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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.
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The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 12:00
What to know before you swipe

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you’re looking for. You’re here for a good time, not a long time — so own it. That also means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

This safe space is more important than ever. According to Feeld, "heteroflexible" is the fastest-growing sexuality (up 193 percent), and interest in kinks like pegging has surged by 200 percent. People are getting more curious, and these apps are the playground where you can explore those specific desires without the awkwardness of bringing them up at a bar.

And here's a little insider secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best dating apps for men who are tired of being alone

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide
  • Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

  • Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

  • FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

  • Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels limited compared to more open apps like Tinder.

  • DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

  • Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.

Apps I've cut from the list
  • Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles. At the end of the day, it just doesn't offer anything special that other apps aren't already doing better, so it's off the list.

  • Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond, so I've removed it from this guide to avoid any confusion.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This huge 49-inch OLED INNOCN gaming monitor has never been cheaper at Amazon — save $300

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:38

TL;DR: The INNOCN 49-inch OLED ultrawide curved gaming monitor is currently on sale for $699.99 at Amazon, down from its usual $999.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: INNOCN INNOCN 49-inch OLED Ultrawide Curved Monitor $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300 Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting for a huge OLED ultrawide to dip in price, this latest Amazon discount may provide the perfect opportunity to upgrade your gaming setup. As of Feb. 13, the 49-inch INNOCN curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 on Amazon, marking its lowest price yet (confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel) and shaving hundreds off the regular cost. 

Built around a wide and large 32:9 panel with a 5120x1440 resolution, a 49-inch display like this is designed to replace a dual-monitor setup without the distracting bezel gap. The QD-OLED technology promises to delivers deep contrast and vivid colors. At the same time, the 1,800R curve helps keep everything in your field of vision, whether you’re gaming, editing, or juggling multiple windows.

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Performance-wise, you’re looking at a 144Hz refresh rate paired with a lightning-fast 0.03ms response time, which should keep fast-moving games — like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or League of Legends — smooth and responsive. HDR 400 support and Adaptive-Sync also mean it can boast reduced screen tearing and boosted visual clarity, making the monitor a strong option for both immersive gameplay and heavy day-to-day workflows.

Alongside its selection of handy connectivity options; with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB-C power delivery; it should be easy to hook up laptops, consoles, or a full desktop setup without extra clutter. 

For a curved display from a bigger name brand, the 40-inch Samsung Odyssey G7 monitor is on sale at Amazon. If you’re set on a 49-incher, the OLED Odyssey G9 is also on sale for just $100 more than this model.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Roborock Qrevo Series robot vacuum is $250 off — upgrade for $399.99 at Amazon

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:34

SAVE $250: As of Feb. 13, the Roborock Qrevo Series is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Series $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250   Get Deal

The Roborock Qrevo Series is sporting a new discount at Amazon, so if you've been toying with the idea of purchasing a new robot vacuum, this is your sign to make the leap. As of Feb. 13, this model is reduced by $250, bringing the price down to $399.99. And this isn't just a vacuum, it's also a mop, so you're getting a dual cleaner for under $400.

The vacuum has 8,000Pa HyperForce suction, so it's strong enough to pick up really tough dirt and dust, even if it's embedded into carpet. It has an all-in-one docking station where it will automatically empty any dirt picked up into a sealed 2.7 liter bag. The mop is taken care of here too, and it can do things like refill the 4 liter water tank and wash and dry the mop pads without any intervention from you.

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If you have a home with pets, the tangle-free brush system will be your best friend. It combines an asymmetrical side brush with a full-rubber spiral main brush to prevent hair wrapping.

It navigates with the help of PreciSense LiDAR navigation. This helps it scan your rooms to create real-time maps. On the Roborock app, you can also create custom routes for it to follow. The app is also useful for scheduling and maintenance.

Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Presidents Day TV deal has already dropped — get over $400 off this 75-inch Samsung QLED TV

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:26

SAVE $400.01: As of Feb. 12, the Samsung 75-Inch Class QLED Q8F 4K Smart TV (2025) is $897.98 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,297.99. That's a discount of 31%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung 75-Inch Class QLED Q8F 4K Smart TV (2025 Model) $897.98 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $400.01   Get Deal

Presidents' Day is right around the corner. It's a great time to buy mattresses, sure, but you can also snag a great TV during one of the many sales going on. That includes some serious savings on this Samsung TV at Amazon, which you can secure right now for an excellent price.

As of Feb. 13, the Samsung 75-Inch Class QLED Q8F 4K Smart TV (2025) is $897.98 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,297.99. That's $400.01 off and a discount of 31%.

SEE ALSO: The Best Buy Presidents' Day sale is live — shop deals on AirPods, TVs, laptops, and more

This massive QLED TV is a great showpiece for any living room, or wherever else you want to put it. It has a Quantum Dot screen that provides you 100 percent color volume. That means over a billion colors utilized without fading and darker hues without banding. Powered by Samsung's Q4 AI processor, it can also use AI to upscale older content to give your favorite shows and movies a little boost.

If you're more into gaming, you'll be able to take advantage of several features that make it great for even the biggest blockbusters. With VRR gaming support up to 4K 144Hz, you get a lightning fast refresh rate and special gaming mode to ensure lower lag. And if you're into free content, you can use Samsung TV Plus to get thousands of live TV channels to peruse.

If you're ready to upgrade your TV, now's the time. This price likely won't stick around for long, so be sure to get yours before it's gone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Australia vs. Zimbabwe online for free

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 10:58

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage is slowly getting settled. Australia won their opening game against Ireland, and now face off against Zimbabwe. In fact, both sides have a perfect record going into this clash after Zimbabwe overcame Oman in Colombo.

Australia will be expected to win this fixture and basically guarantee progression into the Super 8 stage. Zimbabwe will fancy their chances of squeezing into second spot, but they'll need to get a result here or against hosts Sri Lanka. That's a tough test for any side.

If you want to watch Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Zimbabwe?

Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 12:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 13. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Zimbabwe for free

Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Zimbabwe in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

  4. Visit ICC.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 connection speeds

  • 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).

Watch the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ring and Flock Safety cancel partnership amidst surveillance criticism

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 10:23

Ring and surveillance company Flock Safety have cancelled their partnership, which planned to make it easier for police to access footage from users' personal cameras. This comes less than a week after Ring's widely criticised Super Bowl ad drew further attention to the concerning privacy implications of its home security system.

SEE ALSO: Why so many people hate Ring's 'Search Party' Super Bowl ad

"Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated," Ring wrote in a blog post on Thursday. "As a result, we have made the joint decision to cancel the planned integration. The integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock Safety."

Though Ring states that resource issues are to blame for the partnership's cancellation, its collaboration with Flock Safety has been the subject of significant criticism regarding privacy and surveillance concerns. Distrust toward the Amazon-owned surveillance camera company has escalated, with users reportedly disconnecting, destroying, or returning their Ring devices. Some have also specifically cited Flock Safety's use by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

News of the partnership's cancellation closely follows Ring's poorly received Super Bowl ad, which promoted its AI-powered Search Party feature. Advertised as a tool for finding lost pets, Search Party allows people to upload a photo of their dog so that Ring can search their neighbours' camera footage for the animal using AI detection. 

Concerned viewers quickly pointed out that this technology could very easily be used to track humans as well. Ring introduced facial recognition to its devices late last year, the Electronic Frontier Foundation stating that the feature could potentially violate people's right to privacy.

Why Ring and Flock Safety's partnership raised privacy concerns

Announced last October, Ring and Flock Safety's partnership was promoted as a tool for users to "help solve crime in [their] community." Police would be able to request Ring camera video directly from users, which Flock Safety would send straight to them once approved. Flock Safety has stated that it is partnered with over 5,000 law enforcement agencies.

"When local public safety officers are investigating an active case, local officers using Flock Safety's technology can now post a request directly in the Ring Neighbors app asking for help," Flock wrote in a blog post at the time. "If you decide to share, Flock's system securely delivers your video directly to the public safety agency handling the case."

The planned partnership was met by backlash when initially unveiled, with critics noting that the Flock Safety's services and data have been used by agencies such as the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) and ICE. 404 Media reported last May that while Flock was not in direct contact with ICE, the agency still accessed its services and data via requests from local law enforcement. 

Flock has since confirmed this, stating that though it does not have a direct partnership with ICE, the agency can still access it through a "local customer." The company has also admitted to working directly with CBP.

Further, Ring has had a historically close relationship with law enforcement as well. A 2019 report from Motherboard revealed that Ring had secret deals with dozens of U.S. police departments, providing free products and a private portal for requesting footage without a warrant. In exchange, law enforcement officers agreed to promote Ring to their local community.

As of 2020, 2,014 government agencies were able to access Ring's camera surveillance network via its Neighbors Portal program. Agencies submitted Ring footage requests for over 22,335 incidents that year, over half of which were approved. Then in 2022, Amazon admitted that it had sent Ring camera footage to the police without users' knowledge or consent.

Ring did axe its Request for Assistance feature in 2024, which had allowed police to request camera footage from users and kept a public record of it (though private requests could still be made). However, it returned to its focus on providing law enforcement with users' videos last year, allowing police to request footage via taser-maker Axon's evidence management system.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The God of War trilogy is getting a remake

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 10:14

The original God of War trilogy is getting a remake over 15 years after it ended. Developer Santa Monica Studio announced the project on Thursday during PlayStation's State of Play showcase.

Very little has been revealed about the God of War remake aside from its existence. However, it does appear as though original voice actor Terrence C. Carson is returning for the game. Carson voiced protagonist Kratos in the original God of War trilogy, and appeared during the remake announcement.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation State of Play February 2026: How to watch, top games we hope to see

"This project is still in the early stages, so it'll be a minute before we get back to share another update," said Carson. "But I'm telling you, I'm telling you, next time we come back, we coming with something big, baby."

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the God of War franchise, with God of War first released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game followed Kratos, a Spartan warrior who served the Greek pantheon, as he embarked on a revenge quest to kill the titular god Ares. The subsequent two games also kept Kratos on a mission of revenge, turning his blades toward the king of the gods Zeus.

All three titles in the God of War trilogy were well-received at the time of their release, widely praised for their brutal, fluid combat. However, other aspects of the games have not aged quite as well, having treated women as sexual objects to be bedded in minigames and then discarded. In one infamous incident in God of War III, Kratos used an enslaved, half-naked woman as a literal object to solve a puzzle, leaving her screaming as she was crushed to death. 

It's currently unclear how the God of War remake might tackle such issues, particularly as the original games are well-known for their highly sexualised depiction of women. The series successfully retooled its approach more recently in a soft reboot, which delivered satisfyingly powerful combat alongside a markedly more mature, evolved, and nuanced approach to both women and masculinity. Even so, 2018's God of War and its follow-up God of War Ragnarök had the benefit of being able to tell new stories, rather than remaking games that fans are already familiar with.

The remake wasn't the only God of War news to drop during Thursday's State of Play, with PlayStation also giving a surprise announcement and release of new 2D action platformer God of War Sons of Sparta.

Developed by Mega Cat Studios with writers from Santa Monica Studio, Sons of Sparta is a prequel to the God of War series, and follows a young Kratos who's still in training alongside his brother. The side-scrolling game features retro-style pixel graphics with Carson narrating as Kratos, reprising the role for the first time since God of War: Ascension in 2013. (Christopher Judge voiced Kratos in the 2018 reboot and its sequel.)

God of War Sons of Sparta is available now for $29.99 on PlayStation 5.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Only one NASA astronaut is in space right now. Help is on the way.

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 10:00

A medical issue at the International Space Station in January required a swift, premature return of four astronauts, leaving just one American in space for the past month. 

That will change when the Crew-12 astronauts launch as early as Friday morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew — NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Sophie Adenot — along with European Space Agency astronaut Jack Hathaway and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will join Chris Williams, who arrived at the station on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in November 2025. 

Members of Crew-11 — Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimiya Yui, and Russia’s Oleg Platonov — splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California, on Jan. 15. NASA did not disclose which of the astronauts had a medical issue or what the problem was, citing medical privacy concerns. All four seemed well as they participated in a news conference six days after their landing.

Though Williams was never entirely alone — cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev remained with him — the unprecedented medical evacuation highlights the importance of the staggered "seat swap" with Roscosmos, the Russian Space Agency. The arrangement guarantees at least one American and one Russian are always on board. The operational redundancy ensures personnel from both countries are available to maintain their respective modules orbiting 250 miles above Earth. 

SEE ALSO: Astronomers discover the surprising reason for a star's disappearance How to watch Crew-12 launch

Pending weather conditions, NASA plans to see Crew-12 blast off as early as 5:15 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 13. The crew will ride atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in a Dragon spacecraft

To watch, NASA will provide live launch coverage starting at 3:15 a.m. ET on its YouTube channel, which you can stream from the video below. 

NASA also will broadcast the event on NASA+, its own free on-demand streaming service. Check NASA's Facebook page and X channel for coverage as well. 

If the rocket lifts off as planned on Friday, Crew-12 will get to the space station at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. Upon arrival, the crewmates will begin an eight-month stint aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 13, 2026

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 07:58

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 13, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 13, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 13 Pips

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 13 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 13 Pips

Number (17): Everything in this space must add up to 17. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this green space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

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

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 13, 2026

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 07:41

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you like tennis.

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.

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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: 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: Winning hands

  • Green: Features tennis

  • Blue: Bears legend

  • Purple: Located in a capital

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Hands in Poker

  • Green: Tennis Movies

  • Blue: Associated with Walter Payton

  • Purple: Teams That Play in World Capitals

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 #508 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Hands in Poker - FULL HOUSE, PAIR, ROYAL FLUSH, STRAIGHT

  • Tennis Movies - BATTLE OF THE SEXES, CHALLENGERS, KING RICHARD, WIMBELDON

  • Associated with Walter Payton - 34, BEARS, JACKSON STATE, SWEETNESS

  • Teams That Play in World Capitals - COMMANDERS, CRYSTAL PALACE, REAL MADRID, SENATORS

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.

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

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