Technologies
Was April the Toughest Month Ever for Wordle? Who Guesses X and Z?
New York Times puzzle-solvers faced some tough challenges in April.

New York Times puzzlemakers, what was that about? Was it just me, or was April 2025 one of your toughest months ever — for all your games, maybe, but especially for Wordle? CNET publishes the daily answers for Wordle, Connections, Strands, Connections: Sports Edition and the Mini Crossword, and I’ve seen some doozies. But April Wordle broke my streak twice. Maybe more than that. I’m not counting anymore.
Read more: Daily NYT Puzzle Answers
(Spoilers for past puzzles ahead.)
If you play Wordle, you probably have your own starter words all lined up. I almost always begin with TRAIN and CLOSE. I’m not the kind of person who just looks around the room, sees a chair and plays that word. I play those words because I know, from a list I made for CNET and based on research from the Oxford English Dictionary, that TRAIN and CLOSE contain some of the most popular letters used in English.
This month’s Wordle answers included OZONE, with a Z, the 24th-least-popular letter, smack in the middle, and three vowels that I just couldn’t place in the right spots.
But even tougher might have been INBOX on April 19. Three letters — Z, J and Q — are used in English less than X (J? Why J?). But somehow, few letters come less frequently to my mind than X.
And April ended on a tough note, too, with Wednesday’s puzzle answer being IDLER. I mean, I know «idle» describes someone who’s lazy or avoiding work. But I don’t think I’ve ever pulled that out as an insult, and I sure didn’t see the letter pattern popping up.
No one wants an easy puzzle, but April seemed especially brain-busting. There’s good news, though. It’s gonna be May! And there’s bad news. The May 1 Wordle is a stumper too. Happy solving!
Technologies
We May Know What the Next Nintendo Switch 2 Pokemon Game Will Be Called
A massive leak reveals potential details about the 10th generation of Pokemon games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, including big changes.

A new Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will be released for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on Thursday, but a recent leak might have revealed info about what’s coming next from the creators of the franchise. The names of the next games headed to the Switch 2, as well as some of the big changes to the Pokemon formula, may have been part of the leak.
The leak showed up on X Monday from the account Centro Leaks, as first spotted by Insider Gaming. Data about the upcoming games reportedly stems from a hack of the servers of the franchise developer Game Freak that happened in August 2024, referred to online as the Teraleak, that included the source code for the upcoming Pokemon Legenda: Z-A.
Among the information shared by the account was the possible name for what would be the 10th generation of Pokemon games that would come to the Switch 2 next year: Pokemon Wind and Pokemon Wave.
The Pokemon Company didn’t immediately respond to a request for confirmation about this leak.
Pokémon Gen 10:
Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves
Theme: Infinity
Directed by Shigeru Ohmori— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) October 13, 2025
According to the leak, Pokemon Wind/Wave is inspired by the Southeast Asia region and will feature a jungle-themed environment. It could also feature a new mechanic referred to as a Seed Pokemon, which is reportedly a special Pokemon that is heavily involved in the story and must be raised by the player. As it evolves, it will have a unique look that is procedurally generated, and once it’s fully evolved, it will allow the player to gain access to an island where they can find the main legendary Pokemon of the game.
The main theme of Pokemon Wind/Wave is the concept of infinity, according to the leak. This would match with the reported focus of procedurally generated content, not only with the special Seed Pokemon, but also with the islands of the game being procedurally generated, so each game is unique and could continue to grow with no end.
Also included in the leak were other details, including Pokemon on the overworld being interactable, weather affecting gameplay in some way, 18 new challenges for players instead of traditional gyms, and a few screenshots of the game in development that are still available to see at the PokeLeaks subreddit. There was also info that the 11th-generation Pokemon game could be released in 2030.
It is unlikely that Nintendo, The Pokemon Company or Game Freak will confirm the details of the leak. Expect to see the official announcement early next year, with the fall being the most likely release window for Pokemon Wind/Wave.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Oct. 15
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 15.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It includes both the first and last name of one of my favorite chefs of all time — maybe yours, too. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Chromebooks, but not MacBooks
Answer: PCS
4A clue: «Yippee!»
Answer: WAHOO
6A clue: Reveal, as juicy gossip
Answer: SPILL
7A clue: With 2-Down, chef who helped popularize chicken cordon bleu in the U.S.
Answer: JULIA
8A clue: Toss in
Answer: ADD
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Toss in
Answer: PAPUA
2D clue: See 7-Across
Answer: CHILD
3D clue: State of matter for most elements at room temperature
Answer: SOLID
4D clue: Business-focused newspaper, for short
Answer: WSJ
5D clue: Hello, in Portuguese
Answer: OLA
Technologies
Want to Watch a Podcast? Netflix and Spotify Partner to Bring Video Podcasts to Streaming
Starting in early 2026, Netflix subscribers in the US will be able to watch select Spotify Studios and Ringer podcasts directly on the streaming platform.

Netflix and Spotify are teaming up to blur the line between streaming and podcasting. The two companies announced a new partnership that will bring a curated slate of Spotify’s top video podcasts, including shows from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, to Netflix starting in early 2026. The goal is to make popular podcasts as watchable as TV, expanding both services’ reach into sports, culture, lifestyle and true crime.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
The deal marks Spotify’s most significant distribution push beyond its own platform, and for Netflix, it’s a new way to keep audiences engaged with talk-driven, low-cost programming. Early titles include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, Dissect, Conspiracy Theories and Serial Killers, among others. You can find the complete list here.
More shows and genres are expected to be added over time.
Netflix says the partnership complements its library of documentaries and talk shows, offering «fresh voices and new perspectives.» Spotify, meanwhile, described it as «a new chapter for podcasting,» giving creators access to Netflix’s global audience while expanding discovery for listeners who prefer watching podcasts.
The rollout will begin in the US early next year, with additional markets to follow in 2026.
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