This digest compiles the latest from Mashable.
Today’s Mashable Roundup
NYT Pips hints, answers for February 15, 2026
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.
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:
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Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
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Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
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Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
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Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
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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.
Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 15 Pips
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.
Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this orange space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this orange space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 15 Pips
Equal (3): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this orange space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 15 Pips
Equal (6): Everything in this purpspace must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.
Equal (1): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.
Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.
Number (22): Everything in this space must add up to 22. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Airbnb is testing AI-powered search to help users with bookings
The next time you book a rental on Airbnb, you might be getting some help from AI.
Airbnb is currently testing out a new AI-powered search feature. According to the company’s Q4 shareholder letter, Airbnb is currently “integrating AI” into its app. One such integration, AI-powered search, is already in its testing phase and available to a “small percentage” of Airbnb’s users.
Airbnb’s AI-powered search currently lets users use natural language to describe the type of rental and amenities they’re looking for. This means users no longer have to formulate the perfect search query to find exactly what they want; they can simply describe the type of rental they’re looking to book in a conversational manner. Users can also use the AI-powered search to ask questions about specific listings and their locations.
The company says that the AI-powered search feature will eventually “evolve into a more comprehensive and intuitive search experience that extends through the trip.”
During Airbnb’s recent Q4 earnings call, company CEO Brian Chesky described how the property rental company is currently working on an “AI-native experience” for its users.
Airbnb also shared that its AI-powered customer support assistant, which was released in the U.S. last year, now resolves a third of all customer support requests. The company says it’s prepared to roll out the feature globally to all users later this year.
Investors have been hearing a lot about AI integrations lately from big tech companies, as AI has been frequently mentioned on recent quarterly earnings calls. Music streaming giant Spotify shared during its Q4 call that its developers now have AI handling the majority of the company’s coding work.
How to watch India vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free
TL;DR: Live stream India vs. Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There are so many huge games in the 2026 T20 World Cup, but there really isn’t anything bigger than India vs. Pakistan. For a long time it looked like this Group A contest wouldn’t take place, but fans can now look forward to the biggest game in world cricket. That’s if the hold rain holds off in Colombo.
Both sides have won their two opening games, so confidence is high. We’re expecting an awesome spectacle from two star-studded squads. There isn’t much on the line at this early stage of the tournament, but try telling that to the players. They’ll give everything to gain an edge over their fiercest rivals before the latter stages of the competition.
If you want to watch India vs. Pakistan 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. Pakistan?
India vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 15. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.
How to watch India vs. Pakistan for free
India vs. Pakistan 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. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:
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Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
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Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
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Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
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Visit ICC.TV
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Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
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 (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.
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:
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Servers in 105 countries
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Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
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Fast connection speeds
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Up to 10 simultaneous connections
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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.
How to watch the 2026 Six Nations online for free
TL;DR: Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Six Nations is a special competition. Want to see incredible speed and skill from supremely talented athletes? Check out the Six Nations. Want to experience intense passion from heated rivalries? The Six Nations offers that in abundance. Enjoy the sight of absolutely huge men smashing into each other at speed? Yep, the Six Nations is for you.
We’ve already been treated to some huge performances from the 2026 edition of this competition. France overcame Ireland in the opener, Italy shocked Scotland in front of a passionate Stadio Olimpico, and England confidently dispatched Wales in the opening round.
It’s a tournament like no other, and fans can follow all the action from the latest edition without spending anything. If you want to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Six Nations?
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men’s rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team plays every other team once, with home ground advantage alternating from one year to the next.
The current champions are France. England and Wales have won the competition most often (39 titles).
When is the 2026 Six Nations?
The 2026 Six Nations Championship is the 132nd edition of the competition. This year’s competition will take place from Feb. 5 to March 14. Here’s the full schedule of games:
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France vs. Ireland — 8:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 5 (ITV)
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Italy vs. Scotland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7 (BBC)
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England vs. Wales — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7 (ITV)
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Ireland vs. Italy — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14 (ITV)
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Scotland vs. England — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14 (ITV)
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Wales vs. France — 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 15 (BBC)
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England vs. Ireland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21 (ITV)
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Wales vs. Scotland — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21 (BBC)
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France vs. Italy — 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 22 (ITV)
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Ireland vs. Wales — 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 6 (ITV)
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Scotland vs. France — 2:10 p.m. GMT on March 7 (BBC)
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Italy vs. England — 4:40 p.m. GMT on March 7 (ITV)
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Ireland vs. Scotland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on March 14 (ITV)
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Wales vs. Italy — 4:40 p.m. GMT on March 14 (BBC)
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France vs. England — 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 14 (ITV)
Fans can watch every game from the 2026 Six Nations without spending anything.
How to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free
The 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
BBC iPlayer and ITVX are both geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy action makes it look like you’re connecting from the UK, so you can stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX by following these simple steps:
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Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
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Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
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Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
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Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX
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Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer or ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to all your favorite free streaming platforms, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for the Six Nations?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream sport for free, for a number of reasons:
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Servers in 105 countries including the UK
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Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
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Fast connection speeds
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Up to 10 simultaneous connections
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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 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Wales vs. France online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. France in the 2026 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Six Nations started with a number of huge performances from the usual candidates. The best performance from the opening round? It’s difficult to look past France. They dismantled Ireland in front of a passionate Stade de France, making a big statement of intent as the tournament kicked off.
Next France face Wales at the Millennium Stadium. Wales suffered a defeat to England in the opening round, and will be hoping to see improvements over the next few weeks. Fans will expect France to win this one comfortably, but you can never truly count out Wales.
If you want to watch Wales vs. France in the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Wales vs. France?
Wales vs. France in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 15. This fixture takes place at the Millennium Stadium.
How to watch Wales vs. France for free
Wales vs. France in the 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Wales vs. France from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
-
Visit BBC iPlayer
-
Live stream Wales vs. France for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Wales vs. France without committing with your cash. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services to watch the Winter Olympics, the T20 World Cup, and more from anywhere in the world, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
-
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 Wales vs. France in the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
Worried about your digital privacy? I tested the top 3 VPNs to find the best of the best.
Why do you need a VPN?
Even the best VPNs can’t make you 100 percent anonymous on the web. Cookies and other trackers can still follow you around, and your ISP can see that you’re using a VPN. But a good VPN will secure your traffic and hide your true IP address so that prying eyes on the outside can’t see which sites you’re visiting, what you’re downloading, or your general location. The most trustworthy VPN providers operate transparently and abide by independently verified no-logs policies to prove that they don’t collect or store any user data in the process.
For casual users, VPN services are useful tools for staying safe on public WiFi networks. For journalists, activists, and those in critical situations where digital privacy is paramount, the best VPN can be a legitimate lifesaver.
Beyond these scenarios, the top VPN services also have a popular secondary use case as location-spoofing tools. By connecting to a VPN server across a border or ocean, you can bypass geo-restrictions on content that isn’t available in your own country or region. This is pertinent intel for folks in France, the UK, and 23 U.S. states where sites with explicit content are restricted by age verification laws.
The best VPN for 2026? Proton VPN.
I believe Proton VPN is the top VPN for most people. It’s the most privacy-forward VPN I’ve tried, with open-source apps, a no-logs policy that’s held up in court, and a history of supporting digital freedom efforts. It’s also a stellar value: Paid Proton VPN users get full access to its huge fleet of reliable servers and useful features like multi-hop and split tunneling, with up to 10 simultaneous VPN connections per account. Their subscriptions also include bonus security tools like a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, and ad, tracker, and malware blockers.
The free version of Proton VPN is extremely limited in comparison, but it’s the only free VPN I’ve encountered with unlimited data and zero ads. For all these reasons, Proton VPN is the first (and only) VPN to win a Mashable Choice Award.
FYI: Prices for most VPN providers’ long-term plans change frequently. The rates listed here were accurate at the time of publication.
What’s new
I didn’t love ExpressVPN the first time I tried it in 2023. But after re-testing and re-evaluating it in early 2026, I’ve decided to make it a new top pick. The company has expanded its server network, redone its desktop apps, added a new ShuffleIP feature that makes users harder to track, and fleshed out some new subscription tiers with more non-VPN privacy tools. It’s a much better value than before.
Lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and more comes with this $75 tool
TL;DR: Get forever access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and other top AI tools with a 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription, now $74.97 through Feb. 22 (reg. $540).
At some point, most people using AI have the same realization: ‘Why am I paying for all these tools separately?’ ChatGPT here, Gemini there, another subscription for images, another for video — it adds up faster than streaming subscriptions.
1min.AI solves that problem by giving you access to multiple AI models in one place, and right now, it’s available as a lifetime deal at its best price yet. Save 86% on a lifetime subscription while this deal lasts.
What is 1min.AI?
If you’ve been intimidated by the idea of working with artificial intelligence, 1min.AI makes it totally accessible and a lot more convenient as a central hub for popular models. This handy tool lets you input your request in one place and enjoy the fruits of multiple AI models’ labor, with no tab-hopping required.
Need to create AI-generated images? Looking to whip up some content for social media? Since all the AI models have different strengths, 1min.AI takes the guesswork out of which service to use.
Take advantage of all the perks that ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and more models have to offer, without having to pay multiple subscription costs. Just make sure to check 1min.AI’s output and make sure no light editing is required.
What’s included with the Advanced Business Plan?
This lifetime subscription includes:
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Unlimited prompt library
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Unlimited storage
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Unlimited brand voice options
You’ll also receive 4,000,000 credits every month, which is enough to:
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Write up to 1,112,500 words per month
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Research up to 5,933 SEO keywords per month
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Generate up to 1,186 images per month
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Create up to 37 videos per month
If you ever need more credits, you can earn them for free by using the web app, referring friends, or leaving a review.
Get your 1min.AI lifetime subscription on sale for $74.97 through Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $540). No coupon is needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
AdGuard is your one-time fix for pop-ups, autoplay ads, and online tracking — now $16
TL;DR: Through Feb. 22, grab a lifetime AdGuard Family Plan for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) and remove ads and trackers on up to nine devices for good.
Picture browsing, streaming, and scrolling without constant interruptions — no pop-ups, no autoplay videos, no tracking scripts following you around. AdGuard delivers a cleaner, safer internet across nine mobile and desktop devices with one lifetime license. Lock in the $15.97 deal before Feb. 22.
Want to browse the web without the jump scare of pop-up ads? Wouldn’t it be nice to watch a YouTube video without having to sit through a boring video ad beforehand? AdGuard rids your internet experience of both of these things, easily blocking ads from your internet experience for good.
Aside from blocking ads, AdGuard also doubles as a privacy protection tool. It can protect you from cyberattacks, like malware and phishing sites, while also keeping your information hidden from trackers and activity analyzers.
This AdGuard Family Plan lets you protect up to nine devices, allowing them to enjoy an ad-free, safer internet experience. It works seamlessly on both Android and iOS, so you can cover smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
If you have kids at home, the parental control feature can also come in handy. It restricts children’s access to inappropriate online content, serving as their own internet babysitter.
Get your AdGuard lifetime subscription for $15.97 until Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $169.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Economic strike effort: Quit these tech services
The way marketing professor Scott Galloway puts it, the primary way to get President Donald J. Trump‘s attention is by influencing the market.
Don’t like Trump’s deployment of immigration authorities to Minneapolis or the killings of Americans observing the agents’ actions? Find a way to change the economic calculus for Trump, Galloway says.
That’s why Galloway, the popular podcast host and author, recently launched a month-long economic strike campaign called Resist and Unsubscribe. The initiative invites people to cancel tech subscriptions and services they may enjoy using for work, convenience, and entertainment.
He says the campaign has reached nearly a million people via its website and related content has been viewed more than 18 million times on social media.
The list of services Galloway says to consider forgoing includes Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Uber, and X. Galloway has identified these and other tech companies “as having outsized influence over the national economy and our president.”
Amazon, for example, spent tens of millions of dollars making and promoting Melania, a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, a move that skeptics of the deal and film have likened to a “bribe” and “propaganda.” Amazon has said it made the movie because they believed customers would “love” it.
Mashable asked Galloway to share his reasoning for this strike, which services he personally canceled, and what he’s doing with the time he’s reclaiming from various tech products he used prior to the strike.
Mashable: Why is canceling subscriptions specifically important if someone wants to protest what you describe as “the Trump administration’s assault on our nation’s values”?
Galloway: The Trump administration doesn’t respond to outrage, it responds to economics. If you look at the times that the President walked back plans (like annexing Greenland or raising tariffs) it’s always been the result of the bond market or stock market falling. I’m recommending we focus on subscription cancellations because that’s currently the easiest opportunity in the market. The Magnificent 7 account for roughly 35 percent of the S&P 500, and they’re all tech companies. Targeting Big Tech will have an outsized impact on the markets, which will influence the President.
Mashable: The tech-based subscriptions you encourage people to cancel have become central to how people entertain themselves, shop, and work. If someone is balking at the list and the prospect of giving up, say Apple Music or ChatGPT, or both, how do you frame the stakes for them?
Galloway: By all means, I’m not asking anyone to give up something that’s central to their life or work. What I will say: if you head over to our website and read the list of companies we’re targeting, you’ll almost certainly find a subscription that you can go without for a short period of time. Like me, you’ll also probably find out that you’ve been paying for two Spotify accounts and an Amazon Health account that you didn’t know existed. At the very least, it’s a good excuse to audit what you’re paying for.
Mashable: You’ve canceled Amazon Prime, Uber, Apple TV+, and Amazon One. Have you subscribed to other services to make up the difference, like a competing retailer delivery program or ride-hailing app? What have you learned from canceling these subscriptions?
Galloway: Personally, I’m trying to reclaim my time as much as possible from technology and use it to do things that make me truly happy — connecting with friends, spending time with family, shopping locally and in-person — but there are definitely alternatives to the big tech services out there. For entertainment, you can stream films and documentaries via Kanopy with a library card. If you’re switching from Uber, you can use Lyft — still corporate, but a much smaller player in the markets. Above all, shopping locally is a great alternative to using Amazon.
Mashable: If someone cancels a service, such as LinkedIn or Apple Fitness+, but their membership is still good for a period of time, is it OK to continue using it? Is it the cancellation that really counts or the combination of terminating the subscription and ceasing to use the service?
Galloway: As a guy with economic security, I’m not going to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t cancel. I just want to make it easy to take action. Maybe you unsubscribe from a few things, pause others, realize you don’t need half of what you’re paying for. What I’m really trying to highlight is something we all forget: in a capitalist society, the most radical thing you can do is stop participating. Whether that’s canceling the subscription or just stopping usage, the point is opting out.
Mashable: If someone cancels a subscription, should they communicate to the company that the cancellation is due to the company’s support of the president’s administration and policies?
Absolutely. Companies track cancellation reasons, and if enough customers cite political concerns, that data influences decision-making. Be explicit about why you’re leaving — whether through the cancellation form, a follow-up email, or by sharing publicly on Instagram using our template.
Mashable: What’s the most memorable or profound feedback you’ve received from someone who participated in this campaign?
It’s been amazing seeing the outpouring of support for Resist and Unsubscribe. I’ve received thousands of emails in which people tell me what they’ve unsubscribed from. The collective response has been profound. Above all, it’s given me hope. It’s easy to lose that right now — but this has shown me that there’s still a lot of good people out there who care about America and are willing to make personal sacrifices to create change.
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: Amazon added color and finally got this e-reader right
I love Kindles. Among e-readers, Kindles are still the best option for most readers. (I do love Kobos, though, don’t get me wrong.) But within the Kindle line-up, there’s been one dud: the Kindle Scribe. I’ve tested two previous generations of the Scribe, and it’s been a decent enough e-reader, as well as the only Kindle with writing abilities. However, it’s always been a little lackluster; it’s too big, too slow, and too expensive — until now.
Announced in Sept. 2025, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft didn’t actually hit the market until Dec. 2025. Now that I’ve had the chance to try the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, I’m pleasantly surprised, and I can confidently say that this is the first Kindle Scribe worth buying. It’s faster, brighter, and a lot of fun for writing, reading, and doodling.
There’s just one problem: It’s still way too expensive.
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft price and specs
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The 2025 Kindle Scribe received a significant redesign from the previous two generations of Scribes. They got rid of the extraneous sidebar for a more narrow, streamlined look.
These are the full specs for the 2025 Kindle Scribe Colorsoft:
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11-inch glare-free display, up to 100 nits brightness, 300 ppi black and white, and 150 ppi color resolution
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USB-C charging port with up to eight weeks of reading battery life and two weeks of writing battery life.
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32GB or 64GB storage options available
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Premium pen included
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Includes Google Drive and Microsoft One integrations
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Comes in fig (purple) or graphite (dark gray)
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Not waterproof
Classic Kindle speed and a redesigned home screen
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Historically, I’ve found that the Scribe runs slower than other Kindles, but with this latest iteration, it’s caught up. The Scribe Colorsoft is a quick-moving e-reader with writing capabilities. It moves swiftly between pages and doesn’t lag when switching between books. It does tend to slow down when writing and using the notebooks; however, it is much faster than previous models, and I barely noticed the difference.
Kindles are generally already user-friendly devices; however, Amazon made some significant interface improvements on the new Scribe. The Scribe Colorsoft has a redesigned home screen that puts notebooks front and center. This makes it super convenient to switch between notebooks when you need to hop between a journal and a planner.
Plus, I love that you can add documents or books to your notebook section. For students, this makes swapping between your readings and notebooks truly convenient, so you don’t have to move between your library and notebook sections.
It also just looks better. The device now has a front light, giving it a much lighter, brighter display. This means the screen has an actual white background rather than a muted gray that previous generations had.
It conveniently collects notes
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Another way the Scribe is nailing the user interface is how it collects notes. Testing the Kindle Scribe came at a convenient time as I was taking a class and needing to do some required reading. Using the Scribe, I annotated, wrote notes on the page, and made comments in the margins.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The Kindle collects all of these notes in one place, allowing you to see your comments and the section annotated. From there, you can tap to go back to the page where your notes are, which is extremely helpful when I was in a class discussion and wanted to go back to read a quote or remind myself of a thought I had about it.
Did Kindle solve ghosting?
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The Scribe has had one major performance issue across all generations thus far: ghosting. This is the phenomenon in which traces of previous screens linger, creating shadows of images. Ghosting is a common issue that any e-reader is susceptible to, but especially those with writing capabilities.
Ghosting on Kindle Scribes has been quite egregious in our previous reviews, so we didn’t expect this Kindle to have nearly no ghosting. When using the device as an e-reader, there’s no trace of ghosting.
When writing, though, some minor ghosting does appear. This typically happens after erasing on the Scribe. Some writing or drawing appears even after it’s erased. Even this ghosting is mild, though, as I found that as soon as I refreshed the page, those marks disappeared.
Feeling like Lady Whistledown when I write
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Whenever I need to write digitally, trying to craft a signature with a finger on the screen, it looks… terrible. Luckily, with the Kindle, my handwriting truly looks better than ever. To write, there’s an included stylus, Amazon’s premium pen that automatically connects to the device.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
When writing with the premium pen, you have so many writing styles available, including pen, fountain pen, marker, pencil, and, for illustrators or highlighters, a shader. Each pen style has adjustable width and color, too, making it something you could even illustrate with.
I’m not an artist, so I can only judge it by its writing, and on that front, it makes my handwriting look neater and more beautiful. I’m particularly fond of the fountain pen, which has me feeling like Lady Whistledown writing with her quill.
Where does it stand to improve? The color resolution
While color e-readers are rising in popularity, some features are still slow to improve. The standard color resolution across most color e-readers, including the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, maxes out at 150 ppi, half the usual black and white resolution. The result is muted colors and some pixelation.
To its credit, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft works well within the constraints of its low resolution. It uses colors that skew in the pastel range, which look better than other shades. This is best showcased in the lock-screen ads, which I thought were delightful and gorgeous, surprising since I’ve never been impressed by Amazon’s lock-screen images before.
It’s still too expensive
Usually, I find Kindles to be well-priced e-readers, but the Scribe and Colorsoft e-readers are far too expensive. Unfortunately, this is the case for the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which starts at $629.99. This puts it on par with the Remarkable Paper Pro’s price tag, although the Remarkable e-ink tablet has better color resolution and worse black-and-white resolution at 229 ppi for both.
It’s certainly an investment, and if you’re just using it as an e-reader, it’s way overpriced. However, if you’re looking for an e-reader that’s also a great e-ink tablet, it is on par with the market price, even if we still think that the market price is too high.
Should you buy the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft?
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
If you can stomach the price, I think the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is the first Scribe worth purchasing. Its redesigned build has crafted a smaller tablet with a wider screen that’s more comfortable to hold. The added front light is visually stunning and truer white background. Amazon has sped up the Kindle Scribe’s processing, resulting in a faster e-reader with very little ghosting.
For those turned off by the price, I say hold out. It hasn’t gone on sale yet, but if it does during the next Prime Day, it’ll be a far better value than it is now.
This Apple MacBook Air is down to under $200 in limited-time deal
TL;DR: A quality refurbished Apple MacBook Air from 2017 with a 13.3-inch display, Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD is on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999).
If you’re seeking a reliable laptop for everyday essentials without breaking the bank, this refurbished Apple MacBook Air deserves a look. The 2017 model is now just $199.97 (reg. $999), putting a familiar Apple device within reach. The sale ends on Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
This MacBook Air features a 13.3-inch widescreen display, a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive. That’s a solid spec list for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, email, streaming, document editing, and file management. Intel HD Graphics 6000 provides smooth video playback, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cover all standard connectivity needs. Apple estimates up to 12 hours of battery life, which is beneficial for marathon study sessions or travel days.
Each unit is quality refurbished and ships in Grade A or Grade B condition. That means it’s been thoroughly tested, cleaned, and restored to full working order, with cosmetic wear that varies by device. For anyone open to minor signs of previous use, the value compared to buying new is hard to beat.
This deal is great for students, remote workers with light tasks, or anyone who needs a secondary laptop for travel or home use. It works well for writing projects, résumé updates, or online learning, without the premium price or complexity of newer machines. The storage capacity is modest at 128GB, so it’s not the best fit for vast media libraries or heavy creative projects, but cloud storage or external drives help bridge that gap.
Get this refurbished 2017 MacBook Air while it’s on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999) through Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 15
With almost no sunlight reaching the Moon’s surface tonight, there’s only the thinnest crescent remaining. Can you even spot the Moon in the sky tonight?
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Sunday, Feb. 15, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 5% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
If you were hoping for some moon gazing tonight, unfortunately you may need to rethink your plans. Too little of the surface is illuminated, so there is nothing to spot. Check back again in a few nights.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.
What are Moon phases?
According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one orbit around the Earth. Throughout that time, it goes through eight different phases of visibility. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the part that’s lit up changes as it moves along its orbit. The amount of sunlight reflecting off the surface is what makes the Moon look full, partly lit, or almost dark at different points. The eight phases are:
New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
How to watch the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh for free on streaming platforms like 9Now, CBC Gem, and BBC iPlayer. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Do you have time to watch any other sport right now? We know you’re very busy watching all the ice hockey, curling, alpine skiing, and everything else on the schedule, but you need to make some space for bobsleigh. This iconic event promises some spectacular moments from some of the biggest names in winter sports.
If you want to watch the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh?
The international bobsleigh schedule takes place from Feb. 15-22.
How to watch 2026 winter sports bobsleigh for free
The 2026 winter sports bobsleigh is available to live stream for free on a number of services:
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Australia — 9Now
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Austria — ORF
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Canada — CBC Gem
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France — France TV
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Germany — ARD
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Ireland — RTÉ Player
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Italy — RAI
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Spain — RTVE
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UK — BBC iPlayer
These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free access
-
Watch the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh for free from anywhere in the world
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 the bobsleigh before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for live sport?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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).
Live stream the 2026 winter sports bobsleigh for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Canada vs. France in mens ice hockey online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. France in men’s ice hockey for free on CBC Gem. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The international ice hockey schedule is busy right now, which is great news for fans looking for something to tide them over until the NHL returns.
Canada face off against France in one of the best matchups this weekend. Canada will be expected to win this one confidently, but anything can happen in a tournament like this. Canada will be eyeing up medals in this competition, but they mustn’t take their eyes off their last group stage fixture. Doing so could result in an upset.
If you want to watch Canada vs. France in men’s ice hockey for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Canada vs. France?
Canada vs. France in men’s ice hockey takes place at 10:40 a.m. ET on Feb. 15. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
How to watch Canada vs. France for free
Canada vs. France in men’s ice hockey is available to live stream for free on CBC Gem.
CBC Gem is geo-restricted to Canada, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports ice hockey from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Canada vs. France in men’s ice hockey for free by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
-
Visit CBC Gem
-
Watch Canada vs. France for free from anywhere in the world
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 the ice hockey before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for CBC Gem?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including Canada
-
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).
Live stream Canada vs. France in men’s ice hockey for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch the T20 World Cup 2026 online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The best international T20 teams are in India and Sri Lanks to compete for the T20 World Cup. This competition delivers incredible drama and huge performances from the best players in the world.
You can expect the likes of India, Australia, South Africa, and England to be fighting it out in the knockout rounds. Those teams are the pre-tournament favorites, but this electric form of the game is always unpredictable. Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan possess the talent to beat anyone on their best day. Fans are in for a real treat over the next few weeks.
If you want to watch the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the T20 World Cup?
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a Twenty20 International cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council. The event is generally held every two years. India are the defending champions.
In 2026, 20 teams will compete in 55 matches across five venues. The 20 qualifying teams are divided into four groups of five. In the group stage, each team will play four matches in a round-robin format, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. At this point, teams will be placed into two groups of four, and will play three matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage.
When is the 2026 T20 World Cup?
The 2026 T20 World Cup is the 10th edition of the competition. This year’s event takes place from Feb. 7 to March 8.
How to watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free
The 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.
This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.
Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
-
Visit ICC.TV
-
Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
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.
What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
-
Fast connection speeds
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.
Hurdle hints and answers for February 15, 2026
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.
Hurdle Word 1 hint
Weirdo.
Hurdle Word 1 answer
FREAK
Hurdle Word 2 hint
Beam of light.
Hurdle Word 2 Answer
LASER
Hurdle Word 3 hint
Single-celled.
Hurdle Word 3 answer
SPORE
Hurdle Word 4 hint
To put a word in.
Hurdle Word 4 answer
VOUCH
Final Hurdle hint
Mattress covering.
Hurdle Word 5 answer
SHEET
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 15, 2026
Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re into anatomy.
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.
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.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Cranium.
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
The letter L appears twice.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter S.
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…
SKULL
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 yesterday’s Wordle.
NYT Strands hints, answers for February 15, 2026
Today’s NYT Strands hints are easy if you’re understanding.
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.
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.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: “Now I get it!”
The words are related to understanding.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe comprehension.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?
Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer today
Today’s spangram is See the Light.
NYT Strands word list for February 15
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Grasp
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Fathom
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Realize
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See the Light
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Apprehend
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Understand
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.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 15, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you’re always keeping in touch.
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.
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.
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:
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Yellow: Guides
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Green: Remnants
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Blue: Psychological
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Purple: To get in touch
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
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Yellow: Reference books
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Green: Something that brings back memories
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Blue: Kinds of complexes
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Purple: Starting with ways to reach someone via phone
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 #980 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
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Reference books: ATLAS, DICTIONARY, ENCYCLOPEDIA, THESAURUS
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Something that brings back memories: ECHO, REMINDER, TRACE, VESTIGE
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Kinds of complexes: ELECTRA, INFERIORITY, OEDIPUS, SUPERIORITY
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Starting with ways to reach someone via phone: BUZZARD, CALLIOPE, DIALECT, RINGMASTER
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? 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 Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 15, 2026
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you watch Olympic hockey.
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.
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.
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:
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Yellow: Host cities
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Green: Maple Leaf nationals
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Blue: SSX
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Purple: Sounds like winter gear
Here are today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
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Yellow: Previous Winter Olympics Hosts
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Green: Canada Men’s Hockey Players
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Blue: Snowboarding Terms
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Purple: Ends in a Piece of Winter Sports Equipment
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 #510 is…
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
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Previous Winter Olympics Hosts – ALBERTVILLE, CHAMONIX, OSLO, ST. MORITZ
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Canada Men’s Hockey Players – CELEBRINI, CROSBY, MARNER, MCDAVID
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Snowboarding Terms – CORK, FRONTSIDE, GOOFY, MCTWIST
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Ends in a Piece of Winter Sports Equipment – CHEAPSKATE, CHOPSTICK, LIPNISKI, MILESTONE
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Love Story: All the celeb characters in the JFK Jr. extravaganza
There are many things to love about the new FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette; the performances by Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as the doomed couple, the carefully curated early ’90s soundtrack, and the respectful exploration of celebrity, love, and societal expectations. Also worthy of adulation is the series’ devotion to recreating 1990s glamour, from the sleek New York offices of Calvin Klein — where Bessette worked before marrying Kennedy — to the chic models and movie stars with whom both Kennedy and Bessette interact.
Show creator Connor Hines (and, ok, executive producer Ryan Murphy, too) deserves credit for his accuracy to the time period, employing spot-on references to ’90s phenomenons like Heather Locklear and Brad Pitt. Other celebrities featured on Love Story are full-fledged characters who drive the narrative forward, including Daryl Hannah, Kate Moss, and Annette Bening.
We’ve compiled the most notable celebrity characters and mentions below, leaving out others mentioned only briefly, like Jason Priestley, Keanu Reeves, Michael Jackson, and Saddam Hussein (!). We’re also not including members of the Kennedy and Bouvier families who appear on the show, like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Caroline Kennedy, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Edwin Schlossberg, and Lee Radziwill, since they operate in the family and political spheres rather than Hollywood or fashion.
Mickey Rourke
The 9½ Weeks actor has the honor of being the first celebrity name-dropped in Love Story, when, in 1992, Carolyn Bessette’s co-worker at Calvin Klein humblebrags that she ended up in a ball pit with the actor at legendary ’90s nightclub Tunnel. The Rourke reference suggests that Carolyn and her coterie of friends operate on the fringes of America’s elite.
Calvin Klein
Next up is the fashion designer himself (played by Alessandro Nivola), who is first seen getting into an elevator with Bessette. Klein is a major character in the series and a big supporter of Bessette.
Kelly Klein
Calvin’s wife is a confidante and advocate of Bessette’s. Klein (Leila George) expresses reservations about marrying her famous husband, warning Bessette of the pitfalls of being attached to “shiny people.”
Demi Moore
Oscar-nominated legend Moore is briefly mentioned in the pilot when Bessette is reprimanded by her CK boss for not pressing and bagging clothes for Moore, who, post-Ghost, was one of the biggest movie stars of the time.
Credit: Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
Annette Bening
Another Oscar-nominated actress who loves Calvin Klein, Bening is fitted by the designer for the premiere of Bugsy, her film with husband Warren Beatty. Bening, depicted as sweet and gentle by actor Megan Channell, doesn’t love her dress but is guided by Bessette to a different, gender-bending look. Bening is besotted with Bessette, which impresses King Klein and sets the saleswoman up for her promotion to CK’s publicity department.
Madonna
Oddly enough, Bening is followed by Madonna, who may or may not be the subject of the Queen of Pop’s 1993 song “Thief of Hearts,” which went viral in 2026. Madonna, who dated Kennedy in the late ’80s, is mentioned as part of a crude joke by one of Kennedy’s football buddies. Madonna is referenced again in the series (see below).
Daryl Hannah
Credit: Photo by Kypros/Getty Images
The Splash star and on-again/off-again partner of JFK Jr. is a major character in the series, first mentioned at a dinner with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her grown children. Hannah, portrayed as kind, sensitive, and a bit hippie-dippy by actor Dree Hemingway, is not Jackie’s favorite, possibly because she evokes memories of her first husband’s affair with another famous blond actress. Hannah is a three-dimensional character in the first two episodes of the series, but her portrayal in episode three is less nuanced.
Pope Paul IV
We get a brief mention of Pope Paul IV when JFK Jr. claps back at his judgmental mother by pointing out that the pope had condemned her 1968 marriage to Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis (though it was more akin to disapproval of Jackie marrying a divorced man).
Michael Bergin
This ’90s model is a major character in the series, as he had an on-again, off-again relationship with Bessette (the latter claimed the relationship continued even after her marriage to Kennedy). When we first meet Bergin (Noah Fearnley), he’s hustling his way through New York, working as a bellhop and cater waiter, pining for something more serious with Bessette. Their relationship grows more serious, at least in the show, after JFK, Jr. rekindles his relationship with Hannah. Afterwards, Bessette works to elevate Bergin, sending his nascent modeling career into orbit when he becomes Calvin Klein’s new hot male face (and body), thanks to her advocacy.
Cindy Crawford
The supermodel is referenced a few times in the early episodes of the series. First, Klein is considering making her the face of his line, but Bessette pushes for the then-relatively unknown Kate Moss. The next is history, as Moss skyrockets to stardom via her CK campaigns. Crawford is mentioned again when Kennedy is pitching his new political magazine, George, to investors; Crawford famously served as the publication’s first cover model, styled in George Washington drag.
Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Kate Moss
In Love Story, Bessette is depicted as one of the first people to see potential in the British model. Bessette tells Klein that Moss has the elusive and guarded nature that drives people mad with desire, a subtle reference to Bessette’s own worldview, at least according to the series.
Mark Wahlberg
No celebrity comes off worse in Love Story than Mark Wahlberg, then known as rapper Marky Mark. As a Calvin Klein underwear model, MM’s future with the label is in doubt after he gets into a fight with Madonna’s entourage and uses an antigay slur. Bessette calls MM a purveyor of “shitty hip-hop,” and the whole CK team sours on him after discovering he doesn’t like the gay male attention he received because of the underwear campaign. With Bessette’s urging, Marky Mark is dumped by Calvin.
Marlon Brando
An ailing Jackie Kennedy burns her personal letters in the days preceding her death, including one correspondence from the Oscar-winner where he recalls a wild night out where they danced and partied together.
End of today’s Mashable roundup.
