Mashable

SAVE $50: As of July 25, the Apple iPad (10th Gen) is on sale for $299 at Walmart. That's a 14% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (10th Gen) $299 at Walmart
$349 Save $50 Get Deal

The release of newer iPads has meant that the beloved 10th Gen iPad has been discontinued. While you can still find models at some retailers, it's been removed from the Apple website. But newer isn't always better, and I'm still a big fan of this now "outdated" model. And Walmart still has some in stock and on sale.

As of July 25, you can find the iPad (10th Gen) reduced to $299 from $349, saving you $50 on list price. All colors except silver have sold out, so don't hang around too long. It's also specific to just the WiFi-only 64GB option.

SEE ALSO: Not a fan of Apple's new Phone app in iOS 26? Here's how to change it back.

The Apple iPad (10th Gen) boasts a sleek, modern design, perfect for work or entertainment on the go. It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and the A14 Bionic chip that delivers super powerful performance for multitasking, whether you're browsing, gaming, or working.

I've been using this iPad model for well over a year, and the battery life still never fails to impress. If you're someone on the go a lot, this is the model for you.

And the cameras are impressive, too. The 12MP Ultra Wide front camera is ideal for video calls and keeps you centered, so you always look your best. The back camera is also 12MP and can shoot in 4K video.

Get this deal from Walmart before it sells out.

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have responded to their Season 27 premiere, which saw a less-than-impressed reaction from the White House to the show's depiction of President Donald Trump.

The episode, which aired on Wednesday night and is streaming on Paramount+, depicts Trump in bed with Satan, makes references to the president's urging for people to move on from the so-called "Epstein list", and features a deepfake PSA sequence in which Trump is portrayed as stumbling through the desert, getting naked, and revealing a talking micropenis, which states, "I'm Donald J. Trump, and I endorse this message."

The White House's angry reaction to the South Park episode was palpable, with White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers saying in a statement published by ABC News, "This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention."

Parker and Stone appeared on a panel at San Diego’s Comic-Con International on Thursday, during which the pair were asked if they had anticipated the reaction to their South Park episode. "We’re terribly sorry," Parker responded, staring out to the audience.

SEE ALSO: 'South Park's Trump-bashing Season 27 premiere has the White House fuming

During the panel, Parker said South Park's producers requested the animated micropenis in the deepfake sequence be blurred.

"They like, 'OK, but we’re gonna blur the penis,' and I'm like, ‘No you’re not gonna blur the penis,’” Parker said. Stone chimed in saying, "We put eyes on the penis. If we put eyes on the penis, we won't blur it. That was a whole conversation with grown-up people for about four fucking days."

"Because then it's a character!" said Parker.

The Season 27 South Park premiere, aptly titled "Sermon on the 'Mount," also took jabs at Paramount, days after Parker and Stone signed a $1.5 billion deal with the company for global streaming rights to South Park and 50 new episodes over five years. In particular, the episode roasts Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump, in which the president alleged "deceitful" editing of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement has been criticised by press freedom advocates and notably, The Late Show host Stephen Colbert, the latter who labelled it a "big fat bribe," days before his show was unceremoniously cancelled by Paramount-owned network CBS — which claimed it was unrelated.

In the South Park episode, there's a 60 Minutes segment showing reporters terrified to make anti-Trump statements ("he's probably watching") and a storyline in which Trump sues the town, resulting in the residents being slapped with a hefty settlement fee and an order to run pro-Trump PSAs like the aforementioned NSFW deepfake nude scene.

"You guys saw what happened to CBS? Yeah, well, guess who owns CBS? Paramount," says Jesus (yes, Jesus) during a key scene in the episode. “Do you really want to end up like Colbert?"

Josh Johnson is on his third day hosting The Daily Show, and the focus is still very much on the Donald Trump/Jeffrey Epstein story — and the fact it's only getting bigger, despite the president's best efforts.

"At this point, forget about excuses," says Johnson. "Trump is going to need psychoactive drugs to get people's minds off Epstein."

Cue a parody ad for "Ozempstein", the "revolutionary new drug from the Trump administration that suppresses the body's natural urge to know more about Jeffrey Epstein."

The Daily Show isn't the only late night show focussing on this story — Stephen Colbert has been going scorched earth on Trump all week.

Apple's new iOS 26 public beta is officially out, and having tested it out, I can confess that I love the most controversial thing about it: The new Liquid Glass design. Yes, it can make your phone feel a little sluggish at times, but it makes everything transparent (in case the default look isn't liquid enough for you, here's our tutorial on how to really make everything transparent).

But after using iOS 26 beta on my main phone for a while, I've realized that there is a feature that's almost always in the way, instead of being helpful.

I'm talking about the new, Unified look for the Phone app. It's not enabled by default, but the iPhone will ask you if you want to enable it, to which (of course) I said yes. The Unified look combines your Recents, Favorites, and Voicemail into one page, and it also removes the search bar from the top of the screen and replaces it with an icon in the bottom right.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new iPad Pro might solve an old camera issue with the simplest solution ever

It may seem a logical change that streamlines the Phone app and reduces clutter, but the way I use my phone, it's just been confusing. Typically, I'll either open the Phone app to respond to a missed call, or to call one of the relatively few people that I call on a regular basis. And I often do that in a hurry — perhaps a delivery is at my door and I missed the call, and now I'm frantically scrambling to call the guy to see if he's driven off already. And in most situations, I don't need Favorites or Voicemail, I just need a clear, simple list of recent callers with a search bar on top.

Fortunately, you can still go back to the Classic look. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Fortunately, this still exists. It's called the Classic look, and you can bring it back it by going to the Calls tab, tapping on the three lines icon in the top right, and choosing Classic. Boom — everything is as it once was.

As a bonus, the Classic look also offers an easy, one tap filter between All and Missed calls on top of the screen, which isn't available in the Unified look.

Apple likely knew the new look might take some getting used to, which is why the old version is still available. But I bet there will be a lot of people, like me, who will get annoyed by the new design without even realizing they can switch back. So there you have it: If you like the Unified look, by all means turn it on; but if you prefer to stay in the Classic view, it's still available.

SAVE $500: As of July 25, the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. That's a 31% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock Qrevo Edge $1,099.98 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $500.01 Get Deal

Amazon's Daily Deals are the perfect excuse to finally take the plunge and get a robot vacuum for less. Don't miss out on banishing vacuuming from your weekly chores. And this latest deal on the Roborock Qrevo Edge is sure to twist your arm.

As of July 25, this impressive vacuum is down by $500 to $1,099.98. You may be thinking that $1,000 is still a hefty price tag for a vacuum, but with seriously advanced vacuuming and mopping functions, this robot can truly transform your cleaning routine.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

The Roborock Qrevo Edge boasts 18,500Pa suction power, aiding the main brush speed by 10% for maximum cleaning efficiency. The all-rubber spiral brush design also prevents tangling, making it ideal for homes with carpets or for dealing with pet hair and long hair. It even has pet-friendly settings that reduce sounds to 55dB to keep your furry friends happy and calm.

There's also no need to guide the vacuum around your house. Powered by PreciSense LiDAR technology, this vacuum works its way around each room, avoiding obstacles and navigating even the most cluttered of spaces.

This deal is available at Amazon for a limited time only.

SAVE OVER $20: Snag the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed wireless gaming mouse for just $43.49 — 38% off and its lowest price in 2025.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed Customizable Wireless Gaming Mouse $43.49 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $26.50 Get Deal

As of July 25, Amazon is selling the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse for just $43.49 — that’s 38% off its typical $69.99 price and the lowest price it has hit all year according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

For gamers eyeing a wireless upgrade without splurging, this is a standout deal. The Basilisk V3 X combines ergonomic comfort with serious functionality, making it a strong contender for both casual gamers and competitive players alike. The mouse features Razer’s signature form factor, optimised for various grip styles and long play sessions. It also packs in nine programmable controls, giving you quick access to commands, macros, and weapon swaps — making this perfect for MMO hotkeys or FPS on-the-fly settings.

SEE ALSO: The best mouse in 2025

All in all, that makes this versatile enough for games from a variety of genres. Whether you’re a shooter fan who loves playing Valorant, or want to dig more into strategy games like Sid Meier's Civilization VII — the appeal of the Razer Basilisk V3 X is that this wireless mouse offers something for all types of gamers.

On the connectivity front, Razer promises the best of both worlds with HyperSpeed Wireless for ultra-low latency and Bluetooth mode for longer battery life. Speaking of which, it boasts up to 285 hours on HyperSpeed and a staggering 535 hours on Bluetooth — no more mid-match battery anxiety.

Under the hood is Razer’s 5G Advanced 18K Optical Sensor, presents pixel-precise tracking with no spinouts, plus Gen-2 mechanical switches that are built to last up to 60 million clicks. Whether you're lining up sniper shots or grinding through spreadsheets, the performance stays consistent.

Of course, no Razer mouse would be complete without Chroma RGB lighting. Like most models, you can even sync it with other gear or let it pulse in-game with dynamic effects from a library of supported titles.

This deal likely won’t last long — and at under $45, it’s one of the best value wireless gaming mice you can grab right now.

If you’re still shopping around, take a look at our roundup of the best mouse models in 2025. For those only wanting to keep things gamer-specific, we’ve also got a list of the best gaming mice for upgrading your experience — including Razer, SteelSeries, and Logitech models.

SAVE $50: Snag the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones for $99.99 — 33% off and their lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Headphones $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

As of July 25, the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 noise-canceling headphones are down to $99.99 on Amazon — that’s 33% off the usual $149.99 and their lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

If you're craving peace and quiet on your daily commute, long-haul flight, or just around the house, this deal is worth a closer listen. Anker's Space Q45 headphones promise to pack a powerful punch in both performance and value, delivering premium features typically reserved for headphones twice the price.

The star of the show is the adaptive active noise cancelation, which reduces ambient noise by up to 98% — whether it's a jet engine, office chatter, or a neighbour’s dog. It even adjusts dynamically based on your surroundings, or you can fine-tune it yourself using the companion app, which offers five customisable ANC levels.

SEE ALSO: The best headphones in 2025

Like other great headphones, these don’t just block sound, either — they also try to bring it to life. With 40mm dual-layer drivers (crafted from silk and ceramic), the Q45s produce rich bass and crisp treble, and support LDAC for Hi-Res Wireless Audio. So, audiophiles on a budget can rejoice.

Battery life is another standout: 50 hours with ANC on, or up to 65 hours in standard mode. If you’re in a rush, just five minutes of charging gives you four hours of playback. That’s more than enough to get you through a flight, a workday, or even a weekend trip. Add in Bluetooth 5.3, clear call quality, and a comfortable, travel-friendly design, and you’re looking at a seriously capable pair of wireless headphones that are now at an unbeatable price.

This deal is live for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance to upgrade your sound without breaking the bank.

For more audio options, take a look at our roundup of the 10 best headphones in 2025 or the best headphones designed for noise-cancelling.

SAVE $130: As of July 25, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for $229 at Best Buy. This Deal of the Day saves you $130 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones $229 at Best Buy
$359 Save $130 Get Deal

Finding a good deal on headphones doesn't just happen during big sale events like Prime Day. If you've been on the lookout for a way to save on a solid pair of noise-canceling headphones, Best Buy's here to help with its Deal of the Day. Right now, they're offering a very nice limited-time discount on Bose QuietComfort headphones.

The Bose QuietComfort headphones are usually listed for $359, but you can score them for $229 right now at Best Buy. That saves you $130 on list price. Considering its part of the retailer's Deal of the Day program, this discount will only stick around through July 25. So if you've had these headphones on your radar, now is a great time to scoop them up for less.

SEE ALSO: We put the top 10 headphones of 2025 to the test

Alongside a comfortable fit, the Bose QuietComfort headphones boast great sound quality and noise-canceling features for you to enjoy all of your favorite songs, audiobooks, podcasts, and more without the outside world interrupting. These features include Quiet and Aware Modes, which allow you to either block out external sounds or have more awareness of the sounds around you. On top of that, they also boast a stellar battery life of up to 24 hours on a single charge.

This deal only lasts through today, so act fast to save on the Bose QuietComfort headphones at Best Buy.

Looking for more great headphone deals? The Mashable-approved JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones are also on sale right now for just $52, if you want a more budget-friendly option to check out.

The Late Show may have been canceled, but Stephen Colbert is still on the air until next May — and he's not going to stop talking about Donald Trump and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In the clip above, the host starts by mentioning a recent Wall Street Journal report about Attorney General Pam Bondi informing the president that he was in the so-called "Epstein files" back in May.

"I, for one, was shocked," says Colbert. "What are you going to tell me next? That the Pope is in the Catholic files? That a bear is on the cover of this month's Modern Woodspooper?"

He goes on to play a resurfaced clip from a 2010 deposition, in which Epstein chooses to invoke his "Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights" rather than answering a question about whether he and Trump ever spent time together with "females under the age of 18."

"Not a great sign when the paedophile is being asked if you're doing a pervert ride-along, and their response is, 'I'd like to invoke the entire Constitution, the Magna Carta, the Napoleonic Code and, just to cover my bases, let's throw in the entire Cheesecake Factory menu."

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

Your access to Pornhub is under threat.

Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website. The same thing happened in France, and although Pornhub is complying with the UK's age verification law, it does beg the question: where's next?

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access adult sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite site, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

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's The Mini crossword answers for July 25 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: Discreet

• Green: There are 50 of them

• Blue: Heard at an MLB game

• Purple: Woman in charge

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

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

• Yellow: Hush-hush

• Green: State abbreviations

• Blue: Baseball calls

• Purple: Queen ___

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 #775 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Hush-hush: MUM, PRIVATE, QUIET, SECRET

• State abbreviations: IN, MA, OH, OK

• Baseball calls: BALL, FAIR, FOUL, OUT

• Queen ___: BED, BEE, MARY, MOTHER

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 July 25

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Step to it!

The words are school-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are associated with learning choreography.

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 Dance Class.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 25

• Teacher

• Recital

• Costume

• Dance Class

• Choreography

• Music

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.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for July 25 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 25, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A go-getter.

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 G.

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...

GOFER.

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 July 25

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

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

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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 Mini crossword answers, hints for July 25, 2025 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: Cool metrics

• Green: Regionally specific

• Blue: Receiver destinations

• Purple: Contextually defined

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

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

• Yellow: Hockey statistics

• Green: Southern California teams

• Blue: Teams Jerry Rice played for

• Purple: What "cut" could mean

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 #305 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Hockey statistics - GOALS, PENALTY MINUTES, PLUS/MINUS, SHOTS

• Southern California teams - ANGELS, CLIPPERS, DUCKS, SPARKS

• Teams Jerry Rice played for - 49ERS, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE, RAIDERS, SEAHAWKS

• What "cut" could mean - CHANGE DIRECTION, GASH, RELEASE, SWING

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

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

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

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

When a star strays too close to a supermassive black hole, extreme gravitational forces ravage it, shredding and stretching it into spaghetti. 

The term for this gruesome process is actually "spaghettification," according to NASA, inspired by Stephen Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time. In it, the late theoretical physicist first described what would happen to a person approaching a black hole's "event horizon" — its point of no return — in space.

Astronomers used to think this was an immediate death sentence for a star. Now an international team, led by Tel Aviv University in Israel, has published the first confirmed case of a star surviving such a brush, only to return 700 days later for another go. 

The findings, which appear in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, don't contradict the concept of spaghettification but show that it could be a repeatable process for some stars, said Iair Arcavi, who supervised the research.

"A star isn't a uniform ball of matter," Arcavi told Mashable. "The inner part is more dense, and the outer part is more 'fluffy.' So the outer part is more easily spaghettified. If the star kept to some distance from the black hole, it could avoid the denser parts from getting spaghettified, too." 

SEE ALSO: Milky Way's central black hole may have scarfed down another black hole An image of Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's galactic center. Credit: Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration

Black holes are some of the most inscrutable phenomena in the universe. They are regions in space where gravity is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape. About 50 years ago, they were little more than a theory — a kooky mathematical solution to a physics problem. Even astronomers at the top of their field weren't entirely convinced they existed. 

Today, not only are black holes accepted science, they're getting their pictures taken by a collection of enormous, synced-up radio dishes on Earth. Humanity got a clear view of Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the galaxy, for the first time in 2022. 

Last year, Tel Aviv University researchers spotted a tidal disruption event (TDE) near the center of a galaxy about 400 million light-years away using the Las Cumbres Observatory, a network of robotic telescopes around the world, designed to keep a close eye on rapid cosmic events. These TDEs are bright flares that occur when a black hole is destroying a star. 

What shocked them was that the flare was almost identical to another that occurred two years earlier, called AT 2022dbl, from the exact same location. After analyzing the data, scientists ruled out other explanations, like unrelated flares or gravitational lensing, and concluded that the same star was partially torn apart twice.

Typically, when a star is pulled toward a black hole, its near side is stretched and pulled in while the far side is flung out. The resulting stream of gas and debris spirals around the black hole as it falls in — sort of like water circling a bathtub drain. These bursts of energy can outshine an entire galaxy, briefly illuminating the hidden black hole lurking at the heart of a galaxy.

Over the past decade, astronomers have observed dozens of these flares. But one thing has perplexed them: Based on computer simulations, most of these events seem kind of weak. Previously, scientists had assumed the discrepancy between real and virtual flares has been due to knowledge gaps or the limitations of computer models.

But AT 2022dbl's repeating flare may offer a simpler explanation. The star may not have been completely annihilated on its first trip around the black hole. Then, like a masochist, it returned roughly two years later to be damaged again.

The study suggests it's possible many of these flares, once thought the calling cards of stellar death, aren't necessarily fatal events. The question now is whether this particular star is finally dead or if it'll be back again next year for more abuse.

Either way, Arcavi said, astronomers will have to rethink these flares and what they say about the monsters lying in wait.

Smart scales in stock at Amazon In Stock Now Renpho Smart Scale $19.98 (Save $15.01) Get Deal In Stock Now Withings Body Scan $499.95 Get Deal In Stock Now Wyze Smart Scale X $39.98 (Save $10) Get Deal In Stock Now Eufy Smart Scale P3 $65.99 (Save $34) Get Deal

Ready to jumpstart your fitness journey? A smart scale might be the best first step you can make in terms of fitness-centric tech. They're packed with features that do far more than just tell you how much you weigh. They can track body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone density, water weight, BMI, and more, all while syncing with your favorite health apps and fitness trackers. That means every time you step on the scale, you get more a more complete portrait of your health.

A smart scale can help you stay consistent and accountable in a variety of ways. Most even have multiple user profiles, so you can stay in the know about your health even when you're sharing a scale with others in your home. But which ones are accurate, reliable, and worth your time? We've gathered some of the best smart scales for turning regular old weigh-ins into a deep dive into what's going on with your body.

SEE ALSO: Simplify your fitness journey with a Renpho Smart Scale for just $20 at Amazon Why are smart scales worth buying?

Smart scales give you more than just digits on a screen. They give you a much more complete picture of your health than traditional scales. Instead of just showing your weight, they can measure and track body composition metrics such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, water weight, bone density, and even metabolic age. That type of information can help you understand how your body is changing over time, even if the number on the scale doesn’t move much.

Your weight is only a small part of your overall fitness journey, and it's important to keep in mind that as you grow and change, these metrics will as well. So smart scales can offer healthy reminders that progress doesn't start and end with how many pounds are on your scale's display, and you could be making progress in other ways, too.

Renpho Smart Scale Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Renpho Smart Scale $19.98 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $15.01 Get Deal Why we like it

This digital scale offers Bluetooth connectivity and has 13 body metric readings: BMI, muscle mass, body fat percentage, metabolic age, and more. It can sync your data with Apple Health, Samsung Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit, and offers a hub that you can refer to if you're looking to keep track of your progress. But while we appreciate all of these things, as well as the accompanying Renpho app, the most important thing is that it's literally $20. Yes, you can get a quality scale for just $20, and it does all of this. You could skip the café for a couple of days and pick this scale up at its current price without breaking the bank.

Withings Body Scan Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Withings Body Scan $499.95 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

This premium scale is indeed a splurge, but it's one of the best scales on offer that can give you a clinical overview of your health, from electrocardiogram reports to sweat gland activity. It can read arterial stiffness measurements, body mass index, bone mass, body fat, and much more. It's all about delivering data in droves, and it's for the fitness buffs who want to know how to min/max every macro possible. If learning about every single part of your body from top to bottom is a priority for you, this is the smart scale that can help you accomplish all of those goals.

Wyze Smart Scale X Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Wyze Smart Scale X $39.98 at Amazon
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This scale is an all-in-one option that handles a wide variety of metrics, from heart rate to basal metabolic rate and everything in between. It's also set up to measure the weight of your baby, pet, or luggage; you can even turn off electrical currents to make it safer for those purposes. When you weigh yourself and take other measurements, you can sync it wirelessly and automatically to the Wyze app, and track changes over time. Plus, its easy-to-read digital screen is a bit larger than many of its brethren on the market. The Wyze app even offers a way to measure your heart rate anywhere, without having to be connected to the scale.

Eufy Smart Scale P3 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Smart Scale P3 $65.99 at Amazon
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If you're looking for more guidance, this smart scale can offer fitness plans to keep you on track. Using the calculations it makes of your weight, body fat, muscle, and more (16 measurements in total), it can create a 3D model via app to help you figure out the right exercises and see the progress you could be making on your phone. It has an extremely precise pressure sensor as well, with quite the detailed app that doesn't skimp on sharing all the details you need to make healthy decisions.

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TL;DR: SwiftScan is an intuitive scanner app for iOS and Android, and it’s only $42 for life with code TAKE30.

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Is it still worth it to buy a desktop scanner? Not really. Now that scanner apps like SwiftScan are on the scene, you can get the same performance without sacrificing half of your desk space to a machine that barely works half the time.

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TL;DR: Save 68% on Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac while codes last. Here’s everything that’s included:

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TL;DR: Save 17% on this ACDelco power ratchet set and get free shipping while supplies last. Only 50 are available at this price.

Opens in a new window Credit: ACDelco ACDelco G12 Series Li-ion 12V 1/4-inch & 3/8-inch Ratchet Wrench Kit with 1 Battery & Bag $114.99
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Look, we’re not saying your impact driver isn’t useful. But if you’ve ever stripped a screw, cracked a plastic panel, or spent 12 minutes trying to angle it into a tight space, you already know it’s not the right tool for every job. These cordless ratchets from ACDelco are designed for those in-between moments where control and precision are essential.

Their tight 90-degree bend fits snugly into tight spaces, low-profile heads take up even less space, bright LEDs illuminate your work area, and a comfortable lever allows you to go in forward or reverse. You can get both quarter-inch and three-eighths drive ratchets, a 12V battery, and a case for $114.99 with free shipping (reg. $139.95).

Put down the impact and grab the power ratchet

So, what do power ratchets actually look like in use? Let’s say you’re working under the hood of your car, maybe replacing a battery bracket or loosening something buried deep in the engine bay.

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