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Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

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: Southeastern-based NFL division

• Green: College postseason games

• Blue: Women's soccer champions

• Purple: Misspelled MLB teams

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: NFL South Teams

• Green: College Football Bowl Games

• Blue: Last Four NWSL Champions

• Purple: Anagrams of MLB Teams

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 #268 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• NFL South Teams - ATLANTA, CAROLINA, NEW ORLEANS, TAMPA BAY

• College Football Bowl Games - HOLIDAY, MUSIC CITY, ROSE, SUGAR

• Last Four NWSL Champions - GOTHAM, PRIDE, SPIRIT, THORNS

• Anagrams of MLB Teams - GLEANS, ROASTS, STEM, TRAIPSE

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.

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

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

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

The fastest-growing video game in the world might just be a game within a game. Grow a Garden, labeled as an experience within Roblox, is skyrocketing in usage.

The New York Times reported it topped out at 16.4 million active players over the weekend, a new high. For context, that's more players than even Fortnite's peak.

So, what is Grow a Garden? Well, it's basically the 2025 kids' answer to the millennial Farmville fad. Grow a Garden lets users grow virtual crops and tend to a digital herd of animals, which you can then sell for in-game currency. You log off for a bit, come back, and see your crop come in.

Wrote the Times:

"Plots begin barren before users transform them into fantastical safaris of shimmering frogs and prancing monkeys that each have their own special abilities. Suddenly, a player’s dismal square brims with vibrant vegetation and beanstalks shooting into the sky."

Search around online, and you can see lots of clips of folks showing off Roblox gardens and talking about just how popular it has become.

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While the, ahem, growth of the gardening simulator is stunning, it's not totally surprising. There has long been a demand for more passive gaming. Again, think Farmville or even RollerCoaster Tycoon. Mashable's Chase DiBenedetto also recently wrote about so-called "cozy gaming" going mainstream with hits like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. These games are almost meditative, fostering a sense of comfort as you create homes, or homesteads, and build up your own cozy little world.

So, in many ways, it tracks that Roblox's Grow a Garden has taken off. If you haven't yet, it might just be time to start planting seeds.

Meta's Llama model has memorized Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone so well that it can reproduce verbatim excerpts from 42 percent of the book, according to a new study.

Researchers from Stanford, Cornell, and West Virginia University analyzed dozens of books from the now-infamous Books3 dataset, a collection of pirated books used to train Meta's Llama models. Books3 is also at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta, Kadrey v. Meta Platforms, Inc. The study's authors say their findings could have major implications for AI companies facing similar lawsuits.

According to the research paper, the Llama 3.1 model "memorizes some books, like Harry Potter and 1984, almost entirely." Specifically, the study found that Llama 3.1 has memorized 42 percent of the first Harry Potter book so well that it can reproduce verbatim excerpts at least 50 percent of the time. Overall, Llama 3.1 could reproduce excerpts from 91 percent of the book, though not as consistently.

"The extent of verbatim memorization of books from the Books3 dataset is more significant than previously described," said the paper. But the researchers also discovered that "memorization varies widely from model to model and from book to book within each model, as well as varying in different parts of individual books." For example, the study estimated that Llama 3.1 only memorized 0.13 percent of Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, one of the lead plaintiffs in the class action copyright suit against Meta.

So, while some of the paper's findings seem damning, don't call it a smoking gun for plaintiffs in AI copyright infringement cases.

"These results give everyone in the AI copyright debate something to latch on to," wrote journalist Timothy B. Lee in his Understanding AI newsletter. "Divergent results like these could cast doubt on whether it makes sense to lump J.K. Rowling, Richard Kadrey, and thousands of other authors together in a single mass lawsuit. And that could work in Meta’s favor, since most authors lack the resources to file individual lawsuits."

Why is Llama able to reproduce some books more than others? "I suspect that the difference is because Harry Potter is a much more famous book. It's widely quoted and I'm sure that substantial excerpts from it on third-party websites found their way into the training data on the web," said James Grimmelmann, a professor of digital and information law at Cornell University, who was cited in the paper.

What this also shows, Grimmelmann said, is that "AI companies can make choices that increase or reduce memorization. It's not an inevitable feature of AI; they have control over it."

Meta and other AI companies have argued that using copyrighted works to train their models is protected under fair use, a complex legal doctrine. However, the extent of memorization could complicate those arguments.

“Yes, I do think that the likelihood that LLMs are memorizing more than previously thought changes the copyright analysis,” Robert Brauneis, a professor with the George Washington University Law School, said in an email to Mashable. He concluded that the study’s findings could ultimately weaken Meta’s fair use argument.

We asked Meta for comment on the study's findings, and we'll update this article if we receive a response.

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

TL;DR: Live stream Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup for free on DAZN. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still not sure what to make of the 2025 Club World Cup. It's fascinating to see teams from all around the world compete in the same tournament, but do the best teams really care? It's too early to say, but the prospect of Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns is something we can get behind. These teams would never usually meet, so we're excited to see this clash of footballing culture.

If you want to watch Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns?

Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the Inter&Co Stadium.

How to watch Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns for free

Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup is available to live stream for free on DAZN.

The Club World Cup is free to stream all around the world, but if you're having problems accessing this streaming platform on your network, you can consider using a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can secure access to free live streams from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free live streams of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 to DAZN

4. Visit DAZN

5. Stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the Club World Cup before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for DAZN?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on DAZN, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

When Trump Mobile and its flagship T1 smartphone were announced Monday morning, the internet’s tech-savvy corners lit up with skepticism. The specs sounded familiar — maybe too familiar — and it didn’t take long for people to start speculating that the so-called "American-made" phone might be a rebranded import dressed up in gold trim.

Trump Mobile is the latest in a long line of white-label ventures under DTTM Corporation, the Trump Organization’s trademark licensing arm run by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The phone, priced at $499 with a $100 preorder deposit, is being marketed alongside a new mobile service that costs $47.45 per month — a nod to Trump’s status as the 45th and 47th US president. That rate gets you unlimited talk, text, data, and other perks, though it’s still double the cost of similar mobile virutal network operators like Boost and Mint.

SEE ALSO: How would the Trump T1 phone compare to the iPhone 16?

As for the hardware, the T1 is wrapped in a gold-colored casing and features a 6.8-inch punch-hole AMOLED display, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and "AI Face Unlock." Notably, the product page for the phone contains no details on the phone's processor. It’s set to launch in September, just in time to compete with Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup — timing that feels deliberate, especially given Trump’s long-standing push to get Apple to shift iPhone manufacturing to the United States.

But that’s where the math breaks down. Core components like AMOLED displays, VCSEL sensors for face unlock, and camera modules aren’t manufactured domestically. That means producing a truly American-made smartphone at scale is nearly impossible with current infrastructure.

The only smartphone that even approaches a "Made in America" label is the Librem 5 USA, and it comes with some serious trade-offs. According to its own spec sheet, the device lacks face unlock, 5G support, and even an OLED display. Yet it still sells for $1,599. That price point aligns with what analysts estimate an iPhone could cost if Apple shifted full-scale manufacturing back to the U.S.

According to Apple Insider, tech analyst Max Weinbach posted on X that the T1 appears to be a repackaged Wingtech REVVL 7 Pro 5G, manufactured by Chinese supplier Luxshare. The same base phone is currently available on Amazon in its T-Mobile variant for $169.

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The phones aren't a 1-to-1 match, however. To address the differences in appearance, Weinbach explained that Chinese ODMs (original design manufacturers) often provide a base model with customizable features. Buyers can adjust RAM, storage, or casing with minimal added cost, allowing for devices that look or perform slightly differently while still being the same under the hood.

Even if you’re skeptical of tech sleuths on social media, industry analysts are saying the same thing. Speaking to CNBC, Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at market research firm International Data Corp., said it would be "completely impossible" for the T1 to be assembled or fully manufactured in the U.S. The local manufacturing capabilities just don’t exist for that, not at this price, not at this scale.

TL;DR: Hurry and grab lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at A$45 through 20 July.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows AU$45
AU$350 Save AU$305 Get Deal

Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.

Instead of spending A$10 monthly (or A$107 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for A$45 through 20 July.

What apps are included?

Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.

Here's a list of the apps you get:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime license

This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.

You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.

Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.

The price drop on this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows won't last long, so get your download for A$45 through 20 July at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $35.97: As of June 17, eligible Prime members can score three free months of Kindle Unlimited in honor of Prime Day. Usually $11.99 per month, that's a total savings of $35.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited Get 3 months for free (save $11.99/month) Get Deal

It's a good time to be a book lover. Ahead of Prime Day — which is now a four-day event, from July 8 through 11 — Amazon is offering three free months of Kindle Unlimited to eligible Prime members. And that's on top of an equally good deal on Audible Premium Plus. Between the two, you can really stack up your summer reading list.

Usually $11.99 per month, new subscribers can sign up for three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0. That ends up being a total savings of $35.97. There's currently no date listed as to when this deal ends, but we expect it will stick around at least through the end of Prime Day on July 11. If you don't see the deal on the promo page, it's likely because you previously signed up for Kindle Unlimited. The trial period is not available to current or past subscribers.

SEE ALSO: Download 100s of free romance books in the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day

What's so great about Kindle Unlimited? Allow me, a loyal subscriber, to break it down for you. First of all, you don't need to own a Kindle device to access Kindle Unlimited, though I do highly suggest grabbing one while they're (most likely) discounted during Prime Day. You can download the Kindle app on an iPad or your phone to enjoy the Unlimited reading experience just about anywhere. As a subscriber, you'll unlock unrestricted access to over 4 million digital books, from classics to recent bestsellers, as well as thousands of audiobooks, and even magazine subscriptions like People Magazine and Travel + Leisure, if you're into that. No need to wait for a monthly credit like Audible; you can get any title with the Kindle Unlimited logo underneath it for free with your subscription at any time.

Your subscription will automatically renew at full price, currently $11.99 per month, once the promotional period ends. Be sure to set a reminder to cancel if you want to avoid those charges. Although, there's a good chance you'll be a loyal Kindle Unlimited subscriber after three free months of reading.

Best laptop and tablet deals

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $174.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Android Tablet — $239.99 (List Price $269.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) — $1,049.00 (List Price $1199.00)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8-inch — $1,149.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 chip — $1,429.00 (List Price $1599.00)

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the best phones you can buy right now, but the initial price of $1,300 was certainly expensive. Thankfully, the carrier-unlocked version is now on sale for just $1,000 at Best Buy and Amazon.

SAVE UP TO $43.96: As of June 17, new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited can get a handful of free months. Prime members get four (a savings of $43.96, or $10.99/month) and non-Prime members get three (a savings of $35.97, or $11.99/month).

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited 4 free months for Prime members, 3 for non-Prime members Get Deal

Amazon must be in good spirits after finally dropping the news that Prime Day is longer this year, because it's handing out Amazon Music Unlimited freebies to both Prime and non-Prime members.

As long as you're a new subscriber, Prime members can get four free months (a savings of $43.96, or $10.99/month) and non-Prime members can get three free months (a savings of $35.97, or $11.99/month).

SEE ALSO: The 9 best headphones of 2025 — how do the new Sony XM6 compare?

"But I already pay for a different music streaming service." Yeah. Pause it. The savings math works out similarly for those who strategically pause their Spotify ($11.99/month) or Apple Music ($10.99/month) for the next few months to take advantage of this deal. Even if Amazon Music Unlimited isn't your comfort streaming platform, a saved $35 or $40 is a nice little chunk of extra summer spending money.

Past 100 million songs and "the most ad-free top podcasts" of the big music apps, Amazon Music Unlimited offers one free audiobook from Audible per month. That'll come in handy during the times you can't quite sit down and devote your eyes to your summer Libby finds, like driving to the beach or messing around in the garden.

Best audio deals

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $24.99 (List Price $39.99)

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $59.99

• JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95)

• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $133.20 (List Price $149.00)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $228.00 (List Price $348.00)

• JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $249.95 (List Price $399.95)

SAVE $14.49: As of June 17, get a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $15.50 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $29.99. That's a discount of 48%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 $15.50 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $14.49 Get Deal

Tired of losing things, but don't have an iPhone to grab an Apple AirTag? There are tons of great tracker solutions out there, including one direct from Samsung, if you prefer to stay with a brand that you recognize. Smart trackers can go where you go to help prevent you from misplacing all of those important things that you need for everyday life, like your keys. And you can get a great one from Samsung right now thanks to this pre-Prime Day deal.

As of June 17, get a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $15.50 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $29.99. That's $14.49 off for a discount of 48%.

SEE ALSO: The next batch of Samsung foldables will be the thinnest and lightest yet

This smart tag is designed to be attached to whatever items you need to keep track of. You can use it on a keychain, toss it in a bag, keep it in your wallet if it's big enough, and more. It's not as small as an AirTag, but it's still super easy to use and great for Android users.

It's rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, and works with a wide variety of IoT-compatible devices. Plus, it runs off of a battery that stays active for up to 500 days. That way, you truly can put it somewhere and just forget about it until you need it. Need more time? You can get up to 40% more battery life with Power Saving Mode.

All you need to do when something is lost is refer to the tracker's companion app, and you'll be guided to find your lost bag, purse, keys, or whatever is missing. Search Nearby gives you instructions to locate your item via Compass View, or you can ring the tag itself to make an audible noise to help you track it down.

At this price, it's good to buy a few and keep them with vacation time at its peak. And they're great gifts for people who can't stop losing things.

Best tech deals

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

GET $120 OFF: As of June 17th, the Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is on sale for $179.99 ahead of Prime Day, down from its regular price of $299.99. Get it now and save $120, or 40% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV $179.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Prime Day is almost here and it's a great time to refresh your home's entertainment tech with a new TV. The budget-friendly Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is a great option, with smarts that make it simple to find whatever show or media you're looking for (and plenty of new suggestions).

The Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is already down to its lowest price yet ahead of Prime Day. Act now and get it for $179.99, saving you $120.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day The best TV deals we're watching now

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $269.99 (List Price $329.99)

• 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $798.42

• LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)

• Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,499.99

It's pretty amazing that you can get a 50-inch 4K TV for under $200, but that's the reality now. This Insignia sports an LED screen with a 2160p resolution. HDR content is also part of the deal, with rich darks and brights that pop.

While this TV isn't made for gaming, it will certainly be fast enough for casual gamers, with a 60Hz refresh rate.

Currently, the Insignia 50-inch F50 LED Fire TV is on sale for $179.99, saving you 40%, or $120. This is the TV's lowest price yet.

With Fire TV built in, this smart TV comes loaded with content. Talk to it via Alexa or control it with a smart phone or the built in controller. It connects to major streaming services simply and comes with a massive library of free ad-supported content.

Using JavaScript, you can radically transform HTML documents, adding functionality to static web pages and even creating full-blown web applications. At its core, JavaScript can do anything that any other programming language can. However, beyond this, web browsers implement several web APIs that provide powerful support for various features.

SAVE $120: The 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, down from the list price of $419.99. That's a 29% discount that matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV $299.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Prime Day is coming, which means over the next handful of weeks, we'll see a flurry of epic sales—and that'll include TV deals. Shopping for a new TV, however, means a lot more than looking for the lowest price. Thanks to our modern society, buying a new TV now comes with some serious homework to decode the endless amount of jargon. Instead of learning a new language, opt for today's sale on a solid model.

As of June 17, the 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV is on sale for just $299.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $419.99. That works out to 29% discount which shaves $120 off the price. It also matches the lowest price on record at Amazon.

Right off the bat, we'll admit this is not a newest model top-of-the-line TV. This 2023 Toshiba shines when it comes to offering a large size at a budget-friendly price. It'll be great for the rec room when the kids want to watch Lilo and Stitch for the 5,098th time or for the garage to watch non-stop sports.

SEE ALSO: Amazon quietly has the 42-inch LG C4 OLED TV over 50% off, weeks ahead of Prime Day

The bezel-less design on the Toshiba Class C350 gives it a modern look, and the 4K UHD display will work great for streaming your favorite shows and movies this summer. It'll also work great for following along with that YouTube fitness routine you plan to stick to this summer. Plus, it comes with built-in Fire TV so you won't need to worry about upgrading your streaming stick come Prime Day sales.

Instead of waiting for the chaos of Prime Day, snag the 65-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series LED 4K TV while it's on sale for under $300 at Amazon. It's nearly impossible to beat that price for a 65-inch TV.

The best TV deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $269.99 (List Price $329.99)

• 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $798.42

• LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)

• Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,499.99

Is humanity alone in the universe?

In Pixar's Elio, that's the question that keeps 11-year-old orphan Elio Solís (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) up at night. Not because the idea of aliens worries him, but because he desperately wants them to abduct him from his unhappy life on Earth.

SEE ALSO: A complete ranking of every Pixar movie ever

Thankfully for Elio, aliens do come calling, whisking him off to the colorful, imaginative "Communiverse" that fits right at home alongside other memorable Pixar worlds, like Coco's Land of the Dead, Riley's brain in Inside Out, or Soul's Great Beyond. It's a cosmic wonderland you can't help but get lost in, but what astounds the most about Elio is its examination of its lead's loneliness. Directors Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian (who directed the short Burrow) — taking over from original director Adrian Molina (Coco) — parallel humanity's search for extraterrestrial life with Elio's search for friendship. What follows is a sweet, empathetic look at how to find connection in the unlikeliest of places. That idea isn't exactly new to Pixar — see: Up, WALL-E, and many more — but Elio's inventive setting and lovable main character help cast these eternal themes in a weird and wonderful new light.

What's Elio about? Credit: Pixar

Following the sudden loss of his parents, Elio lives on an Air Force base with his aunt, Major Olga (voiced by Zoe Saldaña). He spends his days seeking alien signals on his ham radio and lying in elaborate mini crop circles of his own design, each bearing the message, "Aliens! Abduct Me!" For Elio, getting abducted is an easier way to make friends than talking to anyone on Earth, especially since his peers don't understand his fervent belief aliens are coming to get him.

Neither does Olga, who wasn't prepared to raise a child, let alone one who'd rather spend his life in the stars. For Elio, space may offer the promise of friendship, but for Olga, space represents a dream deferred. While her supervisors want her to take on the astronaut training program, she doesn't know how to juggle that with taking care of Elio. Instead, she monitors space debris and insists that aliens don't exist.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

However, when a strange signal pings Olga's base, Elio takes it as proof of alien contact and signals back, begging the aliens to come and get him. (In a precious move, he signs off humanity's first contact with, "Bye, love you.") It's not long before the aliens beam him up to the Communiverse, a gathering of the finest ambassadors from all across space. These ambassadors believe Elio to be Earth's leader, and who is he to tell them otherwise? Unfortunately, he's joining up during a fraught time: The ultra-violent Lord Grigon (voiced by Brad Garrett) is bearing down on the Communiverse. In order to prove himself to the rest of the ambassadors, Elio decides to take on the responsibility of negotiator — a choice that kicks off a sweet friendship with Grigon's son Glordon (voiced by Remy Edgerly), who wants nothing to do with his people's warring ways.

Elio is a precious tale of friendship and family ties. Credit: Pixar

Elio and Glordon's blooming friendship becomes Elio's bedrock. With Glordon, Elio finds someone who doesn't judge or pity him. And in Elio, Glordon finds someone who encourages him not to follow in his family's warmongering footsteps. Their first meeting, initially framed as a frightening alien encounter, quickly gives way to the wonder of discovering a friend who sees you for who you truly are — not just for your tragic past or your family's bloody conquests. Even when Elio decides Glordon could be a bargaining chip in his negotiations with Grigon, he loops him in on the plan instead of using him without his knowledge. That decision cements the two as a pair on equal footing, one whose dynamic comes with all the cheer and wonder of discovering a dear friend.

If Elio and Glordon's story is one of a human and an alien finding instant connection, then Elio and Olga's story is its mirror: that of two humans who have trouble connecting, but are working hard to find common ground. A lesser film could have made Olga a spiteful, reluctant guardian, but here, she puts in a lot of legwork to try to help her nephew. She speeds through parenting books in the hope of understanding him, and even her most "antagonistic" choice — sending him to a nearby military summer camp — comes from a place of what she thinks will help. Ultimately, though, in a touching tale of family reconciliation, Elio guides Olga to meet Elio on his level and vice versa.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2025 (so far), and where to watch them

Elio enriches these parallel stories of Elio finding his people with its focus on space exploration and humanity's hunt for alien life. In the film's first minutes, Elio learns about the Golden Record, a record on Voyager 1 and 2 that carries images and sounds from Earth. The hope for the Golden Record is that an alien civilization will play it and contact Earth, which is exactly what happens in the film! But even beyond plot relevance, the very act of reaching out into the vast loneliness of space recalls Elio's own attempts to find a friend, as well as Olga's attempts to bridge the gap between her and her nephew. In the end, whether you're looking to the stars or your own family, Elio wants you to know that you can and will find your people — you just need to be open with them.

Pixar gets wonderfully weird in Elio. Credit: Pixar

Shi and Sharafian take full advantage of Elio's sci-fi nature to deliver an extremely memorable crop of aliens. The members of the Communiverse are as varied as they come, from the diaphanous pink Ambassador Questa (voiced by Jameela Jamil) to the blocky boulder Ambassador Tegmen (voiced by Matthias Schweighöfer). Glordon is a star in his own right: a slug-like creature with spines, no eyes, and rings of teeth who still manages to be downright cute. (Think of him as a cousin to Mickey 17's scene-stealing creepers from earlier this year.)

That alien variety extends to the Communiverse itself, which, like its members, is a hodgepodge of different worlds across the universe. Highly advanced science labs, glowing forests, and majestic waterfalls (that double as restrooms) all come together to form an interstellar playground for Elio, Glordon, and the audience. That utopia contrasts nicely with Grigon's warship, a hulking behemoth full of darkened halls and fallen alien species frozen in amber. No wonder Glordon wants out!

Pixar has tackled sci-fi before in films like WALL-E and Lightyear, but Shi and Sharafian dive further into alien hijinks in Elio. The highlight here is the addition of "cloning clay," which triggers a plotline that recalls Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing — and isn't afraid to get a bit frightening either! Take the third act, which features a touch of legitimate (albeit comedic) body horror that's the most Pixar has surprised me since Turning Red candidly tackled periods. A sequence like Elio's foray into body horror could be risky, but at a time when Pixar continues to release sequels to its classics (see: the upcoming Toy Story 5 and Coco 2), these risks are exactly what the studio needs.

In the end, these risks also help Elio live up to its namesake, with a film that's imaginative, playful, and the perfect amount of strange.

Elio hits theaters June 20.

Satechi has revealed a new USB4 SSD enclosure, turning any NVMe drive into a sleek external drive. It’s designed with the M4 Mac Mini in mind, but also works with other USB and Thunderbolt devices at the fastest-available speeds.

Artificial intelligence is advancing across a wide range of fields, with one of the most important developments being its growing capacity for reasoning. This capability could help AI becomes a reliable partner in critical domains like scientific research and healthcare.

To support this progress, we’ve identified three primary strategies to strengthen reasoning capabilities in both small and large language models: improve architectural design to boost performance in smaller models; incorporate mathematical reasoning techniques to increase reliability; and build stronger generalization capabilities to enable reasoning across a variety of fields.

Smarter reasoning in smaller models

While language models trained on broad world knowledge hold great potential, they lack the ability to learn continuously and refine their understanding. This limitation becomes especially pronounced in smaller models, where limited capacity makes strong reasoning even harder.

The problem stems from how current language models operate. They rely on fast, pattern recognition-based responses that break down in complex scenarios. In contrast, people use deliberate, step-by-step reasoning, test different approaches, and evaluate outcomes. To address this gap, we’re building methods to enable stronger reasoning in smaller systems.

rStar-Math is a method that uses Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) to simulate deeper, more methodical reasoning in smaller models. It uses a three-step, self-improving cycle: 

• Problem decomposition breaks down complex mathematical problems into manageable steps, creating a thorough and accurate course of reasoning.
• Process preference model (PPM) trains small models to predict reward labels for each step, improving process-level supervision.
• Iterative refinement applies a four-round, self-improvement cycle in which updated strategy models and PPMs guide MCTS to improve performance. 

When tested on four small language models ranging from 1.5 billion to 7 billion parameters, rStar-Math achieved an average accuracy of 53% on the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)—performance that places it among the top 20% of high school competitors in the US.

Figure 1. The rStar-Math framework

Logic-RL is a reinforcement learning framework that strengthens logical reasoning through a practical system prompt and a structured reward function. By training models on logic puzzles, Logic-RL grants rewards only when both the reasoning process and the final answer meet strict formatting requirements. This prevents shortcuts and promotes analytical rigor.

Language models trained with Logic-RL demonstrate strong performance beyond logic puzzles, generalizing effectively to mathematical competition problems. On the AIME and AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) datasets, 7-billion-parameter models improved accuracy by 125% and 38%, respectively, compared with baseline models.

Building reliable mathematical reasoning 

Mathematics poses a unique challenge for language models, which often struggle to meet its precision and rigor using natural language. To address this, we’re creating formal and symbolic methods to enable language models to adopt structured mathematical tools. The goal is to convert language model outputs into code based on the fundamental rules of arithmetic, like 1 + 1 = 2, allowing us to systematically verify accuracy. 

LIPS (LLM-based Inequality Prover with Symbolic Reasoning) is a system that combines LLMs’ pattern recognition capabilities with symbolic reasoning. LIPS draws on the strategies participants in math competitions use in order to distinguish between tasks best suited to symbolic solvers (e.g., scaling) and those better handled by language models (e.g., rewriting). On 161 Olympiad-level problems, LIPS achieved state-of-the-art results without additional training data.

Figure 2. An overview of LIPS

However, translating natural-language math problems into precise, machine-readable formats is a challenge. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the one-pass success rate, where the top-ranked generated result is correct, and the k-pass success rate, where at least one of the top k generated results is correct.

We developed a new framework using two evaluation methods. Symbolic equivalence checks whether outputs are logically identical, while semantic consistency uses embedding similarity to detect subtle differences missed by symbolic checks.

When we evaluated this approach on the MATH and miniF2F datasets, which include problems from various math competitions, it improved accuracy by up to 1.35 times over baseline methods.

Figure 3. An overview of the auto-formalization framework

To address the shortage of high-quality training data, we developed a neuro-symbolic framework that automatically generates diverse, well-structured math problems. Symbolic solvers create the problems, while language models translate them into natural language. This approach not only broadens training resources but also supports more effective instruction and evaluation of mathematical reasoning in language models.

Figure 4. An overview of the neuro-symbolic data generation framework Boosting generalization across domains 

A key indicator of advanced AI is its ability to generalize—the ability to transfer reasoning skills across different domains. We found that training language models on math data significantly improved performance in coding, science, and other areas, revealing unexpected cross-domain benefits. 

This discovery motivated us to develop Chain-of-Reasoning (CoR), an approach that unifies reasoning across natural language, code, and symbolic forms. CoR lets models blend these formats using natural language to frame context, code for precise calculations, and symbolic representations for abstraction. By adjusting prompts, CoR adapts both reasoning depth and paradigm diversity to match specific problem requirements. 

Tests of CoR across five math datasets showed its ability to tackle both computational and proof-based problems, demonstrating strong general mathematical problem-solving skills.

Figure 5. CoR’s reasoning process under different types of methods

Current language models often rely on domain-specific solutions, limiting their flexibility across different types of problems. To move beyond this constraint, we developed Critical Plan Step Learning (CPL), an approach focused on high-level abstract planning that teaches models to identify key knowledge, break down problems, and make strategic decisions. 

The technique draws on how people solve problems, by breaking them down, identifying key information, and recalling relevant knowledge—strategies we want language models to learn. 

CPL combines two key components: plan-based MCTS, which searches multi-step solution paths and constructs planning trees, and step-APO, which learns preferences for strong intermediate steps while filtering out weak ones. This combination enhances reasoning and improves generalization across tasks, moving AI systems closer to the flexible thinking that characterizes human intelligence.

Figure 6. Overview of the CPL framework Looking ahead: Next steps in AI reasoning

From building reliable math solvers to unifying reasoning approaches, researchers are redefining how language models approach complex tasks. Their work sets the stage for more capable and versatile AI systems—applicable to education, science, healthcare, and beyond. Despite these advances, hallucinations and imprecise logic continue to pose risks in critical fields like medicine and scientific research, where accuracy is essential.

These challenges are driving the team’s exploration of additional tools and frameworks to improve language model reasoning. This includes AutoVerus for automated proof generation in Rust code, SAFE for addressing data scarcity in Rust formal verification, and Alchemy, which uses symbolic mutation to improve neural theorem proving.

Together, these technologies represent important progress toward building trustworthy, high-performing reasoning models and signal a broader shift toward addressing some of AI’s current limitations.

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The post New methods boost reasoning in small and large language models appeared first on Microsoft Research.

The recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 went off shockingly smoothly, especially for anyone who has gone through big console launches before. That said, it hasn't been without its hitches.

Perhaps most notably, there are problems with the process of transferring data from one Switch to another, especially as it relates to recent Pokémon games. Some fans are finding (via IGN) that performing a data transfer from their old Switch to their Switch 2 results in lost Pokémon game saves, which is particularly galling for one of the only Nintendo series that doesn't support cloud saves.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 restock tracker (June 16): Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, Costco, and more

In case you aren't aware, a unique feature of the Pokémon RPG series is that you can transfer your favorite pocket monsters from game to game, with limited exceptions here and there. According to one Reddit post (that has since been deleted), a user lost 1,000 hours of gameplay and two decades' worth of Pokémon when the Switch 2 data transfer wiped their save file. This is, obviously, a tragedy. However, there is a way to make sure your favorite little weirdos stick around, even if your save gets lost.

For any Pokémon fans who are afraid of losing anything, the "Pokémon Home" service is a failsafe you can use. It's a nominally free cloud save service specifically for keeping creatures around between the Pokémon games. Free users can only store 30 Pokémon at a time, but for $2.99/mo, you can store up to 6,000, among other perks. If you deposit your beloved Pokémon in the Home service, they shouldn't be lost even if there's a mishap during the Switch transfer process.

It's a shame some people are losing their Pokémon game saves, but at least there's a way to guarantee your favorite little guys stay safe. If you do lose everything, well...at least Mario Kart World is really good.

GET FREE GAMES: As of June 17th, Amazon is adding six new free games to its list of gaming freebies ahead of the upcoming Prime Day, including Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, Tomb Raider I-III, and Dungeon of the Endless. Get Amazon Prime to secure the deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Six new free games Get Amazon Prime to download these new games free Get Deal

Amazon is rolling out six more free games on Prime Gaming today. They'll be available through the upcoming four day Amazon Prime sales event. The new games include Tomb Raider I-III, Saints Row 2, Toem, and Star Wars: Rebellion.

Right now, sign up for Amazon Prime to take advantage of Prime Gaming and download the new titles plus a whole library of others.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18-24? Get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free ahead of Prime Day. The best tech deals

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

If you're not familiar, Prime Gaming is a portal of free games just for Prime members. Members are able to claim free games as Amazon rolls them out. These aren't just cloud games (though they have those too)... they're ownable, meaning you can claim them all and save the others for a rainy day.

The new drops are: Star Wars: Rebellion, Toem, Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, Saints Row 2, Tomb Raider I-III, and Dungeon of the Endless. Many of these games will download via GOG, though Dungeon of the Endless downloads from Amazon.

Get Amazon Prime to take advantage of this deal and claim 6 new free games ahead of Amazon Prime Day, as well as the preexisting library of free games.

The library of free games doesn't stop with the six new ones. Amazon also offers games like Gloomhaven, Fate, and Liberte.

There is nothing more annoying than relaxing, working, or spending time with friends, only to be interrupted by spam calls and unwanted text messages. It never stops with one, more are bound to come sooner or later.

If you need a solid budget phone, this might be the deal for you. The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is now on sale for $330 at Best Buy, a savings of $70 from the original price.