Blogroll

Get this curved QD-OLED Alienware monitor for its lowest-ever price — save nearly $200 at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:47

TL;DR: The Alienware (AW3423DWF) 34-inch curved QD-OLED gaming monitor is currently on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual $699 list price — a nearly $200 saving on a premium ultrawide display.

Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware 34-inch AW3423DWF Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor $499.99 at Amazon
$699 Save $199.01 Get Deal

One of the biggest obstacles to upgrading your gaming setup’s monitor to an OLED is the high price point of big-brand models, but Alienware might have just solved that problem. As of Feb. 16, the 34-inch Alienware QD-OLED gaming monitor (AW3423DWF model) has dropped to $499.99 on Amazon, marking the lowest price we’ve seen for this premium ultrawide gaming screen — as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

You’re getting a monitor that’s built around a 34-inch Quantum Dot OLED panel with a 3440x1440 resolution and a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, and designed to pull you into games without cluttering your desk with multiple displays. The 1,800R curve aims to keep visuals comfortably in view, while the deep contrast and vibrant color performance helps everything from competitive shooters like Fortnite to cinematic RPGs such as Final Fantasy XVI or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

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Performance-wise, you’re looking at a speedy 165Hz refresh rate paired with an ultra-fast 0.1ms response time, which should keep fast-paced action feeling smooth and responsive. What’s more, support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 also helps reduce screen tearing and enhance darker scenes; this makes it especially great for both longer gaming sessions or when you’re playing in a well-lit room, which could normally make darker gameplay moments or cutscenes harder to see.

Beyond gaming, Alienware also has its Creator Mode and extensive connectivity options, which make it a flexible pick for content creation or multitasking workflows. Along with customizable AlienFX lighting and a sleek Legend 2.0 design, there’s lots of added value in this almost $200 price cut. 

For other gaming monitors at a bargain price, Amazon has also cut the price of the 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 by 35% for Presidents’ Day. If you don’t want to go for anything much bigger than this Alienware model, the 40-inch Samsung Odyssey G7 Curved gaming monitor is also on sale at $450 off. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 3 Linux software names make a lot more sense once you know the full story

How-To Geek - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:30

Terminal commands and FOSS philosophies aside, one of the biggest challenges new Linux folks face is just the sheer number of odd and difficult-to-pronounce names for things. I'll explain a few of them and their interesting origins.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This affordable sports car holds its value better than most Corvettes

How-To Geek - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:15

In a world where new cars lose value the moment they leave the lot, sports cars are especially brutal. Even names like Ferrari, Porsche, and the Chevrolet Corvette aren’t immune.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Presidents Day Apple deals — huge discounts on AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, Apple Watches, and more

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:00
The best Presidents' Day Apple deals at a glance: Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular, 42mm) $299 (save $200) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $489.99 (save $109.01) Get Deal Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 (save $150) Get Deal Best Apple accessory deal Apple AirTag (1st Gen) $17 (save $12) Get Deal

If you were disappointed that you missed out on any decent Apple deals during the last Black Friday or Prime Day, Presidents' Day has come through with the good stuff. Compared to the Apple store's usually skippable price drops through sale seasons, third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart can offer you far better prices for the same high value the brand is known for.

SEE ALSO: All the new products Apple could release in March: iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBooks

Pro tip: Opt for a last-gen model to save the most. Walmart has an Apple Watch Series 10 with cellular connectivity on sale for $200 off, which makes it the same price as a non-cellular Series 11. The big-box store is also selling first-gen AirTags for only $17 a pop. They sold out on Amazon earlier this week after falling to the same price there.

For more good Presidents' Day deals on non-Apple stuff, check out our dedicated guides to Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart's sales this weekend.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon and Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

The non-ANC AirPods are some of our top budget earbuds. They connect seamlessly with iPhones, sound great, and last for up to five hours at a time. (Their included charging case offers up to 30 total hours of juice.) Amazon and Walmart both have them on sale for $99, or 23% off. They're 99 cents pricier at Best Buy.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4.

More Presidents' Day deals on AirPodsBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular, 42mm) $299 at Walmart
$499 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

The previous version of Apple's flagship wearable has a thin, bright OLED display, fast charging, and tons of built-in health sensors, including a blood oxygen monitor. It supports all the latest watchOS 26 features like Workout Buddy, Sleep Score, and hypertension notifications. Compared to the newer Series 11, the only "upgrades" the Series 10 lacks are a slightly better battery life and more scratch-resistant glass.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

More Presidents' Day deals on Apple WatchesBest iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $489.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $109.01   Get Deal Why we like it

With a speedy processor and a long battery life, the M3 iPad Air is our favorite Apple tablet for most people. (The regular iPad is pokier and better for kids, while the iPad Pro is overkill.) "It will be your new go-to device for streaming, reading, or creative projects," writes Mashable's Samantha Mangino. The base model with 128GB of storage is on sale for $489.99 on Amazon, which is its lowest price since Black Friday. It's nearly $60 more expensive at Best Buy.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple iPad Air (M3).

More Presidents' Day deals on iPadsBest MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849.99 at Amazon
$999 Save $149.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's current MacBook Air is an exceptional value at full price, so it's a no-brainer recommendation whenever it goes on sale. It features a nice 12MP webcam, a snappy keyboard, and a crisp display, and its M4 chip is miles faster than any other Windows laptop at its price point. It also comes in a slightly pricier 15-inch size if you want a bigger screen and better audio quality. That one's on sale for $150 off at Amazon, too. (Both versions are $50 more expensive at Best Buy, so stick with Amazon.)

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M4).

More Presidents' Day deals on MacBooksDeals on MacsBest Apple accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (1st Gen) $17 at Walmart
$29 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

The original AirTag has fallen to its lowest price ever in the wake of its successor's release last month. They're very similar Bluetooth trackers; the newer one just adds a bigger tracking range and a louder speaker. If you need a couple extra for your keys, wallet, or pet, you can snag a four-pack on sale for only $64 at Amazon and Walmart (another all-time low). That works out to just $16 per AirTag. For reference, Best Buy is selling them individually for $24.99 and bundled for $69.99.

Read Mashable's breakdown of the differences between the first- and second-gen Apple AirTags.

More Presidents' Day deals on AirTagsDeals on Apple PencilsDeals on iPhone cases and accessoriesDeals on Apple chargers, charging cables, and adapters
Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Netflix video podcasts: Bridgerton companion & more

How-To Geek - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:00

Video podcasts are one of the biggest trends in the media space. While many users still listen to their favorite shows, the presence of video adds another element to the podcast landscape. Think of video podcasts as the new form of late-night talk shows.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Australia vs. Sri Lanka in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:51

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

The 2026 T20 World Cup showcased the biggest game in world cricket over the weekend. India secured a huge victory over Pakistan in the group stage, but there are more massive matchups on the schedule. In a tournament like this, there's no rest.

Australia take on Sri Lanka in the next tantalising contest. Australia desperately need to secure a win if they want to have any chance of progressing into the next round. They lost their last game against Zimbabwe. Hosts Sri Lanka have won both of their opening games. They could dump Australia out of the competition with another win here.

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

When is Australia vs. Sri Lanka?

Australia vs. Sri Lanka in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 16. This game takes place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Sri Lanka for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

  4. Visit ICC.TV

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Good Luck, Have Fun, Dont Die cast confesses which apps have them addicted to their phones

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:49

As the internet debates the pros and cons of AI, Gore Verbinski's outrageous action comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is not afraid to take sides. And while some filmmakers (like Darren Aronofsky) are all too happy to toy with this technology, this movie has major beef with the rise of artificial intelligence.

Written by Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying), Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die stars Sam Rockwell as a time traveler who crashes into a Los Angeles diner looking for a motley crew to help him stop the rise of an AI tyrant. Joining him in his quest are a pair of high school teachers, played by Zazie Beetz and Michael Peña, who've learned the hard way not to get between their students and their cell phone addictions.

In a virtual interview, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko asked Rockwell, Beetz, and Peña about what apps have them addicted to their phones and what the future of AI in filmmaking is as they see it.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is now playing in theaters.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 easy ways to automatically change your wallpaper on Ubuntu

How-To Geek - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:30

Let's agree on something: Compared to Windows Spotlight, Ubuntu's dynamic wallpaper feature is not very good. Fortunately, Linux is very customizable, and if you don't want to, you don't have to stare at the same wallpapers forever, not when you can use these five methods to control your desktop's aesthetic and how often the wallpaper changes automatically.

Categories: IT General, Technology

John Oliver returns to Last Week Tonight and rips into ICE and DHS

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:23

John Oliver returned to late night on Sunday with one hell of a Thomas Jefferson-style "so what'd I miss?"

Last Week Tonight premiered Season 13 on Sunday night after a three-month hiatus, with Oliver acknowledging that quite a bit has happened.

“We’ve been off for the last three months, and we have missed a lot. And I mean a lot, a lot," Oliver said before quickly recapping the news, from the latest release of Epstein files to Donald Trump threatening to take over Greenland / Iceland, Zohran Mamdani being elected New York mayor to Norwegian athlete Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating at the Winter Olympics.

SEE ALSO: 8 of the biggest late night moments of 2025

Then, in one of his signature, 30-minute deep dives, Oliver ripped into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), examining their colossal budgets and $100 million 'wartime recruitment' media blast that Oliver called a "disturbing pattern of what sure seems like white nationalist dog whistles." The host noted that Last Week Tonight did reach out to the department on this.

"We reached out to DHS for comment and they angrily denied any dog whistles, adding 'We will not apologise for using patriotic messaging and symbolism in our advertisements,'" he said. "They also told us, and I quote, 'One could say, we are Homelandmaxxing by removing illegal aliens and defending our borders' is a sentence I genuinely feel dumber for saying out loud."

Oliver also spent time unpacking Donald Trump's DHS secretary, social media promo opportunist, and insistent cosplayer Kristi Noem, who has faced fierce criticism from Republicans and Democrats after the fatal shootings of civilians Renée Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

"Noem's been put in charge of DHS at the moment when it's experiencing an unprecedented funding surge," Oliver explained. "Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill last summer essentially doubled DHS' funding over the next four years, and it's worth looking at where all of that money is and, equally importantly, isn't going. Because DHS' resources are now being pointed at immigration more heavily than ever before, to the point that has been called a 'veritable Department of Deportation.' ICE alone was handed an extra $75 billion to spend over Trump's term, tripling its annual budget."

Oliver concluded the segment with a strong statement about the future.

"We need to get rid of ICE, period. Public trust in it right now is hovering somewhere between the Purdue Pharma and the Titan submersible. It is just not salvageable," he said.

"And if you're thinking, well, who will force immigration law if ICE is gone? I don't know, maybe the agencies that did it for decades before 2003? As for DHS as a whole, I would argue it's no longer tenable in its current form. And while maybe there is an argument for having a larger agency coordinating different federal departments, it should probably be redesigned from the ground up — and deliberately, this time, not by suddenly gluing together org charts in a blind panic."

"Even if you get rid of Kristi Noem, which you should, Stephen Miller will still be there," Oliver continued. "And even if you get rid of him, this administration will remain. But even if they are gone and we get rid of ICE and DHS, we're still going to be left with the broken immigration laws that gave them permission to do what they have done. Millions of people will continue to be vulnerable, because, as we've discussed repeatedly before on this show, our current immigration system makes it somewhere from difficult to impossible for many to come in 'the right way.'"

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 worthy Prime Video movies to watch this week (February 16 - February 22)

How-To Geek - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:00

This week, it’s your last shot at a Valentine’s movie recommendation—you know, in case you’re feeling all nostalgic and whatnot. There’s still time to grab your person and settle in for some "holiday" romance, and you can do that with my recommended 2016 Academy Award winner.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux Mint isn't the best Windows replacement anymore

How-To Geek - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 12:30

ZorinOS has been getting a lot of hype ever since Microsoft dropped support for Windows 10. Turns out the hype is justified. Linux Mint has been my go-to recommendation for Windows users, but testing ZorinOS changed my opinion.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 16, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 12:22

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you keep calm.

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 February 16, 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: A good laugh

  • Green: They sound the same

  • Blue: Bird noises

  • Purple: Reactions

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Knee slapper

  • Green: Homophones

  • Blue: Sounds a chicken makes

  • Purple: Stress responses

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 #981 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Knee slapper: HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, SCREAM

  • Homophones: DO, DOE, DOH, DOUGH

  • Sounds a chicken makes: BUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, SQUAWK

  • Stress responses: FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE

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 February 16, 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 today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 16, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 12:14

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love being on the ice.

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 February 16, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The cutting edge

The words are related to sports.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a popular winter sport.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Figure Skating.

NYT Strands word list for February 16

  • Crossover

  • Jump

  • Spin

  • Lift

  • Throw

  • Figure Skating

  • Loop

  • Combo

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 16, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 12:14

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a bird watcher.

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 February 16, 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 February 16, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A bird landing.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

ROOST

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 today's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 16, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 12:10

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 16, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 16 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 16 Pips

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 16 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically; 1-0, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 16, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:48

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you know baseball pitchers.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Regionally specific basketball

  • Green: Visual elements

  • Blue: Linked by leadership

  • Purple: Baseball soundalikes

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: California NBA teams

  • Green: In a "Sportscenter" broadcast

  • Blue: Coached by Jim Harbaugh

  • Purple: Homophones of CY Young Award winners

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 #511 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • California NBA teams - CLIPPERS, KINGS, LAKERS, WARRIORS

  • In a "Sportscenter" broadcast - ANCHOR, CHYRON, HIGHLIGHTS, TICKET

  • Coached by Jim Harbaugh - 49ERS, CHARGERS, MICHIGAN, STANFORD

  • Homophones of CY Young award winners - BURNS, COAL, COLOGNE, SAIL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 16, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:36

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 Monday, Feb. 16, 2026:

AcrossWhat some people solve the Mini for

  • The answer is Speed.

Chat, informally

  • The answer is Convo.

Fire truck attachments

  • The answer is Hoses.

What other people solve the Mini for

  • The answer is Fun.

"Are we there ___?"

  • The answer is Yet.

DownAcademy or university: Abbr.

  • The answer is Sch.

Like a voluminous winter jacket

  • The answer is Poofy.

Come next

  • The answer is Ensue.

___ planner (occupation)

  • The answer is Event.

Number before tres

  • The answer is Dos.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Presidents Day mattress deals — save up to 60% on mattresses, beds, sheets, and pillows

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:11
The best Presidents' Day mattress deals at a glance: Best overall deal DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress with free accessories (queen) $1,099 (save $1,397) Get Deal Best organic mattress deal Naturepedic Serenade Organic Hybrid Mattress (queen) $1,599.20 (save $399.80) Get Deal Best foam mattress deal Bear Original Mattress (queen) $649 (save $349) Get Deal

As much as we try to ignore it, sleep is a major part of life. Ask any parent of a young child or someone who's dealing with jet lag and they'll confirm that sleep makes a big difference. It impacts our mood, cognitive ability, and even the immune system.

We have tons of great tech that helps us get restorative slumber like sleep earbuds that are comfortable enough for side sleepers, smart beds that adjust temperature automatically, sleep trackers, and air purifiers that help with breathing in healthy air. But those probably won't help all that much if your mattress is uncomfortable. A good bed is both supportive of your back, shoulders, and hips while also being comfortable enough to keep you sound asleep. If that's not happening, it might be time for a new bed.

Just like how there's a best time of the year to buy a new TV, mattresses have a few standout sale times. Presidents' Day happens to be one of the best times to score a major discount on a new mattress, bedding, and pillows. If you bedroom or your guest room has been asking for a refresh, check out these deals. These upgrades are a great way to kickoff spring cleaning season.

Best overall mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress (queen) $1,099 at DreamCloud
$2,496.01 Save $1,397.01 mattress protector, sheet set, and two cooling pillows included Get Deal Why we like it

Last spring when I tested the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress, I was shocked by the quality to price ratio. It feels like a luxury mattress you'd encounter at a 5-star hotel, but its price falls into the affordable range. In fact, a single night's stay at some 5-star resorts would cost more than this mattress.

The DreamCloud Premier is a hybrid bed that combines a plush pillow-top with ultra supportive memory foam and coil layers. The edge-support is also noteworthy. When testing, I felt like this was a great option for couples thanks to the motion isolation or anyone who's a combination sleeper and needs support in several positions.

The DreamCloud Presidents Day Sale tosses in a mattress protector, bamboo sheet set, and two cooling pillows. If you're shopping for a queen-size, you'll be able to get the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid with these accessories for $1,099.

Best organic mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Naturepedic Naturepedic Serenade Organic Hybrid Mattress (queen) $1,119.20 at Naturepedic
$1,999 Save $879.80   Get Deal Why we like it

If you shop for organic food and look for clothing made of natural materials, you might want to opt for an organic mattress. The Naturepedic Serenade Organic Hybrid Mattress is on sale during the brand's winter refresh sale. The eight-inch tall mattress uses certified organic latex, wool, and cotton, which eliminates the need to use chemical-derived foam or flame retardants.

Aside from the all-organic materials and glue-free design, one of the highlights of the Naturepedic Serenade Organic Hybrid Mattress is its customization options. You can get the mattress in plush, cushion-firm, or firm to best suit your sleeping style and needs. Plus, wool and cotton are naturally breathable materials, so this could be excellent if you tend to sleep hot.

Best foam mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Original Mattress (queen) $649 at Bear
$998 Save $349 mattress protector and two pillows included Get Deal Why we like it

An all-foam bed is a great option for tons of people, and Bear makes some of the best if you're looking for an excellent value. In a queen size, the Bear Original Mattress usually costs $998, but it's on sale for $649 during the Bear Presidents Day Sale. Plus, the brand is throwing in two free pillows and a free mattress protector.

Bear uses three layers of foam on the Bear Original that are designed to provide great support and comfort to pressure points. This could also be a great option for a kids' room thanks to its affordability. In a twin size, the Bear Original is on sale for $463.

More mattress and bedding deals

  • Amerisleep — save $1,000 on a mattress with code PD2026

  • Avocado — take up to 20% off organic mattresses and 10% off organic bedding and pillows

  • Awara — save 50% on select mattresses

  • Bear — save 35% off sitewide

  • Beautyrest — save up to $1,000 on select mattress and adjustable base sets

  • Big Fig — get $500 off any mattress + 25% off everything else with code PRES

  • Birch — take 25% off sitewide with code PRES25

  • Brooklinen — take 20% off sitewide

  • Brooklyn Bedding — save up to 35% on mattresses

  • Bryte — save up to $1,000 off sitewide

  • Casper — take up to 30% off on mattresses and 35% off bedding bundles and pillows

  • Coop Sleep Goods — save up to 40% sitewide

  • Helix — take 25% off sitewide with code PRES25

  • Eight Sleep — save up to $350

  • Essentia — take 21% off sitewide

  • Eli & Elm — buy one pillow, get a second for 50% off

  • FluffCo — take 20% off sitewide

  • Layla — take up to $200 off mattresses and get two free Layla Pillows and free bamboo sheet set

  • Leesa — take 30% off mattresses and 25% off bedding

  • Linenspa — save 20% off mattresses sitewide

  • Lull — save 60% on all mattresses and get free sheets, pillows, and a mattress protector

  • Naturepedic — take 20% off sitewide

  • Nectar — save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

  • Nest — save up to 15% on mattresses and 20% on pillows

  • Nolah — take 35% off sitewide with free in-home set-up and removal on qualifying orders

  • Puffy — save up to $1,350

  • Purple — take up to $500 off a mattress and earn up to $300 in gift credit

  • Siena — save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Silk & Snow — get a free sleep bundle with mattress purchase

  • Sleep Number — 50% off Limited Edition mattress

  • Tempur-Pedic — save up to $500 and get $300 in free accessories; BOGO pillows and sheets bundles

  • Tuft & Needle — save 20% sitewide

  • Westin — save 20% on mattresses

  • WinkBeds — save 30%

  • Woolroom — save up to 40%

Categories: IT General, Technology

A parents guide to Lego Smart Bricks

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:00

By now, you might have heard about Lego Smart Play system, which Lego calls the biggest evolution in brick-building technology in 50 years. You may have even heard of the Smart Bricks from your kids. 

Or perhaps you saw Mashable's own CES coverage of the unveiling, when Lego made its first appearance at the world's biggest technology convention to officially announce Smart Play and Smart Bricks.

Lego's first Smart Play sets, which are all part of the Lego Star Wars line, are now available for pre-order and will start shipping in early March.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Pre-order Lego Smart Play Building Kits Starting at $39.99 Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon Building Kit $99.99 at Amazon
Ships March 1 Get Deal

Whether you know what Smart Play or Smart Bricks are or not, you probably have some questions: More tech for my children? Is this safe? Will their privacy be respected? Should I get Lego Smart Bricks for them?

Mashable is here to help.

What are Lego Smart Play and Lego Smart Bricks?

Lego, the iconic 93-year-old toy company, isn't known for computer chips or gyroscopes or sensors; they're known for their simple multi-colored interconnecting building bricks and square Lego people. Yet, at CES, Lego announced they were bringing those chips and gyroscopes, and sensors to their building bricks and Lego people with their Smart Play line, which includes Smart Bricks, Smart Tags, and Smart Minifigures.

Smart what now? Let's break it all down.

Lego Smart Bricks Credit: Lego

Smart Bricks are the new Lego brick with all that previously mentioned tech inside. They work just like any other Lego brick when it comes to building. Smart Bricks can snap into any regular Lego brick and vice versa. However, Smart Bricks can also play sounds, light up in different colors, and interact with the world around them.

For example, if you connect a Smart Brick to a Lego airplane, the plane will make different sounds depending on whether you're a kid flying the plane right-side up or upside down. If the Lego plane is "crashing," the Smart Brick will make screaming noises as if it's emitting from the Lego minifigure pilot.

Smart Tags are a thin, flat surface brick that snaps onto your Lego creation and informs the Smart Brick about what it's connected to. Using that airplane example, you'd need the Smart Tag for that Lego airplane in order for the Smart Brick to know how to make those corresponding airplane wooshing sounds.

Smart Minifigures are Lego minifigures built specifically for Smart Bricks. The Smart Tag is basically built right onto the figure.

And Smart Play is basically just the name of this entire new interactive Lego toy line.

Lego Star Wars Smart Play TIE Fighter Credit: Lego Are Lego Smart Bricks safe for my kids?

Generations of kids have played with Legos without any sort of tech add-on. Now, our children will experience a whole new Lego. And, of course, whenever technology is introduced to children, there are certain concerns to be watchful for.  Should parents be concerned?

The main worry is usually regarding privacy. Lego says its Smart Bricks technology does not connect to the internet in any way and is completely offline. Lego doesn't collect any data. There are no cameras or audio recording devices inside or connected to Smart Bricks.

Another potential issue when introducing tech to kids is whether it'll affect their playtime or development. This isn't as straightforward as the privacy concerns, as each parent will likely have their own opinion on this. However, Lego said that it created the Smart Play line in order to enhance physical play. It's not meant to take over a child's imagination or creativity. There's no AI involved, no app that Smart Bricks need to connect to, and there are no screens involved at all.

Kids still have to build their Lego creations in the Smart Play line.

A perfect example of Lego Smart Play enhancing physical play was demonstrated by Lego at CES. Lego had two children race their Lego racecars. Thanks to the Smart Play capabilities, the Smart Brick at the finish line was able to light up with the color of the racecar that won the race. In a neck and neck race, Smart Play can help avoid any potential conflict that might arise between two highly competitive kids, leaving time for more building or racing and less arguing..

What will the Lego Smart Play sets look like?

Lego seems to have a good idea of how to sell parents and kids alike on their new Smart Bricks technology. The first Lego Smart Play sets are all Lego Star Wars related.

Lego Star Wars Smart Play X-Wing Credit: Lego

At CES, Lego announced three Lego Star Wars Smart Play sets: Luke's X-Wing, Darth Vader's TIE Fighter, and the Emperor's Throne Room Duel.

Since then, Lego has announced five more Lego Smart Play sets — and once again, they're all Lego Star Wars related: Millennium Falcon, Mos Eisley Cantina, Luke's Landspeeder, Yoda's Hut, and Attack on Endor.

Lego Star Wars Smart Play Throne Room Duel Credit: Lego

The Landspeeder set is the most affordable, priced at $39.99. The Throne Room Duel is the most pricey of the Lego Star Wars Smart Play sets at $159.99.

When will Lego release Smart Play sets?

Lego will release the first Smart Play sets on March 1, but fans can pre-order them now at Lego and Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Pre-Order Lego Smart Play Building Kits   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Reality Check: Inside Americas Next Top Model is rage bait. We watched it so you dont have to.

Mashable - Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:00

Make no mistake. Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model wouldn't exist without hatewatchers on TikTok.

Though America's Next Top Model premiered in 2003, content creators on TikTok have been looking back on the competition show with damning critiques of its problematic photo challenges, fat-shaming tactics, and the harsh words from the show's panel of judges. First, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model delves into these critiques, featuring TikTok snippets to give a sense of the avalanche of criticism. Then, Reality Check's directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan (also co-executive producers) offer new interviews with ANTM host Tyra Banks, plus former ANTM judges — including photographer Nigel Barker, photoshoot director Jay Manuel, and runway walk coach Miss J. Alexander — where they're asked to face the TikTok critiques on camera.

I watched all three episodes of Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, totaling just shy of three hours. Props to Loushy and Sivan, this mini-series has a sensational understanding of its audience, who want to see not only the ANTM's most shocking moments but also the famous judges answering for them. And while this doc is definitely tapping into hate-watching, Reality Check satisfies by asking the hard questions — even if the answers leave much to be desired.

Who is interviewed in Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model? Miss J in "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model." Credit: Netflix

Among the show's judges, Tyra Banks, Miss J. Alexander, Jay Manuel, Nigel Barker, and model manager Nolé Marin give talking-head interviews. Also featured in new interviews are director/developer Ken Mok and TV executive Dawn Ostroff. 

Former contestants also share their story in Reality Check, including Ebony Haith (Cycle 1), Giselle Samson (Cycle 1), Joanie Sprague (Cycle 6), Whitney Thompson (Cycle 10), Dani Evans (Cycle 6), Bre Scullark (Cycle 5), Dionne Walters (Cycle 8), Keenyah Hill (Cycle 4), and Shandi Sullivan (Cycle 2). They share insights into the brutal truth behind their reality TV experiences, and it's not pretty.

Who's not interviewed in Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model? "America’s Next Top Model" stage is lit but empty. Credit: Netflix

The most notable absences are Janice Dickinson and Tiffany Richardson, who both have segments dedicated to their time on the reality competition show. 

As a judge, Dickinson was vicious in her opinions, insulting the contestants to their faces and unapologetically writing them off as ugly or fat. Jay Manuel, who throughout the doc series will defend the show and make excuses for many of its most controversial moments, notes he didn't like Dickinson's brutal approach to critiques and tried to push back with his own. However, he also suggests that her attitude reflected a segment of the modeling industry, and thus had its place on America's Next Top Model.

Did the critiques get too personal? It seemed so for Tiffany Richardson in Cycle 4. She is the contestant whose dressing down from Banks became a meme: "We were rooting for you." And while a substantial part of episode 3, titled "We Were Rooting For You," focuses on this memorable moment, Richardson is not interviewed for Reality Check.

Another surprising absence is Adrianne Curry, the Cycle 1 winner of ANTM, who went on to use that spotlight to become an actress and TV personality. A less noticeable but curious omission, Kenya Barris — who co-created America's Next Top Model and produced it ahead of creating hit sitcoms like Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Mixed-ish — is not interviewed or even mentioned. 

America's Next Top Model's judges offer excuses, not apologies.  Jay Manuel in "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model" Credit: Netflix

In episode one, Jay Manuel says, "It was such a different time," when speaking to the representation that he and Miss J, as queer people of color, brought to the show. However, this phrase, used to express how America's Next Top Model broke boundaries, is also employed by nearly every ANTM judge to justify how the contestants were treated. 

Reality Check begins by swiftly recounting how Banks, as a Black woman, faced prejudice in her modeling career due to the fashion industry's narrow definition of marketable beauty. With America's Next Top Model, she wanted to open the door for other women to pursue careers in modeling and to show the world the breadth of beauty. However, the very premise of the show set every contestant up to be picked apart for how she looked, from her teeth to her skin to her weight, and on and on. As the face of the show, Banks was frequently seen supporting the very stringent view of beauty she claimed to be breaking down. 

In this first episode of Reality Check, Banks is dismissive of people who criticize the ANTM but "didn't watch it back then" when it first aired. She claims that binge-watching on streaming led to people rediscovering the show, and "overnight," the attitude towards it changed to "look how wrong this is." She ignores that America's Next Top Model sparked discourse as it aired about the outrageous stunts pulled and the brutal pursuit of the picture-perfect shot.

Banks argues it's "important to understand where [ANTM] came from," and so begins the finger-pointing to 2000s culture that was obsessed with skinny women and heroin chic. The early 2000s were a cultural nightmare in that regard, judging every remotely famous woman who dared to have a less-than-flat stomach. But as a show that literally promised to present the next big name in modeling, ANTM bolstered that fixation on weight through their determination of what is beautiful or not.

Banks won't acknowledge that; instead she blames pop culture, the modeling industry, her ANTM colleagues (claiming she had no power whenever a tough choice was made), and the audience that tuned in. "We kept pushing, and we kept creating more, more, more," she said of bizarre photo shoots. "You guys were demanding it. The viewers wanted more and more and more." And with every finger-pointing, Reality Check rebrands Banks as a reality TV villain, just as TikTok has been saying.

What scandals does Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model get into? Nigel Barker in "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model." Credit: Netflix

Reality Check digs into plenty of America's Next Top Model's most shocking moments. 

ANTM's most disturbing photo shoots

Episode 2 touches on a barrage of gross or problematic photo shoots, including one where the contestants wore meat, another where unhoused people were treated like set dressing, and, of course, the race-swap challenge, where models were painted and dressed to represent an alternate ethnicity.

In this segment of Reality Check, Banks does say, "Yeah, there's some dumb shit," but also defends the race-bending shoot by saying, "This is my way to show the world that brown and Black is beautiful." 

Several models recount how their photoshoot assignments could feel cruel. One particularly horrid example was in Cycle 8, when the models were tasked to be gorgeous homicide victims. Dionne Walters, who was challenged to pose as a woman shot in the head, points out the producers knew her family had a tragic history with gun violence.

"I think they wanted to see some sort of mental breakdown," she tells Reality Check, noting she's proud she didn't give them that. While apologies are few and far between in this mini-series, ANTM director Mok did say of this particular photo shoot, "I take full responsibility for that shoot. It was a mistake. It was crazy. That one I look back and like, 'You're an idiot.'"

ANTM makeovers that demanded cosmetic surgery

More disturbing, however, is how the contestants, many of whom were young and hadn't been away from home before, were put into high-pressure situations that had lasting impacts on their lives. 

Dani Evans and Joanie Sprague from Cycle 6 recount how the show demanded they get cosmetic dental surgery to continue in the competition. The former was pressured by Banks to get the gap between her two front teeth filled. The other went through hours of painful surgery to get rid of her snaggletooth. 

To this, Banks replies, "I've actually apologized for the issue with Dani and what happened. That was between a rock and a hard place for me, because there were agents that would tell me she will not work with those teeth. It's just not going to happen. That's what they told me... But hindsight is 20/20 for all of us. It just so happens that a lot of things that are 20/20 for me happened in front the world." 

Evans responds in her Reality Check interview, "Bull fucking shit."

Sexual harassment on ANTM Tyra Banks attends"SMiZE & DREAM" Hot Ice Cream First Taste at Artechouse NYC on December 10, 2025 in New York City. Credit: Manny Carabel / Getty Images

Other contestants, including Keenyah Hill from Cycle 4, share how the pressure to keep off weight was intense, leading to girls passing out. Footage from her season shows how Manuel had her pose as "Gluttony" for one photo shoot challenge, then as an elephant in another, with the judges calling her fat in critiques. 

Beyond that, when Hill was sexually harassed by a male model on a photo shoot, she was chastised by the judges for speaking up. In the America's Next Top Model episode, Banks told Evans from the judge's panel she should have said something "in a fun way, where he knows to back the heck up, but it doesn't put static in the air." Essentially, Banks suggested it was on the model being harassed to manage others' comfort about what happened. 

In her interview for Reality Check, Hill gets emotional watching this footage back, pointing out that the male model is groping her legs in the photo that producers chose for judging. 

Looking back on this incident for Reality Check, Banks admits, "It should've been stopped down. We now all understand the protections that women need. And so I say to Keenyah, 'Boo-boo, I am so sorry. None of us knew. Network executives didn't know. And I did the best that I could at that time.' But she deserved more. She did."

"We were rooting for you" wasn't what it seemed.  

We all know the meme. But those of us who watched Tiffany Richardson get screamed at by an uncharacteristically furious Tyra Banks remember how shocking that moment was. Reality Check provides context by presenting footage from America's Next Top Model. Tiffany's arc had been one of a bad girl redeemed. Previously cut from the show because of a physical altercation, she was back and thriving in Cycle 4. Then came the teleprompter challenge. 

The contestants were tasked with reading from a teleprompter without first looking at the copy. Many stumbled on designer names like Hermès, and Tiffany angered the judges by rejecting this challenge, which was clearly designed to make these aspiring models look stupid. When she was told she was no longer in the running to be America's Next Top Model, instead of crying, Richardson laughed as she said goodbye to her fellow contestants. And then Banks went off on her. 

On TV, the dressing down was intense, in large part because it broke from Banks' persona as a gentle, smizing mentor to the contestants. Within the televised rant, Banks said she was yelling but insisted it came from a place of love.

In Reality Check, Banks admits she went "too far." Manuel reveals that Banks said "a lot more" than what was shown and "some of the things that were said were really not well-intentioned." He declines to explain what else was said. But Marin adds, "All I know is next week we had all the lawyers on set."

In an archival interview with E!, Richardson said, "If she loved me, she wouldn't have shown that the way she showed it. If you love someone, you won't humiliate them."

The reality behind Shandi's slut-shaming

Reality Check uncovers the harsh reality that Cycle 2 contestant Shandi Sullivan faced after the show made a spectacle of her "cheating" on her boyfriend. America's Next Top Model presented Shandi's story as a one-night-stand that betrayed her boyfriend back home — and was caught on tape. The morning after, Tyra had an unexpected "girl talk" with the models (while cameras rolled), talking about how bad she felt when she was cheated on. When Shandi called her boyfriend to confess, she wept while he called her a "bitch" on national television

In her interview for Reality Check, Sullivan reveals that she was blackout drunk that night. She notes that while camera crews filmed what happened, no one intervened. She felt the show exploited her to make "good TV," which is a refrain echoed across the model interviews. 

For her part, Banks distances herself from the incident by saying that part of production wasn't her territory. Meanwhile, Mok argues, "We treated Top Model as a documentary,” to explain why no one intervened. However, Sullivan notes the show's makers only gave her a phone to call her boyfriend after she threatened to quit the show. And then, they only gave the phone to her if she'd take the call with cameras rolling. She also reveals that after the show, strangers would slut-shame her on the street in front of her boyfriend.

Calling America's Next Top Model a documentary is intellectually dishonest, as it implies the producers weren't intervening at other times. But they were. His argument that the girls signed on knowing they'd be filmed at all times is infuriatingly insufficient. If these girls were in a fishbowl, even if they agreed to that, they had no say on if someone shakes the fishbowl to see their reaction. They were all pretty meat to the America's Next Top Model grinder.

Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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