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TL;DR: On March 19, fans can score a free vanilla soft-serve cone at participating Dairy Queen locations nationwide.

The birds are singing, the temperature is climbing, and yes, that is the sun you can see peeping through the clouds. Spring is just around the corner, and so is Free Cone Day.

Dairy Queen's Free Cone Day is making a triumphant return in 2026. On March 19, you can celebrate this special occasion by enjoying a free vanilla soft-serve cone at participating Dairy Queen locations. Simply stop by your local DQ restaurant to score this delicious treat — there's really no catch.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away an exclusive Steering Wheel for free. Here’s how to get yours on March 9.

We recommend visiting Dairy Queen or downloading the Dairy Queen App to find a local restaurant before March 19. When the day comes, you don't want to be messing around online. You want to be prepared. On Free Cone Day, the focus should be on free ice cream and nothing else.

The promotion runs all day while supplies last and there's a limit of one free cone per person. This free giveaway is not valid on delivery or mobile orders and it's worth noting that U.S. Mall locations require a purchase to qualify.

Celebrate Dairy Queen's Cone Day with a free vanilla soft-serve cone on March 19.

TL;DR: Live stream India vs. England 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 stage is set for the 2026 T20 World Cup final. India face off against England for the last place in that showpiece event. We're expecting an incredibly tense and exciting contest between two talented sides.

India strolled through the initial group stage but lost out to South Africa in the Super 8. England were beaten by West Indies in the group stage but topped their Super 8 group that included New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It's difficult to predict the winner from this semi-final matchup. India perhaps have the edge, and playing in front of a passionate home support at the Wankhede Stadium can only help. The winner will face New Zealand in the final.

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

When is India vs. England?

India vs. England in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on March 5. This game takes place at the Wankhede Stadium.

How to watch India vs. England for free

India vs. England 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 India vs. England 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.

AI safety has been all over the news recently. The US Department of War asked Anthropic to allow use of its AI for "any lawful use," and the AI company ultimately refused. While this is seen by many as a positive step, it still seems the case that AI companies only really have a conscience when it suits them.

What should have been a simple product launch video went a bit wrong for McDonald's recently, with CEO Chris Kempczinski receiving a fair bit of attention for the tentative bite he took of a new burger on the menu.

In the Late Show clip above, Stephen Colbert breaks down the launch video bit by bit — starting with Kempczinski referring to the burger as a "product".

"OK, weird to refer to food as 'product'. Kids, you eat your product! If you don't I swear to God I will send you to bed with no content!" says Colbert, before pausing to acknowledge the impressive job done by food influencers: "I just want to take this moment to apologise to influencers. It turns out what you do is incredibly difficult."

Finally, Colbert plays a clip of the bite itself, and Kempczinski's "that is so good" comment.

"Really? Because it looks like you took the smallest possible bite in the history of human chewing," says Colbert. "That's the bite you take when your three-year-old say, 'Try the cookie I made, daddy!'"

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The use of the word "war" to describe the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, and Iran's retaliation, has President Donald Trump and his administration at odds with Republican supporters over messaging.

During Late Night on Wednesday, Seth Meyers used his deep dive segment "A Closer Look" to lay out what Trump and former-defense-now-war secretary Pete Hegseth have called it, and what Republicans are calling it, whether it's a "war" or "major combat operation" or otherwise.

"There are two reasons they're all talking in Orwellian circles like this," said Meyers. "One, if they acknowledge it's a war, they also have to admit that it's illegal, since only Congress can declare war. And two, they don't want to admit that Trump lied. He said he would keep us out of exactly these type of open ended wars, and specifically 'forever wars.'"

"What we're seeing play out is the absurdity of life inside the Trump cult," Meyers concluded. "One minute, they all have to pretend Trump is a working class savior who will end foreign wars. The next they have to pretend the war he started isn't a war, even though he's the one calling it a war."

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SAVE OVER $100: As of March 5, the AirPods Max have dropped to $429.99 at Amazon. That's $119.01 off their list price of $549.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $429.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $119.01   Get Deal

A variety of brand-new Apple products have recently been announced, but if you don't mind scooping up older devices from the brand, there have been some very nice discounts popping up. This includes a couple of deals on the AirPods Max headphones. Over at Amazon, select colors have dropped to just $429.99.

Considering they usually come with a price tag of $549, this deal saves you $119.01 on the AirPods Max. It's also a little over $30 away from their lowest-ever price of $399, which is certainly worth making a move on.

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The AirPods Max boast high-quality audio that'll make any music or audiobooks you listen to sound incredible. Our review from Brenda Stolyar back when they were initially released said, "Both music and podcasts sound a lot fuller and richer than they do with the earbuds."

They also boast Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, so you can choose how much of the outside world around you that you want to hear while you listen. Stolyar noted in the review that, "Noise cancellation worked super well for me, too. It did a good job of drowning out the very loud radiator in my room and the traffic outside my window."

All in all, Stolyar found that, "The AirPods Max have excellent audio quality, easy-to-use controls, and good battery life, but their size isn't a good fit for everyone." If you're still hoping to grab them, act fast to save at Amazon.

SAVE $100: As of March 5, the iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi) is on sale for $1,199 at Amazon. This deal saves you $100 off its list price of $1,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) $1,199 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $100   Get Deal

While new iPad models are on the way, quite a few older models have received nice discounts. The powerful iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi) is among them, with its price knocked down to $1,199 right now at Amazon.

Overall, this is a $100 drop from this iPad Pro's original list price of $1,299. It's also just $50 away from its lowest-ever price of $1,149. It's a model we think is worth every cent.

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If you're a creative or designer, we chose the iPad Pro M5 as the top pick for professionals. In our roundup of the best iPads, Mashable's Samantha Mangino notes that this is because it's, "Loaded with Apple's fastest processing power thanks to the M5 processor, giving it way more power than the average user really needs." On top of that, it also boasts a sharp 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR Display with extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone so you can catch every color and detail on its screen.

Our review of this iPad Pro from Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth also highlighted that it's, "Truly a Pro device for power users. Everyday use is wasted on this tablet, which is a shame because the incredibly thin and lightweight design is truly irresistible, as is the OLED display. It's the kind of gadget that makes you feel like you're living in the future." And as for storage, this model sets you up with 256GB.

If you're looking for premium power in a tablet, this is a great chance to save on the iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi) at Amazon.

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA bounces into action with several games this evening, including the Los Angeles Lakers at the Denver Nuggets.

This Western Conference clash could be a preview of an upcoming playoffs fixture, with both the Lakers and Nuggets currently in line for a spot in the first round. The playoffs are now just over a month away — a win here could be crucial for either team.

If you want to watch Lakers vs. Nuggets in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lakers vs. Nuggets?

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on March 5. This game takes place at the Ball Arena in Denver, CO.

How to watch Lakers vs. Nuggets for free

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S. and UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S. or UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 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).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Prime Video hosts more NBA action today with a Western Conference showdown between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The Rockets have been flying high in the standings — they currently sit at No. 3 in the Western Conference — while the Warriors are hoping to bounce back from two straight losses.

This is arguably a more crucial game for Golden State, who want to maintain a winning season — with a record of 31-30 — and hold on to their current playoffs berth.

If you want to watch Warriors vs. Rockets in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Warriors vs. Rockets?

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA starts at 7.30 p.m. ET on March 5. This game takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX.

How to watch Warriors vs. Rockets for free

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S. and UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S. or UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 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).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Client URL or cURL is a powerful command-line utility that's pre-installed on pretty much every modern computer (whether its Windows, macOS, or Linux). Think of curl as a web browser that lives in the terminal and works with raw text. This idea sounds pretty simple, but it's also why curl is omnipresent in modern tech. Even though modern alternatives exist (like wget), curl is not going anywhere. If you spend some time working with Linux, you will inevitably end up running a curl command.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC QD-OLED gaming monitor on sale for $899.99, which is nearly $330 off its typical $1,229.99 price and a hefty $500 less than Walmart’s current $1,399.99 listing for the same monitor.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 QD-OLED Gaming Monitor $899.99 at Amazon
$1,229.99 Save $330 Get Deal

Big-screen gaming monitor deals don’t usually get this aggressive, especially when you’re talking about a 49-inch QD-OLED model with flagship-tier specs. 

As of March 5, Amazon has cut the price of the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor (G93SC model) down to $899.99 from its typical price of $1,229.99 — knocking $330 off in a limited-time deal, alongside a code for a free PC copy of Resident Evil Requiem. This new 27% price drop has also made it only $1.99 shy of hitting its all-time-low price of $898 — as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

For anyone comparison shopping, it’s also dramatically cheaper than Walmart, where the same model is still listed for $500 higher at $1,399.99. That higher price point is without the latest hit entry in the Resident Evil gaming franchise, as well.  

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The Odyssey G93SC offers a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, DisplayHDR True Black 400, plus G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support to help keep gameplay looking smooth no matter what you’re playing — even if it’s a chaotic shooter like Fortnite or Marathon.

There are also built-in speakers and ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and Micro HDMI, so it’s not short on connectivity either.

If you’re open to an OLED that’s a bit smaller, you can still grab LG's ultra-fast 27-inch OLED gaming monitor for 20% off at Amazon. Meanwhile, Amazon also has a 39-inch LG Ultragear Curved Gaming Monitor on sale for almost half off. 

SAVE $30: As of March 5, Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 22% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $29.01   Get Deal

It’s been a busy week for Apple, with the announcement of new products including the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo. But if you’re more interested in using this time to get a discount on existing Apple products, you’ll appreciate this latest Amazon deal on the Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC). As of March 5, these earbuds have dropped below $100 at Amazon.

This price is for the AirPods without active noise cancellation, although the ANC earbuds are on sale as well. Right now you can find them for $119 at Amazon, down from $179.99.

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These AirPods are some of the best you can get. In fact, the AirPods 4 have been redesigned for extra comfort and stability, and they now have a refined shape and shorter stem that makes them easier to wear all day. 

They also include quick-press controls for music and calls, which sound great thanks to the H2 chip. And like you’d expect from Apple, the integration with your devices is seamless. You can pair them instantly by just bringing them near your device and you can control features with “Siri” or “Hey Siri.” You can even share audio with another pair of AirPods. 

The battery life is solid too, giving you around five hours of listening with one charge. This is increased to 30 hours with the case. And they’re robust too, both the earbuds and the case are rated IP54 for dust, sweat, and water resistance. They’re ideal for workouts, even in a little rain.

Get this AirPods deal online at Amazon now.

It's getting harder to distinguish AI-generated music on streaming platforms, and companies including Spotify and now Apple Music are attempting to make it clearer.

Apple's audio streaming service is adding "Transparency Tags" to content generated by artificial intelligence, according to a report by Music Business Worldwide. In a newsletter sent to industry partners, viewed by the news outlet, the company reportedly has new requirements for metadata when uploading tracks to Apple Music, which would disclose whether the song (or anything related to the making of the song) is AI-generated or not.

SEE ALSO: Spotify Smart Shuffle played a song I'd never heard before. It was AI generated.

The metadata tags reportedly cover artwork, track, composition, and music video, and labels must apply tags to each if AI has been used in production. However, as MWB noted, the Transparency Tags appear to be "optional" in Apple Music Specification 5.3.25 and "if omitted, none is assumed," so it will be on Apple Music to enforce the need for such tags.

Mashable has reached out to Apple Music for further information.

It's tricky territory for music streamers and listeners feeling caught unawares with AI-made music, as Mashable's Rachel Thompson asks, "How should we feel about AI-generated songs finding their way into our listener library? Some people aren't necessarily opposed to giving AI music a try, but their open-mindedness begins to shift once they feel deceived."

Featured Video For You How TikTok is Changing the Music Industry

After the whole Velvet Sundown-fiasco, audio streaming competitor Spotify started adding AI disclosures through metadata in Sept. 2025, working with the Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) to allow "artists and rights holders a way to clearly indicate where and how AI played a role in the creation of a track — whether that’s AI-generated vocals, instrumentation, or post-production." However, this is separate from Spotify recommending AI-generated music to users, which we've still seen happening in 2026.

In a 2025 study by Deezer and Ipsos, 97 percent of people surveyed couldn't tell an AI-generated song from a human-made one, 80 percent want clear labels for AI music, and 72 percent want to know if they're being recommended it.

Honestly, more tags on AI-generated content is welcome news, and that doesn't just apply to music.

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In between giving troubling answers about the war in Iran, Donald Trump found time recently to meet with tech leaders to talk about AI.

"He had a meeting of executives from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and OpenAI, who gathered to grovel at his feet," says Kimmel in the clip above. "He had the tech bros sign a pledge that says they will supply their own power for their AI data centres — wouldn't it be great if they do it by building like a hundred million windmills, just to drive Trump nuts?"

Kimmel finished with a clip of Trump attempting to pronounce the name of Oracle co-CEO Clay Magouryk, getting it wildly wrong in the process.

"Not even close," says Kimmel. "He might have bone spurs of the brain now."

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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, March 5, 2026:

AcrossPoli ___ (college major)

• The answer is Sci.

Person with a superior attitude

• The answer is Snob.

Word whose letters are appropriately found from left to right in … CHARISMA

• The answer is Charm.

… PRECIPITATION

• The answer is Rain.

… UNSIGHTLY

• The answer is Ugly.

DownSlow-moving creature

• The answer is Snail.

Like a groan-inducing joke

• The answer is Corny.

Co. that created the first floppy disk

• The answer is IBM.

Furry variety of carpet

• The answer is Shag.

World Class Wreckin' ___, music group in which Dr. Dre got his start

• The answer is Cru.

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 today's Mini Crossword.

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

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 5, 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: Found in a toolbox

• Green: Put your thinking cap on!

• Blue: To flip

• Purple: Underneath

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Bits of hardware

• Green: Places where ideas are developed

• Blue: Go back and forth

• Purple: What "Sub" might refer to

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 #998 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Bits of hardware: BOLT, NUT, SCREW, WASHER

• Places where ideas are developed: INCUBATOR, LAB, SANDBOX, TEST BED

• Go back and forth: ALTERNATE, SEESAW, SWITCH, TOGGLE

• What "Sub" might refer to: BELOW, HERO, REPLACEMENT, SUBMARINE

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 5, 2026

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a follower, not a leader.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 5, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 5, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Wooled animals.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SHEEP

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're pint-sized.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 5, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 5, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: That's it?

The words are related to size.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe small things.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Gee Thanks.

NYT Strands word list for March 5

• Meager

• Scant

• Puny

• Paltry

• Gee Thanks

• Negligible

• Piddling

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

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

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

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

How one might feel after eating beans.

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

GASSY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Creative.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ARTSY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A prize.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

AWARD

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A woman.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FEMME

Final Hurdle hint

To groom.

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

PRIMP

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

Many of the suspiciously inexpensive robot vacuums cut corners too close to the sun, quickly shifting from helpers around the house to agents of chaos. The more basic the navigation tech under the hood, the more likely you are to come home to a vacuum stuck under the couch (rather than a fully swept home).

Most cheap robot vacuums don't have the suction power or brush roll system necessary to pry crumbs or pet hair out of any carpet pile. That mediocrity extends to many robot vacuum and mop combo models, which don't "scrub" so much as feebly drag a damp cloth across the floor. At that point, it'd be less of a bother to get a decent stick vacuum and do it yourself.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it?

Long story short: Buying a robot vacuum just because it's cheap puts that glorious hands-off cleaning experience in jeopardy. But not all cheap robot vacuums are crappy, even compared to a few years ago. Smart mapping and self-emptying docks are super easy to find for just a few hundred dollars, and more premium features like small obstacle avoidance and automatic mop washing and drying can often be found below $500.

Recent changes to this guide

March 2026: I added the Eufy C28 as the best budget roller mop robot vacuum. (It's also the only "budget" roller mop robot vacuum out there right now.) I consider this a replacement for the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which was the best budget self-washing and drying station for much of 2025.

July 2025: I replaced the Roomba 205 DustCompactor with the 3i G10+. The G10+ has significantly stronger suction and better mapping than the Roomba, plus more advanced features like small obstacle and pet waste avoidance and a livestream pet camera.