drug trafficker Laurie (Martha Kelly) from Season 2, she's headed to Mexico to pay off what she owes. Based on the snippets from the sizzle reel, she's in for a bumpy ride.

Check out the full trailer above to brace yourself for whatever Euphoria throws at us next. Plus, catch glimpses of other upcoming HBO series, like Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd's new show Half-Man and Steve Carell comedy Rooster.

SAVE $20: As of Dec. 12, get the Lego Christmas Table Decoration building set for $19.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $39.99. That's a discount of 50% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Lego Christmas Table Decoration $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Looking for an easy gift that any Lego fan will love this holiday season? We've found one that not only fits the holiday theme, but one that can be used as a functional part of decorating for this time of year. And better yet, it's on sale for its lowest price ever. In fact, the deal is so good and the kit is so festive, you may even want to keep it for yourself.

As of Dec. 12, get the Lego Christmas Table Decoration building set for $19.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $39.99. That's $20 off and a discount of 50%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement has hit its lowest-ever price at Amazon — act fast to save over $40

This building set is a 433-piece wonder that, when finished, looks like a gorgeous holiday centerpiece with a red candle, green foliage, red berries, golden stars, and sprays of small white flowers. It doesn't look much like a traditional Lego project, but that's part of why it looks so amazing.

The project, when completed, will look just like a spray of gorgeous holiday flowers and a candle complete with a small brick flame. Finished, it measures over 7 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and 9 inches deep.

This is a great option for Lego fans or crafty giftees who like things fun and functional. Or just get one and keep it for yourself so you can put it out year after year and get into the holiday season. Either way, it's definitely a worthy pick at this price.

SAVE 30%: As of Dec. 12, you can get the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF) gaming monitor for $697.49, down from $999.99, at Amazon. That's a 30% discount and $302.5 in savings.

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF) gaming monitor $697.49 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $302.50   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're looking for a gaming monitor that has an OLED display and a competitive refresh rate, stop what you're doing because we just found one of the fastest OLEDs ever made for under $700.

Right now, you can grab the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF) gaming monitor for $697.49, down from $999.99, at Amazon. That's a 30% discount or a $302.5 price cut.

SEE ALSO: Samsung launches One UI 8.5 public beta. How to download it.

Samsung claims it's the "world's first" OLED monitor to feature a 500Hz refresh rate and a near-instant reaction of 0.03ms GtG response time. That's borderline outrageous speed. Plus, the QD-OLED display is stunning; you'll get enhanced brightness, vibrant scenes in QHD resolution, and VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 certification for ultra-deep blacks. It also features glare-free technology to keep your screen clear of reflections, even in bright rooms.

If you want top-tier performance for competitive games, you'd better hurry. This deal runs out in 10 hours.

Apple's AirTag tracking device is pretty easy to find when it's standing still, but it might soon become easier to track when on the move, too.

Macworld has inspected a leaked version of internal iOS 26 code and found several references related to a new version of the AirTag.

Nearly all of the upgrades are related to AirTag's key trait: the owner's ability to find exactly where it is.

SEE ALSO: Apple 'HomePad' specs revealed in new leak

A new feature reportedly called Improved Moving indicates that it might get easier to track an AirTag when it's on the move. Another unnamed feature could improve tracking the AirTag in crowded places.

The leaked code also indicates Apple is planning to improve Precision Finding, a feature that lets you exactly pinpoint the AirTag's location when in close proximity.

Other improvements include better pairing, and detailed battery level reporting.

It's unclear whether all of these improvements are coming to existing AirTags via a software update (likely in the first half of next year), or whether they're related to an entirely new version of AirTag. A new AirTag with a new ultra-wideband chip has been rumored for a while, so we're betting on the latter.

Featured Video For You Why this e-reader won me over (and I hate e-readers)

Bryan Fuller is a master of blending weirdness and whimsy, having created shows like Pushing Daisies and Dead Like Me. Fitting, then, that his feature directorial debut, Dust Bunny, brings together Amblin inspirations and Hannibal's menacing leading man, Mads Mikkelsen.

SEE ALSO: 'Dust Bunny' review: Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver team up for gnarly fairy tale

Dust Bunny centers on young Aurora (Sophie Sloan), who is plagued by a monstrous, 12-foot-tall dust bunny that she insists has eaten her parents. So, naturally, she asks for the help of her neighbor, a mysterious man that she has discerned is a hitman. And naturally, he is played by Mikkelsen.

In Mashable's Say More interview, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko spoke with Fuller and Mikkelsen about the road from Hannibal to Dust Bunny, what it was like working together again, and about the prospect of a Pushing Daisies resurrection. Fuller also had the opportunity to take credit for introducing the world to Lee Pace, as he first cast him on 2004's Wonderfalls, then as the lead of 2007's Pushing Daisies.

Be sure to check out the full interview on YouTube for more, including Mikkelsen's experience working with Sigourney Weaver, the film's deep-cut allusions, and whether or not this R-rated movie is appropriate for kids. (Spoiler: Both Fuller and Mikkelsen disagree with the MPAA rating!)

Dust Bunny is now in theaters.

SAVE OVER $40: As of Dec. 12, the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement set has dropped to its lowest-ever price of $65.99 at Amazon. This is $44 off its list price of $109.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement Artificial Flowers $65.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $44   Get Deal

The weather outside is getting a little bit colder, making it thea perfect time to work on projects indoors. If you're a Lego fan looking for your next build, there were some great discounts to take advantage of during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, but they didn't end there. Amazon still has a few lingering around, including a new all-time low price on the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement.

As of Dec. 12, the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement has dropped to $65.99, over $40 off its list price of $109.99. That's a 40% discount overall, and considering it's the lowest-ever price, there's truly no better time to pick it up. Amazon even has a note above the 'Add to Cart' button saying it'll arrive before Christmas, which is great news if you're getting some last-minute shopping done.

SEE ALSO: The 65 best tech gifts of the year, hand-picked by professional gadget nerds

The Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement is quite the display piece, especially if you want to put it at the center of a table during the holiday festivities. It comes with 1,161 pieces in total that create 14 flowers — including camellias, peonies, hydrangeas, baby’s breath, ranunculus, bouvardia, and lilies — that are placed in a white vase. You can even customize it by adding flowers from other sets in the Botanicals collection to the vase, which is a fun touch.

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Keep in mind this lovely little display is made with adults in mind, though younger builders can piece it together with an adult's help. This deal may not be around much longer, so act fast to save on the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement set at Amazon.

If you're looking for more Lego sets to pick up for the holidays this year, our roundup of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 features some more excellent options we highly recommend gifting this year.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Dec. 12, the Sonos Ace headphones have returned to their lowest-ever price of $279 at Amazon. This is $120 off their list price of $399.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace Headphones $279 at Amazon
$399 Save $120   Get Deal

If a new pair of headphones have been on your holiday wishlist this year, or something you've been hoping to grab for someone else, Amazon has quite a few discounts on select models to check out. At the moment, that includes the Sonos Ace headphones, which have returned to their lowest-ever price of $279.

This deal saves you $120 on the Sonos Ace's usual list price of $399, which is a pretty nice discount. Since they're listed as a limited-time deal right now, it means they may not stay at this price for very long. Act fast to score them at this price before it goes back up.

SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own

While the Sonos Ace headphones boast Active Noise Cancellation, for those who love to be fully immersed in what they're listening to, sound quality is where they really shine. Our review from Mashable's Miller Kern said, "Audio quality is Sonos’s wheelhouse and where the Ace headphones rise above competitors." They also boast Dolby Atmos and spatial audio, which Kern says of the latter is "immersive in a way I haven’t experienced from other headphones." On top of that, they offer up to 30 hours of battery with Active Noise Cancellation on.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

There's only a limited amount of time to take advantage of this offer, so act fast to save on the Sonos Ace headphones at Amazon

If you're still getting some shopping done ahead of the holidays, check out our breakdown of the 65 best tech gifts of the year to see more items we'd recommend gifting this year.

Donald Trump has launched Gold Cards, a method for rich people to pay $1 million to get a fast-track visa to the U.S. — and Jimmy Kimmel has thoughts.

"This is a card that will allow wealthy foreigners to live here. For a million bucks you get legal visitor status, you get a pathway to citizenship, and a presidential pardon for one major crime of your choosing," Kimmel jokes in the clip above. "It might be time to update that inscription on the Statue of Liberty. Never mind your poor and tired, give us a million bucks, you're in."

The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host goes on to play footage of Trump's Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, speaking to Fox about how the cards will bring "the best people" to America.

"That's right, the best people are the rich people," says Kimmel. "It's what Jesus always said. It's in the Bible, he says it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle if you pay the needle a million dollars. Rich people are the finest people there are, that's why God made them rich. And I say it's about time our immigration system ran like the rewards program at one of Trump's bankrupted casinos."

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know your canines.

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

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

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

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

• Yellow: Leisure activities

• Green: Info

• Blue: Gently struck

• Purple: Pup categories

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Bar games

• Green: Ways to catch up on the game

• Blue: Descriptors for a softly hit baseball

• Purple: Dog show groups

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 #445 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Bar games - DARTS, POOL, POP-A-SHORT, SHUFFLEBOARD

• Ways to catch up on the game - BOX SCORE, HIGHLIGHTS, REPLAY, STORY

• Descriptors for a softly hit baseball - BLOOPER, DRIBBLER, DUCK SNORT, TEXAS LEAGUER

• Dog show groups - SPORTING, TERRIER, TOY, WORKING

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 12, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 12, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A large vehicle.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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...

TRUCK

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 12, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love old poetry.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 12, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 12, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Shakespearean titles

The words are related to writing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe classic written works.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is The Bard.

NYT Strands word list for December 12

• Midsummer

• Tempest

• Shrew

• The Bard

• Merchant

• Merry

• Twelfth

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.

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

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 12, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To comprise

• Green: To rock

• Blue: Food measurements

• Purple: A dozen

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Contain

• Green: Move in the wind

• Blue: Vegetable units

• Purple: Things that are divided into twelve segments

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 #915 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Contain: HOLD, HOUSE, KEEP, STORE

• Move in the wind: BLOW, FLAP, SWAY, WAVE

• Vegetable units: BULB, EAR, HEAD, SPEAR

• Things that are divided into twelve segments: CLOCK, FOOT, YEAR, ZODIAC

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 12, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Dec. 12, 2025:

AcrossBullet ___ (insect known for its painful sting)

• The answer is Ant.

Setting for the children's book "Good Night, Gorilla"

• The answer is Zoo.

Mixed-breed dogs

• The answer is Mutts.

Language that gave us the words "democracy" and "philosophy"

• The answer is Greek.

Untidy

• The answer is Messy.

DownBrilliant shade of blue

• The answer is Azure

Classroom jottings

• The answer is Notes.

"100%," in slang

• The answer is Totes.

Longtime movie studio now owned by Amazon

• The answer is MGM.

Chicago W.N.B.A. team

• The answer is Sky.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

"You know what's weird. I swear to God, this is how I grieve."

That's Conan O'Brien explaining the hilariously dark message chain he had with Will Arnett and Jason Bateman in the days after the deaths of his parents, which the two break down in the Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast clip above.

In a nutshell, what started as a jokey rivalry with Bateman over a party invite escalated to O'Brien blaming Bateman for the death of his father immediately after his dad had passed away.

"I'm a sick person," says O'Brien. "But I remembered very much wanting to connect, and it was so comforting to me to screw around with you guys at that moment. It just was. And if that makes me a madman, so be it."

SAVE $30: As of Dec. 12, the Fitbit Inspire 3 has dropped back to its lowest-ever price of $69.95 at Amazon. This is $30 off its list price of $99.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $30   Get Deal

2026 is almost here, and if you're setting some fitness goals for the new year, a fitness tracker can help you stay on course. Our favorite budget pick, the Fitbit Inspire 3, is one option worth checking out, especially since it has returned to its lowest price of $69.95 at Amazon for a limited time.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 usually retails for $99.95, so this deal saves you $30 overall. It's also the same discount price we saw over Cyber Monday, so now is a great time to make a move on it before the price goes back up.

SEE ALSO: From AirPods to espresso machines, everything the Mashable shopping team bought during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025

As mentioned before, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is our favorite budget fitness tracker, though not just for its more affordable price tag. It also boasts a "comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking features, a slim, low-profile design, and a straightforward user interface that makes it a great pick for most people." Some of these features include all-day activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate tracking, automatic exercise tracking, always-on wellness tracking, and much more.

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Amazon has the Fitbit Inspire 3 listed as a limited-time deal, so this discount price may not stay for long. Act fast to grab it while it's still at its lowest-ever price.

If you're picking this up as a gift for the holidays and looking for even more ideas while shopping around, have a look at our breakdown of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 to see some suggestions worth grabbing right now.

SAVE $10.99: As of Dec. 12, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is on sale for $29 at Amazon. That's a 27% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick Plus $29 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.99   Get Deal

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is back on sale at Amazon, and it's the perfect timing for the festive season. It's one of the most popular streaming devices on the market, and for good reason. Enjoy easy access to movies, TV shows, gaming apps, and even more for less. As of Dec. 12, this TV stick is down to $29, a saving of $10.99 on list price.

It couldn't be easier to set up, either. Plug the TV stick into your TV's HDMI port (if you have a laptop with an HDMI port, you can even use it on the go). Another bonus of the Roku Stick Plus is it doesn't need to be powered by a wall outlet, as it's powered by the TV. And that's all you need to do. When you turn your TV on, it will now run on the Roku OS, meaning all of your favorite shows and apps are accessible right on the home screen.

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You'll now be able to control your TV and the Roku itself with one remote (which comes with voice search). You also get over 500 free live TV channels, including news, sports, and weather. And with the Plus model, you'll be watching all of this in brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.

Get this Roku deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $24.02: As of Dec. 12, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale for $74.98 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-Pack $74.98 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.02   Get Deal

Apple AirTags are back on sale, and just in time for a pre-Christmas stock up. As of Dec. 12, you can get the pack of four for only $74.98, a saving of $24.02. That works out at just over $18 per AirTag.

If you haven't come across AirTags before, prepare to be amazed. These are small tracking devices that make it easy to keep track of your stuff by linking your keys, wallet, luggage, or backpack to the Find My app. All you do is attach one to your item of choice, and start tracking its whereabouts. As you can imagine, this is a lifesaver for people who are forever losing their keys or passport.

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The AirTag can even play a sound through a built-in speaker, so for example, if your keys are down the side of the couch cushions and you can't see it, the noise will help you be able to locate it. And don't worry about it running out of battery while your item is missing, because AirTag batteries last over a year. After this, pop the battery out and replace it with another CR2032 coin cell.

AirTags also support Lost Mode and allow you to share location details with third parties like airlines (for when your luggage doesn't leave the tarmac), while keeping all communication encrypted and anonymous.

Find this AirTag deal at Amazon right now.