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TL;DR: Lego is running Star Wars make and take events on March 7-8. A limited quantity of Lego Star Wars Lightsabers will be available for free at participating stores in the UK.

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 like Star Wars.

Visitors to select Lego Stores on March 7 (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. GMT) and 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 UK, while supplies last. Will we see similar events scheduled for the U.S.? That's down to the Will of the Force.

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We should note that 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 7-8.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box is being sold for $119.99 at Amazon — marking the lowest-ever price for the expansion’s newly released ETB.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $119.99 at Amazon
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Getting the latest ETB in the Pokémon trading card game is as challenging as it’s ever been, but Amazon is currently the best of the leading retailers out there. As of Feb. 25, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box is available for $119.99 at Amazon, landing at its lowest price since launch.

Prices have been fluctuating compared to the other big retailers, but Amazon currently has the competition beat by far — along with only being $2.46 above market price at the time of writing. Walmart is selling Ascended Heroes ETBs for $149.99, TCGplayer for $199.95, and Target for a massive $299.99.

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

Centered around Mega Dragonite ex and the dawn of Mega Evolution in the Pokémon X & Y and Pokémon Legends: Z-A eras of the Kalos region, Ascended Heroes brings back Mega Evolved Pokémon ex cards alongside Trainer’s Pokémon and Stellar Tera Pokémon ex cards. 

Inside the box, you’ll get nine Ascended Heroes booster packs, a full-art foil promo card featuring N’s Zekrom, 65 themed card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a player’s guide, and a collector’s storage box with dividers. There’s also a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

We expect these to sell out very soon, so act fast to secure this low price.

To save even more on Elite Trainer Boxes, you can still grab The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution ETB for just under $95 at Amazon. Meanwhile, the Pokémon TCG Pokémon Day 2026 Collection is still available for under $40 at Amazon — a great collection for celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

TL;DR: Wendy's is giving out free chili for National Chili Day (Feb. 26). Customers who spend at least $5 can qualify for this free giveaway.

The day has finally come. After months of waiting, National Chili Day 2026 has arrived to bless you with the good stuff.

When it comes to chili, it doesn't get any bigger than Wendy's. This famous chili has something of a cult following. If you're a fan, you're probably well aware of National Chili Day and how Wendy's is planning to celebrate. If you're not fully up to speed just yet, you should know that you can grab a small portion of Wendy’s iconic chili on this special day. Here's how to qualify:

• Sign up as a Wendy’s Rewards member (signing up is easy, fast, and free)

• Make a digital order of at least $5 in the Wendy’s app or online

• Collect your free Wendy’s chili on Feb. 26

It's that easy. We know that the small portion of Wendy's chili isn't technically "free" if you're needing to make an order of at least $5, but in this economy? We'll take what we can get. Buy a couple of drinks to partner with your chili. Buy a burger and have the chili as a starter. Do what you've got to do — Wendy's chili is a solid option at anytime of the day.

Score free Wendy's chili on National Chili Day with this limited-time promotion.

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 Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026:

AcrossTesla or Toyota

• The answer is Car.

What the "M" of BMX stands for

• The answer is Moto.

Leafy lunch

• The answer is Salad.

Weighing device

• The answer is Scale.

"To be," in Latin

• The answer is Esse.

DownPepsi and Coke

• The answer is Colas.

Dickens's "___ of Two Cities"

• The answer is A Tale.

Took to another floor, as the [circled letters]

• The answer is Rode.

Apple computers

• The answer is Macs.

Dir. from San Francisco to Santa Monica

• The answer is Sse.

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.

TL;DR: Live stream West Indies vs. South Africa 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 action continues with a couple of huge games on Feb. 26. West Indies take on South Africa, quickly followed by an all-important clash as India meet Zimbabwe. After the first round of Super 8 fixtures, South Africa and West Indies have the advantage in Group 1.

The winner of West Indies vs. South Africa will take a huge step towards qualifying for the semi finals. We're expecting a tight game between two unbeaten sides. Keep a close eye on the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Marco Jansen. They'll be leading the way for their respective sides.

If you want to watch West Indies vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is West Indies vs. South Africa?

West Indies vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 26. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch West Indies vs. South Africa for free

West Indies vs. South Africa 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 West Indies vs. South Africa 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 before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

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.

A new clip of Interview with the Vampire Season 3 has been released, showing Lestat (Sam Reid) not only finding out about Louis' (Jacob Anderson) titular interview, but also hearing its readers unfavourably compare him to his love rival Armand (Assad Zaman). Understandably, he is not having a good time.

Renamed The Vampire Lestat, the third season of Interview with the Vampire covers the second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. In the book, Lestat joins an '80s rock band, goes on tour, and recounts his past both before and after meeting Louis. 

The television adaptation tweaks a few elements from the novel, moving its events several decades forward judging by the clip's inclusion of video calls and Beyonce references. However, it looks as though we can expect both Lestat's musical inclinations and his on-and-off again relationship with Louis to remain.

The Vampire Lestat premieres June on AMC and AMC+.

The first part of Bridgerton's fourth season left us on cliffhanger worthy of throwing glassware, with three little words hanging in the air: "Be my mistress." And they'll stay there, stitched into the hem of Part 2, which continues the season's trials, trysts, and tribulations, and moves into more serious territory (don't worry, it's still Bridgerton, not Hamnet).

Season 4, Part 2 sees the Shondaland/Netflix series moving between joy, forbidden love, and tragedy, with soapy fairy tale twists and swoon-worthy romance decked out in the series' signature pop Regency aesthetic. Steamy and sad, the season sees showrunner Jess Brownell lean into considerations of love beyond society's rules, while laying the groundwork for one hell of a Season 5.

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 4 soundtrack, song-by-song Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 continues its Cinderella story to talk about class. We love Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

As in the first part of Season 4, Bridgerton's second half continues its Downton Abbey turn to foreground a story of class, using the fairy tale framework of Cinderella to question society's antiquated rules on marriage.

Importantly, it's the first season of Bridgerton we've really gotten to know members of the Ton's working class, a thread the series continues to weave through the second half, seeing characters like housekeepers Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) and Mrs. Wilson (Geraldine Alexander) as indispensable members of the Ton, keepers of information, and characters in their own right — including our protagonist.

Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), who was previously a servant to her evil stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), and her daughters, Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei), has taken up employment in the Bridgerton household. That's all thanks to the man she's secretly in love with, the Ton's most eligible bachelor, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). He still doesn't know she's the masked lady in silver from the first episode's masquerade ball, and she's still running from Lady Araminta's wrath, with Leung carving a sublime villain of the season's antagonist. Honestly, step on my shoe clips.

Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung) with her daughters Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei) in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Over four drama-packed episodes, Bridgerton sees Sophie remain steadfast on her reasons for not becoming a mistress, while Benedict simply cannot understand it from his position of rich male privilege. Joining the ranks of Bridgerton's multi-season yearnissance, Leung and Thompson's chemistry never falters for a second, making Sophie and Benedict a genuinely cheer-worthy duo amid potential scandal.

Here, Bridgerton really digs into the practicalities of "improper" matches like never before, with Ha giving an impeccable performance through Sophie's frustration at her options, lamenting "love in the face of generations of established practice." The series also gives Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) a complex narrative arc with her reaction to Sophie and Benedict's attachment, gifting Gemmell and Thompson many a dramatic scene unpacking the nature of "appropriate" marriage matches. Plus, series favourite Jonathan Bailey is excellent this season as the devil's advocate, Anthony Bridgerton, with a brief return seeing him lay down the societal law for his brother.

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 balances steam with solemnity. Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

While Season 4's first half focused on a romantic slow burn, the second half pulls directly from Bridgerton author Julia Quinn's books for some deliriously steamy sequences (social media feeds will inevitably slosh about bath sex for a while to come).

However, while the series lives up to its raunchy Regency reputation, Bridgerton parallels such vivacity by venturing into its most sombre territory yet. For a season that by no means will be its last, Bridgerton Season 4 bakes in many "ends." The imminent departure of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) from Queen Charlotte's (Golda Rosheuvel) side sees these two impeccable actors giving the season's diamond performances — an unspoken moment between them in episode 6 will stay with me forever.

Featured Video For You ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 has the internet upset for all the wrong reasons

However, there are more permanent ends afoot. Bridgerton has dabbled with loss, mainly through the omnipresent absence of Bridgerton patriarch Edmund, but death has always happened offscreen or long ago. A hard clash with the splendour, romance, and pink fluffy set decoration of the season, elements of Part 2 find themselves draped in mourning black. It's one of the events of the Bridgerton books which readers know well has been sitting on the horizon from the very first Netflix season. I won't spoil it here, but suffice to say main characters are sent down the "winding and illogical path" of grief and guilt — a hard pivot from gossip, filling one's dance card, and taking tea.

It's relatively unchartered territory for the series, allowing production designer Alison Gartshore, costume designer John Glaser, and hair and makeup designer Nic Collins to consider what Bridgerton looks like if Wednesday Addams landed in the Ton. But it also allows for quietly moving performances from two characters we'll see much more of in the future.

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 lays the groundwork for one hell of a Season 5. Michaela (Masali Baduza) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Much of Bridgerton Season 4 concerns lovers hailing from opposing worlds, drawn to each other like a moth to a flame despite not fitting the Ton's social rules for marriage matches. As Julie Andrews' always comforting Lady Whistledown voice-over says, "The draw of two differing desires can be torture at best… Perhaps the desire is not the problem, but the world itself." This season, Sophie and Benedict struggle with the impossibility of their match across classes, and through subtle hints, keen-eyed viewers will see a long-overdue journey on the horizon.

The end of Part 1 saw the unexpected arrival of Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), the cousin of John Stirling (Victor Alli), whom we met at the end of Season 3. (This character is the gender-flipped version of Michael Stirling from the books.) Over the second part of Season 4, the show establishes the lived-in friendship between Francesca, John, and Michaela, whose connection in Quinn's books is one of inseparable Three Musketeers energy, and sets up the hesitant, unspoken draw between Francesca and Michaela.

Hannah Dodd lets Francesca breathe a little with a few moments of unbridled emotion in Season 4, assisted by muffled sound design and close camera angles. However, Baduza deserves much more room to unpack Michaela's "chaos," as a "woman of passion" whose charm commands a room — instead, the majority of her character's emotions and actions from Quinn's books are relegated to Benedict this season.

Without spoiling things, many fans might be disappointed not to see the sapphic storyline we've been waiting for since Michaela's character was revealed in Season 3. However, to me, this is an exciting clue that we may be looking at a Season 5 that foregrounds queer desire and love, instead of relegating it to a side storyline. This season, Bridgerton leans into a different kind of yearning: one of being able to live freely, outside of society's rules. Benedict tells Sophie, "Society should not be allowed to dictate the rules of how one lives life. Or who one loves," and it feels like Bridgerton is setting up Season 5 on a platform of love and pride, not scandal. "Love does not always look how one expects," Michaela says.

As always, Bridgerton knows the power of the long game, delivering an action-packed, fascinating, swoon-worthy, and aesthetically magnificent Season 4, while holding its cards close to its chest for Season 5.

Bridgerton is now streaming on Netflix.

When companies pivot, they often focus on markets and strategy—but forget to assess whether their investors will come along. If you’re leading a major shift, don’t treat shareholder alignment as an afterthought. Make it part of your strategic planning from the start. Here’s how.  Create investor scorecards. Start by analyzing what your investors actually back, not what they say they prefer. Examine the […]

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

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

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

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

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

An expression.

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

IDIOM

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A popular Canadian.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DRAKE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A mass.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CLUMP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Dignity.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

PRIDE

Final Hurdle hint

Hits the slopes.

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

SKIER

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

Have you spotted the Moon looking a bit fuller night after night? This is because we are approaching the Full Moon, a phase in the lunar cycle.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 70% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

With just your naked eye, you'll be able to see the Mares Tranquillitatis and Serenitatis are both easy to spot, as well as the Tycho Crater. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Mare Nectaris, and the Alphonsus and Endymion Craters. Add a telescope to this line up and you'll see much more, including the Apollo 16 and 14 landing spots, and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. Over the course of this period, it moves through eight recognisable phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it continues along its path. The shifts in sunlight create the different appearances we see from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin sliver or near darkness. The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best international T20 teams are in India and Sri Lanka to compete for the T20 World Cup. This competition always delivers incredible drama and huge performances from the best players in the world, and this edition in no different.

You can expect the likes of India, South Africa, and England to be fighting it out in the latter stages. Those teams were the pre-tournament favorites, but this electric form of the game is always unpredictable. Australia were dumped out in the group stage, but the likes of Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan made it through to the Super 8 stage. We can't wait to watch the top teams come together over the next couple of weeks to battle it out for the trophy.

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

What is the T20 World Cup?

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is a Twenty20 International cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council. The event is generally held every two years. India are the defending champions.

In 2026, 20 teams will compete in 55 matches across five venues. The 20 qualifying teams are divided into four groups of five. In the group stage, each team will play four matches in a round-robin format, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. At this point, teams will be placed into two groups of four, and will play three matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage.

When is the 2026 T20 World Cup?

The 2026 T20 World Cup is the 10th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from Feb. 7 to March 8.

How to watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free

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.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams 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 before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

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 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

I walked into Galaxy Unpacked, the launch event in San Francisco where the company unveiled its Galaxy S26 lineup, as... well, not quite a card-carrying Apple fan, but let's just say my iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and MacBook came with me. I was there to report on the launch, not to be tempted by anything an Android phone could offer.

The last thing I expected was the Galaxy S26 Ultra giving me a really compelling reason to switch to the Samsung side. But that's exactly what happened when I spent some hands-on time at Unpacked with the top-of-the-range device.

It's not about the thinness and lightness of the S26 Ultra, though that is noticeable. The deep, shiny "cobalt violet" shade is very much my vibe, though even the most alluring purple color isn't likely to make me end a 17-year relationship with iPhones.

And it isn't about the Ultra's camera, as undeniably fantastic as its specs are. I did think I might prefer that slim 3-camera notch on the back to the hideously large bump (which we're supposed to call a plateau) on the iPhone 17... until I put the Galaxy S26 Ultra on a table, screen up ... and it tilted noticeably to one side. Oh, I found myself thinking, so that's why Apple went with the bump.

No, it was one privacy screen feature that bewitched me. Not the S26 Ultra's ability to prevent what Samsung called "shoulder surfing," but an option the company barely flagged at all in its keynote — the ability to limit the privacy screen to your notifications alone.

Privacy, please Don't ruin the surprise! Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Sure, "shoulder surfing" can sometimes be a problem in a crowded situation, such as public transit, if you happen to be looking at something sensitive. (But really, can't it just wait until you get off the bus?)

In our smartphone-driven world, however, there's a problem we come across more frequently — a situation where we actively want to share something on our screen, be it a hilarious meme or a takeout menu, but feel anxious about the possibility of revealing messages popping up while we do so.

I'm not the only person who has had to get very good at pretending I didn't just see that very personal message pop up on a friend's phone while they were really eager to show me something else. Nor am I the only smartphone user who tries hard to remember to activate "Do Not Disturb" before such potentially embarrassing moments.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder: How to get the S26, S26 Ultra, S26+

So if Samsung can just block out some of the screen for folks at your shoulder, that's a game-changer. And it seems they can, really effectively. In the photo above, you can see how the Ultra is barely tilted away, but the notification is already very greyed out. Your friends (if they're good friends) don't usually want to see your private missives anyway; even this minimal angle assists their brains in blocking it out before it disappears.

Tilt the screen any further, and the notification is as thoroughly redacted as a reluctantly released DOJ document.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's privacy screen settings are surprisingly customizable, too. The ability to pick and choose which apps always get the privacy screen treatment is a no-brainer when you think about it; you're probably always going to want to keep your banking app private, for example. We're sure you're thinking of other examples right now. The point is, you should be free to do you.

So is this built-in, highly customizable privacy shield enough to make me switch to the Samsung side of the smartphone divide? The honest answer right now, for this iPhone fanboy, is "maybe." And that should terrify Apple into action, assuming they aren't already working on a similar feature for the iPhone 18.

Your move, Tim Cook.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Free Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at AT&T With Trade-in and Qualifying Unlimited Plan at AT&T Wireless
  See It at AT&T Wireless See It at Samsung See It at Best Buy

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

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 26, 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 marker

• Green: They're the same color

• Blue: Comedic

• Purple: "___ and thank you!"

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pivotal point

• Green: Green things

• Blue: Elements of joke telling

• Purple: "___ Please"

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 #991 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pivotal point: CROSSROADS, LANDMARK, MILESTONE, WATERSHED

• Green things: GRASSHOPPER, SHAMROCK, STATUE OF LIBERTY, WASABI

• Elements of joke telling: CALLBACK, PUNCHLINE, SETUP, TIMING

• "___ Please": ATTENTION, CHECK, DRUMROLL, PRETTY

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 26, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you always have to have the last word.

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 26, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What's the attitude!

The words are related to behavior.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe snappy traits.

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 Talking Back.

NYT Strands word list for February 26

• Trep

• Cute

• Fresh

• Saucy

• Talking Back

• Cheeky

• Sassy

• Impudent

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're fascinated by antique weapons.

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 26, 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 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A spear.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter 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...

LANCE

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

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

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

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

Amazon just announced a change to its Wish List policies: On March 25, the retailer will remove the option to restrict purchases from third-party sellers for list items. Gift purchasers will be able to buy items sold by third parties on people's lists, and their addresses will be shared with the seller for fulfillment.

Creators like Zach Bussey shared a screenshot of the Amazon email on X.

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"When gifts are purchased from your shared or public lists, Amazon needs to provide your shipping address to sellers and delivery partners to fulfill these orders," the email notes. "During the delivery process, your address may become visible to gift purchasers through delivery updates and tracking information."

That isn't new. If a customer has a public list and connects an address to their list in the settings, gift purchasers may receive the customer's address through the seller and delivery partners fulfilling these orders as they share delivery updates and tracking information. The change is that customers will no longer have the option to restrict purchases from third-party sellers on their Lists as of March 25.

SEE ALSO: Amazon shuts down Blue Jay warehouse robot project after less than a year How to take precautions

• Amazon recommends using a P.O. Box or non-residential addresses for lists shared with the public.

• You can also adjust your list privacy to Private or Shared (the latter option specifies who can see the lists) to limit who has access.

• You can also remove your shipping address by tapping the "Shipping Address" field and selecting "None." Ostensibly, the gift buyer would then need to directly contact the Wish List owner to obtain shipping information.

Creators of all kinds, from Twitch streamers to sex workers, use Amazon Wish Lists to receive gifts from their fans. At least one "PSA" is recommending creators "don't get doxxed" and move their lists to Throne, a wishlist platform. On Throne's home page, it says that, "All the creator and fan information stays private and is not shared between parties."

When Anthropic launched years ago, the company wanted an industry-wide "race to the top" in artificial intelligence, instead of a race to the bottom in pursuit of customers and market dominance that would inadvertently lead to catastrophic safety risks.

So Anthropic adopted safety principles and policies that it hoped it competitors would also implement. In some instances, companies, including Google and OpenAI, did, according to Anthropic. Still, Anthropic's hopes didn't "pan out" as the company hoped, according to a blog post it published Tuesday.

The post announced that Anthropic, the maker of the AI chatbot Claude, is altering key safety practices to meet what it views as present-day challenges.

SEE ALSO: Claude apps: How Anthropic will integrate Slack, Canva, and more

Specifically, Anthropic will no longer automatically pause model development if it could be considered dangerous; instead, it will consider its competitors' actions and whether they release models with similar capabilities. Previously, Anthropic committed to safeguards that would reduce its models' absolute risk, regardless of whether other AI developers did the same.

"The policy environment has shifted toward prioritizing AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level," the company wrote. "We remain convinced that effective government engagement on AI safety is both necessary and achievable, and we aim to continue advancing a conversation grounded in evidence, national security interests, economic competitiveness, and public trust. But this is proving to be a long-term project—not something that is happening organically as AI becomes more capable or crosses certain thresholds."

Though Anthropic said it aims to continue leading on safety, its latest decision reflects the breakneck speed at which competitors are releasing new models.

Anthropic has also been under intense pressure this week by the U.S. Defense Department, which is pressing the company to allow the military to use its AI tools for any purpose, including mass surveillance or the deployment of autonomous weapons without human oversight.

Anthropic has yet to relent on those points in contract negotiations with the Defense Department, reportedly stirring the ire of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who threatened to sever the company's relationship with the military, Axios reports.

Anthropic has participated in an AI pilot program for military-related imagery analysis, along with Google, OpenAI, and xAI, according to the New York Times. Though Claude has been the only chatbot working on the government's classified systems, a Pentagon official said Anthropic could be replaced by another firm.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

HBO Max is taking us for quite an exciting ride in March. Not only is the streamer dropping a slew of hit movies from the past on us, but it’s also presenting us with some appetizing debuts of new series, films, and documentaries, one of which feels like a giant belated Valentine’s Day present for Big Lebowski fans.

TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for only $12.97 (reg. $199) while this deal lasts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

Ready for a faster, more seamless computing experience? Microsoft’s latest operating system delivers exactly that — and Windows 11 Pro is available for just $12.97 (reg. $199) for a limited time. That’s a lifetime license for less than the price of a movie ticket.

Windows 11 Pro comes loaded with a sleek, streamlined interface, improved multitasking tools like Snap Layouts, and enhanced security features, including TPM 2.0, BitLocker, and Smart App Control. It’s built for professionals, creatives, and everyday users alike. Gamers will also appreciate support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, delivering ultra-realistic graphics.

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But the real game-changer is Copilot. This built-in AI assistant helps you work faster by summarizing web pages, generating text or images, opening apps, adjusting settings, or even suggesting code — all without leaving your workflow.

What you’ll get out of this deal:

• Lifetime license for just $12.97

• Windows 10 is being phased out

• Built-in AI assistant Copilot for smarter daily productivity

• Advanced security and pro-level tools

• Seamless design optimized for multitasking and collaboration

• Supports Microsoft Teams, Widgets, and touch-enabled devices

Don’t wait too long to get a lifetime Windows 11 Pro license for $12.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The Scream franchise is not only a champion of the slasher subgenre but also stands as one of the pivotal horror franchises of all time. Centered on killers slaughtering teens in the now-iconic Ghostface mask, the franchise is smart and rewarding to longtime horror fans while also acting as the perfect entry point to the genre for newcomers across three decades. And 30 years after her first encounter with the Ghostface Killer, Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott must take everything she's learned to protect her family in Scream 7.