NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, April 17 (game #1041)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, April 16 (game #1040).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1041) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DOMINANT
• KEY
• ROOT
• TAN
• TONIC
• STEM
• HAMMER
• GENERAL
• BULB
• SODA
• COMMON
• STRING
• STORMY
• LEAF
• PEDAL
• POPULAR

NYT Connections today (game #1041) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Plant life
• GREEN: Follow the leader
• BLUE: Tickle the ivories
• PURPLE: Partial beverages

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1041) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: VEGETABLE PARTS
• GREEN: PREVAILING
• BLUE: PARTS OF A PIANO
• PURPLE: SECOND HALVES OF DRINK NAMES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1041) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1041, are…

• YELLOW: VEGETABLE PARTS BULB, LEAF, ROOT, STEM
• GREEN: PREVAILING COMMON, DOMINANT, GENERAL, POPULAR
• BLUE: PARTS OF A PIANO HAMMER, KEY, PEDAL, STRING
• PURPLE: SECOND HALVES OF DRINK NAMES SODA, STORMY, TAN, TONIC

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Connections has the ability to make you feel very clever when you aren’t very clever at all, but similarly can make you feel clueless.

It was more of the latter for me today as I made two mistakes that make little sense in hindsight but seemed like good ideas at the time. Firstly, I connected LEAF, SODA, TONIC, and ROOT thinking they were all partially the names of drinks — although root beer makes sense, tea leaf was a bit of a stretch. 

Then, thinking that KEY indicated a group about importance, I added DOMINANT, ROOT and POPULAR convinced I was on to something. I was not.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, April 16, game #1040)

• YELLOW: TEASE NEEDLE, RIB, RIDE, ROAST
• GREEN: THERMOSTAT SETTINGS AUTO, COOL, FAN, HEAT
• BLUE: FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME BODYSUIT, CLAWS, MASK, WHIP
• PURPLE: TRAINING _____ BRA, CAMP, DAY, WHEELS

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, April 17 (game #775)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 16 (game #774).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #775) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Shell company

NYT Strands today (game #775) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• TALK
• CORK
• POLL
• SLUR
• MELON
• SPOUSE

NYT Strands today (game #775) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 7 letters

NYT Strands today (game #775) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 4th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #775) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #775, are…

• OYSTER
• CLAM
• CONCH
• ABALONE
• LIMPET
• MUSSEL
• SCALLOP
• SPANGRAM: MOLLUSK

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Unlike previous rounds I was right to take today’s theme literally and go off in search of sea creatures that have shells, aka a MOLLUSK, which automatically led me to today’s spangram.

This was my 81st spangram first. How many do you have?

As a lover of seafood I found this search quite an easy one. ABALONE was my only moment of uncertainty and I suffered word blindness by missing my favorite food of all, SCALLOP.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, April 16, game #774)

• HOBBY
• RECREATION
• SIDELINE
• INTEREST
• PASTIME
• SPANGRAM: JUSTFORFUN

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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The Future Games Show Summer Showcase, FGS Live, and the PC Gaming Show have been confirmed for June, with the Showcase to feature 'world premieres, exclusive trailers, and stealth demo drops'

• Future's summer gaming event returns this summer with three broadcasts
• The Future Games Show Summer Showcase and FGS Live from Los Angeles will air on June 6
• The PC Gaming Show is scheduled to air on June 7

Future has announced the return of the Future Games Show Summer Showcase, FGS Live from Los Angeles, and the PC Gaming Show for June.

First to return will be the Future Games Show Summer Showcase on June 6 at 12PM PDT / 3PM EDT / 8PM BST, and offer viewers "world premieres, exclusive trailers and stealth demo drops from some of the world's most exciting and creative studios."

FGS Live from Los Angeles, which will be hosted by the FGS editorial team, will air immediately after the Summer Showcase and feature even more trailers, as well as deep dives into the games featured in the main showcase and news from summer events.

Finally, the PC Gaming Show will air on June 7 at 12PM PDT / 3PM EDT / 8PM BST and "aims to celebrate the strength and depth of the world's most exciting and innovative gaming platform."

Those who tune in can expect "over 50 PC games" to be featured, including world premiere trailers, exclusive announcements, developer interviews, and updates on new and upcoming games.

All shows can be watched on Future Games' official YouTube, Twitch, and X/Twitter accounts, as well as on Steam.

The June event is the first of three shows in 2026, with the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct and PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted also scheduled to return later in the year.

Last year's three summer showcases achieved a combined viewership of 41.9 million live and opening weekend views.

Some of this year's most anticipated games, from big AAA studios to indie developers, could make an appearance, such as Fable, which is due to release in Fall 2026, Phantom Blade 0, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, Grave Seasons, and more.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 16 (game #774)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, April 15 (game #773).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… This is not working

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• NEST
• BRUT
• PURE
• SLEPT
• MATE
• FIRED

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 1st row

Last side: right, 7th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #774) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #774, are…

• HOBBY
• RECREATION
• SIDELINE
• INTEREST
• PASTIME
• SPANGRAM: JUSTFORFUN

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

I completely got the wrong end of the stick with today’s theme and took “this is not working” literally as I searched for words connected to things being broken.

Fortunately, my fruitless search also included plenty of non-game words and a hint of HOBBY set me on the path of discovering more words associated with free time pursuits, including RECREATION — which was so long I was convinced it would turn yellow and become the spangram.

Instead, today’s yellow snake was JUSTFORFUN, which is possibly where I am going wrong with my hobbies as all of them — cycling, puzzles and watching football/soccer — involve more pain than fun.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, April 15, game #773)

• TOPAZ
• TURQUOISE
• OPAL
• GARNET
• DIAMOND
• PERIDOT
• SPANGRAM: BIRTHSTONE

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, April 16 (game #1040)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, April 15 (game #1039).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1040) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• COOL
• WHIP
• MASK
• RIDE
• NEEDLE
• CAMP
• FAN
• WHEELS
• AUTO
• BODYSUIT
• HEAT
• ROAST
• DAY
• CLAWS
• BRA
• RIB

NYT Connections today (game #1040) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Make fun of
• GREEN: Control the temp
• BLUE: Batman’s feline pal 
• PURPLE: Start with a word that rhymes with “raining”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1040) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: TEASE
• GREEN: THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
• BLUE: FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME 
• PURPLE: TRAINING _____ 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1040) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1040, are…

• YELLOW: TEASE NEEDLE, RIB, RIDE, ROAST
• GREEN: THERMOSTAT SETTINGS AUTO, COOL, FAN, HEAT
• BLUE: FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME BODYSUIT, CLAWS, MASK, WHIP
• PURPLE: TRAINING _____ BRA, CAMP, DAY, WHEELS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

I experienced the rare thrill of a purple first today, but it didn’t come before I’d made a mistake in thinking that WHIP, RIDE, WHEELS and AUTO were a group as they are all alternative ways of describing a car.

Fortunately, after rushing in I took more time and took a chance on two groups that I was uncertain of as I tapped submit — in particular WHEELS, as I thought we might be looking for RIDE here too.

Next, I thought that BODYSUIT and MASK sounded like a cartoon character and took a chance with WHIP and CLAWS, all of which made up FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, April 15, game #1039)

• YELLOW: GRADUATION GEAR CAP, DIPLOMA, GOWN, TASSEL
• GREEN: TEDIOUS UNDERTAKING CHORE, GRIND, HASSLE, TRIAL
• BLUE: OVERSIMPLISTIC FACILE, FLIP, SHALLOW, TRITE
• PURPLE: SHAPES OF CHESS PIECES CASTLE, CROWN, HORSE, MITER

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, April 15 (game #773)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, April 14 (game #772).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #773) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Gift of the month

NYT Strands today (game #773) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• DIET
• GONE
• QUEST
• POST
• SHUT
• RATE

NYT Strands today (game #773) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #773) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 8th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #773) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #773, are…

• TOPAZ
• TURQUOISE
• OPAL
• GARNET
• DIAMOND
• PERIDOT
• SPANGRAM: BIRTHSTONE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 hints

After spotting “birth” on the board it took me a while to connect it up to the rest of the spangram and find BIRTHSTONE; I was expecting it to become birthday.

From here it was just a case of finding gemstones that represent particular months — of which I know a sum total of zero, despite having purchased a few as gifts over the years.

It was then something of a struggle, but the letters Z and Q helped narrow things down and point towards TOPAZ and TURQUOISE, plus OPAL — as it was sandwiched between them. With my first finds out of the way I was able to navigate the rest of the game, but even so it took me a hint and proceeded at snail's pace.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, April 14, game #772)

• HAZY
• BLURRY
• SOFT
• CLOUDY
• FADED
• MUTED
• BEDIMMED
• SPANGRAM: OUTOFFOCUS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, April 15 (game #1039)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, April 14 (game #1038).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1039) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TASSEL
• CROWN
• GOWN
• HASSLE
• FLIP
• GRIND
• CASTLE
• FACILE
• TRIAL
• CAP
• TRITE
• HORSE
• SHALLOW
• MITER
• CHORE
• DIPLOMA

NYT Connections today (game #1039) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: As worn at college celebration
• GREEN: A task reluctantly done
• BLUE: Far too easy
• PURPLE: Game of Kings and Queens

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1039) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: GRADUATION GEAR
• GREEN: TEDIOUS UNDERTAKING
• BLUE: OVERSIMPLISTIC
• PURPLE: SHAPES OF CHESS PIECES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1039) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1039, are…

• YELLOW: GRADUATION GEAR CAP, DIPLOMA, GOWN, TASSEL
• GREEN: TEDIOUS UNDERTAKING CHORE, GRIND, HASSLE, TRIAL
• BLUE: OVERSIMPLISTIC FACILE, FLIP, SHALLOW, TRITE
• PURPLE: SHAPES OF CHESS PIECES CASTLE, CROWN, HORSE, MITER

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I didn’t go to college or university and I sometimes think it holds me back — it definitely has held me back in terms of earning power — and today it stopped me from getting GRADUATION GEAR without making two mistakes.

For some reason I can’t quite explain, I thought that MITER was an essential part of graduation day attire — not that I actually know what a MITER is, it just sounded college-like.

This embarrassment aside, I managed to complete the rest of today’s challenge without much of a hitch, but by then the damage was done. Let’s just agree not to talk about it.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, April 14, game #1038)

• YELLOW: THINGS STORED BY A BROWSER BOOKMARK, CACHE, COOKIE, HISTORY
• GREEN: BOXING TERMS BELL, GLOVES, RING, ROUND
• BLUE: TILT LEAN, LIST, PITCH, TIP
• PURPLE: FREE____ LANCE, MASON, STYLE, WAY

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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The RAM crisis strikes again — Samsung Galaxy phones and Microsoft Surface laptops just got a whole lot more expensive

• The RAM crisis has forced Microsoft to put up price tags on Surface laptops
• These hikes are across the board, with increases of up to $500 in the US
• Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets also received some hefty price increases

A fresh round of price hikes on hardware, namely Microsoft's Surface devices alongside Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and tablets, is the latest blow dealt to consumers by the RAM crisis.

Windows Central noticed that prices for Surface laptops have been hiked across the board at the Microsoft Store. Some of the worst price jumps here mean that baseline devices have been increased by an eye-watering $500 in the US.

For example, the Surface Laptop 13.8-inch started at $999 when the device first emerged in 2024, but it's now $1,499 (with 16GB of RAM — the same configuration as all these entry-level models).

If you want the 15-inch model of this notebook, you'll pay $300 more than at launch, with an outlay of $1,599 (which isn't as much of a leap, but still a nasty increase).

Turning to the Surface Pro 13-inch, that's been hiked by $500. The Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch haven't been hit quite as hard, but are still $250 and $300 more expensive, respectively, for the entry-level configuration.

A top spec Surface Pro 13-inch with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD will lighten your wallet to the tune of $3,649.

Expect equivalent hikes in other regions, no doubt, and these new prices will be coming to other retailers selling Surface products, as you might expect.

Microsoft told Windows Central: "Due to recent increases in memory and component costs, Surface is updating pricing on Microsoft.com for its current‑generation hardware portfolio. We remain committed to delivering value to customers and partners while upholding our standards for quality and innovation."

Meanwhile, Phone Arena reports some price hikes on certain models of Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and tablets, which have just quietly come into play in the US.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 variant with 512GB of storage has been upped in price from $1,219.99 to $1,299.99, with the Galaxy S25 Edge (512GB) also getting bumped from $1,219.99 to $1,299.99. Furthermore, the Galaxy S25 FE has had a price hike from $709.99 to $749.9 (in this case for the 256GB model).

As for Samsung's tablets, price increases have been actioned for Galaxy Tab S11, Tab S10, and Tab A11 models in the US. That includes hikes of $100 to $200, or even close to $300 in some cases (the Tab S11 Ultra with 1TB is up from $1,619.99 to $1,899.99).

Analysis: Samsung worries and Apple value

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

At least the price rises are relatively slight with the Samsung phones, although $80 is still a bit of a sting (the S25 FE at $40 is much more palatable). Compared to what's happened with Samsung's tablets, though, and the Surface range in particular, that's relatively insignificant. Also, Microsoft's increases are across the board, whereas Samsung has only hiked a few phones here (and not the entry-level products, either, crucially).

Still, this does come off the back of other Samsung phones and tablets getting pricier earlier this month (including the Galaxy Z Fold 7). Unfortunately, all of this points to further possible price increases from Samsung down the line.

As for Microsoft, the current-gen Surface line-up is great in many ways — the Surface Laptop 13-inch is still rated as the top Windows 11 device in our best laptop roundup — but these new prices really put a dent in the appeal of the range. Microsoft's devices are now a lot more expensive overall, and they hardly majored in affordability before, either (particularly not with beefier RAM and SSD configurations).

This is particularly bad news for Microsoft right now, because it makes Apple's MacBooks look a lot more tempting in terms of the value proposition versus a Surface purchase. Apple seems to be weathering this PC component storm in a more graceful fashion so far, and with the affordable MacBook Neo already threatening the dominance of Windows laptops, it could be a dangerous time for Satya Nadella's company, both on the hardware and software fronts.

As a Redditor observed in a thread where multiple people are mulling, or have already made, a macOS defection: "Perfect timing for Microslop, a month after Apple announced the Neo. What could they have been thinking? Apple is now the value brand, lol..."

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, April 14 (game #772)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, April 13 (game #771).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #772) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… It’s a little unclear

NYT Strands today (game #772) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• BATH
• TOOL
• LADY
• FATHOM
• BLADE
• SIDE

NYT Strands today (game #772) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #772) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 1st row

Last side: left, 8th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #772) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #772, are…

• HAZY
• BLURRY
• SOFT
• CLOUDY
• FADED
• MUTED
• BEDIMMED
• SPANGRAM: OUTOFFOCUS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

“It’s a little unclear” is a phrase I could use every day in relation to Strands and its baffling letter soup that slowly comes into focus.

My lack of mental clarity was brilliantly summed up by today's search, which put the spotlight on words that described vision that is off — often deliberately so, for artistic purposes — and thought process lacking in similar sharpness.

Despite my slow progress I managed to complete the board without a hint, although there was plenty of hesitation (not least over BEDIMMED, which still doesn’t look like an actual word  to me), and paused in the final moments to admire the ocular-shaped spangram. It’s a marvel how they achieve these low-key wonders.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, April 13, game #771)

• BICYCLE
• GRILL
• MOWER
• WHEELBARROW
• TOOLS
• HOSE
• SPANGRAM: STORAGESHED

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, April 14 (game #1038)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, April 13 (game #1037).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1038) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ROUND
• LIST
• MASON
• BOOKMARK
• COOKIE
• LANCE
• BELL
• WAY
• TIP
• GLOVES
• STYLE
• CACHE
• RING
• PITCH
• HISTORY
• LEAN

NYT Connections today (game #1038) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Common on Chrome and Safari
• GREEN: Fighting talk
• BLUE: Slight wobble
• PURPLE: Begin with a word of zero cost

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1038) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: THINGS STORED BY A BROWSER
• GREEN: BOXING TERMS
• BLUE: TILT
• PURPLE: FREE____ 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1038) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1038, are…

• YELLOW: THINGS STORED BY A BROWSER BOOKMARK, CACHE, COOKIE, HISTORY
• GREEN: BOXING TERMS BELL, GLOVES, RING, ROUND
• BLUE: TILT LEAN, LIST, PITCH, TIP
• PURPLE: FREE____ LANCE, MASON, STYLE, WAY

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

My long wait for another “Purple first” is finally over.

It was the word LANCE that set me on my way, as it immediately made me think about the toils and hardships of being a freelancer, and I soon spotted the other words that made it work. Happy days!

After this grand beginning I followed up with TILT and then the group that I really should have gotten first, seeing as I spend the bulk of my life utilizing all four of these THINGS STORED BY A BROWSER.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, April 13, game #1037)

• YELLOW: SEEN OUTSIDE A THEATER BOX OFFICE, MARQUEE, TICKET LINE, VELVET ROPE
• GREEN: ACCESSORIES FOR A MAGICIAN CAPE, HANDKERCHIEF, MAGIC WAND, RABBIT
• BLUE: TV SHOW TITLE SURNAMES HOUSE, LASSO, MONTANA, SOPRANO
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE CAPS BASEBALL PLAYER, CAMERA LENS, MUSHROOM, PEN

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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I’m a smart glasses expert — and Apple’s rumored Meta Ray-Bans rivals could tempt me to switch thanks to one key strength

• Apple is working on smart glasses that should be revealed later this year, according to leaks
• AI AirPods and an AI pendant are also planned
• Apple's privacy-first approach could help it win with AI glasses

Every tech company and its dog is cramming AI into whatever system it can, and while Apple has been slow to get off the starting line, its rumored AI glasses, AI-focused AirPods, and AI necklace could help it snatch victory from the jaws of defeat — all thanks to one major long-term focus: privacy.

While a couple of these gadgets have been teased previously by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (behind a paywall), who often shares reliable Apple insider info, he has just revealed more details about Apple’s plans to create its first smart glasses.

According to Gurman, Apple is developing display-free smart glasses that will compete directly with the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2. These smart specs, internally code-named N50, will apparently help you capture photos and videos, play music, catch up on notifications, and interact with Siri. The latter will finally, according to reports, get a big upgrade in iOS 27.

The rumored AirPods and pendant could similarly rely on tech like cameras and microphones to capture information from your surroundings to provide insight and assistance, such as visual reminders.

Gurman doesn’t share release dates for any of the trio, but says the smart spectacles should appear later this year, with a launch due in 2027. He also claims that Apple's smart glasses are being tested with four designs: a large, rectangular frame (like the Ray-Ban Wayfarers), a slimmer rectangular design (like Tim Cook's specs), larger oval or circular frames, plus a "smaller, more refined" version of the latter.

But despite these rumors that Apple will try to eclipse its rivals with a "higher-end build", I still think they're going to have their work cut out for them, for a few reasons.

Not plain sailing

(Image credit: Future)

For starters, this delayed Apple glasses rollout could damage the perceived utility of its tech compared to its rivals — especially as by the time it debuts AI specs, Apple’s competitors are expected to have a generation or two of AR / display glasses released.

From experience, AR and display glasses (which can overlay your vision with various details, including live translation, shared play environments, or HUD elements like a map) are also a significant step up from display-less AI specs in terms of their usefulness and capabilities.

The less-than-stellar Apple Intelligence rollout also gives me cause for concern. Apple still hasn't really proved that it knows what it's doing with AI.

The other potential pitfall is that Apple is said to be going it alone design-wise, rather than linking with a brand like Ray-Ban or Warby Parker, like Meta and Google have. As a fashion accessory, the look of smart glasses is almost as essential as their usefulness, and several brands I’ve seen try to design their glasses in-house have struggled to make something that looks good.

That said, if any brand can buck that trend, it’s arguably the tech design champion that is Apple.

And the Californian tech giant also has one major smart glasses strength that could still win me over, even as an Android fan: privacy.

Privacy, privacy, privacy

Visual reminders are seen as the next big advantage AI wearables can leverage. That is, they can take in all of the information about your life and help you remember things like people’s names, where you left your keys, or what needs restocking in your fridge.

(Image credit: Apple)

The issue is, while this level of AI assistance is undeniably useful, it’s equally invasive — essentially requiring the wearable to have an always-on view of your life. Otherwise, it could miss vital context that would make its advice useless.

Meta and Google's practices have come under fire in the past for their data privacy, and what information is or isn’t shared with their AI — most recently, Meta has fallen into hot water over how many more videos and images than people realized are being shared with Meta and reviewed by contractors.

Apple, on the other hand, has always made a big effort to promote privacy with its tech. And in the world of AI — where some tasks require personal information to be processed on servers rather than on your device — it created Private Cloud Compute to ensure that user data is kept private even when it is used by Apple’s remote servers.

I’m firmly in the Android ecosystem, and if you’ve seen our podcast you know I have a bit of an ‘Apple-hater’ persona. Still, I’d currently trust Apple glasses over any other brand as things stand — and with the privacy advantages I expect them to offer I’d even be willing to put up with worse performance and specs if it meant knowing my personal data was secure.

We’ll have to wait and see what Apple reveals — as with all leaks, we must take teases and speculation with a pinch of salt — but I’m uncharacteristically excited to see what Apple has up its sleeve. Meta and Google (and the rest) should watch out.

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NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, April 13 (game #1037)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, April 12 (game #1036).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1037) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MAGIC WAND
• VELVET ROPE
• MUSHROOM
• САРЕ
• LASSO
• HANDKERCHIEF
• MARQUEE
• HOUSE
• PEN
• BOX OFFICE
• CAMERA LENS
• TICKET LINE
• MONTANA
• BASEBALL PLAYER
• SOPRANO
• RABBIT

NYT Connections today (game #1037) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Spotted at the cinema
• GREEN: Things a trickster has
• BLUE: Small screen characters
• PURPLE: Think: a type of hat 

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1037) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SEEN OUTSIDE A THEATER
• GREEN: ACCESSORIES FOR A MAGICIAN
• BLUE: TV SHOW TITLE SURNAMES
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE CAPS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1037) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1037, are…

• YELLOW: SEEN OUTSIDE A THEATER BOX OFFICE, MARQUEE, TICKET LINE, VELVET ROPE
• GREEN: ACCESSORIES FOR A MAGICIAN CAPE, HANDKERCHIEF, MAGIC WAND, RABBIT
• BLUE: TV SHOW TITLE SURNAMES HOUSE, LASSO, MONTANA, SOPRANO
• PURPLE: THEY HAVE CAPS BASEBALL PLAYER, CAMERA LENS, MUSHROOM, PEN

---

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

---

After seeing SOPRANO and LASSO on the grid I was pretty certain that there had to be a group about TV SHOW TITLE SURNAMES, but MONTANA made me hesitate and check to see if there were any more Tonys in the game after Tony SOPRANO and Tony MONTANA. In the end I stuck with my hunch and threw in HOUSE.

I used to love The Sopranos and used to buy any merchandise connected to the show I could — I’ve got a cookbook, T-shirts, scripts, a Satriale’s meat market sign and, in the style of those Baby on Board stickers, one that says Body on Board with the chalk outline of a dead body. I had that on my car for five minutes before I thought better of it.

Anyway, we digress. The other two groups were pretty straightforward, but I lacked the lateral thinking to be able to connect MUSHROOM and BASEBALL PLAYER — kudos if you saw it.

---

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, April 12, game #1036)

• YELLOW: PANTS FEATURES BELT LOOP, CUFF, FLY, POCKET
• GREEN: PERSPECTIVE ANGLE, POSITION, STANCE, TAKE
• BLUE: EMIT CAST, PROJECT, RADIATE, SHED
• PURPLE: _____DOLL PAPER, RAG, RUSSIAN, TROLL

---

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, April 13 (game #771)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, April 12 (game #770).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #771) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… While not in use

NYT Strands today (game #771) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SHOE
• BEAR
• HEEL
• ROWDY
• GRIME
• HORSE

NYT Strands today (game #771) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 11 letters

NYT Strands today (game #771) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 1st row

Last side: right, 6th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #771) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #771, are…

• BICYCLE
• GRILL
• MOWER
• WHEELBARROW
• TOOLS
• HOSE
• SPANGRAM: STORAGESHED

---

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

---

A day to forget for me.

Hopefully I was not the only person in the world that didn’t realize we were looking for things that you would keep inside a STORAGESHED and was instead searching for other things you could keep your junk in.

After abandoning this fruitless diversion I took a hint and realized the error of my ways.

Having said that, other than TOOLS my shed is far too small to store any of the items we were hunting for — not that that’s any excuse!

---

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, April 12, game #770)

• COMB
• BRUSH
• PREEN
• GROOM
• BEAUTIFY
• STYLE
• SPANGRAM: INTHEMIRROR

---

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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