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There's not a whole lot to spot on the surface of the moon tonight, but if you look hard enough you'll see one or two interesting features. And as we approach the New Moon, this will be one of the last chances to see anything for a few nights.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Dec. 15, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 18% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Tonight, without any visual aids, you'll only be able to see the Aristarchus Plateau. However, if you have binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin and the Gassendi Crater. With a telescope, the Reiner Gamma also comes into view.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes a cycle in about 29.5 days, and during that time we see it go through different phases. We always see the same side, but as it orbits Earth, the sunlight on it changes. That’s why sometimes it looks full, sometimes half-lit, and sometimes you can’t see it at all. There are eight main phases in the cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Well, that was a lot, wasn't it? The near feature-length finale of IT: Welcome to Derry casts the whole of Derry in grim fog, with the military working to try and let Pennywise loose on America while the kids, Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), and Major Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) try and recage IT.

There are flash forwards, hints of time travel, and some ties to Stephen King's novels and the IT movies that you may have missed. We've broken down all the major questions below.

SEE ALSO: Is Derry in 'IT: Welcome to Derry' a real town? What happens to Pennywise?

At the end of episode 7, Pennywise's cycle of killing came to an end with the fire at the Black Spot, and the creature was ready to return to the sewers to sleep for another 27 years — until the army got involved. General Shaw (James Remar) and the gang decided it would be a great idea to let the clown loose, and they ended up destroying one of the pillars that forms a circle around Derry and acts as a cage for the creature.

In the finale of episode 8, Pennywise makes a break for the far bank of a river surrounding Derry, which is apparently the point at which it'll be totally free of the other pillars acting as its cage. Fortunately, it doesn't get that far. Using their own fragment of the meteor that IT crashed to Earth in years before, the kids are able to reform the cage moments before the creature tears them to pieces. It's dragged away from them into the distance, presumably to return to hibernation until the 1988 cycle starts.

IT: Welcome to Derry's finale introduces the possibility of time travel.

Before the kids capture Pennywise, the clown drags Marge (Matilda Lawler) away and reveals to her that she'll one day have a son: Richie Tozier, a key character and member of the Losers' Club in the book and movies.

"The seed of your stinking loins and his filthy friends bring me my death! Or is it birth?" growls Pennywise. "I get confused. Tomorrow? Yesterday? It's all the same for little Pennywise."

Credit: Brooke Palmer / HBO

Later, back at the safety of the stand pipe, Marge talks to Lilly (Clara Stack) about what Pennywise said.

"He said, to him, the past, present, and future are all the same. And that his death was actually his birth," Marge says. "I know it sounds crazy, but what if he tries to go back and kill someone from the time before we were born, like our parents?"

Lilly's response? "I guess it'll be someone else's fight."

This conversation seems to be a set up for future seasons of IT: Welcome to Derry. We already know that co-creator Andy Muschietti wants there to be three seasons, with Season 2 and Season 3 jumping back in time to Pennywise's previous killing cycles. Marge and Lilly's exchange is the perfect lead-in to this.

What's next for Major Hanlon and Dick Hallorann?

The final scenes with Hanlon and Hallorann are nods to both Stephen King's wider work and the IT movies. Hallorann, who is best known as a key character in The Shining, tells Hanlon that he's going to work in a friend's hotel in London as a chef — the start of a career that we know will eventually take him to The Overlook Hotel.

"How much trouble can a hotel be?" he says. Of course, readers of the book will know exactly how much trouble.

Hanlon, meanwhile, decides to stay in Derry with his family and start work on a farm. As readers of the book know, his grandson will be Mike Hanlon, another key member of the Losers' Club.

What's with the flash forward in the final scene?

The final scene in the series has an unexpected flash forward to 1988, where we meet yet another Losers' Club member, Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis, reprising her role from the movies), witnessing her mother's suicide at Juniper Hill.

Ingrid Kersh (Madeleine Stowe), now an old lady who has presumably been in the asylum since the events of the 1960s cycle, appears behind her, smiling, and tells her that nobody in Derry ever really dies.

This scene essentially brings things back full circle to the movies, linking to a scene in IT: Chapter Two when an older Beverly (Jessica Chastain) is terrorised by the creature in Mrs. Kersh's form.

IT: Welcome to Derry is streaming on HBO Max.

TL;DR: Give your Mac a boost with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $219).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
$219 Save $169.03   Get Deal

No room in the budget for a new computer? You can give your current one a boost with a Microsoft Office license, and if you think that doesn’t apply to Macs, think again. This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license outfits your Apple device with six helpful apps, and right now, you can get them all for life for just $49.97 (reg. $219).

Mac users don’t have to miss out on the power of Microsoft Office. This suite of helpful apps includes the classics that have been around for decades and can bring a productivity boost to any device — even Apple computers — thanks to this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license.

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Whether you primarily use your computer for work, school, or personal reasons, Microsoft Office has something for everyone. Draft your document in Word, figure out a budget in Excel, or whip up a captivating presentation in PowerPoint. You can also manage your emails in Outlook, talk to coworkers in Teams, and take digital notes in OneNote.

With this lifetime license, you never have to bother with subscription fees again. Your purchase gives you a direct download, so you’ll have these tools on your device permanently. You won’t have to worry about cloud connectivity, and you can work offline as you please — just make sure your Mac is running macOS 14 or later.

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TL;DR: Get one of Apple’s most powerful laptops, the MacBook Pro, for only $399.97 (reg. $1,580) while you can.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $399.97
$1,580 Save $1,180.03   Get Deal

This is an expensive time of year. If you’re in need of a laptop, you’re likely not looking to shell out thousands of dollars on a MacBook Pro. But fortunately, these powerful devices occasionally go on a massive sale — like this 13-inch space gray model, currently on sale for just $399.97 (reg. $1,580) while supplies last.

There’s a reason the MacBook Pro is beloved by Apple users and typically comes with a hefty price tag. This powerful device offers all the bells and whistles we’ve come to know from Apple, all in a sleek casing that is easy to bring along anywhere.

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This particular MacBook Pro model weighs just 3.02 pounds, but don’t be deceived by its lightweight. Inside is a 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor ready to keep up with all your multitasking needs. It also offers Turbo Boost technology that enables processing speeds up to 3.5GHz.

This device features unique Apple features like the Touch Bar, which offers customization and shortcuts. It also has a backlit keyboard and a Force Trackpad for precise cursor control.

Four Thunderbolt 3 ports are available for easy connecting, but you won’t have to reach for your charger often. This MacBook Pro has an impressive 10-hour battery life. There’s also 512GB of storage available so you can store important files locally.

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The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you fall hard.

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 14, 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 swoon

• Green: Written characters

• Blue: Unspoken

• Purple: Oink oink

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Lay it on thick

• Green: Hans Christian Anderson figures

• Blue: Silent "L"

• Purple: Fictional pigs

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 #917 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Lay it on thick: FAWN, FLATTER, GUSH, PRAISE

• Hans Christian Anderson figures: DUCKLING, EMPEROR, MERMAID, PRINCESS

• Silent "L": CALF, CHALK, COLONEL, WOULD

• Fictional pigs: BABE, NAPOLEON, PIGLET, PORKY

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 14, 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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love fine dining.

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 14, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 14, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pricy pairing

The words are related to food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe expensive foods.

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 Surf and Turf.

NYT Strands word list for December 14

• Ribeye

• Sirloin

• Surf and Turf

• Crab

• Shrimp

• Scallop

• Lobster

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you a rocker.

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 14, 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 14, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To sway.

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 S.

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...

SWING

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 14, 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.

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 December 13, 2025

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 December 13, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 14 Pips

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 14 Pips

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 14 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this purple space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this red space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this red space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (2): Everything in this green space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this green space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this red space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 2-2, 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.

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: Event details

• Green: Look up

• Blue: Texas teammates

• Purple: Short for

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Information on a ticket

• Green: Things in the sky at sporting events

• Blue: Members of the San Antonio Spurs

• Purple: Where the initialism "ESPN" came from

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 #447 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Information on a ticket - DATE, ROW, SEAT NUMBER, SECTION

• Things in the sky at sporting events - BLIMP, FIREWORKS, FLYOVER, SKYCAM

• Members of the San Antonio Spurs - BARNES, CASTLE, FOX, WEMBANYAMA

• Where the initialism "ESPN" came from - ENTERTAINMENT, NETWORK, PROGRAMMING, SPORTS

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.

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 Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025:

AcrossStringed instrument that becomes an exclamation if you switch its second and third letters

• The answer is Viola.

Place for unread emails

• The answer is Inbox.

Back of a 45 record

• The answer is B side.

Olympic fencing event

• The answer is Epee.

Emergency call in Morse code

• The answer is SOS.

DownGood ___ only

• The answer is Vibes

Bit of creative motivation, for short

• The answer is Inspo.

Theater awards since 1956

• The answer is Obies.

Ore deposit

• The answer is Lode.

Tool for a firefighter or lumberjack

• The answer is Axe.

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.

Mashable staff and contributors have tested nearly a dozen popular Chromebooks over the course of the past two years, and as of late 2025, there are six I recommend in particular. My top pick for most people is the Lenovo 5i Flex Chromebook Plus, a mid-range convertible with excellent build quality, upper-level performance, and an all-day battery life. It's priced at $599.99 in two configurations, and one is usually on sale for well under $400.

My complete guide to the best Chromebooks includes other picks for budget shoppers, splurgers, kids, and casual gamers, so keep scrolling. (And if you aren't sure whether a Chromebook is right for you, check out my explainer on how they're different from regular Windows laptops and MacBooks.)

What's new

We were impressed with the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 in our latest round of testing, so in December 2025, I added it as a new top pick for splurgers. We'll soon publish an in-depth standalone review of it.

TL;DR: Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Sunday Football offers up a game that could prove tricky for the all-of-a-sudden struggling Baltimore Ravens. On a two-game losing streak that puts them 6-7, Baltimore now face the Cincinnati Bengals. It's the second time in three weeks that these teams have faced off, and the Bengals hammered the Ravens 32-14 last time out.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers sat atop AFC North, a loss to the Bengals could cost the Ravens a playoff spot — the first time they'd miss the postseason in four years. That means there are bigger, divisional implications beyond the scoreline of this game. And with Cincinnati pretty much out of the postseason at 4-9, they've got very little to lose.

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If you want to watch Ravens vs. Bengals in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Ravens vs. Bengals?

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 14. This fixture will be played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

How to watch Ravens vs. Bengals for free

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the NFL 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 free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Ravens vs. Bengals and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Green Bay are in good form right now. At 9-3-1, they're sitting at the top of NFC North and have a four-game winning streak. Oddsmakers have picked them as the favorite for this Sunday Football game on the road, but the competition couldn't be tougher.

The Broncos have had an even better run — they're currently 11-2 — with a 10-game streak and unbeaten home record. The Broncos are also top of AFC West and need to win their next three games to clinch the division title. They've played by the seat of their pants this season though and have been forced to make some big comebacks — in fact, they're the comeback kings of 2025 — so we can only make the following prediction for Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos: major drama.

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If you want to watch Packers vs. Broncos in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Packers vs. Broncos?

Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos takes place at 4.25 p.m. ET on Dec. 14. This fixture will be played at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

How to watch Packers vs. Broncos for free

Packers vs. Broncos in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone around the globe can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can help by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL 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 free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with 7Plus

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Packers vs. Broncos and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs is the NFL game to watch in Week 15. It's do or die for the Chiefs, whose season has been an unexpected disappointment. If they don't win this decisive game they could find themselves eliminated from the postseason — a stunning turnaround for a team which has seen 10 consecutive playoffs, nine consecutive division titles, and three consecutive Super Bowl games.

At a decidedly mid 6-7, they're coming off a loss to the Houston Texans, with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes having a noticeably poor game.

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And the Chiefs are facing seriously tough competition in the Chargers, whose robust defense could cause further problems for the low-scoring Chiefs. The Chargers are also coming off a dramatic win against the Super Bowl winners, the Eagles, which is sure to give them some momentum in this AFC West showdown.

If you want to watch Chargers vs. Chiefs in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Chargers vs. Chiefs?

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 14. This fixture will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

How to watch Chargers vs. Chiefs for free

Chargers vs. Chiefs in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone around the globe can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can help by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL 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 free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with 7Plus

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Chargers vs. Chiefs and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Giving a Kindle this holiday season? If so, we're giving you the best gifter of the year. An e-reader is for both the bookworm and the techie, looking for a more portable library. The Kindle itself is a spectacular gift, but if you're looking to build out your present a little more, you have some options.

Kindles are one of our favorite devices here at Mashable, so we rounded up a list of gifts perfect for the Kindle user. These are gifts we'd actually want to receive with our Kindle, not just something that gets shoved in a back corner.

Amazon Gift Card

To be fair, gift cards are usually a cop out gift, but in the case of a Kindle, we actually recommend it. To purchase books for your Kindle, you'll do that on Amazon or the Kindle app, and either way, it's connected to your Amazon account. So an Amazon gift card means money to fill your Kindle library.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Gift Card   Get Deal Kindle Unlimited

Ever dreamed of a streaming service but for books? That's basically Kindle Unlimited. For $11.99 a month, you get access to millions of titles and are able to borrow up to 20 books at once. Current titles in the Kindle Unlimited collection include bestselling and acclaimed titles like The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, and The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. You can gift Kindle Unlimited to your recipient for six, 12, or 24 months, starting at just $65.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Unlimited $65.95
Gift six, 12, or 24 months of Kindle Unlimited Shop Now USB charging block

Included in the box of your Amazon Kindle will be a USB-C to USB-A cord, but there's no charging block included. Adding on an Anker charging block helps complete the package, plus this one includes both a USB-C and USB-A port so your recipient can charge multiple devices at once.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker USB-A and USB-C Charger Block $18.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $6   Shop Now Page-turning remote

The newest trend in Kindle accessories is all about the remote page turner. When paired with a stand, you can keep your hands tucked under the blankets and away from the cold. Kobo released a remote for their e-readers, but Kindle is behind the curve, so in the meantime, you'll have to go for a third-party brand. Not to worry, we've tried the Datafy remote page turner, and it's a superb choice for bookworms looking to get cozy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Datafy Datafy Remote Page Turner for Kindle $15.19 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $4.80   Shop Now Tablet stand

To go with your page-turning remote, you'll need a stand to go truly hands-free. Popular options include a floor stand or gooseneck stand, but while lurking on the Kindle subreddit, I found that some people prefer a bean bag tablet stand where you can store even more goodies, like your remote page turner.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ergonov Ergonov Bean Bag Tablet Stand $53.98 at Amazon
  Shop Now A book cover that makes it feel like a real book

While most book lovers have come around to the e-reader, it's still hard to let go of the feeling of holding a hardcover book. To emulate that feel, you can gift them a case that feels like a book. KleverCase's e-reader cases are ornamental and vintage-inspired. Some pay homage to classics like Alice in Wonderland or homage to Wicked with a Grimoire-inspired cover.

Opens in a new window Credit: KleverCase KleverCase E-Reader Cover $24.95 at Amazon
$27.95 Save $3   Get Deal

TL;DR: Use AI more efficiently with this lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan, on sale now for just $74.97 (reg. $540) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $74.97
$540 Save $465.03   Get Deal

Sure, AI can improve your workflow. But what happens when you have to pause to figure out which model is best for image generation, or jump between tabs trying to see which one can help with coding? 1min.AI solves this problem, offering a one-stop shop for all your AI needs.

You can score a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan for just $74.97 (reg. $540), but only for a limited time.

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If you want AI to really streamline your workflow, don’t miss adding 1min.AI to your routine. This powerful platform combines multiple AI models, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, Grok, and more, in one convenient spot.

Curious how it works? With 1min.AI, you enter your inquiry and receive help with everything from image generation to coding to copywriting. It helps anyone who often works with AI, making it easier to chat with numerous assistants and receive help with your daily tasks — just make sure to always review the output, as light editing may still be needed with any AI platform.

With 1min.AI’s Advanced Business plan, you’ll receive an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voice options. It also includes 4,000,000 credits per month, which can be used to write 1,112,500 words, research up to 5,933 SEO keywords, generate up to 1,186 images, and create up to 37 videos, all per month.

Get this lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan for just $74.97 (reg. $540) during this holiday sale.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Forward.

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

FORTH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Charming.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SUAVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Homey.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

COMFY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A mark.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 14 Hurdle Word 4 answer

NOTCH

Final Hurdle hint

Tied up.

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

BOUND

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

As we get closer to the New Moon, there'll be less to see on the surface of the moon each night. For now, however, there's still enough lit up that we can spot a few features. Keep reading to find out what you can see.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Dec. 14, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 25% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Tonight, without any visual aids, you'll be able to see Kepler Crater and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, and the Mare Humorum. With a telescope, Reiner Gamma, Schiller Crater, and Gassendi Crater will also become visible.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.

What are moon phases?

NASA says the Moon goes through a cycle of about 29.5 days, and during that time we see its different phases. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the sunlight hitting it changes as it orbits Earth. That’s what makes it look full, half-lit, or sometimes completely hidden. The cycle has eight main phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Bring anything to life with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator’s Standard Plan, now only $34.97 (reg. $495) through Dec. 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) $34.97
$495 Save $460.03   Get Deal

From wild fantasies to depictions of daily life, Imagiyo AI Image Generator is ready to make all of your artistic dreams come true. If you can think it up, Imagiyo can create it, and you don’t even have to sharpen your pencil.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator’s Standard Plan is just $34.97 (reg. $495) through Dec. 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Whether you’re familiar with creating AI-generated images or this still feels like science fiction, Imagiyo AI Image Generator makes the process simple with a user-friendly interface. Just type in a prompt and sit back and relax while this powerful platform gets to work.

No matter what you ask Imagiyo to design, the results will be high-quality and ready to print, thanks to the power of FLUX AI. You can request a specific size if needed, and you won’t ever have to deal with watermarks or ads.

The designs you create are totally yours and can be used for commercial purposes, like on social media or as a brand logo (as long as there are no copyright issues). You can also use them for personal use, like a totally customized gift for a loved one.

Unlike most AI image generators, Imagiyo doesn’t give you any restrictions. You have total creative freedom and can even design a NSFW image if you’d like. If you do, just set the privacy settings for that image to private.

This lifetime subscription to the Imagiyo AI Image Generator Standard Plan lets you create 500 images per month, with up to two images per request, for life.

Act fast to get this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator’s Standard Plan, now just $34.97 (reg. $495) through Dec. 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $600: As of December 13th, Amazon has this DJI Power 2000 portable power station for $699; that's 46% off $1,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station $699 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $600   Get Deal

DJI is well known for its microphones and drones, but they also specialize in portable power stations. This particular power station isn't your temporary, charge-a-few-phones battery.

The solar-compatible DJI Power 2000 portable power station is designed to handle 99% of everyday appliances and devices. Think: power tools, RV basics, projectors, and more. This portable power station is ideal for off-grid living, RV (or regular) camping, and other projects, such as projector-requiring outdoor performances or small business vending.

At 21kg (47.4 lbs), this station is hefty. For what it lacks in lightness, it makes up for in power and speed. The portable power station can recharge up to 80% in 55 minutes. It’s also designed with safety in mind, including a water-resistant and flame-retardant design that makes the station usable in wet, muddy, and rugged conditions. It’s also an ideal backup tool for power outages with 10ms UPS switchover (in the event of an outage), it can run select important devices.

This DJI Power 2000 portable power station is the whole package when it comes to a backup power source and portable battery.