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The best thing about Linux is that it has something for everyone. Want a system that just works with minimal effort? You have options. Want to surgically customize every single aspect of your operating system, so it feels less like an appliance and more like a craft project? You have options. The trick is to figure out which distros are meant for you, and which aren't.

TL;DR: Lego is running Star Wars make and take events on March 8. A limited quantity of Lego Star Wars Lightsabers will be available for free at participating stores.

Lego regularly runs make and take events in which participants can walk away with an exclusive set without spending anything. These free giveaways always cause a stir, but nothing gets the people going quite like Star Wars.

Visitors to select Lego Stores on March 8 (from 12-2 p.m. GMT) can participate in an awesome Lego Star Wars Lightsaber make and take event. This free giveaway is intended for children aged 10+, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations in the U.S., while supplies last. At one stage it looked like this event wasn't coming to the U.S., but we've been spared that crushing disappointment.

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This Lego Star Wars Lightsaber is not available for purchase. By taking part in this special event, Star Wars fans can take home something that money literally cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but come on — you can't just turn up and stock up on these exclusive Star Wars sets for free. That would be nice, but that's not the Way of the Force.

Score this free Lego Star Wars Lightsaber at your nearest participating store on March 8.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collector Booster Box is $399.99 at Walmart, dipping just under TCGplayer’s $400.01 market price and beating Amazon’s $409.56 listing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite/Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collector Booster Box $399.99 at Walmart
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The high-value MTG Collector Booster Boxes don’t usually drop in price by massive amounts, but Walmart has subtly become the best place to pre-order the TMNT version.

As of March 3, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collector Booster Box (12 packs) is listed for $399.99 at Walmart. That’s not only $9.57 cheaper than Amazon’s current $409.56 preorder price, but also lands below TCGplayer’s $400.01 market price at the time of writing — and is much cheaper than any listings on the dedicated trading card selling platform.

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The current lowest presale price there is $447.99 before shipping, which makes Walmart the most-budget-friendly option if you’re trying to lock in a fair preorder price.

For collectors, the appeal is the usual Collector Booster assortment — plus a TMNT twist. Each box includes 12 Collector Boosters, and each pack has 15 cards with 0-3 Surge Foils, 9-12 Traditional Foils, five rares or mythics, and a Full-Art land. There’s even a Borderless signature Kevin Eastman headliner card in under 1% of boosters.

Among other MTG deals, the Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box is still available for under $138 at Amazon. As for additional expansions, you can get three packs of Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Boosters for only $24.97.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box is listed for $95.81 at TCGplayer (plus shipping), edging just above market price and beating Amazon’s $114.95 listing by about $9.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box $105.81 at TCGplayer
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If you’re a Pokémon TCG fan who has been holding out for a Perfect Order ETB that isn’t priced like a $200+ chase card, TCGplayer is currently the go-to option. As of March 3, preorders for the Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box are only $95.81 — a hair above the current market price of $95.68. Just keep in mind that shipping is added at checkout.

Even with shipping factored in, it still undercuts Amazon’s current $114.95 price, which is a rare win for a sealed Mega Evolution product this close to launch. Like other retailers, TCGplayer also notes this is a presale item with an estimated shipping date of March 27, 2026 (from the expansion’s official release date). So you’ll be locking in the price now and waiting for release-day fulfillment, offsetting any future price hikes that might come up in the next few weeks.

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The Perfect Order ETB offers the same range you get from other Elite Trainer Boxes: nine booster packs of trading cards, 65 card sleeves, a player’s guide, dice/condition markers, a collector’s storage box with dividers, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

Compared to how Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Boxes are now selling for at least $120, getting this box for just over $105 is a solid deal by comparison. As we get closer to the expansion’s official release on March 27, we expect prices to go up once retailer stock sells out. 

For even lower-priced ETBs, you can also buy the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Boxes for just under $90 at Walmart.

Google has announced a string of updates for Gemini for Home, including "Live Search" for Nest cameras.

Rolled out to U.S. devices in October and November and expanded globally in early 2026, Google's big AI-powered upgrade to Google Assistant has experienced ups and downs — namely, backlash around previously free features that are now paywalled behind a Google Home Premium subscription. However, it seems like Google is listening to feedback on at least the technical side of Gemini for Home, with another batch of improvements hitting the company's competitor to Amazon's Alexa.

On Monday, head of product for Google Home and Nest, Anish Kattukaran, posted on X about the latest updates coming to Google's AI voice assistant and Nest devices, from voice command fixes to location accuracy.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. "Live Search" for Nest cameras Google's latest Nest cameras: the Nest Cam Indoor (3rd gen), Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd gen) and Nest Doorbell (3rd gen). Credit: Google

This is probably the most notable update that Kattukaran announced: A feature available only to Premium subscribers ($10 per month or $100 per year), "Live Search" will be added to Google's Nest cameras. This is different to Google's AI-powered "Search Live" feature, which lets smartphone users request real-time information with their phone camera.

With "Live Search," Kattukaran said you'll be able to "ask Gemini to understand the current state of your home" with questions like "Hey Google, is there a car in the driveway?" and if you have Nest cameras installed you'll get an update from Gemini. Exactly what this means for privacy and security remains to be seen, but honestly, it's been a rocky time for Big Tech and AI-powered cameras.

SEE ALSO: Ring cameras may plan to track people using AI, according to leaked emails

In another Nest upgrade, Google Home's integration with Yale Lock smart locks — where you can manage security measures like passcodes and guest access in the Home app — is out of beta and into general release. And Nest Wifi Pro, Google's mesh WiFi system, has upped performance and security.

Fixes to voice commands including cut-offs The Google Home Speaker, launched in Oct. 2025. Credit: Google

Several updates relate to how users communicate with Google devices, with context improvements promised for asking Gemini general questions and giving everyday commands. A common complaint with Google Home users, getting cut-off while speaking, has also been addressed, with Kattukaran saying that the team has "significantly reduced these premature cut-offs to ensure Gemini correctly understands you, enabling smoother and more fluid turn-taking during live conversations."

There's also been an update to how Gemini understands the nuances of smart devices within the same room (like kitchen lights vs kitchen devices) and those with alternative names (you know you've named your lights something dumb). "Got a device uniquely named 'Table Glow'?" Kattukaran wrote. "Gemini now automatically knows it's a light based on manufacturer data, meaning it will correctly respond to 'turn on the lights' even without the word 'light' in its name."

Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write? Better location accuracy at home

Gemini for Home will apparently go harder on customising responses based on your home address, which you can set in the Google Home app as usual. This means when you're asking Google about the news and weather, it'll be more specific to your area (this is beneficial to people who share a Home account but might not always be under the same roof — people work, socialise, and travel).

According to Kattukaran, Google has also fixed command targeting so if you ask your device to turn off lights, for example, it will only do so in the location you're currently in (if you're a fancy pants with several houses and one Google Home account, this will be helpful to you).

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If you own an old Nook eReader and don't know what to do with it, I've got a few suggestions. Since it runs Android, you can root it, install custom software and give it a new lease of life as an eReader, or repurpose it into an e-ink dashboard.

SAVE UP TO $900: As of March 3, Samsung is offering those who pre-order the new Galaxy S26 Ultra the chance to save up to $900 with an eligible instant trade-in or get $150 Samsung Credit without trade-in.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Save up to $900 with eligible instant trade-in Pre-order Here

Samsung's latest Galaxy Unpacked event was filled with plenty of announcements, including news of the brand new Galaxy S26 Ultra phone. If this sleek device has caught your eye, Samsung's treating customers who pre-order the phone to a bonus when they trade-in an eligible device.

Those interested in pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from Samsung's online store can save up to $900 with an eligible trade-in, which will be credited from your final price. That's a pretty nice offer for a preorder, which starts at $1,299.99 for the 256GB model.

You'll want to be quick to take advantage of this limited-time offer. This offer only lasts for a week (Samsung has a timer already going on the store page), so you don't want to wait too long to make a move on it.

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As with many of these trade-in offers, your device needs to be eligible to qualify. Thankfully, scrolling down to the "Samsung Trade-in" section on the page and clicking "Yes, trade-in" opens up a window where you can check your device's eligibility. The criteria includes its condition, which needs to be "Good" in order to get the full trade-in value. Here are those requirements:

• Device turns on and screen works normally

• Activation Locks are disabled, accounts are removed, and device is factory reset

• Charging port works and battery holds a charge

• Screen, body (front and back), and camera lens are free of cracks

• The device is not on a banned list

Alternatively, if you don't have a device to trade in, you can get $150 worth of Samsung Credit to use towards add-ons when you pre-order. These include earbuds, watches, tablets, select accessories, and select Samsung Care+ packages.

Mashable's Amanda Yeo was able to get hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and highlighted its new privacy display. She stated that she, "Found it remarkably effective — particularly its Maximum mode. Activating the Privacy display made the S26 Ultra's screen appear noticeably darker when viewed from wide angles, rendering it more difficult to read if not facing it head-on."

If you can't wait to get your hands on it, why not save a little cash when pre-ordering? Don't miss out on this great offer to save up to $900 with an eligible instant trade-in Credit when pre-ordering the Galaxy S26 Ultra at Samsung.

The one handy thing about having a president who spent years as a celebrity is that there's no shortage of old footage to draw on when you need a clip of them contradicting themselves after they start a war.

This is exactly what Jimmy Kimmel does in the clip above, digging out some footage of Donald Trump in 2011 saying he thinks Obama "will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate" and calling him "weak and ineffective."

"Well, look at that: another prediction he got right," says Kimmel, before sharing a 2012 tweet from Trump on the same topic: "Now that Obama's poll numbers are in tailspin — watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran," Trump wrote. "He is desperate."

"Well, I guess at least we know why he did this," says Kimmel.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a shopping addict.

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 March 3, 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: Large

• Green: Next to

• Blue: Clothing storage

• Purple: Swift

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: "Big" things

• Green: Be adjacent to

• Blue: Seen in a closet

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Speedy"

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 #996 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "Big" things: APPLE, BROTHER, DIPPER, MAC

• Be adjacent to: ABUT, FLANK, NEIGHBOR, TOUCH

• Seen in a closet: HANGER, HOOK, ROD, SHELF

• Starting with synonyms for "Speedy": BRISKET, FASTIDIOUS, FLEETWOOD, QUICKSAND

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 March 3, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a neat freak.

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 March 3, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 3, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Everything's in place

The words are related to order.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe neatness.

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 Spruced Up.

NYT Strands word list for March 3

• Orderly

• Neat

• Tidy

• Spruced Up

• Immaculate

• Clean

• Shipshape

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're into textiles and fabrics.

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 March 3, 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 March 3, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Cloths.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter N appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

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...

LINEN

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 yesterday's Wordle.

I've been running Linux on a laptop for several years now, and I even bought one that came with Linux preinstalled. I need Windows for barely anything anymore, but that didn't happen without some effort and hard-learned lessons.

The US has launched "major combat operations" in Iran, with Trump taking to the podium to make the announcement while wearing a "U.S." baseball cap.

Speaking on The Daily Show on Monday, Jon Stewart made it clear that it wasn't quite the "solemn" opportunity to "reassure an anxious nation" that he was expecting.

"This is how we're doing this?" asks Stewart in the clip above. "2am, Mar-A-Lago basement, no lighting? You don't even have one of those influencer halo things? You just f***ing go down to the basement? And this is what we're wearing? Blazer, no tie, shirt unbuttoned? Looking more like the father of the bride settling up with the caterer?"

SAVE OVER $100: As of March 3, the 11-inch iPad Air M3 has returned to its lowest-ever price of $599 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on the list price of $749.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) $599 at Amazon
$749 Save $150   Get Deal

Apple recently announced the new M4 iPad Air, but if you don't mind picking up the previous generation of this tablet, Amazon is offering a great discount right now. As of March 3, the 11-inch iPad Air (M3, WiFi + Cellular, 128GB) has dropped to $599 for a limited time.

Not only is this a huge $150 discount from the M3 iPad Air's original list price of $749, but this also marks a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer. What better time to shop?

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The M3 iPad Air boasts speedy performance thanks to the M3 chip, and this particular model comes with 128GB of storage for holding all of your favorite apps, photos, and more. It also has a sleek 11-inch liquid retina display with P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity that makes what's on your screen pop with color and detail. It's a model that the Mashable team thinks very highly of, earning a spot on our list of the best iPads as the top pick for most people.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino notes in this list that "with the M3 chip, it has the same processing power as a MacBook, scoring 11,464 on our Geekbench 6 test. AKA, it packs a lot of power into a more affordable package." On top of that, "It also has an impressive battery life: It ran over 14 hours in our tests, and it has crisp displays for brilliant graphics."

If it's caught your eye, don't miss out on this great deal on the 11-inch iPad Air at Amazon.

If you’re over the winter cold, March’s full moon is the first real sign that spring is finally closing in. Named the Worm Moon, a classic sign of early spring as the ground begins to thaw. But this month’s full moon is extra special: it coincides with a total lunar eclipse. This will turn the Moon a red color, making it a “Blood Moon”. So, if you're in North America, parts of Asia, Australia, or the Pacific, your full moon will look a little different this month.

Keep reading to find out more about this month’s full moon.

When is the March full moon?

March's full moon will occur on Tuesday, March 3. Time and Date estimates it will peak at 6:37 a.m. ET.

What is the March full moon called?

Full moons all have different names, and March's Moon is known as the Worm Moon, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. This name comes from the little worm trails that start appearing as the ground thaws, marking the first signs of spring.

When is the next full moon?

In North America, the next full moon is predicted to take place on April 1.

What are the lunar phases?

The full moon is one of eight phases in the Moon’s roughly 29.5-day orbit around Earth. Each phase shows a different amount of the Moon’s surface lit by the Sun as seen from our perspective. Because we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight makes it appear full, half-lit, or nearly dark at different points in its cycle.

The phases are:

• New Moon — The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (so, we don't see anything).

• Waxing Crescent — A small sliver of light appears on the right side

• 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

• 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.

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It's the Full Moon tonight, and this month's is an extra special one, it's also a total lunar eclipse. This will turn the Moon a red color, earning it the nickname of "Blood Moon". Moon gazers in North America, parts of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific will be lucky enough to see this phenomenon, but for those elsewhere, it'll still be a big and bright moon with lots of features to spot on its surface. Keep reading to find out exactly what you can see.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, March 3, the Moon phase is Full Moon . According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 100% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Whether the Moon appears red in color or not, with just your naked eye tonight you can see the Aristarchus Plateau and Mares Imbrium and Serenitatis. If you have binoculars, you should also catch a glimpse of the Mare Nectaris, Alps Mountains and Clavius Crater. If you have a telescope, pull it out for the Blood Moon and to try and see the Linne Crater, Rupes Altai, and the Rima Hyginus.

When is the next Full Moon?

In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.

What are Moon phases?

NASA says the Moon takes around 29.5 days to circle Earth, moving through a set of eight distinct phases along the way. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the portion lit by the Sun changes as it travels, which is why it can look full, half-lit, or barely visible at different points in the cycle. These changing views are what we call the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

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.

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The lunar eclipse is coming, and it's going to be a big one. The so-called blood moon on Tuesday night will see the moon illuminated in a dusty red hue during a total lunar eclipse. While it'll be a sight to behold, it'll also be a sight to capture in photos. Thankfully, phone cameras have gotten really good over the years – and there's no reason you can't capture a solid photo with a decently modern phone.

But capturing something like a lunar eclipse involves a little more than just opening the camera app and hitting the capture button – at least if you want reasonably high-quality pictures. Here are some tips and tricks to help you take the best lunar eclipse photos you can, both in general, and with your specific phone.

General advice for taking lunar eclipse photos with your phone

There are a few things you can do to ensure that you capture great lunar eclipse photos with your phone no matter which model you have. Some things are very simple – clean your camera lens, and if your phone has one, shoot in RAW mode. This allows the device to capture more data than typical shooting modes. That means you can edit the photos more easily down the line without losing any image quality. If you're comfortable with camera settings and post-processing, it's worth leveraging the RAW mode. 

SEE ALSO: The good and bad news about total lunar eclipse viewing in the U.S.

Some things are slightly less simple but still worth doing to get the best shot. Perhaps the most important thing to do when capturing a lunar eclipse photo is to use a tripod, or at the very least, place your phone on a stable surface of some kind. Even minor movements and shakes will disrupt the photo, making it blurry, especially in the low-light conditions in which you'll be shooting. Movement and shaking are so disruptive that it's even worth placing your phone on a timed capture mode that can allow you to take your hands off the device, and for it to stop shaking, before the photo is captured.

Other things you can do might depend on your phone model a little. For example, it's worth using a telephoto lens if your phone has one built in, but don't use digital zoom as it will degrade the photo. Instead, consider using a telephoto lens attachment for your phone, which will allow you to zoom further in optically, ensuring that you get the best quality photo without losing any detail. Additionally, make sure that when you take the photo, you focus on the moon itself. On most phones, you'll be able to do this by simple tapping on the screen. You'll want to focus on the edge of the moon, which will direct the camera towards a crisp line that it can focus on.

SEE ALSO: An astronomer gave us tips for watching the imminent total lunar eclipse

Last but not least, you'll want to experiment with exposure settings, ensuring that the image isn't too dark and that the moon isn't so bright as to remove any color.

Some of these tricks will vary a little depending on your phone model – so here are some more specific tips for taking the best lunar eclipse photos with your phone. 

Taking lunar eclipse photos with an iPhone

If you have an iPhone, you have a series of great tools available to you for capturing awesome photos. That's especially true if you have a "Pro" phone, which has a telephoto camera that you can and should use to take photos of the lunar eclipse.

On an iPhone, it's very easy to take photos of the lunar eclipse. If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or a later Pro model, you can switch to capturing in Apple's ProRAW format by heading to Settings > Camera > Formats. Make sure ProRAW is toggled on. Depending on your iPhone model, you'll then be able to select the resolution. Then, when you're in the camera app, simply hit the "RAW," "ProRAW" or "ProRAW Max" button on the top right-hand corner.

Other settings are slightly easier to use. On an iPhone, simply tap on the area you want to focus on, and to adjust exposure, tap on that area then slide the little sun icon up or down. It's worth experimenting a little to get the right settings and the perfect photo. 

Taking lunar eclipse photos with a Samsung phone

Samsung phones, especially flagship models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, come with powerful camera features that can help you get a great shot of the lunar eclipse. If your Samsung phone has a telephoto lens, make sure to use it rather than relying on digital zoom, which can reduce image quality. The highest-end Samsung phones these days have two telephoto cameras. Use the one with the furthest zoom when capturing the lunar eclipse. On the S25 Ultra, this is the 5x zoom telephoto camera.

If you want to keep things simple, open the Samsung camera app, hit the "5x" button to switch to the telephoto camera, and make sure the moon is in focus – then take the photo.

If you want a little more control, however, it might be worth using Samsung Expert RAW. To enable it, open the Camera app, tap “More,” then select “Expert RAW.” The first time you do this, the device will install the Expert Raw app, and it will appear as a separate app on your phone, but you'll still be able to open that app from the main camera app. In Expert RAW, you can experiment with slower shutter speeds and lower ISO, which might make for brighter and more detailed shots without overexposing. 

Taking total lunar eclipse photos with a Google Pixel

Google Pixel phones are known for their excellent computational photography, and they can handle lunar eclipse shots well with the right settings. If you have a recent Pixel model, Night Sight mode will be your best friend. Open the Camera app, swipe to Night Sight, and frame your shot.

Pixel phones actually go further than basic Night Sight, with Astrophotography mode – which should activate automatically when the phone is steady on a tripod, and Night Sight is on. You can also manually enable it if it doesn't seem to be working by heading to Night Sight mode (one of the main camera modes), and tapping on the little moon icon on the bottom right. This mode will capture a long exposure image with more detail and color. Just make sure to keep your phone completely still while the photo is being taken, as even small movements can cause blur.

To fine-tune the shot, tap on the moon to lock focus and adjust the exposure slider to avoid over-brightening. And you can enable RAW capture by hitting the camera settings button on the bottom left of the screen, tapping on the Pro tab, and toggling on RAW. Enabling it will allow for better post-processing down the line. 

Other phones

Many other Android phones also offer excellent tools for capturing a lunar eclipse. Most modern Android devices come with a dedicated Night Mode, which you can typically access by swiping through the camera modes or selecting it from a menu. Night Mode helps enhance low-light shots by increasing exposure time and reducing noise. Thankfully, on many phones, any built-in Night Mode will activate automatically when low lighting is detected. 

Many Android phones also feature a RAW shooting mode, allowing you to capture more image data and edit your photos without sacrificing quality. You can usually enable RAW mode in the camera settings under an 'Advanced' or 'Pro' section. If your phone includes a Pro Mode, it’s worth experimenting with manual settings like ISO and shutter speed to fine-tune your eclipse photos for the best possible results.

Even without RAW modes, however, the simple rules apply – use a tripod, make sure the phone has focused properly on the moon, and set the right exposure.

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One anxiety when you’re signing up for a dating site, especially one of the more spicy ones like AdultFriendFinder, is the paper trail or, in this day and age, the digital paper trail.

Maybe you’re married or in a relationship, or maybe you and your ex still haven’t separated your financial lives, or maybe you just don’t like the idea of your bank teller or financial advisor knowing about your online activities — whatever the reason, it’s perfectly natural to worry about what your dating app subscription will look like on your bank statement, especially if that subscription service contains the word “adult.”

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

Thankfully, AdultFriendFinder has already anticipated this concern. If you do decide to upgrade from a free membership to a paid one, whether you opt for their Gold or VIP subscription, your monthly billing statement will only show up as FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF, a relatively cryptic and innocuous line that won’t arouse undue suspicion or judgment. Do be aware, though, that AdultFriendFinder subscriptions default to “auto renew,” so if you purchase a membership and want to cancel, you’ll have to actively disable the auto-renew function. Otherwise you risk having the mysterious FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF statement showing up once again.

But what if even that isn’t good enough for you?

If you’re especially cautious — or especially paranoid — you can bypass the bank statements entirely by paying with a gift card or a cash, check, or money order (available only to users in the U.S.). You can even use an e-wallet option like AirTM. Residents of the UK can opt to pay by SMS.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet and NSFW chats

If avoiding a digital paper trail is your top priority and privacy is paramount, you’re much better off using these payment options and never handing over your credit card details to begin with.

Want to watch college basketball this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Get Deal Best for affordability Sling TV Orange + Blue $23/month for your first month, then $45.99/month Get Deal Best for top weekend games Paramount+ with Showtime $13.99/month or $139.99/year Get Deal BEST FOR SMALL SCHOOL FANS ESPN+ $29.99/month Get Deal Best for Big Ten games Peacock Premium $10.99/month Get Deal BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months (save $99) Get Deal

The Florida Gators have climbed to the No. 5 spot in the college basketball rankings after a nine-game undefeated streak. That puts them in good stead for the postseason, with the SEC Conference tournament set to start on March 11. But first they face off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who are playing for pride at this point and trying to break a losing streak.

If you want to watch Mississippi State vs. Florida from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mississippi State vs. Florida?

Mississippi State vs. Florida takes place at 8 p.m. ET on March 3. This game takes place at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Mississippi State vs. Florida is broadcast on SECN.

How to watch college basketball in 2025/26

Fans can live stream college basketball on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN+ (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN+ $29.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ESPN+ only

If your favorite team plays in the America East, Atlantic Sun, Ivy League, or Southland conference, then ESPN+ is the only way to watch those teams without going to the games. For many other leagues that don’t have many games on traditional TV channels, ESPN+ is the primary way to watch games.

It's worth noting that an ESPN+ subscription gives you access to ESPN+ only. For the full range of ESPN and sports access, choose an alternative tier.

The ESPN Select tier (for classic content, studio shows, and replays) is priced at $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year. ESPN Unlimited (all ESPN live channels and ESPN+ content) costs $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.

Peacock Premium (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $10.99/month Shop Now

The Big Ten Conference will have games exclusively on Peacock this season, so to catch all those conference contests, you’ll need Peacock.

Members of the Big Ten Conference in 2025-26 include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.

There are 58 Big Ten men’s basketball games scheduled to be broadcast exclusively on Peacock. Peacock Premium costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ACBS, FOX, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and USA Network. 

FuboTV will be a great option for the college basketball regular season. Its Pro plan at $84.99 per month will give you access to hundreds of college basketball games. There is also a seven-day free trial. 

If you’re a fan of teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you’ll want to upgrade to the Elite plan to get the ACC Network. The Elite plan is $104.99 per month. 

The biggest channels missing from the FuboTV lineup are TBS, TNT, and truTV. Those carry a large chunk of games during the NCAA Tournament, and the 2026 Final Four and national championship game are scheduled to be broadcast on TBS. To get those games, you’ll need to go elsewhere such as the B/R Sports add-on with Max. 

Paramount+ with Showtime (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount Paramount + with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $13.99/month Shop Now

Channels: CBS, CBS Sports HQ

CBS mainly shows college basketball games on the weekends, so if you’re mainly a weekend viewer until March, this would work for you.

Paramount+ gives you a seven-day free trial. To live stream CBS on Paramount+, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, and that is $12.99 per month. You can also choose the annual plan at $119.99 per year, and you save about $3 per month. 

Paramount+ also gives students a 25% discount. CBS Sports Network games are not available to live stream through Paramount+ on its own. You'll need the Showtime add-on.

Sling TV Orange + Blue (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

If you’re a casual college basketball fan, an option like Sling may be a good fit for you. It's a comprehensive sporting service with a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets — for $45.99 per month (with an introductory deal of 50% off for the first month) — but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for your first 2 months Shop Now

Channels: CBS, FOX, ACCN, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, The CW, USA Network

YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial. It is then $59.99 per month for the first two months. That will get you most of the way through the 2025-26 college basketball season. After the introductory rate, the rate is $82.99 per month starting in the third month. 

How to watch Mississippi State vs. Florida from anywhere in the world

If you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college basketball from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Mississippi State vs. Florida from anywhere in the world 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Mississippi State vs. Florida from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).

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

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 Tuesday, March 3, 2026:

AcrossWhen tripled, "That's correct!"

• The answer is Ding.

"F1" or "One Battle After Another"

• The answer is Output.

Make up for one's sins

• The answer is Atone.

Title film character who says "That'll do, Donkey. That'll do"

• The answer is Shrek.

Pocket janglers

• The answer is Keys.

DownWords before "math" or "honors"

• The answer is Do the.

What the world's first chess set was carved from

• The answer is ivory.

Highest digits in Sudoku

• The answer is Nines.

Nerd

• The answer is Geek.

Cover up

• The answer is Mask.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.