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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's The Mini crossword answers for February 24 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: Fast or excessive eating

• Green: Yielding or giving away

• Blue: Traditional sailor tattoo designs

• Purple: Could be a body part

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

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

• Yellow: Eat Voraciously

• Green: Bend Under Pressure

• Blue: Classic Nautical Tattoos

• Purple: Body Parts Plus Letter

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 #624 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Eat Voraciously: GOBBLE, GULP, SCARF, WOLF

• Bend Under Pressure: BOW, BUCKLE, CAVE, GIVE

• Classic Nautical Tattoos: ANCHOR, COMPASS, MERMAID, SWALLOW

• Body Parts Plus Letter: BUTTE, CHINA, HEARTH, SHINE

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 24

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 yesterday's Connections.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for February 24 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's The Mini crossword answers for February 24, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A body part responsible for secreting hormones.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GLAND.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 24

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

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

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

Apple's plans to add Google Gemini to Apple Intelligence are well underway, according to backend iOS code.

9To5Mac analyst Aaron Perris looked into the backend update for the iOS 18.4 beta and discovered mentions of "Google" alongside "OpenAI" and "Third Party Model." This suggests Google's AI model Gemini might soon be another option for Apple users to choose from as an alternative to ChatGPT.

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This discovery is not unexpected. Following the keynote announcement of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, software exec Craig Federighi confirmed rumors of an Apple and Google partnership, saying, "We’re looking forward to doing integrations with other models, including Google Gemini, for instance, in the future."

SEE ALSO: Apple revokes iCloud's Advanced Data Protection in the UK over government privacy dispute

Of course, this came after Apple had announced a partnership with OpenAI, bringing ChatGPT to Apple Intelligence as a third-party option to use with Siri and other AI features. However, Federighi made it clear that Apple wanted to allow users to choose from multiple models. At the time, Federighi didn't share any specifics on a timeline, but this leak shows us that the Google Gemini integration is coming soon.

As 9To5Mac noted, this doesn't mean Gemini will be part of the iOS 18.4 update, it definitely means Apple is actively working on it.

The Apple Intelligence launch has been a bit of a mixed bag. Users were frustrated with the staggered (and delayed) rollout, underwhelmed by gimmicky features, and annoyed by AI-generated summaries that are sometimes inaccurate. Plus, users are still waiting for the alleged new and improved Siri which is slated for the upcoming iOS 18.4 release.

By comparison, Samsung has been quicker and more aggressive in deploying AI features for its Galaxy series and already has Google Gemini integration. It's unclear how Apple will plan to integrate Gemini, but it would be a way to catch up to its competitors and cover some of its shortcomings in the voice assistant department.

On that note, Apple is reportedly working on its own LLM for iOS 19 and macOS 16, which will likely be announced at this year's WWDC.

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Apple has removed its strongest iCloud data protection for customers in the UK, as a refusal to comply with a government order demanding backdoor access to user data.

Apple has a security feature called Advanced Data Protection, which offers end-to-end data encryption of files and backups stored in iCloud — meaning only the owner can decrypt and access the data. But now, Apple users in the UK are left without this option because of a dispute between the tech giant and their government. According to The Washington Post, the UK government order demanded blanket access to Apple users' encrypted iCloud data.

SEE ALSO: Encryption backdoors violate human rights, EU court rules

Instead of complying with the demands, Apple subsequently pulled the Advanced Data Protection tool altogether. "We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will," Apple said in a statement to Bloomberg, which first reported the story.

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Apple's decision leaves UK users' data more vulnerable, as would have complying with the order. Removing access to their most advanced version of data protection voluntarily is Apple's way of saying they won't participate in granting access to private data for the sake of government oversight. Apple "remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom," the statement continued.

Privacy and free speech advocates have praised the move for not bending to what they believe is an invasive law, which they say could establish a dangerous precedent for any government seeking access private data. "You can’t be tech-friendly while eroding the foundation of cybersecurity on which robust tech depends," said Signal President Meredith Whittaker in a statement to Reuters. "Encryption is not a luxury - it is a fundamental human right essential to a free society that also happens to underpin the global economy."

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But still, the fact that Apple was forced to respond to the UK government in some way has users concerned about their suddenly vulnerable private data. The move has people wondering if its grounds for a breach of contract lawsuit, since privacy protection is a longstanding tent pole of Apple's products and services.

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Apple has a long history of battling over government requests for user data. Several times, the company has refused law enforcement requests to unlock the iPhones of suspected mass shooters, once in 2016, and another time in 2020.

Advanced Data Protection, first introduced in 2022, is an optional add-on to Apple's existing cloud data protection. iMessage, passwords, and health data are still end-to-end encrypted by default. Apple told Engadget that users will have a "grace period to comply" with the changes. Mashable has reached out to Apple for more details and will update this story with a response.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, February 23, 2025:

AcrossSing like "Boopity-bop-dee-doo-dee-doo-bee"

• The answer is Scat.

Hawk's claw

• The answer is Talon.

The "U" in U.K.

• The answer is United.

"Hey, that's cheating!"

• The answer is No fair.

Rapper with the songs "Hot in Herre" and "Air Force Ones"

• The answer is Nelly.

DownSurprise greatly

• The answer is Stun.

Officially accepted storylines

• The answer is Canon.

"Get ___!" ("Stop being so boring!")

• The answer is A life.

Sum amount

• The answer is Total.

Astronaut Armstrong

• The answer is Neil.

Free of moisture

• The answer is Dry.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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