Feed aggregator

How to watch Raptors vs. Celtics online for free

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics 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 season is taking shape. Not many fans expected the Toronto Raptors to be so high up in the standings at this stage, but those boys have got something good going this season. The energy is infectious, and they'll be expecting to roll over the Celtics this weekend.

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

When is Raptors vs. Celtics?

Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Scotiabank Arena.

How to watch Raptors vs. Celtics for free

Raptors vs. Celtics 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 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 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) $12.95 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 eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% 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 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Give the gift of a fun new hobby with these AI-powered piano lessons

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Learning piano is easy with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, and now a lifetime subscription is just $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through Dec. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $99.97
$299.99 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Give the gift of a new hobby this holiday season. If you have a loved one who would be interested in learning to play an instrument, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets them pick up piano at home.

Now just in time for the holiday season, you can score a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for only $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through December 7.

Start a new hobby this holiday season with Skoove piano lessons

It’s never too late to learn piano. Skoove Premium Piano Lessons even brings the instruction to you — all you’ll need is a keyboard or a piano and your favorite device. Its AI-powered instruction listens to what you’re playing, recognizes your notes, and even provides real-time feedback so you can improve with each lesson.

Over one million people are learning piano with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. The lessons can fit into your busy schedule, just pull up the app on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and start learning. There is instruction from beginner to advanced levels, and you can learn anything from pop tunes to Beethoven classics.

Your lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons gives you access to over 400 interactive lessons and thousands of instructional videos, with new ones added every month. And while your day-to-day lessons are powered by AI, you can also reach real music instructors for one-on-one support if needed.

Save big and score a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for only $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through Dec. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

How to watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL online for free

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Live stream Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Week 14 of the NFL season promises some intriguing matchups, including the Cincinnati Bengals at the Buffalo Bills. Despite inconsistent form and a win-loss record of 4-8, the Bengals aren't out of the playoffs race just yet and they'll be looking to follow up last week's decisive win over the Baltimore Ravens with another victory.

The Bills are coming off a win and have much better form overall — they're currently 8-4 — so both teams will bring their very best. All of which means it's a game worth logging on to watch.

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

If you want to watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bengals vs. Bills?

Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL starts at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Bengals vs. Bills for free

Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Bengals vs. Bills 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 New Zealand

  4. Visit TVNZ+

  5. Live stream Bengals vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most services offer deals such as free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL at cost whatsoever. This isn't a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for TVNZ+?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like TVNZ+, 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 two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is now on sale for just $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% 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 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL online for free

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Live stream Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

As always, Sunday is stacked with NFL action, including the Los Angeles Rams on the road at the Arizona Cardinals. This one might seem like a foregone conclusion with Los Angeles at 9-3, but their six-week unbeaten streak was unexpectedly ended by the Carolina Panthers in Week 13.

And while the Cardinals don't have much to play for other than pride — with the playoffs way out of sight with a season record of 3-9 — they could still prove tricky competition. It's a must-win game for the Rams, who are currently tied at the top of NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, and with the San Francisco 49ers one win away from them.

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

If you're looking to catch this game, the good news is you can watch Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world. Here's everything you need to know.

When is Rams vs. Cardinals ?

Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at State Farm Stadium.

How to watch Rams vs. Cardinals for free

Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is an Australian streaming platform and geo-blocked for viewers in that country only. But anyone can access this free streaming platform via a VPN. If you've never used one, a VPN is a handy tool that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere around the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Rams vs. Cardinals 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 Australia

  4. Visit 7Plus

  5. Live stream Rams vs. Cardinals s for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming aren't technically free to use, but most VPN services offer a free-trial or money-back guarantee. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL without spending anything in the long run. This isn't a permanent solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before claiming back your money.

If you want to keep permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a full subscription. Fortunately, however, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like 7Plus, 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 two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale at $139, which includes an extra four months for free. That's 61% off the regular price for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Or simply pick up a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Colts vs. Jaguars in the NFL online for free

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Live stream Colts vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Sunday Football promises a potentially decisive game as the Indianapolis Colts visit the Jacksonville Jaguars. The teams are currently joint first of AFC South, so a win could secure either franchise the top spot.

Though both Indianapolis and Jacksonville are at 8-4, Jacksonville will likely have the edge on home turf. Indianapolis have found Everbank Stadium a tough environment, with no wins there for over a decade.

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

The Jaguars also have major momentum under new head coach Liam Coen, who has turned the franchise around after a dismal 2024. The Jags are on a three-game streak while the Colts have lost two in a row. That said, the Colts' robust defense will offer the toughest test of the season so far for the Jaguars, which makes this battle for first place a can't-miss showdown.

Fortunately, you can watch Colts vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world. Here's all the information you need to watch.

When is Colts vs. Jaguars?

Colts vs. Jaguars in the NFL starts at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at Everbank Stadium.

How to watch Colts vs. Jaguars for free

Colts vs. Jaguars in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted for viewers in Australia only, but anyone around the world can access this free streaming platform via a VPN. VPNs are handy tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and then connect you with a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Colts vs. Jaguars 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 Australia

  4. Visit 7Plus

  5. Live stream Colts vs. Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free, but most VPN providers offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Colts vs. Jaguars in the NFL without spending anything in the long term. While it's not a permanent solution, it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before claiming back your initial investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. The good news is that the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like 7Plus, 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 two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale at $139, which includes an extra four months for free. That means 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Or you can pick up a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

Hurdle hints and answers for December 7, 2025

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 00:00

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

Connected to the hand and arm.

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

WRIST

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A small boat.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 7, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CANOE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A pole.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 7, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

STAKE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Often written by students.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 7 Hurdle Word 4 answer

ESSAY

Final Hurdle hint

Done to planes in the winner.

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

DEICE

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

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on December 7

Mashable - Sun, 12/07/2025 - 00:00

The moon is shrinking in visibility each night as we inch closer towards the New Moon. In just a number of days we won't be seeing anything when we look up in the sky, but at least for now, keep reading to see what you'll be able to spot tonight.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Dec. 7, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 90% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

It's day 17 of the lunar cycle and you don't need to be equipped with any visual aids to be able to see anything. In fact, with just you naked eye you will be able to see the Serenitatis and Tranquillitatis mares. If you do have a visual aid, binoculars will allow you to see the Gassendi Crater, Endymion Crater, and the Apennine Mountains. And a telescope will help you see the you can catch a glimpse of the Apollo 12 landing spot, Rupes Altai, and the Linne Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which is about 29.5 days long) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe how the Moon looks from Earth as it travels around us. We view the same side of the Moon at all times, but the sunlight hitting its surface shifts as it moves through its orbit. That changing illumination is what makes the Moon appear full, half-lit, or not visible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NYT Pips hints, answers for December 7, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 22:00

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 7 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 7 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 7 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (15): Everything in this space must be greater than 15. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (5): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 7, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 22:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you know your baseball parks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Yellow: Accident

  • Green: Ballparks

  • Blue: Legends in the snow

  • Purple: Black and White

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Mistake

  • Green: MLB Stadium Names

  • Blue: Famous American Alpine Skiers

  • Purple: Teams That Wear Black and White

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 #440 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Mistake - BLUNDER, ERROR, FLUB, HOWLER

  • MLB Stadium Names - BUSCH, COORS, FENWAY, NATIONALS

  • Famous American Alpine Skiers - MILLER, SHIFFRIN, STREET, VONN

  • Teams That Wear Black and White - JUVENTUS, NETS, NEWCASTLE, WHITE SOX

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

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

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

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 7, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 22:00

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

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 December 7, 2025 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: To move quickly

  • Green: Parts of an animal

  • Blue: Heard in the shop

  • Purple: Spanish terms

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Move at breakneck speed

  • Green: Organ meats

  • Blue: Woodworking joint terms

  • Purple: El ___

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 #910 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Move at breakneck speed: BARREL, BOLT, HURTLE, TEAR

  • Organ meats: GIZZARD, HEART, TONGUE, TRIPE

  • Woodworking joint terms: DADO, DOVETAIL, MITRE, MORTISE

  • El ___: CAPITAN, DORADO, GRECO, PASO

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 December 7, 2025

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 yesterday's Connections.

NYT Strands hints, answers for December 7, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 22:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love to pamper yourself.

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 December 7, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 7, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: You're styling!

The words are related to cosmetics.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe grooming treatments.

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 Beauty Salon.

NYT Strands word list for December 7
  • Facial

  • Extensions

  • Beauty Salon

  • Waxing

  • Haircut

  • Braiding

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 yesterday's Strands.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 7, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're an instrumentalist.

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 December 7, 2025 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 December 7, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A wind instrument.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

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...

FLUTE

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 December 7, 2025

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.

Get powerful Microsoft Office apps for less than $5 each for life

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 18:00

TL;DR: Upgrade a PC with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license for just $34.97 (reg. $219.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $34.97
$219.99 Save $185.02   Get Deal

In need of a little fall pick-me-up? Give your PC a little productivity boost with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license. This suite of eight helpful apps can give your device a total refresh, and right now it’s only $34.97 (reg. $219.99) — making the apps cost less than $5 each.

These days, purchasing a lifetime subscription to an app sets you back quite a bit. So this deal on Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is a massive bargain — delivering eight quality Microsoft apps for under $5 each.

Boost your productivity with Microsoft Office Professional 2021

Whether you’ve got a 9-to-5 or you’re still in school, the Microsoft Office apps are here to help. This license includes eight different tools to help you tackle your to-do list, and some of them are old classics you’ve known and loved for decades.

Draft documents in Word, create a spreadsheet in Excel, craft a presentation in PowerPoint, and manage your emails in Outlook. You’ll also have Teams there to keep you connected to your coworkers, OneNote to take good digital notes, Access to help you manage databases, and Publisher to design professional documents.

If the year of this edition gives you pause, don’t worry. All the apps have been redesigned and are built to improve everyone’s workflow — from data analysts to designers. After your purchase, you’ll receive instant delivery and download, meaning the apps will be installed directly on your device, and you won’t need a cloud connection. (Just make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before purchasing.)

Equip your computer with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license for just $34.97 (reg. $219.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The Ninja Crispi is a glass-bottom air fryer, and its $40 off at Amazon

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 13:59

SAVE $40: As of Dec. 6th, the Ninja Crispi air fryer and portable cooking system is $139, which is $40 off its list price of $179. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja | Air Fryer | Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System | 4QT & 6 Cup Glass Containers $139 at Amazon
$179 Save $40   Get Deal

Black Friday has come and gone, and with it, most of the wallet-saving deals have retreated into the ether. That is almost all of those deals, but one: Ninja has its Black Friday deal on the Ninja Crispi air fryer. The Ninja Crispi is $40 off this weekend, for who knows how much longer. This air fryer features two glass bottoms in 4-quart and 6-cup capacities. This portable cooking system is an air fryer, in addition to baking, reheating, and something Ninja refers to as "Max Crisp," which is likely closely related to broiling.

The two different sizes offer unique capabilities for cooking different quantities of food at various speeds. For example, the 6-cup glass-bottom bowl can reheat some fries or veggies (who says potatoes aren't vegetables) in as little as 7 minutes, while the 4-quart glass-bottom bowl can bake a whole chicken and vegetables.

If the combination of a glass bottom and extreme heat gives you pause, don't worry, Ninja is already way ahead of you. The borosilicate glass (which the famously heat-resistant Pyrex brand's glass is made of) is thermal shock-resistant, and both glass bottoms come with heat-protected feet that allow the device to sit atop any material countertop you want (except plastic). The glass bottoms are also dishwasher safe.

Beeples billionaire robot dogs — Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos — are pure nightmare fuel

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 12:14

Hey man, I don't know what message you're trying to send by plastering extremely realistic-looking billionaire faces onto robot dogs — that's between you and your higher power, or lack thereof — but no thanks. I'm good, actually, thanks for offering.

I actually do not need to witness Elon Musk's smirking visage attached to a robot that then defecates AI-generated Polaroids to the audience. I've got errands to run.

Look at these damn things.

The exhibit at Art Basel Miami Beach is called “Regular Animals.” Created by digital designer and artist Mike Winkelmann, who goes by Beeple, it features robot dog versions of Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, according to Storyful.

[image or embed]

— The Wall Street Journal (@wsj.com) December 5, 2025 at 11:22 AM

“Regular Animals”, an art installation by Beeple 🤮 at Art Basel in Miami, features billionaire-faced robodogs that take photos of spectators & then “defecate” the so called “artistic impressions”, some of which link to NFTs. Printed “Excrement Samples” sell for $100k. Creepy af innit?

[image or embed]

— trish (@omerta22.posts.art) December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM

The art installation I'm referring to is called Regular Animals, located in Miami during Art Basel. It's a creation by Mike Winkelmann, aka Beeple, the artist who sold his NFT art for $69 million during the 2021 NFT boom.

The penned-up billionaire dogs include Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, as well as art-world figures like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Beeple himself. It's unnerving and weird to see the hyper-realistic faces wandering around on the picture-pooping dogs. Some folks might be tempted to draw some meaning from the installation. Not me, I've got laundry to do. No thanks.

Need a Christmas tree? Amazon Prime members can save 66% on this Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 11:49

SAVE $189: As of Dec. 6th, this Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir artificial Christmas tree is 66% percent off, coming in at $99. This is down from the National Tree Company’s list price of $289.99 on Amazon. 

Opens in a new window Credit: National Tree Company Store National Tree Company 7 ft Pre-Lit Dunhill Fir Full Artificial Christmas Tree $99.99 at Amazon
$289.99 Save $190   Get Deal

It's Dec. 6th, which means that Thanksgiving has come and gone, Black Friday and Cyber Monday spun in like the Tasmanian Devil and spun back out, and now we're more than one-fifth of the way through 25 days of Christmas. It's that time of the holiday season when many windows are filling up with the lights of beautifully decorated trees and/or menorahs. If you don't have a tree quite yet or if you've been on the fence, this weekend, the National Tree Company has a deal you might be interested in. The NTC has its Pre-Lit DunHill Fir artificial Christmas tree on sale for 66% off. 

This particular Pre-Lit artificial tree measures 7.5 ft in height with a 55-inch diameter at its base. When it comes to being "Pre-Lit", that means that the tree is wrapped with lights before packaging, offering you a stress-free setup. The tree comes replete with 700 white light bulbs for sparkling holiday-season ambiance, on full-bodied branches designed to look as real as possible. The tree also features attached drop-down branches, allowing you to set it up quickly once you take it out of the box. 

The instructions indicate that one should spend about 45-60 minutes fluffing and pulling apart the branches so they look extra real. 

Pixel Watch updates its always on display for media controls and timers

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 10:32

Google's Pixel watches are rolling out an improved always-on display.

Tech site 9to5Google spotted that with Wear OS 6, the Pixel Watch has added always-on capabilities for media controls (such as controlling your music) as well as the timer app. Previously, these sorts of tools would blur after a certain amount of time. Now, they remain on the screen, with the display having been slightly changed from its previous iteration.

That could mark a major improvement for people who use their watch to, say, time a workout or track what they're cooking. Mashable named the Google Pixel Watch 4 the best Android smartwatch of 2025 — so it's an improvement on an already good product. Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth wrote it was "elegant enough to wear to the office, but comfortable and smart enough to monitor workouts." Senior reporter Christianna Silva, meanwhile, wrote in their review that the "Pixel Watch 4 is a true runners' watch, and it's gorgeous too."

SEE ALSO: Review: The new Pixel Watch 4 is a true runners' watch, and it's gorgeous too

So now, if you're a serious runner doing sprints on a track, you won't need to fiddle with the display to check your times. That's a small change that could have a big impact.

Octopath Traveler 0 is a hefty investment that rewards your patience

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 05:30

Octopath Traveler 0 had every excuse to be half-assed. It could have been smaller, leaner, and less compelling than its predecessors, just by virtue of where it came from. It is a minor miracle that it’s none of those things.

The latest throwback-style turn-based RPG from Square Enix, in case you don’t know, is a $50 console and PC adaptation of a free-to-play mobile game from 2020. The developers took a bunch of existing characters, enemies, storylines, mechanics, and music, and reconstituted them into an entirely different and wholly welcome new format. Given that mobile games are inherently fleeting, as they rely on storefronts, servers, and payment processes that will cease to exist someday, I think this is kind of incredible.

It also helps that the end result is just a real, real good RPG. Octopath Traveler 0 takes a foundation that could’ve produced something awkward and rickety and turns it into a game that keeps expanding and becoming more compelling the more time you invest into it. It might not feel as premium as the other console games in the series, but that doesn’t stop Octopath Traveler 0 from being one of the best RPGs of 2025, and a worthy addition to what is quickly becoming a very good series.

SEE ALSO: 'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond' is the 'Metroid' you want 90 percent of the time Humble beginnings Making your own dude is cool. Credit: Square Enix/Steam

Octopath Traveler 0 is different from the first two console entries in the series in a number of ways, largely owing to the fact that it’s reformed from components of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, a free-to-play phone spin-off. That means the very design fabric that made those first two games stand out is gone here.

Specifically, you no longer choose from one of eight pre-designed characters and spend the rest of your journey recruiting the other seven. That format produced games that felt more like short story collections than grand adventures, as each character had their own distinct arcs that largely didn’t involve the other characters. In Octopath 0, you instead create your own character, choose a starting class, and set off into the same prologue that every other player will see.

Soon enough, your humble hometown gets burnt down by some nefarious evildoers, and it’s up to you and a handful of other survivors to rebuild and seek revenge. There are several bespoke story arcs that rarely touch each other here, as in previous Octopath games, but they’re centered around heroes rather than villains. You can do them in whatever order you want, but you’ll have to do them all eventually.

Your party starts out small and gets much, much bigger later. Credit: Square Enix/Steam

Perhaps the biggest change, which comes directly from the mobile game, is that there are multiple dozens of playable party members in Octopath 0, as opposed to just eight in each of the previous two games. You don’t have to pay money to participate in slot machine pulls to unlock them anymore, as they’re now doled out at a reasonable pace over the course of the story, and many of them are optional to recruit. 

Structurally, Octopath 0 is substantially more appealing to me than Champions of the Continent could ever hope to be. I don’t like free-to-play gacha games, but I like narrative RPGs. I think it is an act of near-genius to adapt a mobile game to a console game in the way the developers have here. While Octopath 0 feels different from its brethren, it rarely feels lesser than those other games. There are fewer combat animations for each character, to be sure, and it’s noticeable to fans of the other games that much of the music is reused. But Octopath 0 does not cut corners. This is, for all intents and purposes, a big, new, fully-featured RPG built using the bones of a mobile game. In a world where new games take forever to get made and budgets are ballooning, I can’t help but applaud this novel approach to filling the gap between 2023’s Octopath Traveler II and whatever comes next.

Octopath Traveler 0 takes a while to get going You'll do plenty of this, at least for a while. Credit: Square Enix/Steam

As a non-full-priced game with such a strange origin story, it would be reasonable to expect a game with less going on than its higher-budget counterparts in the same series. That expectation could not be farther off the mark, though.

I’ll just state it bluntly: This game took me about 80 hours to finish. It’s a massive investment, and it’s an investment that requires a degree of patience. Many of the early first 20 hours or so are spent setting the table for what comes later. You will spend a lot of that time recruiting a full party and starting the process of rebuilding your hometown, which is done in a fairly substantial town-building minigame. There are essential, game-changing battle mechanics that are hidden behind building certain structures that don’t unlock until you hit that 20-hour mark, approximately. 

Do not misunderstand me; I am not saying Octopath Traveler 0 takes 20 hours to get good. I am saying, however, that it saves its best for later. Like I said, it’s an investment, and I think it’s a rewarding one to make.

But once it starts rolling, it becomes unstoppable Fights with a full party are thrilling. Credit: Square Enix/Steam

That reward takes a few different forms. One of them is excellent turn-based combat, which is some of the most fun in any game released this year.

Unlike previous Octopath games, in which you had four party members on screen at once, Octopath 0 lets you work with eight homies on the field at any given time. They’re arranged into a front row and back row. Those in the front can attack and take damage, while those in the back are guarded from hits and slowly recover resources with each passing turn. You can instantly switch between one character and another character who is in the same horizontal slot as them on the formation screen, and figuring out who plays second fiddle to whom is a huge part of build-crafting in this game.

This works exceptionally well with the main battle conceit of every Octopath game, which is the Boost system. At the start of each turn, every character earns one Boost Point, and they can hold up to five at a time. You can use as many as three in one turn to power up whatever you’re about to do, whether it’s a big attack or a healing spell. In previous games, you had to be a little stingy with Boost Points, but not here. Having a whole backup crew gradually building up points means you’re incentivized to use more of them more often, and the combat is balanced accordingly. It’s an exciting and different challenge from something like Octopath II.

Building up your hometown is plugged into your progression, as well. As I said earlier, you have to build certain structures and house them with certain recruitable NPCs to unlock many key features of the battle system. Building requires resources, but collecting them is generally painless as long as you’re observant and make sure to pick things up on the road. Perhaps a bit annoyingly, there are also important quality-of-life features like fast travel that are locked behind building and upgrading structures.

I do have one complaint about town-building, which is that you can essentially “finish” your town (that is, build every essential gameplay structure) halfway through the main story, at which point there’s no longer much need to think about it. I would have preferred more hooks for the endgame, but I suppose there’s also something to like about just focusing on exploring and fighting as the game winds towards its conclusion.

The story gets better later This dude is the best character in the game. Credit: Square Enix/Steam

Speaking of which, the other main vector of satisfaction if you choose to invest your time in Octopath Traveler 0 is the narrative. This game is all about how greed is bad, and each villain represents a different kind of greed. Some want fame, some want wealth, some want power, but they all want, and that is where they end up harming those around them.

At first, it feels very heavy-handed and predictable. Stick with the story long enough, however, and you’ll find that the early predictability gives way to later twists that actually have weight to them. Octopath Traveler 0 is an exceptionally earnest game, never trying to trick or outsmart the player. It just wants you to care about this world and these people, and I think it does a fine job of extracting those feelings from the player by the time it’s done.

Part of that is a lengthy finale chapter, which amounts to maybe a quarter of the game by itself. This is where every other previously-disconnected storyline comes together, and all the characters you’ve met up to that point start interacting with each other for the first time. The game’s biggest narrative swings all happen in the finale, including a villain reveal for the ages. This is easily the best antagonist of any Octopath game, but to say any more would ruin the fun for you.

Just sit with it for a while

Before we’re done here, I’d be remiss not to mention that Square Enix’s “HD-2D” art style that started with the first Octopath game is still great here. I really dig the intentionally low-fidelity look of the sprites and 3D assets, combined with modern lighting and depth-of-field effects. It doesn’t really look like an old game, but it looks awesome, nonetheless. Yasunori Nishiki’s music is also a standout element of Octopath 0, as he has become one of the finest RPG composers working right now. One of the boss fight themes is such a smoking hot banger that I’ve been listening to it for a week straight in my free time.

Unfortunately, performance in the Nintendo Switch 2 version (which is what I played) isn’t great. It targets and comes close to hitting 60 frames per second most of the time, but there's a noticeable stutter that seems most prevalent during the first few seconds after entering a new area. Not unplayable by any means, but certainly a little disappointing.

Still, Octopath Traveler 0 is a remarkably long and generally worth-the-effort experience, especially for anyone who vibes with the other games in the series. This is the kind of game that you’d yearn for as a teenager on summer break with nothing else to do. You can sink into it for dozens of hours, and it just keeps getting better the more you play it, thanks to excellent combat and a story that finds its best self in its later stages.

I understand not everyone has time for that kind of thing in their adult lives, but if you can create a window in your life for Octopath Traveler 0, your patience will largely be rewarded.

Octobpath Traveler 0 is available for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5 for $49.99.

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 (Nintendo Switch 2) $49.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Walmart

It’s Not Just You. Users Struggle With the Instagram Repost Button.

NYT Technology - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 05:01
The new repost option, sandwiched between comment and share, has led to consternation and accidental reposts by some users.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) vs. Sony WH-1000xM6: Which headphones should you buy?

Mashable - Sat, 12/06/2025 - 05:00
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Bose remains the king of ANC and spatial audio

The QC Ultra (Gen 2) have category-leading noise cancellation. Bose upgraded its ANC algorithm and microphone system to be more dynamic and responsive to low-frequency sounds. These technologies adaptively remove about 95 percent of external fracas. Anything that comes through will sound like background effects on songs and movies. Aware mode (aka transparency) is just as rewarding for keeping tabs on surroundings. Another brand hallmark that remains undefeated is Immersive Audio. This feature creates amazing surround sound for all stereo content. It isn’t confined to any specific technology (*cough* Dolby Atmos cough) and is the most realistic sounding of all other spatial audio formats on headphones.

ANC on the WH-1000xM6 is right below the QC Ultra (Gen 2), which is a huge compliment. These headphones do a terrific job of eliminating most unwanted noises and minimizing high-frequency sounds. Transparency mode is superb for increasing ambient awareness. There are 20 adjustable levels to control the amount of noise you want to hear. Listening at max level captures every peep in your vicinity with precision. Still, we prefer the QC Ultra’s more powerful ANC since it eliminates high-frequency sounds better. We also favor Immersive Audio over Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. The latter is fine for watching movies, but it doesn’t sound as natural. Not to mention, 360 Reality Audio only works with a very limited number of streaming services, which also have limited content.

Winner: Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2)

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2).

Sony has practicality and sound quality in the bag

Much like the WH-1000xM5, the Mark Series VI headphones have a versatile control scheme consisting of motion, physical, touch, and voice functions. All of them work exceptionally well. Voice controls are most impressive. Siri and Google Assistant commands are accurately registered and executed. Intelligible features like Speak-to-Chat are on point to automatically mute sound when detecting your voice. The QC Ultra (Gen 2) boast their own responsive control scheme, but they lack the WH-1000xM6’s smart voice functionality. 

Audio performance is where the WH-1000xM6 shine brightest. Sony’s suite of proprietary technologies gives them unbeatable wireless sound. The 30mm drivers dish out detailed and dynamic audio. Frequencies are nicely balanced, and being able to tweak them via customizable EQ simplifies sound personalization. Our favorite Sony feature, DSEE, upscales clarity, depth, and fidelity on all tracks, no matter the file or streaming service. LDAC codec support boosts bitrate transmission on Android devices to reveal more depth and nuance in songs. 

The QC Ultra (Gen 2) “pick up details well across the spectrum of lows to highs,” as described in our full review. You get an awesome mix of crisp mids and deep bass on contemporary tracks. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and Lossless codecs result in CD-like quality over Bluetooth (Android only). There’s an adjustable EQ in the Bose app. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near as advanced as Sony’s EQ. Again, Immersive Audio is magnificent for 3D sound, but the all-new Cinematic Mode is underwhelming; all it does is make background effects louder.

Winner: Sony WH-1000xM6

Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000xM6.

Pages

Subscribe to Page Integrity, Inc. aggregator