Tag: Phones and Gadgets

If you are finding it hard to spot theme words in today’s puzzle, then you are in serious need of the Strands hints below. Those bored with sensational games like Wordle and Connections are turning their attention to Strands for a challenging new experience. If you happen to be one of them and are struggling with NYT Strands, we can get you sorted. So, to help you out, we have added the Strands hints, answers, and Spangram on Monday, April 21, 2025, below.

What is NYT Strands?

NYT Strands is a word game created by The New York Times as part of its growing “Games” library. The aim of this New York Times game is to connect letters in a six-by-eight grid to form a bunch of words that share the same theme.

To get you started, the puzzle will give you a theme for today’s NYT Strands. You can use it to form multiple “theme” words which will be relevant to this theme, along with one “special” word called the Spangram. This is a word or phrase that spans the length of the grid, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, giving you the key to crack the rest of the Strands theme words.

The theme for today’s Strands can be relevant in many different ways. So, the puzzle keeps you on your toes every day with its intriguing set of theme words and Spangrams.

NYT Strands Hints for Today’s Theme: “What talent!”

The theme for today’s Strands on April 21, 2025, is — What talent!

If you can’t figure out answers for today’s puzzle, here’s a quick Strands hint — a theatrical entertainment of successive separate performances.

Here are hints for a couple of Strands theme words to make it easy for you to solve today’s puzzle on your own without having to scroll down to view the answers:

• Hint #1: an entertainer who performs spectacular gymnastic feats.
• Hint #2: an entertainer who continuously tosses into the air and catches a number of objects.

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

The Spangram for today’s Strands on April 21, 2025, is mostly VERTICAL. It starts with the letters “VA“.

The hint for today’s Spangram for Strands — a entertainment show made up of several performances including music, sketch comedy, ventriloquism, and more.

Spoiler Warning:

Scroll past this point AT YOUR OWN RISK. Hints and answers for today’s Strands below.

Today’s NYT Strands Answers for April 21, 2025

Today’s Strands Spangram Answer

The Spangram answer for today’s Strands on April 21, 2025, is — VarietyActs

All Theme Words in Today’s Strands

Still looking for the theme words to get the answers for today’s NYT Strands? You can check them out below:

• DUET
• COMIC
• DANCER
• JUGGLER
• ACROBAT
• MAGICIAN

The answers for today’s Strands were pretty straightforward. I started off with the first set of theme words – DUET and DANCER. Once I spotted VARIETY, solving the Spangram and the rest of theme words was an easy affair.

What is NYT Strands Spangram and How Does It Work?

Every NYT Strands puzzle consists of a unique word or phrase that’s called the Spangram. This word or set of words will run the length of two opposite sides of the grid. One thing to note here is that, a Spangram doesn’t necessarily have to originate or end at the edge of the grid.

In its essence, the Spangram is kind of like a bigger hint that sums up today’s Strands theme in just a word or two. Since it spans across two sides of the puzzle, solving it early helps you figure out the rest of the theme words and vice versa.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering NYT Strands Puzzles

Solving an NYT Strands puzzle successfully isn’t that hard in itself, but in some cases, the approach might not be as straightforward as it looks. So, here are simple tips and tricks that we suggest you follow to crack the theme words and Spangram for Strands puzzles:

• Always start at the corners: No two puzzles are the same. But the chances of the Spangram extending to a diagonal form are quite low. So, the best strategy is to find and decrypt relevant words that are at the corners of the grid.
• Don’t be ashamed to get hints: Sometimes, a theme word could be all you need to solve the entire puzzle. If that requires getting a hint using non-theme words, then that’s the first thing you should do. After all, the point is to have fun and figure this out, like all of us.
• Think both literally and figuratively: Not all themes may land you in the same sense of thought. Some puzzles may welcome more clever answers that may convey something totally different from their actual meaning.
• Aim for the Spangram: The Spangram is what splits the Strands board in half. So, figuring it out will help you cross out other potential approaches for a theme. Deciphering even half of the Spangram can get you close to the rest of the answers.

Still finding it difficult to master the art of NYT Strands? Follow our guide and learn how to play Strands, along with more helpful tips and tricks.

NYT Connections is the one word association game known for the difficulty and amusement that it brings. However, if you are part of the folks lost as to what today’s Connections answer is, then you are in the right place. We post a NYT Connections answers guide every day to help you solve each day’s puzzle easily. So, let’s not waste time and check out Connections hints for today’s game #680 to help you get to the answers for April 21, 2025.

What is NYT Connections Game?

After Wordle’s overwhelming success, The New York Times embraced the fun and launched another word puzzle game called Connections. NYT Connections is a popular word puzzle game available to play for free on mobile and desktop.

Thankfully, it’s easy getting started with NYT Connections. This word association game spreads 16 random words across a 4 x 4 grid. Players must find well, connections among these words and divide them across four categories, colored yellow, green, blue, and purple, based on difficulty.

Connections Hint Today for April 21, 2025

As mentioned above, the NYT Connections puzzle has four different categories that are divided into color-coded difficulties. From the Yellow category being the easiest to the hardest Purple one, the game can quickly become difficult if you’re unprepared.

To make your life even easier, here are the NYT Connections hints for today’s categories:

• Yellow Category – Do look for these when buying food
• Green Category – Weren’t expecting that, were you?
• Blue Category – Excel lovers will know these
• Purple Category – A specific shape is common here

Spoiler Warning:

Scroll past this point AT YOUR OWN RISK. Major category hints and answers for today’s NYT Connections below.

Check out Today’s Connections Categories

The Connections categories today are an interesting mix of themes, which might get a bit difficult for us all. That said, here are the NYT Connections categories for Monday, April 21, 2025.

• Yellow – INFO A NUTRITION LABEL
• Green – METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
• Blue – THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET
• Purple – HELICAL THINGS

Do you finally see where each word should go? No? Then, keep scrolling to see the NYT Connections answers for today.

Today’s Connections Answers for April 21, 2025

The answers for Connections today, on April 21, 2025, are:

• INFO A NUTRITION LABEL – Fat, Iron, Protein, Sodium
• METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED – Bombshell, Curveball, Twist, Wrench
• THINGS YOU CAN INSERT INTO A SPREADSHEET – Cell, Column, Row, Sheet
• HELICAL THINGS – Corkscrew, DNA, Fusilli, Spring

How to Play Connections: Tips & Tricks to Solve the Puzzle

Given the fact you’re here, chances are that you already know how to play NYT Connections. As you might be able to tell by now, Connections by The New York Times is a word association game where players sort out 16 random words into four categories by finding a common ‘connection.’ This can be anything from a common sound to a deeper meaning.

That said, if you’re still confused, here are the best tips on how to play NYT Connections:

• Simplicity is key: Connections will often throw ambiguous words at you. While it’s easy to get caught up in the details, the answer almost always lies in the simplest connections possible. So, instead of dear and deer being connected through a hunter-prey dynamic, they most likely connect because of a similar sound.
• Watch those guesses: A key thing to note is Connections only gives you four chances in 24 hours for a single puzzle. As such, we advise not being trigger happy and carefully weighing in your words before pressing that submit button.
• Shuffle Away: While a bit tricky, the sneaky Connections editor deliberately puts the first word placement as a misdirection. So the one golden tip here is to press that Shuffle button before you go on solving it.

If you’re still unsure how to proceed, check out our dedicated how-to-play NYT Connections guide for all the help you need.

We hope you had similar luck as I did for today’s game. If not, please let us know in the comments below!

Things are about to get serious in the One Piece anime as it is currently adapting the final part of the Egghead arc. The Marines have infiltrated the futuristic island with the plan of assassinating Dr. Vegapunk, but the Straw Hat captain and his crew are here to protect the old man and escape with him safely. As Kizaru has come forward first, Luffy gets a rematch against the admiral after their first encounter at Sabaody Archipelago years ago. Hence, find out how the much-awaited battle between Luffy and Borsalino Kizaru unravels in the One Piece series here.

Spoilers Warning:

This article contains spoilers for the fight between Luffy and Kizaru at Egghead island. So, make sure to catch up to the latest story arc in the anime or manga to avoid ruining your intended experience.

Recap of Luffy’s First Encounter With Kizaru

The Sabaody Archipelago arc is one of the best arcs of One Piece. But this arc still gives the fans nightmares, as we witnessed our beloved Straw Hats getting cornered by the threatening forces of the World Government. The Sabaody incident is forever etched in our minds as we saw our crew members being pushed to a helpless state for the first time.

Sentomaru, the Pacifistas, and Kizaru surrounded the Straw Hats and easily overpowered them. As a result, Luffy can’t help but ask his crewmates to flee the dangerous situation. Thankfully, Rayleigh came in to keep the admiral busy, and Kuma sent away the Straw Hat Pirates to different locations using the powers of his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi devil fruit.

From this moment, it was evident that the Straw Hats, especially Luffy, still had a long way to catch up to his opponents, as Kizaru was a hundred times stronger than our captain at that time.

Luffy vs Kizaru Round 1 in Egghead Arc

Since their first encounter, fans have been anticipating a rematch between Luffy and Kizaru for a long time. The Egghead arc transforms into the most serious incident involving the Straw Hats and so their paths cross with the admiral Kizaru once again. However, our captain, a yonko now, is all ready to face off against an admiral of the Marines.

It’s worth noting that Luffy and Kizaru didn’t go all out in this battle as the admiral was so focused on completing his mission, i.e., to kill his friend Dr. Vegapunk. On the other hand, Luffy’s mission was to keep Kizaru distracted and ruin his mission. When Luffy senses the danger, he makes his way to the admiral and kick-starts the most-awaited battle with an iconic kick, saying “We’re 100 times stronger than we were two years ago!”

Luffy enters his Gear 4: Snakeman mode to overwhelm Kizaru, but the admiral isn’t fazed. It’s clear that Gear 4 attacks aren’t making any difference against Kizaru, and the admiral sends him flying in this form. However, Luffy reads the room and switches to Gear 5, his peak form, to tackle the glinting powers. Although Luffy is hurt by the protection barriers, he arrives right in time to catch the admiral off guard before he can lay his hands on Vegapunk and throws him out.

With Gear 5, Luffy swiftly gains the upper hand in his fight against Kizaru. When the admiral returns, the two battle it out with their versatile moves on their arsenal. Kizaru unleashes his light clones to trouble Luffy, meanwhile, our captain comes up with the “White Star Gun” movie to land a devastating attack on Kizaru’s head. Kizaru is completely KO’d and unable to move for a while, and our rubbery hero is also completely drained after using Gear 5 for a long time. While this fight doesn’t have a definite winner, Luffy has the edge over Kizaru after switching to Gear 5 form.

Luffy vs Kizaru Round 2 in Egghead Arc

Luffy miraculously gets a heap of food enough for him to recharge and resume his battle. While Oda didn’t reveal who delivered this food in the manga, he hinted that it’s Kizaru in an SBS. Oda stated that the food was delivered by someone at the speed of light. Luffy is back on his feet again and uses Gear 5 to tackle both St. Saturn and Kizaru at the same time. This moment easily settled the debate of who is stronger and proved that Luffy has reached the strength of a yonko.

The current situation at Egghead has evolved into a life-threatening scenario as St. Saturn calls for backup. When the remaining elders arrive, the battle between Luffy and Kizaru is forgotten, and the main goal of the Straw Hats is to escape safely with Vegapunk. So, we didn’t get a solid result for the battle between our new yonko and an admiral. But, fans have learned that Luffy is indeed in his pinnacle form and no one can stop his growth further at the end of Egghead arc.

As of now, the One Piece anime is adapting the exhilarating showdown between Kizaru and Luffy. I can’t wait to see Luffy in Gear 5 action again in the upcoming episodes. Until then, share your thoughts about who is stronger between Luffy and Kizaru in the comments below.

Google has officially released Android 16’s fourth beta. It is called Android 16 Beta 4. It means that app interfaces and system features are now officially complete. App developers can now start getting their apps ready for the final launch.

Google Releases Android 16 Beta 4 with More Device Support

With this release, Android 16 is no longer the sole preserve of Pixel phones. Some other smartphone brands are included in the beta program. Users of supported devices can try the new features before the official launch.

HONOR, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Vivo, and Xiaomi brand smartphones and tablets now have support for Android 16 Beta. This expands the testing process and gives developers additional feedback.

The following are the first devices that will get the Android 16 Beta update:

• Xiaomi 14T Pro
• Xiaomi 15
• Redmi K70 Ultra
• HONOR Magic 7 Pro
• Lenovo YOGA Tab Plus
• OnePlus 13
• OPPO Find X8
• Realme GT 7 Pro
• Vivo X200 Pro
• iQOO 13

These tablets and smartphones will get to test out all the new Android 16 features.

At the same time, Samsung has opted out of participating in the official beta program. It is using the same strategy it has employed over the last few years. Instead, Samsung is testing internally its own iteration of the update titled One UI 8, which is based on Android 16. It is doing this internally, apart from Google’s public beta program.

The final build of Android 16 is expected to come during the later half of the year. In the meantime, the beta program will continue. Developers have already begun preparing their applications for the new build.

Android 16 brings system changes, improved performance, and richer app support. The nearer they are to completion, the clearer an idea users will have of what they can expect with the final build.

Microsoft will no longer provide security updates and support for Windows 10 from October 14, 2025, unless you’re willing to pay for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This leaves three realistic choices for most: upgrade to Windows 11, pay for continued support, or run an unsupported operating system.

Here’s How to Upgrade to Windows 11, Even on Unsupported PCs

However, Windows 11 is not always an easy upgrade—especially if your PC is more than five years old. Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements mean a number of older computers aren’t eligible for the upgrade through official channels. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.

In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through two upgrade paths: one for partly compatible PCs and one for older systems through an unofficial workaround.

Why Most Older PCs Can’t Upgrade to Windows 11

Microsoft has placed stringent hardware restrictions on Windows 11 installations:

• CPU Compatibility: Only CPUs that are on Microsoft’s white list are compatible. Most older CPUs are not.
• TPM Requirement: A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 must be present and enabled. (TPM 1.2 may work in some circumstances.)
• UEFI and Secure Boot: Your computer must be running UEFI (not legacy BIOS), and although Secure Boot does not have to be enabled, it must be supported.

If you try to upgrade an older computer using Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, you’ll likely hit a brick wall since one or more of these features are not present. Fear not, there are workarounds.

First, however: Check Your PC’s Compatibility

Use these tools to determine your PC’s current configuration:

• System Info Tool (msinfo32): Look at the BIOS Mode entry. If it says “Legacy,” you’ll need to convert your system to UEFI and switch from MBR to GPT disk formatting before upgrading.
• TPM Management Tool (tpm.msc): This will show whether a TPM is present and enabled. If the utility says “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” you may have to enable TPM in your BIOS or use the second upgrade path.
• CPU Support for SSE4.2 and PopCnt: These are newer instruction sets required for Windows 11 version 24H2 and later. They are implemented in most Intel CPUs from 2009+ and AMD CPUs from 2013+.

Option 1: Upgrade Using a Registry Tweak (For Semi-Compatible PCs)

This is the ideal approach if your PC has UEFI, Secure Boot support, and a TPM (version 1.2 or above), but an unsupported processor is installed.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Edit the Registry to Bypass CPU/TPM Checks

• Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
• If there is no MoSetup, create one:
• Right-click the Setup folder > New > Key > Name it “MoSetup.”.
• Right-click on the right pane > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name it: AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU
• Double-click the new value and give Value Data the value of 1.
• Restart your PC.

2. Download the Windows 11 ISO

• Visit the official Microsoft website: Download Windows 11
• Click on “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” for x64 machines.
• Save it in your Downloads folder.

3. Mount the ISO in File Explorer

Double-click the ISO file. It will mount as a virtual DVD drive with a new drive letter.

4. Run Setup from the ISO

• Open the mounted drive, and double-click Setup.exe.
• You’ll see a compatibility warning. Click Accept to bypass it.
• Choose one of the following:
• Full Upgrade: Keep apps, settings, and files.
• Keep Data Only: Reset apps and settings.
• Clean Install: Wipes everything.
• Windows will now begin the upgrade process.

Option 2: Use Rufus for Unsupported PCs (Legacy BIOS, No TPM)

In case your PC does not support it at all—no TPM, no Secure Boot, or even still on Legacy BIOS—you will need to take a different route. That is where Rufus, a free, powerful utility, comes in.

How It Works

Rufus creates a bootable Windows 11 USB installer, disabling hardware requirement checks along the way. It’s especially useful for PCs that would otherwise be blocked entirely.

Important: This procedure will not bypass the CPU requirements introduced in Windows 11 release 24H2, such as the SSE4.2 and PopCnt instruction sets.

What You’ll Need:

• A USB drive (16 GB or more)
• A copy of the Windows 11 ISO
• The Rufus application (version 4.6 or newer)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Download Rufus from the official website or Microsoft Store.
• Open Rufus and insert your USB drive.
• In “Boot Selection,” select Disk or ISO image, click Select, and pick the Windows 11 ISO.
• Click Start.
• A window will pop up with the title “Windows User Experience.” Check:
• Remove requirement for TPM and Secure Boot
• Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM and Secure Boot, if required
• Click OK, then wait for the USB creation.
• When done, open the USB drive in File Explorer and run Setup.exe.
• Do not boot from the USB drive and attempt a clean install—that will re-enable the compatibility checks. Always run Setup from within Windows.

Like with the first method, you’ll get a compatibility warning. Click through it, and the upgrade should proceed.

What If I Want a Clean Install?

You can always perform a clean installation by booting from the USB created in either method, but keep in mind:

• All your files, apps, and settings will be erased.
• A TPM and Secure Boot support is still needed (except with Rufus-modified installs).
• You’ll need to reinstall your software and restore data from backups.

This is a great option if you’re starting fresh or experiencing performance issues on your current installation.

Final Thoughts: Should You Upgrade or Stay on Windows 10?

As Windows 10 is end-of-life in October 2025, staying on it without security updates is a risk. Even though Microsoft offers extended security updates, they’ll come at a cost.

For the majority of unsupported PC users, these options represent a viable way of staying on an up-to-date, secure operating system without breaking the bank for new hardware. With that said, however, if your computer is relatively old (pre-2010), it might be time to consider investing in a newer system.

Whichever direction you decide to go, make sure to back up your data before upgrading and research compatibility thoroughly to avoid any surprises during installation.

The Last of Us arrived with one of the most heartbreaking rifts in Season 2, which no one wanted to witness. Five years have passed since the events of the first season’s finale. Joel protected Ellie from getting dissected by the Fireflies for the sake of the cure, but it seems the girl is now mad at Joel for what he did. Even though the new season didn’t clear the reason behind Ellie’s madness, video game fans are well-versed with it. Well, if you’re curious to learn more about this and the upcoming horde of infected, check out the release date and time of The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 right below.

TLOU Season 2 Episode 2 Release Time and Date

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 will be released on April 21, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET (or 6:00 PM PT) on HBO and Max simultaneously. Here’s the time schedule to let you know when the episode will land depending on your region:

• Release Time in the US:  April 20, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET
• Release Time in the UK: April 21, 2025, at 2:00 AM BST
• Release Time in Australia: April 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM AEST
• Release Time in India: April 21, 2025, at 6:30 AM IST

The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Release Countdown

We never forget to include a countdown timer to keep you updated on the episodes of your favorite TV shows. So, here is the TLOU Season 2 Episode 2 countdown if your region isn’t listed above:

What to Expect from TLOU Season 2 Episode 2?

The first episode began with the first season’s ending scene, in which Ellie asked Joel to swear that what he told her about the Fireflies is true. Joel lied, and Ellie got suspicious of him. That incident created a rift between them, and Ellie stopped recognizing him as a father figure.

Joel and Ellie came back to Jackson, Wyoming, and the former started working as a construction foreman. Dina and Jesse entered the picture, and we got to see Ellie falling for the former.

On the other side, Abby, the daughter of one of the fireflies whom Joel killed to save Ellie, is looking forward to avenging their death by killing Joel. In the concluding moments of the TLOU Season 2 Episode 1, she is heading towards Jackson with her allies.

Moreover, while patrolling, Dina and Ellie encounter Stalker, the most intelligent yet frustrating infected from video games. So, the further episodes of the new season won’t only see Ellie and Joel encountering Abby, but there will also be a massive army of the Walking Dead that they will need to fight.

Huawei is growing its presence in the automotive world. In partnership with Chery, the company has launched two new car models under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance. These are the Luxeed R7 Max and Ultra, now officially introduced in China.

Huawei Launches Luxeed R7 with Impressive Range and Smart Features

Both versions use a hybrid system. A four-cylinder gasoline engine works alongside an electric motor. There’s also a range extender, allowing for longer trips without relying only on battery power.

The Max version offers an outstanding total range of 1,673 kilometers with a full battery and fuel tank. The Ultra version focuses more on performance. It has 510 horsepower and features all-wheel drive. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Despite the extra power, it still provides a solid range of 1,551 kilometers.

The Luxeed R7 uses Huawei’s Turing Smart Chassis. The front has a double-wishbone suspension system. The rear features a multi-link setup. This design gives the vehicle better handling and comfort. The braking system is strong too, stopping the car from 100 km/h in just 35.6 meters.

Huawei also added its latest autonomous driving tech. The Luxeed R7 comes with Qiankun ADS 3.0, which supports full self-driving in both city and highway settings. It includes a 192-line LiDAR sensor, three millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 11 cameras.

The design is sleek and futuristic. Features like hidden door handles, a glass roof, and a wide panoramic view make the car stand out. A double LED light bar adds to its modern look. Buyers can choose from eight different colors, including Tourmaline Blue.

Inside, the car runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4. It has a large 15.6-inch central screen for media and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard. The sound system includes 17 speakers with up to 1000W power for an immersive audio experience.

As for pricing, the Max model will cost around $41,250. The Ultra version is priced at about $43,700.

So, with advanced tech, a stylish design, and excellent range, the Luxeed R7 is a strong new option in the smart car market.