Technology

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Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 26, #746.

Here are hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 276, for June 26.

Here are hints -- and answers -- for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 480 for June 26.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,468 for June 26.

Your diet plays a bigger role in your vision than you think. These nutrient-rich foods can help keep your eyes healthy as you get older.

As you get older, taking care of your joints should be a top priority. Consider talking to your doctor about lifestyle changes like taking these vitamins and supplements to ensure healthy and strong joints as you age.

If you've kept up to date with my articles recently, then you'll be aware that I've been on the lookout for acquiring the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or an equivalent handheld with an 8-inch screen.

This is simply because I want a handheld gaming PC that has a bigger screen, without going overboard like some of the unappealing devices that look like a tablet and controller super-glued together.

Unfortunately, that's not possible, since the Claw 8 AI+ is almost non-existent across retailers in the UK and the US, and opting for the Lenovo Legion Go S or the original (both using the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme) would seem a little nonsensical since I'd miss out on the processor upgrade. So, I guess you can say I've been a little out of luck... or have I?

I say this because acquiring the Xreal One AR glasses for testing on the Asus ROG Ally has left me amazed at just how much better handheld gaming can be. With a micro OLED display, an X1 chip, adjustable screen size, and distance, including an ultrawide mode (up to a 32:9 aspect ratio), it's one of the best solutions for those who want a bigger screen. However, that's not all.

Neck and hand strain is no longer an issue...

The Xreal One AR glasses massively contribute to a reduction of neck and hand strain. As much as I love handheld gaming PCs, I'll admit it's difficult to get the same experience as you would with a desktop gaming setup – and no, I'm not talking about performance.

One way or another, most will find issues with neck and hand aches (especially with heavier 8-inch devices) after prolonged periods of gaming – trust me, I can already see the "touch grass comments" – but the Xreal One glasses completely alleviate these problems.

With its follow and anchor modes, you can easily move the projected display and lock it wherever you prefer. Essentially, I could use my handheld while lying in bed and have the action projected onto the ceiling, adjusting the screen size up to 147 inches with an adjustable distance for visual clarity.

With a transparency mode, I could easily darken the surroundings of the projected display, producing a theater-like experience, built for immersion. This is best used in a dark room without any light intrusion. It's not going to reproduce what you'd get with a full VR headset, of course not, but it does a great job at placing you in the world of your content.

It's not just gaming either. The ultrawide mode is fantastic for 21:9 movies and games, but don't expect much with the latter on handhelds. On Bazzite (a SteamOS clone), I couldn't manage to get an ultrawide resolution working in Stellar Blade (the game I tested most) – so while you can use the ultrawide mode with the ROG Ally, you'll be left with black bars in-game.

In all honesty, you should never expect to be playing at an ultrawide resolution using a handheld gaming PC. That's the realm of a more powerful gaming PC instead – and this introduces the gripes I do have with the Xreal One AR glasses.

Don't judge me... I'm in love with it (Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)The Xreal One glasses are too expensive, especially for handheld-only usage

The biggest problem I have with the Xreal One glasses is their price. It retails at $499 / £499, which, if you're using it for a variety of devices, is still reasonable. However, if you're buying this strictly for your handheld (which is probably why you're even reading this) or desktop gaming PC, then it's hard for me to recommend.

This is because you'll most likely need to buy accessories like the Xreal Hub to simultaneously charge your handheld while also using a separate connection for display. For those that have handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go or MSI Claw 8 AI+, you're in luck, as they have two USB-C ports, but the Asus ROG Ally doesn't.

It's no secret that the ROG Ally's battery life is pretty bad. So, without a dock that has Power Delivery with DisplayPort or the Xreal Hub, I couldn't use the Xreal One glasses to their full potential, as I had to keep charging my handheld after 30 to 45 minutes from full charge.

The same applied to my gaming PC, as you'll need an HDMI to USB-C or DP to USB-C cable (with USB-A power) to get the glasses working. What I'm trying to say is I don't like the fact that you have to spend more on accessories, as such to get the AR glasses working at their full potential, especially when it already costs a lot of money.

When you throw in the price of the handhelds themselves, it becomes a huge expense altogether, and overall, a tough recommendation. Don't get me wrong, these are a great set of AR glasses that I'd love to use for travel and the convenience of better multitasking, but just be ready to cough up a lot of cash for the best possible experience.

You may also like...

• Stellar Blade is a prime example of how PC ports should be done – ultrawide compatibility and stable performance are a must
• Best handheld games consoles in 2025: the top systems we've tried
• Xreal has changed the game with its One Pro AR smart glasses, and I think I'm in love

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, June 25 (game #1248).

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 #1249) - 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 #1249) - 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 #1249) - 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 #1249) - 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 #1249) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• R

• G

• M

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

Quordle today (game #1249) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1249, are…

• SLUMP
• REBUS
• GUAVA
• MONEY

It took me a long time to get to REBUS, trying several invented words first and resisting the temptation to type in REUSE, even though I knew it was wrong.

Meanwhile, GUAVA was arrived at through Quordle muscle memory of it appearing in the game before.

Nothing though could prepare me for another fiendishly tricky edition of the Daily Sequence, though. Who knew so many words ended A-U-N-T?

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1249) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1249, are…

• DAUNT
• FLECK
• PAUSE
• JUMBO

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
• Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
• Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL
• Quordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVEL
• Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
• Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
• Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, June 25 (game #745).

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 #746) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• LOVELACE
• ENIGMA
• SEWING
• SUITS
• VENDING
• HAWKING
• DRESSING
• MCQUEEN
• GOLIATH
• PROTEIN
• PINBALL
• DAMAGES
• CHEESE
• BOJACK
• MATLOCK
• LETTUCE

NYT Connections today (game #746) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Think: Healthy cold dish
• GREEN: All mechanical
• BLUE: TV lawyers
• PURPLE: Top deck

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 #746) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: COMPONENTS OF A SALAD 
• GREEN: KINDS OF MACHINES 
• BLUE: LEGAL DRAMAS 
• PURPLE: ENDING WITH PLAYING CARDS 

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

NYT Connections today (game #746) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #746, are…

• YELLOW: COMPONENTS OF A SALAD CHEESE, DRESSING, LETTUCE, PROTEIN
• GREEN: KINDS OF MACHINES ENIGMA, PINBALL, SEWING, VENDING
• BLUE: LEGAL DRAMAS DAMAGES, GOLIATH, MATLOCK, SUITS
• PURPLE: ENDING WITH PLAYING CARDS BOJACK, HAWKING, LOVELACE, MCQUEEN

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

I’d like to say that I saw four words ENDING WITH PLAYING CARDS, but I thought I was making up a group of famous Stephens. This was entirely based on HAWKING and MCQUEEN. I guessed at BOJACK, but my one mistake came when I picked MATLOCK instead of LOVELACE.

Meanwhile, I am sure that the Connections debate of the day will be over COMPONENTS OF A SALAD – a category that could include many things, like tomato, cucumber, celery and indeed LETTUCE, but CHEESE? Is cheese that common a salad feature to warrant being a component?

I was pleased to see VENDING amid KINDS OF MACHINES. It is surely one of life’s great pleasures to buy something from a vending machine and see two items instead of the purchased one clunk down into the bucket.

Of course there is the equal irritation of putting your money in and nothing coming out – at which point you must resist trying to put your hand into the machine, Homer Simpson-style, and just remember that life is a balance sheet of gains and losses. And also, to sometimes let go.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, June 25, game #745)

• YELLOW: KINDS OF CHEESES BLUE, GOAT, JACK, SWISS
• GREEN: BEVERAGE SELF-SERVICE ITEMS CUP, LID, NAPKIN, STRAW
• BLUE: WOODWORKING HAND TOOLS CHISEL, PLANE, RASP, SAW
• PURPLE: BIRDS MINUS LAST LETTER CRAN, FLAMING, HERO, RAVE

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 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, June 25 (game #479).

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

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Fowl business

NYT Strands today (game #480) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• HEAT
• PAGES
• MESH
• STIR
• GRAD
• GASP

NYT Strands today (game #480) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #480) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th 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 #480) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #480, are…

• TURKEY
• QUAIL
• GOOSE
• PARTRIDGE
• GROUSE
• PHEASANT
• SPANGRAM: GAME BIRDS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

“Fowl business” immediately had me searching for the letter K, as I was convinced our search would include chicken. Instead, we were looking for fancier GAME BIRDS than the common junglefowl.

The K search led me to TURKEY, which set me on the way for an easy stroll around the grid as I asked myself the questions: how many of these birds have I eaten (1).

PHEASANT was the only word that slowed me down, as I saw “birds” before seeing the accompanying “game”.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, June 25, game #479)

• WATCH
• HANDBAG
• JEWELRY
• PERFUME
• CONVERTIBLE
• SPANGRAM: LUXURY GOODS

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.