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The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love summer sports.

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 December 29, 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: Current

• Green: Parts of the body

• Blue: Part of The Games

• Purple: Automotive names

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Tendency

• Green: Biological structures

• Blue: Summer Olympic events

• Purple: Car brand homophones

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 #932 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Tendency: COURSE, DIRECTION, TIDE, TREND

• Biological structures: CELL, GENE, PROTEIN, TISSUE

• Summer Olympic events: ATHLETICS, EQUESTRIAN, SWIMMING, TRIATHLON

• Car brand homophones: INFINITY, MINNIE, OPAL, OUTIE

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 29, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you dress to impress.

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 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Are you putting me on?

The words are related to clothing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe sophisticated dress.

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 Suit Yourself.

NYT Strands word list for December 29

• Shirt

• Belt

• Cufflinks

• Suit Yourself

• Jacket

• Trousers

• Vest

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love clean eating.

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 29, 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 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Naturally-sweet treats.

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 F.

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...

FRUIT

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 29, 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 yesterday's Wordle.

TL;DR: This refurbished 2017 Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is on sale for $299.97 (reg. $1,499), features a Retina display, 512GB storage, and Intel Core i5 performance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2017 (Refurbished) $299.97
$1,499 Save $1,199.03   Get Deal

If you’ve ever “had thoughts” regarding Apple’s Touch Bar, you’re not alone. Some people loved the customizable shortcuts, while others … did not. Either way, this Touch Bar-equipped MacBook Pro is designed to give you a polished Mac experience at an affordable price for 80 percent off.

This refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro (2017) features a 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. It’s well-suited for everyday work like writing, browsing, streaming, and light photo editing. The Retina display pops with a sharp 2560 x 1600 resolution and 500 nits of brightness, great for anyone who spends hours in front of their screen. Stereo speakers, a Force Touch trackpad, and a backlit keyboard for when things get a little dark and you’re still typing away.

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The Touch Bar — polarizing as it is — offers app-specific shortcuts and controls that change depending on what you’re doing, from going through videos to adjusting volume or formatting text. It can be customized for different apps and functions, which may appeal to users who like having quick-access tools at their fingertips. Touch ID is built in, allowing quick and convenient logins and secure purchases.

This refurbished Apple MacBook Pro is rated Grade A, meaning it’s in near-mint condition with minimal signs of wear. It weighs just over three pounds and includes four Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging, displays, and accessories, making it easy to connect external monitors or expand your setup. Battery life is rated for up to 10 hours of wireless web browsing or video playback, which should comfortably cover a full workday for many users.

Get the 2017 MacBook Pro for $299.97 (reg. $1,499) through Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Imagiyo’s AI image generator lifetime standard plan is down to $34.97 (reg. $495), offering commercial-use images without watermarks or ads.

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

Curious about AI image generators, but don’t want to sign up for yet another subscription? The Imagiyo AI Image Generator is a tool you can use for work or play, offering text-to-image generation for only $34.97 (reg. $495). This is the lowest price yet for this lifetime standard plan, which runs through Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so if you’ve been waiting for a one-and-done price on an AI image tool, this is it.

Imagiyo’s text-to-image platform is powered by FLUX Schnell and Modelslab Stable Diffusion models, both of which have been used in the AI art world for their versatility and speed. The plan includes up to 500 images per month, generating two images per request, so you can experiment with prompts and styles without worrying about running out of credits right away.

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All generated content is watermark- and ad-free, with unlimited downloads of your entire archive. Additionally, you’re cleared for commercial use so be sure to not violate the copyright rules. Gaining access is a plus for marketing teams, social media managers, or anyone making visuals for business projects. Imagiyo’s browser-based app works on both desktop and mobile, so you can generate images anywhere you have an internet connection.

We’ve covered the evolving landscape of AI image generators before, as more creators, designers, and marketers look for tools that fit their workflows or budgets. This Imagiyo deal is worth a closer look if you want the tools but not the recurring bank account withdrawals.

For anyone who values a one-time payment over ongoing charges, this Imagiyo deal stands out for its value and flexibility.

Get the Imagiyo AI Image Generator’s standard plan today through Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT for $34.97 (reg. $495).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is on sale for $29.97 (reg. $229), giving you lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more on one computer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $29.97
$229 Save $199.03   Get Deal

Software subscriptions add up quickly, especially when you only need the basics. If Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are already part of your daily routine, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 is a practical alternative, offering a single payment with no additional fees for only $29.97 (reg. $229).

This edition includes the classic lineup, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, all installed locally on a single Windows PC. While it isn’t Microsoft’s latest version, Office 2019 brought real improvements over earlier releases, like enhanced inking tools across apps, new data analysis features in Excel, better presentation options in PowerPoint, and updated email management in Outlook. For most users, that’s more than enough for work, school, or home use.

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The main appeal is the low price. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is currently $29.97, which is price dropped from $229 for lifetime access.

Office 2019 works with Windows 10 and 11 (not Windows 7 or 8) and runs well on older or secondary computers thanks to its modest system requirements. If you’re also in the market for a new device, it’s worth checking out guides to top productivity laptops and other Microsoft software for more ways to save.

After purchase, you’ll get instant access to your license key and download links. You’ll need to redeem your code within seven days. If that fits your setup, this is a straightforward way to pick up Microsoft Office for a one-time fee with no ongoing commitment.

Whether you want it for home use, freelance work, or a backup computer, get Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 while it’s still on sale today for $29.97 (reg. $229).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Notepad has been a hallmark of the Windows operating system for decades, and for most of that Notepad has been largely unchanged. It has been simple, reliable, and one of my go-to programs. Recent updates have changed that, and I've started using something else entirely.

Look at almost any mission-critical computer system in the world—servers, workstations, embedded computers, and many more—and you'll see Linux in some form. The open-source juggernaut may not have a large share in the desktop market (yet), but when stability, security, and uptime actually matter, Linux seems to be the OS of choice.

2025 has proven to be a strange year for PC hardware, with DRAM prices surging late in the year just as graphics cards released at the start of the year began to fall in price.

The movie Flow was made on a small budget, with a modest team of people, all within the open-source 3D modeling software Blender. Yet, the result was good enough to snag this plucky film an Oscar for "Best Animated Feature."

Retractable door handles, popularized by Tesla, are now found on many electric vehicles. However, if automakers want to do business in China, they will have to adjust their approach to handling door handles in the country.

As noted by the outlet Autoblog, under new draft rules released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all vehicles in the country weighing under 3.5 tons must have interior and exterior handles with a mechanical emergency release.

SEE ALSO: Apple removes popular gay dating apps from China's App Store

This move will effectively ban all retractable EV door handles on new cars released in the country. The ban goes into effect on January 1, 2027.

Regulators didn't have to work too hard to make their case that electric-only retractable door handles are a safety issue. A recent Bloomberg analysis tied 15 auto deaths directly to Tesla's doors not opening. Although many EVs feature mechanical releases within the vehicle, there have been numerous cases where owners were unable to locate or operate them in the event of an accident.

China's ban will affect all EV companies, including BYD, which is based in the country. However,  no company will likely be more affected by the ban than Tesla. Every Tesla model features these retractable door handles, which means that if Elon Musk's EV company wants to continue operating in China, it has roughly one year to start producing cars with a different handle.

Tesla's woes regarding its door handles might not end with China either. US regulators are also investigating safety concerns related to Tesla's flush-mounted electronic door handles, following reports from owners who were unable to enter or exit their vehicles due to battery power loss. In fact, in some cases, first responders had to break the car windows in order to get to children who were trapped inside a Tesla vehicle. 

In 2020, Apple pulled off one of the rarest events in the world of computers—a multi-generational leap. The first generation of Apple Silicon chips weren't just better than the Intel Macs that had come before, they were substantially better in every way. They were so good, that most people didn't need anything more than the cheapest Mac Apple sold—five years later, they still don't.

I love tinkering with my smart home. It's provided me with endless hours of fun and has made many aspects of my home life simpler. I have one terrible smart home habit, however, and it's one I don't see myself shaking any time soon.

Electric vehicles are becoming more capable, but long range and affordability rarely go hand in hand. Many EVs that promise 300 miles of driving on a single charge come with price tags that put them out of reach for mainstream buyers. That’s what makes this particular model so compelling. It delivers true long-range capability while remaining one of the most affordable electric vehicles you can buy today.

It is very likely that Apple will release a foldable iPhone in 2026.

Rumors have been circulating about the foldable iPhone for some time now. Bloomberg's Apple insider, Mark Gurman, has reported that Apple plans to release a foldable smartphone next year. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the device is real, will be released next year, and Apple is already having trouble building enough of them to meet the expected demand.

And now, YouTuber Jon Prosser is sharing visuals and exact specs for the device in his most recently released video.

In a video posted to his FrontPageTech YouTube channel just days before Christmas, Prosser showcases 3-D renders of what he says the foldable iPhone will look like. In the video, Prosser focuses on one of the major issues for Apple that kept them from previously releasing a foldable iPhone: The crease down the middle of the foldable screen. 

According to Prosser, Apple has devised a solution to this issue by utilizing a "metal plate that disperses the pressure of bending the display" in conjunction with liquid metal in the smartphone's hinge.

Credit: Jon Prosser / FrontPageTech

Prosser also shares that the foldable iPhone will have a 5.5-inch external display, and the foldable screen will measure 7.8 inches when opened. Basically, the foldable iPhone will open into a mini iPad.

When closed, the foldable iPhone will be 9mm thick, and when opened, its thickness will roughly be 4.5mm, which is even thinner than the iPhone Air. The device is equipped with a total of four cameras.

According to Prosser, the foldable iPhone is expected to be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max next year.

Credit: Jon Prosser / FrontPageTech

While people like Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have shared details about the foldable iPhone, Prosser's report is the most detailed yet. But is he to be believed, like the two former Apple leak veterans? As Gizmodo points out, Apple filed a lawsuit against Prosser earlier this year over his accurate leaks about iOS 26 and Liquid Glass. According to the lawsuit, a second person named in the lawsuit used an Apple employee's phone to send Prosser information about the iOS update, so his sourcing certainly seems to be legitimate.

With three separate and trustworthy Apple leakers now reporting on a foldable iPhone in 2026, it seems almost a sure thing, barring some significant change in direction from the company. 

Smart switches are the usual go-to choice for reliable, full-featured smart home lighting. Be that as it may, they're not always the right option, and sometimes they're not even an option. While tech geeks like to scoff at smart bulbs, I personally love them for one simple reason—they're plug-and-play. Allow me to explain.

Microsoft included a new Terminal app with the 2022 update of Windows 11, and it quickly became one of my go-to apps. Before Terminal, you had to load PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL windows separately, which made me want to avoid using the command-line on Windows whenever possible. The Terminal app unifies all those shells and the apps I run inside them save me a lot of time.

All we need is for Apple to release a foldable iPhone, and we can officially say that the 2020s are the decade of the foldable phone. But we did have foldables in the 2010s, too. Kind of. Here's what they looked like.

There are tons of Linux distributions out there, and for better or worse, the list keeps growing. Here are some 2025 arrivals fresh out of the open source operating system development oven.

Are you exhausted by the “Year of Linux” predictions that never pan out? Do you roll your eyes every time someone declares Linux’s breakthrough is imminent? I don’t blame you for being skeptical—but there are six major shifts converging in 2026 that could finally make desktop Linux mainstream.