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Network issues can often be infuriating because everything seems to work as it's supposed to—except your internet connection. Then your internet connection starts working fine, but websites take forever to load. Then there are those frustrating intermittent connection issues that come and go seemingly at random.

FIFA is giving the World Cup final its first Super Bowl-style halftime show, and the lineup is almost as crowded as the pitch.

Justin Bieber, BTS, Madonna, and Shakira will headline the performance during Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium. Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay will also appear, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated the show.

What time is the World Cup halftime show?

The World Cup final kicks off Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. ET, and the halftime show should begin sometime around 3:45 to 3:50 p.m. ET, assuming the match starts on time and there are no major delays. FIFA and Global Citizen have not announced an exact start time for the performance because, unlike the Super Bowl, soccer does not stop at a perfectly scheduled point. The first half lasts 45 minutes, but additional stoppage time will push halftime back by several minutes.

Viewers primarily interested in the music should tune in before 3:45 or risk missing the opening of the show.

The performance itself will last 11 minutes, but the full halftime break could reportedly be considerably longer since crews will need time to build and remove the stage. Broadcasters are preparing for the usual 15-minute interval to stretch to as long as 30 minutes.

Not everyone is thrilled about that possibility, especially given the sport’s history. Soccer’s rulemaking body, the International Football Association Board, normally limits halftime to 15 minutes and even rejected a 2021 proposal to extend it to 25, citing concerns about player welfare and the risks of keeping athletes inactive for too long.

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Some fans also see the extended break as another attempt to turn the World Cup into a Super Bowl-style American television spectacle, with the entertainment (and controversial ad breaks) becoming almost as important as the game.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to watch the World Cup halftime show

The halftime show will air as part of the World Cup final broadcast. English-language coverage is available on Fox, while the game can be streamed through Fox One and the Fox Sports app. Fox’s pregame coverage begins at noon ET, three hours before kickoff.

Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and stream on Peacock. Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to all 104 World Cup matches live in Spanish, including the final and its halftime performance. You can also check out Mashable's guide to watching the 2026 World Cup online for free, which includes tips for global readers and VPN users.

The halftime show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and soccer programs for children around the world. FIFA says more than $50 million has already been raised, including $1 donated from every ticket sold during the tournament.

True ice cream is a labor-intensive process that requires double boilers to make custard, on top of all the churning time. But innovation has brought convenience to the kitchen. Instant ice cream machines like the TikTok-famous Ninja Creami make ice cream easy for anyone to make at home

These appliances take a hint from blenders and spin a blade through a frozen mix, which breaks it up and mixes it up into a creamy, fluffy ice cream texture. These ice cream makers are even back on trend in 2026 as proteinmaxxing has people focused on their macros and sneaking protein in wherever they can, which means even in dessert. Right now, TikTok is full of Ninja Creami recipes that involve protein powders.

I've been using the Ninja Creami and Ninja Slushi for years, and I also tested the buzzy new Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl. But in honor of National Ice Cream Day, I wanted to find the best ice cream maker for your countertop, too. So, I tested three buzzy models to find out if they're really worth it, and if the Ninja Creami is still king of the kitchen.

SEE ALSO: National Ice Cream Day 2026 deals: Score free food from Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's, Target, and more

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch soccer.

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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Goalie

• Green: World Cup arenas

• Blue: World Cup scorers

• Purple: The best of the best

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Prevent a Goal

• Green: Stadiums to Host World Cup Final

• Blue: World Cup Golden Ball Winners

• Purple: Golden___

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 #664 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Prevent a Goal: BLOCK, PARRY, SAVE, STOP

• Stadiums to Host World Cup Final: AZTECA, MARACANA, ROSE BOWL, SOCCER CITY

• World Cup Golden Ball Winners: FORLAN, MARADONA, MODRIC, ZIDANE

• Golden___: BALL, BOOT, GLOVE, GOAL

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 the latest Connections.

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

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 July 19, 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 July 19, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 19 Pips

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 19 Pips

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 19 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Millennials, the first computer generation, recall many a classroom lecture about the unreliability of Wikipedia. We were told to be wary of unverified forum posts. We were advised to seek out primary sources on the World Wide Web, and the place to start was Google. 

Now, as Gen Alpha enters AI-powered classrooms, can Google Search no longer be trusted?

A new report by child safety watchdog Common Sense Media concluded that Google's modernized, AI-powered Search poses an "unacceptable risk" to young Googlers. In fact, the report authors say, the generative AI search engine is so risky that students should stop using it completely until Google educators can turn the AI off.

SEE ALSO: Teens talking to Meta AI about suicide will trigger alert Google's AI Search as classroom threat 

Child safety advocates have been urging schools to ditch classroom technology for years. As generative AI embeds itself in educational products, those cries have gotten louder. But while it's easy to see the potential harm in introducing something like ChatGPT to young students, it may not be as obvious that a simple Google search exposes young learners to AI.

Google launched AI Mode for Search last year. Unlike AI Overviews' rollout, AI Mode was available to everyone, immediately, including education accounts. Both Common Sense Media and other experts Mashable spoke to said this was alarming, primarily because Google's AI Mode is powered by Gemini models — models that are age-gated in other Google experiences, including on Google's educational technology suite. 

Google Search is a tentpole product for the tech giant and an essential tool for both educators and students, Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, explained. "Google is an outsized player in both the search space and the education space."

The company helmed a 1:1 device movement that saw the introduction of personal devices, like Chromebooks, in schools across the country. Google Workspace for Education now powers administrative suites and classroom resources. The company later became a major evangelist for AI implementation, introducing, and then ultimately rescaling, Gemini for Education. Google now boasts millions of Workspace for Education, Chromebook, and other Google educational product users ranging from Kindergartners to post-grads.

By making generative AI fundamental to Google's products — to the point where many users don't even realize they're using it — Google has eroded years of trust, sources told Mashable.

Googling isn't so simple anymore

For one, researchers have found Google's AI Overviews are prone to repeating misinformation, an early product sticking point that has not yet been resolved by the tech giant. Much like existing problems with chatbots, sources told Mashable, the product's design suggests an air of authority that can easily confuse adults, let alone children.

In addition, Common Sense Media found that Google's AI tools readily completed homework assignments for minor users. Experts suggest that this combination of misleading design, varying responses, and the agreeable nature of chatbots (including AI Mode) may lead students to unknowingly cheat. At the bare minimum, they say, searching on Google may be making learning harder.

"They are infusing AI in developmentally inappropriate ways through Search," explained Amanda Bickerstaff, deputy director of AI for Education. The organization works with educational institutions to build out AI literacy programs and reduce the potentially negative impact of generative AI tools on children's learning. 

There is no reason why a 10-year-old, 13-year-old, or even 15-year-old should see an AI Overview or have AI Mode. - Amanda Bickerstaff, AI for Education

Bickerstaff called AI Mode a backdoor for students to access unsafe generative AI experiences. It's also complicating educators' ability to enshrine literacy skills in the next generation, Bickerstaff explained, replicating some of the worst parts of chatbot design right in a previously reliable information environment. 

"There is no reason why a 10-year-old, 13-year-old, or even 15-year-old should see an AI Overview or have AI Mode," said Bickerstaff. "When teaching AI literacy, the first step is to be intentional. These modes are the opposite. You don't go to a search engine to get a chatbot answer, you go to search for real things."

According to Common Sense Media's report, AI Overviews and Google's new Search chatbot AI Mode could also pose mental health and safety risks to children.

Google does not offer the option to disable only AI features while keeping Search accessible. That means children can still be exposed to generative AI while at school even when guardrails are in place, simply by doing their schoolwork. Parents can turn off Search entirely or block Google.com for the child accounts they manage, Google explains. School administrators could theoretically do the same for Workspace for Education accounts, bricking the Google Search domain for all users. Bickerstaff sees this as putting educators between a rock and a hard place. "What are you going to say? That kids can't search the web?"

In a statement to Mashable following the report's release, Google said Common Sense Media's stress testing was narrow and ambiguous, and not an "effective way to measure product safety and helpfulness." Common Sense Media did not test Workspace for Education accounts, only consumer accounts. However, Google expressed that the AI-powered Search experience is the same for all users, said Torney.

SEE ALSO: The fierce battle over AI in schools Could AI Search be a legal nightmare for schools?

Because of this, sources Mashable spoke to said that it may be time to cut ties with Google.

"Google’s AI Overview and AI Mode are undermining kids’ education, supplying them with dangerous disinformation, and putting their very lives at risk," said David Monahan, campaign director for child safety nonprofit Fairplay for Kids. "If Google is not even willing to disable AI features for students, schools should stop using Google products altogether."

Common Sense Media's report could be a startling wake-up call for school districts, said Anya Meksin, deputy director of Schools Beyond Screens, a national coalition pushing for school policies that limit tech use in classrooms. Schools Beyond Screens recently spearheaded new tech use policies at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools, including a screen time ban for kindergarten and first grade classes. 

Both Fairplay and Schools Beyond Screens are leading calls for years-long moratoriums on Gen AI use in schools. Meksin explained that advocates have already sounded the alarm about AI Search and other integrated Google products, not just chatbots.

"We are shocked by the way Big Tech has colonized public education with their products," Meksin said. "We have to treat this as an emergency. Education is the foundation of our democracy, and they are knowingly disabling our children from being able to fight back against these companies in the future."

School districts, including LAUSD, have struggled to address the problems posed by the reliance on classroom tech, often in violation of their own burgeoning AI policies, she explained. 

"School districts are instantly in violation of any policies put in place because of the speed of the technology and the way AI is embedded," said Meksin. For example, LAUSD's new policy bans students under 13 years of age from using generative AI in school. But through products like Chromebooks and Google Search on school computers, students can still interact with AI Mode. 

We have to treat this as an emergency. - Anya Meksin, Schools Beyond Screens

Over the last 20 years, K-12 schools have spent billions to outfit their classrooms with educational technology. Meksin said she was told by several districts that it would be impossible to fully disable such expansive services, including Google products like Chromebooks.  

"We find this position to be completely laughable," Meksin said. "School districts are liable for exposing children to products known to cause severe and lasting harm." She believes educational institutions could enter the same legal hot water as social media and AI companies. 

Google and its parent company Alphabet recently faced its first wrongful death lawsuit after a user died by suicide following conversations with Gemini. YouTube, also owned by Alphabet, was found guilty of negligent platform design and subsequent mental health harm to minor users. Torney likened the rollout of Google's AI features to the introduction of YouTube to classrooms, which has also come under fire from child safety advocates.

Instead of opening themselves up to greater liability, Meksin believes school districts should push for change from Big Tech — starting with stronger controls for embedded generative AI features now available on school devices. "As the largest purchasers of these products, districts have power. If Google refuses to comply, districts must cease using these products and void these contracts." 

The 2026 World Cup final is here at last. We've had weeks of epic contests between the best sides in the world, and it all comes down to this. It's the defending champions against the Euro 2024 winners for a shot at immortality. The likes of Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi will battle it out for the trophy.

Here's all the information you need to watch the final.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 19

• World Cup Final: Spain vs. Argentina (New York New Jersey Stadium) — kickoff at 3 p.m. ET

How to watch FIFA World Cup games todayWatch Spain vs. Argentina

Argentina are the defending champions, but they've largely relied on late goals to make the final. Spain didn't hit their best form in the group stage, but they've built momentum with some big wins in the knockout rounds, including an impressive victory over favorites France. Neither side is coming into this clash as real favorites, and we expect the final to be decided by a moment of brilliance or a mistake.

Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

More live streaming optionsLive TV cable replacement

Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.

These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:

• YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months

• Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month

• Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month

Watch the World Cup for free with a VPN

It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.

You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.

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We own our laptops, our smartphones, and our tablets… so why isn’t there an option to own our cloud storage? Drime Secure Cloud Storage makes that possible, and this deal lets you pay once to secure 6TB of space for life.

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

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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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Rode over.

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

DROVE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Salt water.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 19, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BRINE

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Bombardment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 19, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BLITZ

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Fabric.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLOTH

Final Hurdle hint

Tunes.

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

MUSIC

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

Wondering what you're looking at on the Moon's surface? Wonder no more, with the help of NASA's Daily Moon Guide, we've broken down all the features you might be looking at when you look up tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, July 19, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with 29% of its surface visible.

You won't need any visual aids to be able to spot the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. However, if you do have binoculars or a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes one full cycle around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight different phases along the way, NASA explains. Although the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes as it travels around Earth. This changing angle of illumination is what makes the Moon appear to transform throughout the month, from a thin crescent to a half-lit Moon and eventually a fully illuminated Full Moon, before starting the cycle again.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're good at reading people.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 19, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Electrical

• Green: To match

• Blue: Using the john

• Purple: Body language

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Circuit components

• Green: Digital coupling verbs

• Blue: Things toilets do

• Purple: ___ face expressions

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 #1134 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Circuit components: BREAKER, FUSE, RELAY, SWITCH

• Digital coupling verbs: CONNECT, JOIN, PAIR, SYNC

• Things toilets do: DRAIN, FLUSH, REFILL, SWIRL

• ___ face expressions: GAME, LONG, POKER, STRAIGHT

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 19, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like things large.

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 July 19, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Big talk

The words are related to size.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe large things.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Supersize it.

NYT Strands word list for July 19

• Giant

• Behemoth

• Leviathan

• Mammoth

• Colossum

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 the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to make food from scratch.

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 July 19, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 19, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A way to make butter.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CHURN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

Pop!_OS has a strong following, and one reason is its COSMIC desktop. Being unfamiliar with both, I decided to take a look at COSMIC and see what all the fuss was about. Could it make me give up my go-to Xfce?

Most of us deal with the same handful of headaches on our daily commute, from aggressive drivers and traffic congestion to the occasional speeding ticket. Here in Detroit, where I live, there are even some unique road and infrastructure designs that can make rush hour driving a challenge.

I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit diagnosing stubborn Windows problems: sluggish laptops, desktop crashes, weird startup behavior, you name it. Over the years, I’ve used plenty of different tools, from flashy “PC optimizers” that promise too much, to hidden system utilities that actually deliver. What I’ve learned is that many of the best ones are lightweight, reliable, and give you a clear view of what’s really happening under the hood, so to speak.

We're at the halfway point of 2026, making it a great time to look back at what Netflix has released so far while also looking ahead to the rest of the year. Personally, my two favorite Netflix movies from earlier this year are The Rip and War Machine. As for what's in store for the rest of the year, it's a mix of horror, animation, crime, and drama.

Many cellular carriers proudly claim to have unlimited data plans, but that's misleading: in many cases, you'll face throttling once you pass a cap. You might have to pay extra to restore the service you expect, and features like hotspot tethering or cellular smartwatches might have their own restrictions.