Technologies

Gift Yourself a Google Pixel 8 Pro for $400 Off on Google’s Birthday, and Get a Free Pixel 2 Watch

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a previous release, but it’s still exceptional. It’s now just $599 and includes incredible freebies.

If you’re looking for a new smartphone with top features and want alternatives to Apple or Samsung, then a new Google Pixel 8 Pro might be for you.

This older Pixel model still offers security, class, speed and a long battery life. The Pixel 8 typically costs $999, but it’s down to $599 for the 128GB configuration thanks to Google’s Birthday sale, which saves you a massive $400. This purchase also includes a free Google Pixel Watch 2 and a free Google Pixel 8 Pro case, which gets you this entire bundle at a major discount. This particular deal is live until Oct. 13, but we suggest acting fast.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is known for its three-camera array with up to 50 MP resolution and its selfie camera with 10.5 MP resolution. Its Pro controls allow you to choose your shutter speed, ISO and more features that let your pictures pop.

CNET’s Andrew Lanxon said in his review that, «The Pixel 8 Pro is a solid phone to consider, especially if you’re into nighttime photo taking.»

With a battery life of up to 24 hours, the Google Pixel 8 Pro won’t let you down if you have a hard time finding an outlet. The phone also includes support for AI, Circle to search, instant translation and Call Screen so you can avoid spam or bot calls.

As for the freebies included in this deal, you’ll get a case that protects your new smartphone from any drops, mishaps or scratches.

Google is also throwing in a Google Pixel Watch 2, which was first released in 2023. It includes smooth scrolling, accurate heart tempo readings and Fitbit features that can help you get a better workout. At the time of its release, CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco said in her review, «It’s one of the best-looking smartwatches on the market, and it provides a better balance of health tracking and phone companion features than Fitbit’s Sense and Versa watches.»

Looking for more deals from Google but not sure if this one is for you? Check out our explainer article on Google’s Birthday sale, which includes several deals.

MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 128GB Unlocked Phone (Awesome Black):

$350 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB Unlocked AI Phone (Gray):

$525 (save $125)
Moto G Stylus 5G 256GB Unlocked Phone(2024 Model, Caramel Latte):

$300 (save $100)
Apple iPhone 14 128GB Unlocked Phone (Refurbished, Midnight):

$334 (save $295)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

If you don’t feel the need to grab the Google Pixel 10, then the Google Pixel 8 Pro is still an excellent phone, especially for photographers and content creators.

This deal brings the phone down to $599, and scores you a free Google Pixel Watch 2 and case to boot. This is an excellent offer for anyone looking to make a few upgrades without going over their budget.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 16, #889

Here are some hints — and the answers — for the NYT Connections puzzle for Nov. 16, #889.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is a fun one. As a pop-culture junkie and game lover, I enjoyed the purple category. If you need help sorting the answers into groups, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Different strokes for different folks.

Green group hint: Ho-hum.

Blue group hint: Flags often qualify.

Purple group hint: Do not pass Go.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Technique.

Green group: Run-of-the-mill.

Blue group: Stripy things.

Purple group: Words on Monopoly squares.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is technique. The four answers are approach, method, philosophy and school.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is run-of-the-mill. The four answers are banal, everday, humdrum and pedestrian.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is stripy things.The four answers are barcode, IBM logo, rugby shirt and zebra.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is words on Monopoly squares. The four answers are avenue, parking, railroad and tax.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 16 #623

Here are hints — and answers — for the NYT Strands puzzle for Nov. 16, No. 623.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is tough. It’s a weird theme, and some of the answers are difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Around it goes.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: They’re often on a roll.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

CARE, SCARE, CRASS, SWAT, PELL, HELL, SCAR, HALT, STENT, HALTS, TENT, POLL, LOTS

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

FOIL, SCARF, SHAWL, STOLE, FLATBREAD, CELLOPHANE

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is THATSAWRAP. To find it, start with the T that’s three letters up from the bottom of the far-left row, and wind down, over and then up.