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 31 (game #758).
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 #759) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Don’t make a peep
NYT Strands today (game #759) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
LOSE
NOSE
BLUE
THIS
BLISS
SHUNT
NYT Strands today (game #759) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 13 letters
NYT Strands today (game #759) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: top, 1st column
Last side: bottom, 6th column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #759) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #759, are…
QUIET
HUSHED
SILENT
NOISELESS
INAUDIBLE
SPANGRAM: SHHHHHHHHHHHH
My rating: Hard
My score: Perfect
Seeing all the Hs on the board made me think that today’s game was some kind of April Fool’s joke, but I went ahead and connected them all anyway and ended up with the 13-letter spangram.
Incidentally, there is no standard for the number of Hs in today’s spangram, but it’s generally accepted to be four, so Strands is overdoing it just a bit.
Beyond the Hs, the only other easy thing today was the word QUIET, thanks to the hard-to-hide letter Q.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, March 31, game #758)
WINGS
PILLOW
COIN
EXCHANGE
NOTE
TUTU
WAND
SPANGRAM: THETOOTHFAIRY
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.
Delta is partnering with Amazon’s LEO for faster, satellite-powered in-flight Wi-Fi
Installs will start in 2028 on 500 aircraft types
United still leads for now with Starlink Wi-Fi on 340+ planes and a full rollout by 2027
Just a little over a week ago, I was cruising at 35,000 feet on a United Airlines flight equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi, and it was pretty much the closest I’ve felt to bliss while flying in economy in quite some time. But United Airlines is now getting some stiff competition from arguably its biggest rival.
Delta Air Lines has formally announced that it’s partnering with Amazon’s Leo Network — previously Project Kuiper — to bring faster, satellite-powered Wi-Fi to flights. It’s a smart investment that aligns with an ongoing trend among other airlines, including United Airlines and JetBlue.
There is a bit of a catch, though — and it’s one that requires patience. Delta Air Lines will begin installing Amazon Leo antennas on 500 aircraft starting in 2028. That’s a long way off, and the process itself can take time. United Airlines began installing Starlink connectivity in 2025 and won’t finish until 2027, when it expects availability across its entire fleet. As of now, it offers free, fast Wi-Fi on more than 340 aircraft, including its entire United Express regional fleet and several larger mainline jets.
Still, it’s an exciting move by Delta and an interesting partnership. It won’t just let you shop in the sky — even though an airline teaming up with Amazon might make you think that. Instead, it will offer a gate-to-gate experience with much faster, lower-latency Wi-Fi that will be free for Delta SkyMiles members.
How Delta will do it
The installation will involve a phased array antenna on each Delta aircraft, enabling connections to the Amazon Leo satellite network and supporting speeds of up to 1 Gbps down and 400 Mbps up.
Right now, there are about 200 Amazon Leo satellites orbiting Earth at an altitude of roughly 370 miles, with more than 20 missions planned over the next year to launch additional satellites. The more satellites in orbit, the broader the coverage Amazon Leo will provide. For comparison, Starlink has over 10,000 satellites in orbit, which means more capacity for commercial flights and other connections.
And yes, that should help address congested in-flight Wi-Fi and reduce large dead zones over oceans. Delta says that the Leo-powered Wi-Fi will support connections for playing games, uploading photos or videos, streaming TV shows or movies (even live ones), and offer a much faster experience for basics like web browsing and messaging. Of course, taking calls — whether video or audio — will still be prohibited.
A speedtest of Starlink powered Wi-Fi on a United Airlines flight.(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Delta will continue to work with Viasat and Hughes for existing Wi-Fi on many of its aircraft, and going forward, it will be a mix of those providers plus Amazon. In a release, the airline notes that “by working with multiple connectivity leaders, Delta is ensuring it equips the right aircraft with the right technology to serve customers across the globe.”
As of now, 500 aircraft are set to receive faster speeds from Leo, but time will tell if that expands to cover Delta's fleet of nearly 1,000 airplanes.
In the meantime — and arguably in the short term — if you’re after satellite-powered, free Wi-Fi, booking a ticket on United Airlines might make the most sense.
Yes, the airline is still rolling it out and currently has more than 340 aircraft equipped with the connectivity, but it expects to complete the rollout by the end of 2027, while Delta will only begin installations in 2028.
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, March 30 (game #757).
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 #758) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… While you were sleeping…
NYT Strands today (game #758) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
COOL
TWIN
AXEL
PILOT
WENT
COIL
NYT Strands today (game #758) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 13 letters
NYT Strands today (game #758) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: left, 7th 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 #758) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #758, are…
WINGS
PILLOW
COIN
EXCHANGE
NOTE
TUTU
WAND
SPANGRAM: THETOOTHFAIRY
My rating: Hard
My score: 1 hint
I went on a lengthy diversion today after making a very fast start.
Spotting the word “pilot” in the game along with the word WINGS I thought the theme was intended to imply something about pilot announcements while we sleep. Fortunately, after a little bit more searching I took a hint and then spotted the spangram THETOOTHFAIRY.
As a parent this figure featured prominently in my daughter’s young childhood, although I do think my eldest was pushing it when alongside a tooth she also included a note negotiating a higher price for her precious enamel.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, March 30, game #757)
SHAFT
CANOPY
PANEL
VENT
BUTTON
HANDLE
RIBS
SPANGRAM: UMBRELLATERM
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.
Mullvad Browser Alpha has transitioned to the Firefox Rapid channel
The switch provides quicker access to features
The Alpha version is now available on Linux ARM devices
Mullvad Browser’s early testers will now receive updates every four weeks as the latest alpha version of the interface has transitioned to the Firefox Rapid Release channel.
This move offers a twofold benefit, giving testers quicker access to new features, whilst enabling Mullvad’s developers to smooth out the release schedule.
As it approaches its third anniversary, Mullvad browser, which features one of the best VPNs on the market, is now also available on Linux ARM devices, further boosting its user availability.
A more balanced approach
Launched in April 2023, Mullvad Browser is an alternative private browser developed in collaboration with the Tor Project team, offering the privacy and security of the Tor front-end combined with all the benefits of a Mullvad VPN.
Its features include anti-fingerprinting protection, default blocking of trackers during private browsing, and no telemetry for maximum privacy.
It is a fork of Firefox, which means that Mullvad’s developers must constantly update the browser to include all the latest security patches and features provided by Mozilla.
Until now, the browser has followed a long and slow update cycle known as ESR (Extended Support Release), which involves the release of major updates approximately once a year.
Starting with 16.0a1 alpha release, Mullvad Browser Alpha is based on the Firefox Rapid Release channel rather than the Extended Support Release (ESR). The alpha release is now available on Linux ARM.Read more here: https://t.co/ngaSJScRIeMarch 26, 2026
With the latest alpha release switching to Firefox's faster development cycle, the Firefox code updates will be sent to the Mullvad alpha team every four weeks.
The result? Mullvad’s developers will be able to update their own code faster, spreading the work steadily throughout the year rather than having to cope with a huge and stressful workload concentrated into a single major annual update.
Great for testers
The alpha cycle is the first of two interconnected cycles — alpha and beta — that the Mullvad browser is constantly engaged with. Only once the bugs in the beta version have been fixed is the code deemed ready to move on to the final stable phase.
The switch is particularly welcomed by alpha testers — those who evaluate the browser’s development in its very early stages, identifying bugs and suggesting improvements to optimise the final user experience — allowing them to test updates roughly once a month.
However, these testers also face greater risks and the possibility of bugs, crashes, and a potentially lower level of privacy and security, as not all bugs have been fixed yet. New features, however, usually aim to boost security, so this does not necessarily mean that the system will, on the whole, be 'less secure.'
Nonetheless, the change could prove to be a mixed blessing. Previously, the slower release cycle meant that the same version could be used for months, allowing for a more gradual analysis and more time to scrutinise versions between updates.
Now, however, there might be a risk that new versions will be released before all existing bugs have been fixed. Mullvad noted, in fact, that a faster cadence means it may indeed take longer than four weeks between scheduled versions to implement fixes.
Meanwhile, the Stable channel — the safest, ultimate version recommended to a wider user base — will continue to be based on Firefox ESR.
This means users will wait longer for new features, but gain maximum and fully audited stability and security: a well-worth wait for a secure and enduring digital life.
YouTube has rolled out support for Android Auto with playback controls
The catch is that it doesn't play videos, and you can only stream audio
You also need YouTube Premium for it to work, as it's essentially background play
YouTube is finally rolling out support for Android Auto, the app that allows you to mirror your smartphone screen to your car’s dashboard — but before your excitement takes over, you should note that it comes with a slew of limitations.
The video platform has been quite silent with this launch however, and instead of formally announcing the integration, users online have come across it themselves like in this Reddit post. As it stands, Android Auto is pretty strict with what you can and can’t do while your car is in motion which, when it comes to eliminating visual distractions while driving, is a safety no-brainer. That said, YouTube on Android Auto is not the YouTube you know and love.
For starters, Android Auto removes one of YouTube’s key elements and that’s its video player, meaning you won’t be able to watch anything and can only listen to audio playback just like the best music streaming services. In theory, you can play any type of content you want, but you’ll only be able to listen to its audio — which won’t be a huge setback if you exclusively listen to podcast episodes or videos that are ideal for audio-only listening.
(Image credit: Reddit / u/IGameShit)
Though it takes away YouTube’s biggest functionality, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise and is arguably the most sensible thing to do to ensure safe driving. Not only that, it doesn’t offer full-screen viewing or the option to browse for content, and playback controls are also limited on top of that.
As reported by 9to5Google, you won’t be able to skip forward within a video, and the current skip button will take you straight to the next video in the queue. You can still pause and play audio from the player screen, but you won’t have access to YouTube’s complete slew of playback tools.
Until now, users have been relying on workarounds to get YouTube working on Android Auto, so I can see this integration being widely welcomed. But it wouldn’t be classic YouTube if there weren’t a YouTube Premium catch.
A secret YouTube Premium persuasion strategy
Did you think you could get away with streaming YouTube through Android Auto for free? I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to need a YouTube Premium subscription in order to do so.
In typical YouTube style, Android Auto integration is another functionality that’s being paywalled behind Premium and it’s all because of background play, which is required for streaming through Android Auto. As this is a tool only available to paying subscribers, only those with a membership will be able to stream YouTube on a car dashboard, and the way I look at it is this is yet another strategy YouTube is using to get more people signing up to Premium.
The cheapest way to do this is through YouTube Premium Lite which costs $7.99 / £7.99 / AU$8.99 a month, a relatively new tier that was launched last year. Background viewing and offline downloads were added just a few months back, but while it offers majority ad-supported viewing, this doesn’t apply to music and other music-related content. If you’re like me and use YouTube for all things music and live performances, the standard Premium plan is your best option.
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, March 29 (game #756).
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 #757) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… For a rainy day
NYT Strands today (game #757) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
SPAN
CLAM
TRAM
TRAIN
TONER
SPACY
NYT Strands today (game #757) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 12 letters
NYT Strands today (game #757) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: bottom, 3rd column
Last side: right, 5th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #757) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #757, are…
SHAFT
CANOPY
PANEL
VENT
BUTTON
HANDLE
RIBS
SPANGRAM: UMBRELLATERM
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
“For a rainy day” immediately set me off in search of coats, hats and of course umbrella, but it took me a while to add 'term' to complete today’s parasol-shaped spangram, indicating a search for the many parts that make up a brolly. There are more of them than I realized.
Not initially seeing any relevant words after spotting the spangram, I went in search of non-game words in order to get a hint — but in the process accidentally found SHAFT and CANOPY, which set me on my voyage of discovery.
I’m not a fan of umbrellas in the urban environment. They’re okay in the countryside or on a golf course, but navigating an array of pointy umbrellas on a crowded street is loaded with peril.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, March 29, game #756)
BUGS
SUET
FRUIT
MILLET
BERRIES
NECTAR
SEEDS
SPANGRAM: FORTHEBIRDS
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 Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 29 (game #1525).
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 #1526) - 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 #1526) - 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 3.
Quordle today (game #1526) - 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?
• C
• A
• S
• D
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1526) - the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today's Quordle, game #1526, are…
CHESS
ALLOT
SCONE
DITTY
I have a problem. Whenever I roar through Quordle really quickly and all my guesses are correct after minimal thinking time I cannot help myself from saying “boom” and punching the air.
Today was such a day, with my only moment of hesitation deciding if ALLOT had two Ls or two Ts.
Daily Sequence today (game #1526) - the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1526, are…
STRAP
WHIRL
ELIDE
SIEVE
Quordle answers: The past 20
Quordle #1525, Sunday, 29 March: DELAY, STONY, MONTH, PARTY
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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 28 (game #1524).
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 #1525) - 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 #1525) - 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 0.
Quordle today (game #1525) - 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.
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 Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 28 (game #755).
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 #756) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… A bit peckish
NYT Strands today (game #756) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
FOURTEEN
FILET
TRACE
BEER
BATE
TRIM
NYT Strands today (game #756) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 11 letters
NYT Strands today (game #756) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: top, 1st 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 #756) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #756, are…
BUGS
SUET
FRUIT
MILLET
BERRIES
NECTAR
SEEDS
SPANGRAM: FORTHEBIRDS
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
As somebody who is always “a bit peckish”, this search could have been for everything from chips to fruit salad to Turkish banquet.
Instead, we were hunting for foodstuffs connected to our feathered friends. Discovering the spangram early in the game helped ease my initial confusion after finding BUGS and SUET first — both items that are not on my snack menu.
I managed to navigate the board fairly easily, struggling only over the combination of NECTAR and SEEDS – and I was also thrilled to spy a rare eight-letter non-game word.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, March 28, game #755)
EMAIL
TEXT
MISSIVE
LETTER
MEMO
POSTCARD
SPANGRAM: CORRESPONDENCE
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 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 Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, March 27 (game #754).
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 #755) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Just write
NYT Strands today (game #755) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
VESTED
STOP
CREED
REMOTE
TRIM
ROAM
NYT Strands today (game #755) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• Spangram has 14 letters
NYT Strands today (game #755) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: left, 3rd row
Last side: left, 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 #755) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #755, are…
EMAIL
TEXT
MISSIVE
LETTER
MEMO
POSTCARD
SPANGRAM: CORRESPONDENCE
My rating: Hard
My score: Perfect
It took me a while to get going today, which is why I’m classifying this game as tricky.
After spotting EMAIL and understanding the theme I managed to crack through a search containing modern and traditional CORRESPONDENCE formats.
Personally I am a big fan of a POSTCARD — in many ways a forerunner to the limited space allowed by many social media communications.
One of the pleasures of thrift store shopping in the UK, where postcards were a major element of going on vacation in the pre digital era, is discovering an old postcard sent to a neighbour, which will inevitably describe the weather and description of a minor injury that has befallen the sender. Postcard from the Past is a good podcast and website on the topic.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, March 27, game #754)
PERFECT
EXACT
FITTING
IDEAL
SEEMLY
SUITABLE
SPANGRAM: TAILORMADE
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.
Google Search Live is now available globally in 200 countries and 98 languages
Search Live uses the new Gemini 3.1 Flash Live audio and voice model to enable a “more natural” conversational search
Audio responses have links to the information source
Google has rolled out its AI-powered conversational search tool, Search Live, globally to more than 200 countries and territories, and is available in 98 languages. First launched in the US in September 2025, Search Live lets you point your phone or tablet’s camera at something and ask the AI tool about it out loud, such as what model washing machine you have and how to use it.
The AI then responds with an audio answer that’s also, handily, captioned, and will continue listening for any clarifications and follow-up questions to emulate a natural conversation.
You can access Search Live through the Google app on Android or iOS by tapping the “Live” button under the search bar, placed between the AI Mode and Nano Banana buttons. It can also be accessed through Google Lens and the dedicated Gemini app.
Google has said the expansion has been made possible thanks to the launch of a new audio and voice model called Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, which it says is “inherently multilingual”. The company also claims the model also responds to queries faster, and aims to deliver “more natural and intuitive conversations”.
Analysis: Good but not perfect
Search Live uses query fan-out — an information retrieval technique that broadens the search by looking at related answers beyond a specific question — to provide a more comprehensive response and double down on the conversational aspect.
We tried Search Live in June last year, and noted how the tool continues to work in the background to use query fan-out, and my colleague Eric Hal Schwartz said the answers “didn’t feel boxed into a single form of response, even on relatively straightforward queries”.
I took it for a spin myself, testing it on my bike. While Search Live was good at identifying the specific model, year of release and why it had a specific paint job, it failed to recognize that I had swapped out the stock wheelset for a third-party set and thought that it still had the integrated handlebars that it originally came with. It also failed to correctly identify the accessories on the bike, like my rear light, water bottle and the bottle cages.
(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)
In a similar test, it failed to identify the Nothing Phone 4a Pro that was on my desk, calling it the Nothing Phone 2a instead. I compared the results with the same question on Gemini Live, and I received identical answers.
It’s understandable why some of the results were incorrect as the AI assistant was drawing from existing sources online and new products won’t necessarily have information for the model to learn from but, as it stands, it can handle a fair few general queries.
According to Google, over 1.5 billion people were using Google Lens to identify objects around them as of June 2025 and there are about 750 million Gemini Live users, so it would be interesting to see what the uptake of Search Live will be globally and if this becomes the default way to search for information online.
On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury found that Meta and Google are liable for designing products that are deliberately addictive and failing to warn users about the nature of their products.
This is huge news, a landmark verdict that will inform hundreds of cases to come. While the plaintiff, a 20-year-old identified only as KGM, has been awarded $6m in damages, it's the verdict itself that's most damaging, as it opens the door to many more lawsuits against tech companies.
According to a report in The Guardian, KGM testified that "she became addicted to YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, which she said had deleterious effects on her wellbeing". She began self-harming at age 10 and was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia in her early teens.
KGM's lawyers, in their closing remarks, said: “How do you make a child never put down the phone? That’s called the engineering of addiction. They engineered it, they put these features on the phones. These are Trojan horses: they look wonderful and great … but you invite them in and they take over.”
Outside the courtroom, families who had lost young people to suicide celebrated the verdict as the beginning of justice. Meta and Google both plan to appeal, stating they "respectfully disagree" with the verdict.
Why is it so hard to put down our phones? Is social media and scrolling really as addictive as substances like nicotine and tobacco? Should we be safeguarding our kids from technology, or is it a content issue to be monitored by parents, rather than an app design problem? I'll break down the scientific research behind the verdict below.
Children and social media addiction: the effects
While I think it's pretty obvious to any phone user that social media apps have addictive qualities, there are extra concerns about the effects of heavy digital device use on children's developing brains.
One literature review by Italian pediatrists linked digital addiction in children with depression, diet, and psychological issues, as well as 'sleep, addiction, anxiety, sex related issues, behavioral problems, body image, physical activity, online grooming, sight, headache, and dental care'. KGM was six years old when she first got addicted to social media, according to her testimony.
Researchers in Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands have also linked 'high social media usage' among adolescents to 'a statistically significant change in the developmental trajectory of cerebellum volumes', a part of the brain associated with emotional control. It could literally influence the brain's physical development.
Another report says: "frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain in the amygdala (important for emotional learning and behavior) and the prefrontal cortex (important for impulse control, emotional regulation, and moderating social behavior), and could increase sensitivity to social rewards and punishments".
However, it's worth noting that none of these findings are yet conclusive.
How social media apps are designed to foster engagement
Below are three ways Meta and Google could have designed their platforms to encourage addictive behaviors, supported by science and quotes from the trial.
1. The dopamine cycle
(Image credit: Getty Images)
In a report by The Guardian, Meta employees in 2020 are quoted as saying “oh my gosh y'all, IG is a drug” in an email exchange, while a colleague responds, “Lol, I mean, all social media. We’re basically pushers.”
They're not entirely wrong. The basis of addiction is all about hijacking the 'mesolimbic system', the part of the brain responsible for associating certain behaviors with rewards, both natural (food, sex, play) and artificial (drugs such as alcohol and nicotine, and notifications). Once a reward is achieved, dopamine is released.
One study on teen addiction linked activation of the mesolimbic pathway to social media use, stating children are "often victims of an unrelenting 'dopamine cycle' created in a loop of 'desire' induced by endless social media feeds, 'seeking and anticipating rewards' in the way of photo tagging, likes, and comments," the latter being the triggers that continue to reinstate the 'desire' behavior.
"The overactivation of the dopamine system in such individuals can further increase the risk of addictive behaviors or pathological changes that lead to a decline in pleasure from natural rewards." Essentially, all you want to do is keep scrolling, just like an addict looking for an endless fix because natural rewards no longer provide the same pleasure as scrolling.
According to CNN, KGM's lawyer Mark Lanier said in his opening statement: “This case is about two of the richest corporations who have engineered addiction in children’s brains,” Lanier said in his opening statement. “The swipe, for a child, like Kaley, this motion is a handle of a slot machine. But every time she swipes, it’s not for money, but for mental stimulation.”
2. The infinite scroll
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Now that a swipe is a pleasure creation tool, the next crucial tool in social media's arsenal of addiction creation is the infinite scroll: the ability to swipe forever, to continue to activate and hijack the mesolimbic pathway for as long as the user desires. Likewise, video autoplay on platforms such as YouTube and Netflix helps remove barriers and pauses, encouraging viewers to continue watching.
KGM's lawyers mention the infinitely scrollable feeds and video autoplay as features designed to keep people on the apps, maintain attention, and encourage addictive behaviors. But it's ok, because the inventor of the scrollable feed, Aza Raskin, apologized when he unleashed this horror upon the world.
3. Algorithmically encouraged negative content
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Ever heard of 'happy scrolling'? Of course not. 'Doomscrolling,' on the other hand, is named so for a reason. Negativity is more addictive than positive content: one 2024 report by Cambridge University said that "it’s long been recognized that news-related social media posts that use negative language are re-posted more, so that in turn rewards users who create negative content through greater exposure".
Combine this with the infinitely scrollable feed and addictive, casino-esque nature of social media platforms, and you get doomscrolling, a constant stream of bad news, enraging user-created content, and messaging that you're never going to be enough unless you do this, or buy that, or look like this.
KGM used Instagram filters on 'almost all' her pictures and 'had not experienced the negative feelings associated with her body dysmorphia diagnosis before she began using social media and filters,' according to court reporting by Al Jazeera.
The same scientific report quoted above on brain development also said that "in early adolescence, when identities and sense of self-worth are forming, brain development is especially susceptible to social pressures, peer opinions, and peer comparison".
The bottom line? Children are easily impressionable, and if online negativity is more rewarding than positivity, unfettered access to an endless stream of content designed to make users feel worse to increase engagement is going to warp their worldview. According to the jury, in this case, the buck stops at the algorithm's designers.
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…
