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, March 26 (game #753).
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 #754) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Just right
NYT Strands today (game #754) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
MEAT
SLIME
BLADE
GATE
BAIT
MELT
NYT Strands today (game #754) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 10 letters
NYT Strands today (game #754) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: top, 3rd column
Last side: bottom, 3rd column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #754) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #754, are…
PERFECT
EXACT
FITTING
IDEAL
SEEMLY
SUITABLE
SPANGRAM: TAILORMADE
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
A neat game, although when I was connecting PERFECT I was sure it would actually become “perfection”. Oh well, you can’t have everything!
Next I zeroed in on the rare letter X for EXACT and noticed that FITTING smartly contoured around it.
Low on surprises then, but an oddly satisfying search.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, March 26, game #753)
FLUTE
HARMONICA
RECORDER
CLARINET
OBOE
SPANGRAM: WINDINSTRUMENT
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.
A new Quordle 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: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, March 26 (game #1522).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1523) - hint #1 - Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1523) - hint #2 - repeated letters
Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
Quordle today (game #1523) - hint #3 - uncommon letters
Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
iOS and iPadOS users in the UK now have to verify their age
Otherwise certain features may be disabled for under-18s
Meta and Google have been fined over their child safety policies
It seems we're hitting a point of reckoning when it comes to phone usage for under-18s: Apple is rolling out mandatory age verification for iPhone and iPad users in the UK, just a day after Meta and Google were hit by a massive fine in a landmark social media trial.
Starting with the Apple verification rollout, this is part of the new iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 update for users in the United Kingdom. If you're a UK user, you'll be asked to register a credit card or scan an ID in order to prove you're aged 18 or over — unless Apple has previously confirmed your age.
Apple has full details here, and says the verification process is "required by law in some countries and regions" in regards to "downloading apps, changing certain settings, or taking other actions with your Apple Account". If you need to verify your account, you'll see a message appear on the Settings menu.
While this specific step of age verification at a device level isn't required by UK law as it currently stands, recent legislation does mean it is required for adult websites (including pornography sites). The onus has been on the sites themselves to do the verifying, but there have been calls for checks to be made at the device level too.
With the UK government trialling a curb on social media for under-16s, a law similar to the one implemented in Australia now looks likely. Apple's intentions may be to get ahead of any such decision, and according to the BBC it has been working closely with regulator Ofcom on the new feature.
It's not clear exactly what will happen if you're under 18 and are unable to confirm an adult identity. As per Apple's support document, you may see certain features restricted or be asked to join a Family Sharing group operated by a parent, but the wording suggests it will vary on a case-by-case basis.
Social media addiction
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is under fire for its child safety policies(Image credit: Getty Images)
Another reason Apple might have taken this move is the landmark social media lawsuit that just reached a conclusion in Los Angeles: Meta and Google have been ordered to pay out $6m (about £4.5m / AU$8.65m) to a young woman who claimed that Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube severely impacted her mental health.
The woman's lawyers had described the apps developed by Meta and Google as "addiction machines", arguing that the tech companies hadn't done enough to stop younger children accessing these platforms, or to protect them from the harms associated with too much screen time.
In a separate trial in New Mexico that reached a verdict earlier this week, Meta was separately told to pay a $375m (about £281m / AU$541m) fine for misleading users over child safety protections in its apps. Meta had been aware of child predators on its platforms, and hadn't done enough to block them, the jury decided.
Meta and Google both intend to appeal: "Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app," a Meta spokesperson said. "We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online."
And while Apple's age restrictions have been welcomed by Ofcom and child protection groups, not everyone is happy about it: some see it as another step towards "mass surveillance" and even more user data tracking and logging, while others argue protection responsibilities should lie with parents rather than device makers.
The momentum definitely seems to be in one direction right now, however — and with AI bots another problem that the internet is grappling with, it's likely that more verification checks are going to start appearing in the future.
A new Quordle 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: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, March 25 (game #1521).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1522) - hint #1 - Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1522) - hint #2 - repeated letters
Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
Quordle today (game #1522) - hint #3 - uncommon letters
Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?
• H
• C
• M
• L
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1522) - the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today's Quordle, game #1522, are…
HOBBY
COULD
MORPH
LEDGE
This was an excellent game for me and one that very gently tested my brain.
With P as a penultimate letter and E and T unavailable I knew that I had a word ending PH and MORPH fitted. But my biggest pleasure of this game was tactical — delaying choosing between “hedge” and LEDGE to see if other columns gave me some clues.
Daily Sequence today (game #1522) - the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1522, are…
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, March 25 (game #752).
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 #753) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… I blew it!
NYT Strands today (game #753) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
CRAM
CRUEL
STRUM
RIND
CLAN
DOME
NYT Strands today (game #753) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 14 letters
NYT Strands today (game #753) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: left, 8th 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 #753) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #753, are…
FLUTE
HARMONICA
RECORDER
CLARINET
OBOE
SPANGRAM: WINDINSTRUMENT
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
This was a long and short day, with the 14-letter spangram, WINDINSTRUMENT, being as long as words get and and four-letter game word OBOE being the shortest.
Although I began by thinking the search could involve failure, FLUTE was an easy spot in the top-left-hand corner and set me off on a search for similar instruments.
I did not learn the RECORDER at school but enjoy its unique ability, much like the bagpipes, to sound simultaneously in and out of tune.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, March 25, game #752)
BEER
FRIES
SODA
WATER
POPCORN
PRETZEL
CANDY
SPANGRAM: CONCESSIONS
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.
I don’t think there’s any way around it — the internet in the sky has never been a perfect experience. However, many airlines are starting to buck that trend, and in the United States, United Airlines has been punching above the rest.
In October 2025, I had the chance to fly aboard United’s first mainline jet — a Boeing 737-900 — with fast, free Wi-Fi powered by Starlink. After the flight, I wrote, “It feels like the internet finally reached the sky.” That’s still accurate and sums up my main feelings, but I got to fly again — this time on a slightly different Boeing 737-900 — and United has been hard at work speeding up these installations.
Now, every United Express regional jet boasts Starlink — a big upgrade, as those aircraft previously had some of the least reliable satellite internet — and United has Starlink on 18 mainline jets. This was a more packed flight, with a lot more media, creators, and influencers really taxing the network. That’s expected for a Starlink demonstration flight, but even with slower speed tests, I didn’t experience latency or much lag with any task that would normally struggle on current in-flight internet systems.
(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)
At its best, via an iPhone 17 Pro Max, I scored 291 Mbps download and 35.1 Mbps upload. Toward the end of the flight, before beginning descent, I got around 41.7 Mbps download via an iPhone Air.
Even with those variations, I could livestream a show or movie, or even select a “live channel” via Disney+ on an iPad, watch any video on YouTube, and scroll through TikTok or Instagram Reels without the slowdowns or loading issues typical of non-Starlink-equipped United flights.
But maybe the best part is simply being able to stay connected. I never had an issue sending a message via iMessage, WhatsApp, or even Facebook Messenger. I could send and receive texts, photos, and videos — thanks to my brother for sending pictures of my pup Rosie. I didn’t feel disconnected, even while flying over Los Angeles at 35,000 feet.
It all felt very instant, with speeds similar to using my iPhone on 5G cellular or home and office Wi-Fi networks. United has also made the process really simple to get connected — and it’s entirely free.
Right now, for standard in-flight Wi-Fi, you could pay anywhere from $8 if you’re a MileagePlus member — or $10 without — to upwards of $17.99 for international routes, where the network can be especially spotty.
(Image credit: United Airlines)
You’ll start by connecting to United Wi-Fi, which you can do as soon as you board. From there, follow the on-screen steps, starting with a screen that says, “Break the Barrier.”
That’s United’s slogan for its Starlink-powered Wi-Fi. You’ll swipe through about three screens, including three rules you’ll need to abide by:
Voice and video calls are prohibited by federal law
Enjoy audio, video, online gaming, and live event content while using headphones
If others could find what you're viewing offensive, please choose something else to stream
You’ll sign in with your United MileagePlus account — it’s free to join and unlocks the free Wi-Fi — or, if you’re signing in on your phone with the United app installed, it should auto-fill. From there, you’ll watch two quick ads — I saw a 30-second Starlink one and a 17-second United credit card one — and then you’re connected and off to the races.
Throughout the flight — which felt like a better representation of a true commercial Starlink experience, something United is now running daily — the in-flight Wi-Fi was consistent, smooth, and, most importantly, didn’t cause any roadblocks.
While not allowed on a typical commercial flight, we were permitted to try video calls to really push Starlink’s capabilities to the max. I was able to FaceTime with TechRadar’s Editor-at-Large, Lance Ulanoff, and it was clear, with no noticeable latency or voice or video garbling. He reported that I looked great on the other end. Same with my family, who I wanted to show a live, 35,000-foot view of the California coast.
It was seamless — I could easily browse the web, scroll through cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud, stream videos, download songs to a Spotify playlist while streaming, hop into a live newscast, respond to emails, and use pretty much any device I had.
Back in October 2025, I also tried connecting the Nintendo Switch 2. United has been looking into it, and while I still couldn’t get it to connect on this second Starlink demonstration flight, the airline tells me a patch is coming, and the console should begin working in the coming weeks.
Similarly, while I could upload videos to TikTok and Instagram — and even go live on both platforms — uploads aren’t lightning-fast. A sub-one-minute video took about five minutes to upload, but it’s passable. I likely wouldn’t use a flight to upload long-form video, but for collaboration, tools like Google Docs or Pages worked well.
Just like the Boeing 737-800 I first flew with Starlink in October 2025, there are two Starlink antennas mounted on top of the aircraft near the front, along with four onboard routers distributing the connection. It’s also multi-device — I connected two iPhones, an iPad, and a MacBook Pro without issue.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
United is still on track to have its entire fleet fitted with Starlink by the end of 2027. That’s still a long way off, but progress is steady — with 16 more mainline aircraft added since October 2025 and the full United Express regional fleet now equipped. Next up are larger jets — like the 787, 777, 757, and 767 — as well as other variants of the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A321.
We can only hope the timeline continues to accelerate as United refines the installation process. It’s also clear the airline is onto something, as others — both domestic and international — are making similar moves.
Zach Griff, travel expert and author of travel newsletter From the Tray Table, shared with TechRadar, "Starlink really is a game changer for in-flight Wi-Fi. The low latency and blazing-fast download speeds make streaming a breeze. On United, Starlink is an even bigger deal because the existing satellite-based Wi-Fi providers can be lackluster at best."
"That’s why I believe the next 18 months are going to be painful for United flyers. They’ve now seen the future with what fleetwide Starlink WiFi is going to be like, but they’ll need to wait until the end of 2027 to experience it on every jet."
And I agree, United’s vision of “enabling the living room in the sky” experience feels genuinely distinct — something Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology, reinforced on this test flight and even earlier, when Starlink was just an announcement.
As of now, 344 aircraft feature Starlink, and United has operated more than 167,000 flights with the faster, free Wi-Fi — but for those who are waiting, that rollout can't come soon enough.
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, March 24 (game #751).
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 #752) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Intermission mission
NYT Strands today (game #752) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
CONE
SOFA
SPACE
FADE
FRONT
WEEDS
NYT Strands today (game #752) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 11 letters
NYT Strands today (game #752) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: top, 3rd column
Last side: bottom, 4th column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #752) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #752, are…
BEER
FRIES
SODA
WATER
POPCORN
PRETZEL
CANDY
SPANGRAM: CONCESSIONS
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
I earned my 75 Spangram First badge today. It’s not something I keep tabs on, but it was a nice surprise and like all these minor victories gave me a little power up to take into my day.
It was quite an odd spangram to see first, but there was something about the double-S that popped out.
After this it was an easy task of finding all the food and drink we consume at the theater. Although on this front I have to admit to be something of a CONCESSIONS cheat in that I will always bring my own snacks whenever it's possible.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, March 24, game #751)
TUNNEL
FENCE
HURDLE
HOOP
WALL
BARRICADE
SPANGRAM: OBSTACLECOURSE
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.
