Technology

The Last of Us season 2 episode 7 is out now – and, with it, the incredibly popular show's latest installment has come to an end.

Like its predecessor, season 2 of HBO's TV adaptation has been appointment viewing for all of us over the past seven weeks. And, as the dust settles on its near-50-minute finale, I imagine you've got some big questions about what happened and the show's future.

So, how does The Last of Us season 2 end? Are there any end credits scenes? And when do we think season 3 will arrive worldwide? I'll aim to answer those questions below, but bear in mind that full spoilers immediately follow for The Last of Us' season 2 finale. Make sure you've watched it before you proceed.

Who dies in The Last of Us season 2 episode 7?

RIP, Jesse (Image credit: HBO)

The Last of Us TV show's latest episode contains three big character deaths.

The most unexpected of those, and arguably the most shocking one since Joel's demise in season 2 episode 2, is Jesse's. The close friend of Ellie and Dina's ex-boyfriend (and father of Dina's unborn child) is killed by Abby when she single-handedly storms the Seattle theater that's been Ellie and Dina's base of operations since this season's fourth episode.

Jesse's death probably won't shock those who have played The Last of Us Part II, aka the Naughty Dog video game season 2 is based on. And if you'd been paying attention to the foreshadowing throughout season 2's final episode, such as Jesse constantly expressing his wish to get out of Seattle in one piece, I doubt you would've been stunned by his passing, either.

Mel and Owen are two of three big casualties in The Last of Us season 2 finale (Image credit: HBO)

But why does Abby kill him? The reason is simple: Ellie accidentally killed Owen and Mel, two members of Abby's party who helped her track down and murder Joel in episode 2. A vengeful Abby, then, wants revenge for Ellie murdering two of her closest friends.

Having learned of Abby's location from Nora in episode 5 – that being, Seattle's aquarium not too far from the city's unmissable Ferris wheel – Ellie infiltrates the building and encounters Owen and Mel while searching for Abby.

Still traumatized from how much she tortured Nora two episodes ago, Ellie claims she won't shoot Owen and Mel if they tell her where Abby is now. Owen initially refuses, but to buy himself and Mel some time, he eventually agrees to show Ellie where she can find Abby on a map.

However, as Owen approaches the map on a table, he makes a move to grab a handgun to shoot Ellie first. Unfortunately for Owen, Ellie's survival instincts kick in and she shoots him first.

Three down, two to go, eh Ellie? (Image credit: HBO)

The bullet passes through Owen's neck, killing him instantly. After exiting the back of Owen's throat, it hits Mel, who's standing behind him. The bullet slices her neck, nicking an artery in the process, which results in Mel collapsing and bleeding out.

Ordinarily, this would be a tragic accident in its own right – after all, Mel was unarmed and made no attempt to harm Ellie. However, Mel makes things even worse for Ellie (and, by proxy, us as viewers) before she dies by revealing she's heavily pregnant.

If Ellie felt incredible guilt and shame over what she'd done to Nora, she feels 50 times worse over not only taking Mel's life, but also that of her innocent unborn child. It's a moment that hits home even harder when you consider how much danger Ellie has put a pregnant Dina in since the pair left Jackson, Wyoming, too.

Abby tracks down Ellie and company to get revenge for Mel and Owen's deaths (Image credit: HBO)

Jesse, Owen, and Mel aren't the only casualties of season 2 episode 7 – well, that's what The Last of Us wants you to think. One of the finale's last shots shows Abby pointing her sidearm at an unarmed Ellie, who shouts "no no no!" before the screen cuts to black as a shot is fired.

There's no way that the hit Max show just bumped off another of its main characters in Ellie, right? In short: no, she doesn't die. Ellie is the protagonist of this TV series and The Last of Us Part II. Spoilers notwithstanding, her story is far from over in HBO's live-action adaptation.

So, who fired the shot that we hear? I'm not going to ruin that now. You'll just have to wait for season 3 (more on this later) to arrive. Or, you know, you could watch a playthrough of The Last of Us 2 on YouTube if you want an answer ASAP.

Is there a mid-credits scene in The Last of Us season 2 episode 7?

As of season 2 episode 7, Dina is still alive (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

There's no mid-credits scene to stick around for.

This season's final scene doesn't count as one, either. Sure, it drops a big hint about how season 3 will begin (more on this shortly), but it's a brief scene that takes place before the end credits start to roll. So, it can't be classed as a traditional mid-credits stinger.

Does The Last of Us season 2's final episode have a post-credits scene?

Expect to see more of Isaac in The Last of Us' third season (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Nope. The Last of Us season 2 doesn't have a post-credits scene, either. Based on how the show's latest episode ends, it doesn't need one.

When will The Last of Us season 3 be released?

Trying to get word on when season 3 will make its worldwide debut like... (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

We don't know. HBO only confirmed that The Last of Us season 2 wouldn't be the hit series' final chapter in April, so it'll be a few years before one of the best Max shows' third season is released.

It's likely that work has been going on behind the scenes on season 3 for some time. Indeed, I'd be surprised if the show's chief creative team hasn't been penning its scripts, location scouting, and conducting other pre-production elements for months at this point.

Nevertheless, with filming yet to begin on The Last of Us season 3, I suspect it'll be mid-2027 at the earliest before it launches worldwide.

What does The Last of Us' season 2 finale tell us about the plot of season 3?

Season 3's first few episodes will jump back in time to depict events from Abby's viewpoint (Image credit: HBO)

Season 2 episode 7's final scene suggests that next season will give us an entirely different perspective on the events that play out during Ellie and Dina's first 72 hours in Seattle.

After the screen cuts to black in this season's finale, many viewers might have expected the credits to roll, thereby leaving us on a cliffhanger.

Instead, a new scene begins seconds later, reuniting us with Abby as she's woken up by Manny. He tells her that "they" won't be happy if she keeps them waiting, to which Abby replies she'll be there in five minutes.

Once she's fully come to, Abby steps out onto a balcony overlooking a football stadium that's been repurposed as a headquarters for the Isaac-led antagonistic faction known as the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). After she surveys the scene, Abby heads back inside as the words 'Seattle, Day One' appear in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

We'll witness Ellie's first 72 hours in Seattle from Abby's perspective next season (Image credit: HBO)

This is the same location and time stamp that appeared in season 2 episode 4 when Ellie and Dina first arrive in Seattle. So, The Last of Us season 3's first few episodes, if not the entirety of next season, will travel back in time and cover the same three-day period in the US Pacific Northwest city through Abby's eyes.

That won't be a surprise to those who have played The Last of Us Part II. As the deuteragonist of the aforementioned video game, Abby was a playable character for half of the story depicted in the second entry of Naughty Dog's acclaimed and multi-award-winning game franchise. That means her side of the Seattle-based story, which runs concurrently to Ellie's, will be brought to life in season 3 of HBO's TV adaptation.

There's a lot of ground to cover in the Abby-centric part of the story, too. What were Owen and Mel planning to do before Ellie interrupted them? Who's the father of Mel's baby? How did Abby know where to find Ellie and co. in Seattle? What convinced Isaac to choose Abby as the WLF's new leader? Why does Isaac believe the WLF's current leadership is set to perish during the assault on the Seraphites' main headquarters? And does Manny meet the same fate as Owen, Mel, and Nora at Ellie's or someone else's hands, or is he still alive somewhere?

These questions will need answering in season 3 and beyond if The Last of Us officially ends with its rumored four-season plan. I could provide more details now, but again, I don't want to spoil anything significant about Ellie and Abby's journeys from this point on in the story. So, unless you scour the internet for answers now, you'll have to wait until season 3 arrives for them.

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• Intel’s Arc Pro B60 Dual offers pro-grade memory at a fraction of Nvidia’s price
• This dual-GPU rig from Maxsun delivers workstation power
• Each GPU gets one DisplayPort and one HDMI, avoiding OS overload in multi-GPU workstations

At Computex 2025, Maxsun unveiled a striking new entry in the AI hardware space: the Intel Arc Pro B60 Dual GPU, a graphics card pairing two 24GB B60 chips for a combined 48GB of memory.

Servethehomeclaims Maxsun envisions these cards powering dense workstation builds with up to four per system, yielding as much as 192GB of GPU memory in a desktop-class machine.

This development appears to have Intel's implicit approval, suggesting the company is looking to gain traction in the AI GPU market.

A dual-GPU card built for AI memory demands

The Arc Pro B60 Dual GPU is not designed for gaming. Instead, it focuses on AI, graphics, and virtualization tasks, offering a power-efficient profile.

Each card draws between 240W and 300W, keeping power and thermal demands within reach for standard workstation setups.

Unlike some alternatives, this card uses a blower-style cooler rather than a passive solution, helping it remain compatible with conventional workstation designs. That matters for users who want high-end performance without building custom cases or cooling systems.

Still, the architecture has trade-offs. The card relies on x8 PCIe lanes per GPU, bifurcated from a x16 connector. This simplifies design and installation but limits bandwidth compared to full x16 cards.

Each GPU also includes just one DisplayPort and one HDMI output. That design choice keeps multi-GPU setups manageable and avoids hitting OS-level limits, older Windows versions, for example, may have trouble handling more than 32 active display outputs in a single system.

The card’s most intriguing feature may be its pricing. With single-GPU B60 cards reportedly starting around $375 MSRP, the dual-GPU version could land near $1,000.

If that estimate holds, Maxsun’s card would represent a major shift in value. For comparison, Nvidia’s RTX 6000 Ada, with the same 48GB of VRAM, sells for over $5,500. Two of those cards can push costs north of $18,000.

Even so, Intel’s performance in professional applications remains an open question. Many creative professionals still favor Nvidia for its mature drivers and better software optimization.

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Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 449 for May 26.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,437 for May 26.

Commentary: This unpredictable, hilarious and haunting conspiracy thriller is unlike anything you've seen on TV.

After many months of speculation, Google finally showed off its still-early-day Android XR smart glasses prototype. It was an impressive live demo, with a live translation portion that went off well but not without hitches. Still, it got the crowd at Google I/O going, and right after that opening keynote wrapped, I strolled around the Shoreline Amphitheater to find a pair to try.

Much like my time with Project Moohan, the prototype Android XR headset that Google and Samsung are working on, I only spent about five minutes with these prototype glasses. And no, it wasn’t a sleek frame made by Warby Parker or a wild one from Gentle Monsters – instead, it was the pair Google demoed on-stage, the prototype Android XR glasses made by Samsung.

As you can see above, much like Meta Ray-Bans and unlike Snapchat Spectacles (the first gen), these prototypes look like standard black frames. They're a bit thicker on either the left or right stems, but they’re also loaded with tech – though not in a way that screams it from the outside.

It was a short, pretty rushed demo, but certainly a compelling one.

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

The tech here is mostly hidden – there is a screen baked into the lens, which, when worn, appears as a little box when it’s showing something larger. Otherwise, when I first turned the glasses on, I saw the time and the weather hovering at the top of my field of vision.

When I pressed the button on the right stem to capture a photo, it almost flashed transparently larger in my field of vision. Neat and a bit more present way of capturing than on the screen-less Meta Ray-Bans.

These are both cool, and during the keynote, Google also shared that the screens could be used for messaging, calls, and translating as well, but I didn’t get to try that. While I couldn’t ask for directions myself, a Google rep within my demo was able to toss up what navigation would like, and this feature has me more excited about smart glasses with a screen built-in.

Why? Well, it was that the experience of navigating doesn’t get in the way of my field of view – I can simply still look straight forward and see at the top that in 500-feet or 50-feet that I need to make a right onto a specific avenue. I don’t need to look down at my phone or glance at my wrist, it’s all housed in just one device.

If I need more details or want to see my route, I could glance down to see a mini version of the map, which moved as I moved my head. If I wore these in NYC, I could walk normally and glance at the top to see directions, but when safely stopped and not in the way of others, I could look down to see my full route. That’s pretty neat to me.

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

The projected screen itself had good-enough quality, though I’m not sure how it performs in direct sunlight, as I tested these in a little room that Google had constructed. It’s important to remember that this is still a prototype – Google has several brands onboard to produce these, but there isn’t an exact timeframe. Developers will be able to start developing and testing by the end of the year, though.

This year, the Project Moohan headset, which also runs Android XR, will arrive. Samsung will ship the headset in a to-be-revealed final version, which could build support from third parties and let Google get more feedback on the platform.

Gemini, Google’s very wise AI assistant, blew me away on Project Moohan and was equally compelling on the Android XR glasses. I asked it for the weather, and got it to give me an audio report of the next few days, had it analyze a replica of a painting, and even look at a book, tell me the reviews, and where I could purchase it.

That power of having Gemini in my frame has me really excited for the future of the category – it’s the audio responses, the connection to the Google ecosystem, and how it plays with the onboard screen. It remains to be seen how Samsung’s final design might look, but it will likely sit alongside several other Android XR-powered smart glasses from the likes of Warby Parker, X-Real, and Gentle Monster, among others.

I’ve long worn Meta Ray-Bans and enjoy those for snapping unique shots or recording POVs like walking my dog Rosie or riding an attraction at a Disney Park. Similarly, I really enjoyed the original version of the Snapchat Spectacles, but the appeal wore off. Those both did only a short – or in the case of the Spectacles, very short – list of functions, but Android XR as a platform feels a heck of a lot more powerful, even from a short five-minute window.

While the design didn’t sell me on Samsung’s prototype, I have high hopes for the Warby Parker ones. Seeing how Gemini’s smarts can fit into such a small frame and how a screen can be genuinely useful but not overly distracting really has me excited. I have a feeling not all of the Android XR glasses will appeal to everyone, but with enough entries, I’m sure one of them will pair form with function in a correct balance.

Gemini in glasses feels less like the future, and considering this new entry, my eyes are set to see what Meta's does next and what Apple's much-rumored entry into the world of smart glasses will look like.

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• Nano SSD delivers 512GB storage and fingerprint security in a tiny size
• Works with iPhone, Android, Mac, and gaming devices, without extra software
• Drop-tested, IP65 rated, and supports 4K video on iPhone Pro

Twopan has launched the Nano SSD, a compact USB-C storage device with a built-in fingerprint reader, a feature we’d love to see more storage makers offer.

Weighing just 5g and the size of a stick of gum, the Twopan Nano SSD measures 20 x 13 x 5mm and offers 512GB of high-speed storage in a keychain-friendly design.

The product’s main appeal is, naturally, the biometric security it offers. The device supports up to 20 fingerprints and doesn't require apps or software. Twopan says plug it in and it just works.

Broad compatibility

The Nano SSD connects via a USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port and will work with devices like iPhone 15/16 Pro, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, Steam Deck, PS5, and Canon and Sony cameras that support USB-C file transfer.

It supports direct 4K and HD recording on the newest iPhone Pro models using HEVC (H.265) at 60fps, making it a good choice for content creators working in high-resolution formats.

It is also compatible with Android phones from Samsung and Google, offering wide usability without the need for adapters or extra cables.

Twopan says it fits into phone cases that are 3mm thick or less, making it even easier to use on the go without removing protection.

Despite its tiny size, the Nano SSD delivers up to 450MB/s read and write speeds. It’s water and dust resistant with an IP65 rating and is drop-tested for up to 10 meters. The casing is made from aluminum and shockproof plastic, offering additional durability for users who travel or work outdoors.

Twopan Nano SSD is currently live on Kickstarter with a retail price around $99. The creators were seeking $1,277 in funding and managed to pull in over $197,000 from more than 1,600 backers. Shipping is expected in August 2025.

Like most crowdfunded hardware, there’s always a chance for delays or changes. But if it delivers on promises, this could well be one of the most secure portable drives around.

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Another Netflix library reshuffle is about to happen and, while we're excited to see the return of Squid Game season 3, aka one of the best Netflix shows, we mustn't forget about the movies being removed from the streamer's back catalog.

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy stands out like a sore thumb among the films leaving Netflix this June, and you don't have too long left to catch them as they'll vanish come June 1. The same goes for these three movies with 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, so catch some of the best Netflix movies (from a third-party perspective, anyway) before they depart.

TV shows are usually up for the chopping block, too, but seasons 1 to 3 of The Equalizer is the only casualty of the best streaming service's June 2025 culling. So, TV buffs can sit back without worrying that your favorite shows will be axed.

Everything leaving Netflix in June 2025

Leaving on June 1

Batman Begins (movie)
Beginners (movie)
Burlesque (movie)
Closer (movie)
Cult of Chucky (movie)
Daddy Day Care (movie)
The Dark Knight (movie)
The Dark Knight Rises (movie)
Den of Thieves (movie)
From Prada to Nada (movie)
GoodFellas (movie)
Ma (movie)
Magic Mike XXL (movie)
Pride & Prejudice (movie)
Ted (movie)
Ted 2 (movie)
Two Weeks Notice (movie)

Leaving on June 11

Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story (movie)
Trap (movie)

Leaving on June 14

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (movie)

Leaving on June 16

The Equalizer seasons 1-3 (TV show)
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (movie)

Leaving on June 17

Carol (movie)

Leaving on June 19

Migration (movie)

Leaving on June 21

American Sniper (movie)

Leaving on June 22

Brain on Fire (movie)

Leaving on June 26

Ordinary People (movie)

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Take your pizza-making to the next level with a pizza oven in your home.

The Balanguera look to end their title-winning La Liga season on a high as they face Los Leones.

Blackouts are less of an issue for the 2025 baseball season, but are still a drag when you tune in and can't watch your team.

• TeamGroup’s 64TB SSD aims for enterprise dominance with AI-ready specs and Gen5 speed
• PCIe Gen5 promises speed, but real-world benchmarks will tell the true performance story
• Massive storage meets modern AI demands, but price remains the elephant in the room

In a market where storage capacities and speeds are constantly evolving to meet the needs of AI and cloud infrastructure, another player has stepped forward with a bold offering.

TeamGroup has announced its entry into the 64TB SSD space with the T-CREATE MASTER Ai I5U U.2 PCIe 5.0 SSD, a high-capacity solid-state drive built with enterprise workloads in mind.

This launch comes about a year after Western Digital teased a similar PCIe Gen5 model for AI applications, and five years after Nimbus Data introduced the first 64TB SSD, the ExaDrive NL series.

Enterprise-first design with next-gen performance specs

Unlike consumer SSDs competing for a spot among the best portable drives, TeamGroup’s latest entry is aimed squarely at enterprise environments.

With support for the U.2 PCIe 5.0 interface and storage capacity maxing out at 64TB, the I5U is positioned as a tool for cloud-based databases and edge computing.

According to TeamGroup, it is “designed specifically for cloud infrastructure and database applications” and optimized for the demands of “large language models” and intensive AI-driven workloads.

PCIe Gen5 has become the benchmark for future-proof performance in both consumer and enterprise sectors, but claims such as “ultra-fast PCIe Gen5 speeds with enterprise-grade endurance” should be treated with caution.

Until third-party benchmarks emerge, it’s difficult to evaluate the drive’s real-world reliability and performance.

Past efforts to identify the best SSDs based purely on theoretical throughput have often ignored key factors like thermal performance, latency under load, and sustained write consistency, all of which are critical in large-scale deployments.

TeamGroup’s entry also arrives amid a broader trend of high-capacity SSDs hitting the market. From Solidigm’s 61.44TB D5-P5336 to Micron’s 6.144TB 6550 Ion SSD, competition in the ultra-high-capacity segment is heating up.

One element that remains unclear for TeamGroup’s I5U is pricing. Enterprise-grade drives at this scale rarely come cheap, but TeamGroup is known for value-oriented options.

This raises speculation that its 64TB SSD might come closer to affordability than previous alternatives.

While it's unlikely to ever replace the best external HDDs in terms of raw cost per gigabyte, it signals that ultra-high-capacity SSDs are edging closer to broader adoption.

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Relegated Tractor Boys host a Hammers team aiming for a fifth win under Graham Potter.

Mikel Arteta's runners-up finish their campaign against the relegated Saints.

• One UI 8 could be available in beta very soon
• The software update is based on Android 16
• A new Running Coach feature could be included

While One UI 7 has only just recently been pushed out to the masses by Samsung, it looks as though One UI 8 will be following it very shortly – and the software upgrade could well come with a new Running Coach feature included.

As spotted by tipster @tarunvats33 (via Android Central), a message sent through the Samsung Members app on Galaxy devices gives instructions for joining the One UI 8 beta program, suggesting it's going to be opened up in the near future.

One UI 8 is Samsung's take on Android 16, and it makes sense for Samsung to try to get as close to Google's software update cycle as possible. Google has hinted at a June launch for Android 16, with rumors pointing to Tuesday, June 3 as the big day.

Samsung hasn't said anything officially about dates or availability, but it seems likely that the Samsung Galaxy S25 series will be the first devices eligible to be signed up for the beta program, for those who want to try it ahead of the full release.

Getting running coaching

Samsung Running Coach#OneUI8 #Samsung #OneUI pic.twitter.com/EPF2ZiP4hwMay 23, 2025

As the One UI 8 beta program gets closer to opening up, we've also got a tip about a new Running Coach feature, which was spotted by @GerwinvGiessen (via SamMobile). It's possible the feature will be part of the Samsung Health app, or a standalone app.

Based on screenshots posted to social media, the coach uses the tracking capabilities of your phone or smartwatch to analyze your current running level, and then makes personalized recommendations about improvements.

"Running Coach uses 'level up' assessments to determine your fitness level and adjust your running program accordingly," one of the information screens says. "This helps track your progress and keep the risk of injury low as you gradually improve your fitness."

There's been no announcement about any of this from Samsung, but we might get one in July sometime: that's when the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 are expected to arrive, and they're rumored to be coming with One UI 8 on board.

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Collectors who want to complete a master set are finding that it's just too hard to keep up with the game.

Pistachio is the hottest flavor of 2025, and if you've walked past a high street coffee shop recently, you'll almost certainly have seen ads for green-tinted lattes in the window. The trend started last year, when pistachio-filled Dubai chocolate (initially created to satisfy pregnancy cravings) began appearing in social media videos, and now Nespresso has got in on the act with a vanilla and pistachio-flavored coffee pod.

I spotted the green and cream-colored Nespresso Vertuo Vanilla Pistachio capsules on the Nespresso website a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't resist adding a pack to my order. So what are they like, and can they compete with the likes of Starbucks?

First, a word on serving. Each Vertuo pod produces a double shot of flavored espresso, and is intended to be enjoyed as a long drink over ice. I wouldn't recommend drinking the shot straight – although it's based on sweet arabica beans that would probably be delicious alone, the natural vanilla and pistachio flavor is pretty powerful, allowing it to withstand being diluted.

(Image credit: Future)

I inserted a pod into my trusty Nespresso Vertuo Pop (one of the best Nespresso machines around if you have a small kitchen), attached the drip tray platform to raise my measuring cup to the appropriate height, locked the lid and hit the brew button.

A few seconds later, I had a sweet-smelling double espresso ready to be poured over a generous helping of ice. I'm fond of an iced latte, so I finished my drink with cold foam made using the De'Longhi Primadonna Aromatic, which I'm currently testing.

If you don't have a milk frother for your Nespresso machine, take a look at the Nespresso Aeroccino 4, which is a compact standalone device that can produce hot or cold foam using dairy or plant-based milk.

(Image credit: Future)

I tried the Vanilla Pistachio Nespresso coffee as an iced caffe latte and an iced latte macchiato. Overall, I'd recommend the first option, as the potent flavor benefits from being combined thoroughly with the milk. There's no need to worry about watering down the taste.

When you get the balance right, the result is one of the tastiest Nespresso drinks I've tried so far. Sometimes flavored coffees can have a bitter or artificial-tasting edge, but that's not the case here. With plenty of ice and cold milk, you get a refreshing and well-rounded flavor that's tasty but not excessively sweet.

If you feel like something more dessert-like, Nespresso has a recipe for an iced pistachio vanilla oat latte using the capsules, which includes marshmallows for extra indulgence.

(Image credit: Future)

It's delicious, but I also picked up a pack of Nespresso's Coconut Vanilla pods with my order, so I'm interested to see how the two compare. These are also intended to be served cold over ice, but unlike the pistachio pods, they brew a long black coffee to be savored like cold brew. Will they be as refreshing? I'll find out soon.

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, May 25 (game #448).

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 #449) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Body language

NYT Strands today (game #449) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• STEW
• WORN
• GROW
• TEAK
• TASTE
• WROTE

NYT Strands today (game #449) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #449) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

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 #449) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #449, are…

• HANDSHAKE
• SALUTE
• SHRUG
• KOWTOW
• NAMASTE
• CURTSEY
• SPANGRAM: GESTURES

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 hint

I struggled with today’s Strands, after a great start seeing HANDSHAKE and SALUTE immediately and then the GESTURES spangram.

A hint gave me SHRUG, but I struggled to see NAMASTE among the seven letters before me. I think this may be due to thinking that namaste was just a greeting rather than a gesture – although thinking about it, I realize it’s something that's never said without the palms coming together at the chest and a slight bow of the head.

Meanwhile, KOWTOW is a word that really should be used more commonly to describe political discourse in various countries around the globe – once a prominent part of Chinese rituals where underlings would suffer the indignity of submission, now kowtowing goes on everywhere.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, May 25, game #448)

• SELL
• DONATE
• LABEL
• DECLUTTER
• REORGANIZE
• SPANGRAM: SPRING CLEANING

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.

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, May 25 (game #714).

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 #715) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• JOKER
• TEDDY
• SHEET
• FRIDGE
• POLAR
• TOWEL
• COUNTER
• GUMMY
• SLIP
• DIN
• WASHCLOTH
• HOSE
• REVERSE
• PILLOWCASE
• GARTER
• OPPOSITE

NYT Connections today (game #715) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Stacked together
• GREEN: The flip side
• BLUE: Garments
• PURPLE: Gamble on changing the first letter

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 #715) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: ITEMS IN A LINEN CLOSET 
• GREEN: DIAMETRIC 
• BLUE: LINGERIE 
• PURPLE: CARD GAMES WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED

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

NYT Connections today (game #715) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #715, are…

• YELLOW: ITEMS IN A LINEN CLOSET PILLOWCASE, SHEET, TOWEL, WASHCLOTH
• GREEN: DIAMETRIC COUNTER, OPPOSITE, POLAR, REVERSE
• BLUE: LINGERIE GARTER, HOSE, SLIP, TEDDY
• PURPLE: CARD GAMES WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED DIN, FRIDGE, GUMMY, JOKER

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

I immediately thought that JOKER must have something to do with cards – and I wasn’t wrong. However, I didn’t see CARD GAMES WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED; kudos if you’re one of those clever people who did.

ITEMS IN A LINEN CLOSET was easier to spot, although I had “white wash load” in my mind, as that’s when I tend to see them together rather than a designated area.

I made my mistake with DIAMETRIC, thinking that POLAR didn’t fit. I took a stab in the dark with SLIP, thinking the group had something to do with evasion or trickery before seeing sense.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, May 25, game #714)

• YELLOW: PLAYING CARDS ACE, JACK, KING, QUEEN
• GREEN: DOPPELGÄNGER CLONE, DOUBLE, RINGER, TWIN
• BLUE: EAR PIERCING SITES CONCH, HELIX, LOBE, ROOK
• PURPLE: __ MAIL CHAIN, ELECTRONIC, JUNK, SNAIL

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.

Looking for a different 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, May 25 (game #1217).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 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 #1218) - hint #1 - VowelsHow 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 #1218) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1218) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo 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.

Quordle today (game #1218) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1218) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• B

• H

• A

• S

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

Quordle today (game #1218) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1218, are…

• BLEAT
• HOWDY
• ASIDE
• SCOOP

A terrible round for me today with one bad guess – LEAPT instead of BLEAT and one unlucky one – HOODY instead of HOWDY.

The pair of errors took me close to the edge, something I’m not used to since finally discovering the three-starter-word technique. Ah, memories.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1218) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1218, are…

• TRASH
• NOVEL
• VIGIL
• ELFIN

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEAN
• Quordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLAR
• Quordle #1215, Friday, 23 May: SHIRE, GIANT, AWAIT, CAPER
• Quordle #1214, Thursday, 22 May: LOSE, GLOVE, STINT, EXCEL
• Quordle #1213, Wednesday, 21 May: NOVEL, CHOSE, DIRTY, DONUT
• Quordle #1212, Tuesday, 20 May: DECOY, SHAKE, MAPLE, PURER
• Quordle #1211, Monday, 19 May: LINK, HANDY, DITCH, WAIVE
• Quordle #1210, Sunday, 18 May: QUACK, ROACH, PURGE, DOWNY
• Quordle #1209, Saturday, 17 May: STRIP, RANGE, UNITE, GEESE
• Quordle #1208, Friday, 16 May: SHEEP, SNUCK, DRIFT, BREAK
• Quordle #1207, Thursday, 15 May: PAINT, CROUP, PEDAL, FLUKE
• Quordle #1206, Wednesday, 14 May: FAVOR, METER, PICKY, MAKER
• Quordle #1205, Tuesday, 13 May: SCENT, AGAPE, POLAR, YEARN
• Quordle #1204, Monday, 12 May: ROYAL, ARGUE, BUNCH, READY
• Quordle #1203, Sunday, 11 May: QUASH, MUNCH, ALTER, UNDUE
• Quordle #1202, Saturday, 10 May: RELIC, BADGE, CHAMP, SATIN
• Quordle #1201, Friday, 9 May: MINUS, CRIME, NOSEY, SLAIN
• Quordle #1200, Thursday, 8 May: ELUDE, GREET, POPPY, ELITE
• Quordle #1199, Wednesday, 7 May: QUOTH, TRUNK, BESET, NAIVE
• Quordle #1198, Tuesday, 6 May: UNITE, SOGGY, FILET, PORCH