A new preview build has been released in the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program this week that looks like it’s bringing fixes for multiple reported issues, including the taskbar problem, which saw it appearing as a blank space for some users, before slowly reloading.
The Windows Insider Program is a Microsoft-run community for professionals and Windows enthusiasts who would like the most up-to-date information about new developments, and the ability to try new features and versions of Windows in order to provide feedback ahead of their release to the wider user base.
BetaNews also writes of another taskbar-related error that’s apparently been plaguing users for weeks: whenever they would load Windows 11, it would take several seconds for the taskbar to appear.
These sorts of task-bar related issues are annoying for a number of reasons, the biggest of which is that it becomes a lot harder to start and run applications, and limits the user’s ability to actually engage with the OS, since the Windows 11 taskbar is such an essential part of the operating system’s user interface.
(Image credit: Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock)
The nature of the Beta Channel update
The newly-created fix is only available in the Beta, Dev, and Canary Channels of the Windows Insider Program for now. This means that Microsoft is still testing and collecting feedback about the build, and it will probably take a couple of weeks before it makes its way to the Stable Channel (through which most users get updates that are in their final iteration and deemed ready for release by Microsoft). BetaNews speculates that this release could fall on March’s Patch Day which is March 12, 2024.
At the moment, the build that’s currently available in the Beta Channel doesn't introduce any major new features, and the focus of this update is specifically the fixes for the reported issues above. Other updates in the preview build, according to an official Windows Insider Blog post, include a new badge for Widget notifications to notify users when there are unread Widget notifications, and higher quality Widget icon images that should appear sharper.
While Windows 11’s taskbar problems did take a little while to be addressed by Microsoft, and seems the vocal backlash finally got the company to spring into action, it’s good that the problems seemed to have been finally fixed. If you absolutely cannot stand the faulty taskbar behavior, you can join the Windows Insider Program (which is free), and then join the Beta Channel.
Welcome back to my weekday Wordle Answer Diary, where I take you step-by-step through my own Wordle puzzle efforts. In this entry, we're tackling today's Wordle #258.
If you just want to skip to today's Wordle answer, (and yes, we have a page to do just that), you can depart right now. But what would be the fun in that?
If you want to preserve your streak and learn how to get better at Wordle, you'll need to make smart choices and understand the tactics that can take you from a “Winning in Five” to a “Solved in Three” kind of Wordle player.
The guide below includes how I make my guesses and images of my work. When I make a mistake, you'll see it. Maybe it'll help you avoid some of your own.
Let's Wordle together.
Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know today’s Wordle answer, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY.
Begin again
A reader asked me this week if I always start with the same word or do I “mix it up?” As evidenced by yesterday's dream-inspired opening, I mix it up any way I can. Inspiration can come from dreams, conversations, something I read, really anywhere where the lingua franca includes five-letter English words.
Getting “MOURN” in four (Wordle #257) felt splendid. I still yearn for the solved-in-three or genius-level “got-it-in-two,” but I know I used best practices to whittle down my options to a sad-sounding answer.
(Image credit: Future)
Seeing the words
Your biggest leap will always be that first word. I can choose any five-letter word but, generally, dismiss anything with double letters, as per our guide on how to win at Wordle.
There are two goals: Get as many correct letters in the right spots as possible and miraculously guess the word on the first try. Thus far, I've never accomplished the latter.
Getting ready for work, I start preparing to think of my first word when one pops into my head: ALIGN. It's not a special five-letter term, but has my favored balance of two vowels and three consonants.
I don't even hesitate, typing it in and hitting “Enter” in six, quick strokes.
(Image credit: Future)
One at a time
It's a little early to start cursing in the morning, but what the heck? One letter? Fine, it's an “A” properly placed in position one, but one letter means it would be a miracle if I guessed the right word in this next round.
At this point, I'm so desperate for more letters that I will probably try a new set of five. Remember, if I were playing in Wordle's Hard Mode I would have to use the “A.”
(Image credit: Future)
Making choices
I know, I planned on using all new letters, but I had a tiny inspiration and, even if I do reuse the “A,” I get four new letter options, anyway. This way, if I happen to guess right with “ATOMS”, I get Wordle in two! Listen, a Wordler can dream.
There is a risk, though, in using “ATOMS.” I do not recall Wordle liking plural words, certainly not over singulars that do not rely on the “S” to make it to five letters.
I pause and rethink this strategy. “APPLE,” I realize is another solid possibility. It even has that double letter Wordle so loves. So does “AWAKE,” but it separates the “A's.”
I also realize that Wordle might've used one of these words already, but if I search on Google for those answers, I might accidentally see today's Wordle answer. I just can't risk it.
It takes me a few beats to realize that “APPLE” is impossible. I already ruled out “L” as an included letter.
Time to commit to “ATOMS.” I hit “Enter.”
(Image credit: Future)
Smaller result than an Atom
Uh oh. That was bad. On the bright side, I've now ruled out eight letters, six consonants, and two vowels. I've made little progress on the board but do have more information to work with. Having the correct letter upfront is a big help.
(Image credit: Future)
A is still the key
It's pretty much a lock that the next letter after “A” is a consonant, and we have a lot of choices. “AWAKE” fits but I really worry it's been used in a previous Wordle game. If I'm wrong, it's not a great guess because I wasted a second “A” on a new letter space.
Having just two vowels left – “E” and “I” – limits my choices. There is the sometimes-vowel “Y” and that could sit neatly in the middle or end of this word.
Every once in a while, Wordle goes crazy with a double-double, meaning a word with two sets of double letters. I'm thinking of “ARRAY.”
AWAKE or ARRAY, which way do I go?
In the end, I try ARRAY.
[Enter]
(Image credit: Future)
Middling result
Clearly, I have no idea what I'm doing. I've got two “A's” but only managed to eliminate “R” and “Y.”
(Image credit: Future)
Slow it down
Rushing is not working. I've decided to take a quick break to think about what I have.
I highly recommend virtually Wordling in the shower. It's the perfect place to play out possible word combinations. On the other hand, I still have no idea what word to enter.
Clearly, I'm looking for a consonant right after that initial “A,” but the combination of “PH” is not going to work. “APHA” goes nowhere.
“AQUA” combination seems promising, but there's no remaining letter that will make an English language word. Even “APEA” gets me nowhere without that “R” to place at the end.
I need more letters and realize it's time for a new word so I can collect more letters and eliminate some, as well. There is no way I'm getting this in less than five now.
I resort to making a word that has four new letters and one eliminated one. It also reflects how I feel.
(Image credit: Future)
Seriously?
Four guesses in and I have three letters (“A” counts twice). Can you spell “disaster?”
(Image credit: Future)
The word
Of course, the answer smacks me right between the eyes. I'm pretty sure there isn't another word that can accommodate “AH_A_” when you have only one other vowel left, “E,” and ten consonants to choose from.
I move “AHEAD” with my guess.
(Image credit: Future)
Yes, right, “Great!” Maybe that should've been obvious to me sooner but sometimes you just can't see it.
Welcome back to my weekday Wordle Answer Diary, where I take you step-by-step through my own Wordle puzzle efforts. In this entry, we're tackling today's Wordle #257.
If you just want to skip to today's Wordle answer, (and yes, we have a page to do just that), you can depart right now. But what would be the fun in that?
You want to preserve your streak and learn how to get better at Wordle, which means making smart choices and understanding the tactics that can take you from a “Winning in Five” to a “Solved in Tree” kind of Wordle player.
The guide below includes how I make my guesses and images of my work. When I make a mistake, you'll see it. Maybe it'll help you avoid some of your own.
Let's Wordle together.
Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know today’s Wordle answer, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY.
All bets are off
Yesterday's Wordle (Wordle #256) was nasty. No, I mean the answer was “NASTY,” but the process of solving it was relatively straightforward. I didn't have any big, “What have I done?” moments.
It would be nice to get today's game in three, though. To do so, I may have to abandon the strategy of guessing a completely new word (all new letters) in the second round. That will require me making a much, much better first guess.
So just how deep am I into this Weekday Wordle Diary? I woke up thinking of five-letter words. They just appeared in m mind, unbidden. Before long, I'll be speaking in nothing but five-letter words.
(Image credit: Future)
Dreaming of the right words
Your biggest leap will always be that first word. I can choose any five-letter word but, generally, dismiss anything with double letters, as per our guide on how to win at Wordle.
There are two goals: Get as many correct letters in the right spots as possible and miraculously guess the word on the first try. Thus far, I've never accomplished the latter.
As I mentioned above, I had a few start words in mind when I got out of bed: “ORGAN,” “DIRTY,” and “FLICK.” They almost all lean heavily on the consonant side, which is never my preference, but at least there are no repeating letters.
I settle on “ORGAN” for the “O” and “A” possibilities.
(Image credit: Future)
Hat trick
Maybe I should sleep on Wordle more often. Three letters on the first guess is a pretty good result, and one of them is even in the right place.
With just two letters left, you might think I was in a prime position to guess Wordle in two. Maybe. It's enough material that I wonder if I can make an educated guess here and not resort to a letter collection/letter dismissal guess.
As I like to remind you, I couldn't even consider trying a word with all new letters if I were playing in Wordle's Hard Mode. This time, though, I want to see if I can cook up the right word on try two.
(Image credit: Future)
Making choices
While I'd like to believe that “O” and “R” automatically move from the first to spots to the second two, nestling up against that “I found my home” “N,” but I know that's probably not right. My solution could start with the consonant “R” or the vowel “O” could move to the second slot.
These are good letter options, though. How many five-letter words have “O,” “R,” and “N” in them?
In my head, I start word-wheeling through “RO”_ _”N” combinations. Rather quickly, I land on “ROBIN.”
I can't recall if Worlde has ever had an animal answer. Is the name of a bird type the kind of word Wordle would accept, like “CHAIR?” Maybe, maybe not, but it is a word that will both eliminate two more letters and give me a better clue about where “R” and “O” belong.
(Image credit: Future)
A flightless bird
That did not go well. Zero new letters. At least I know the location of the “O” and have eliminated one more sport for the wandering “R.” Still, that was a tough blow, as I don't think I made much progress.
Maybe I went too fast on that guess. I have three letters and a lot of thinking to do. Here's what I don't know: The first letter of the word. What I do know is that its selection is driven by the O. That vowel needs a strong consonant in front of it.
When I think of words, it's always nice to realize that most English word pronunciations (but not all – looking at you, silent vowels) make sense and will be something you can easily say in a normal conversation.
(Image credit: Future)
A guess that goes nowhere
I find myself back at “T.” A lot of words start with “T,” pairing it with the “O” makes sense. I quickly type in “TOKEN” and like how it looks. “Has that word been used before?”
Maybe it has, but guess what? It doesn't have an “R” in it. I'm more tired than I think.
“TORUN” is a word meaning grandchild, granddaughter, grandson, but that's just the kind of obscure word The New York Times scrubbed from Wordle when they bought it. Still, I am much further from a solution than I thought and may need to use it to get the answer in four.
Turns out even Wordle doesn't recognize it as a word. The whole board shakes to indicate the rejection. I still have a chance at three.
Not a real word (Image credit: Future)
Stuck at three
I am convinced that a hard consonant sits in the middle of this word. It's driving all my guesses. Also realizing that a vowel must come before the “N” at the end. With only a handful of vowels left, I'm struggling to figure this one out in three. But I refuse to give up.
[Time passes]
I shaved, took a shower, and returned to this problem-child word. I think it's time to try a different word with all new letters. I need a spark and doing a billion letter combos in my head and those I put in Wordle but do not commit to with an “Enter” is not working. It seems the “R” in space 3 or 4 is what's really throwing me.
Feeling slightly defeated, I go with “SERUM.” It has the benefit of new letters, but also the answer to exactly where “R” belongs. Bye, guess number 3.
(Image credit: Future)
All the letters
This worked out better than I thought. Not only do I now know the “R” must be in the fourth spot, but I collected the final two letters, “U” and “M.”
Because I know where “O,” “R,” and “N” must be, the answer is obvious: “MOURN.”
(Image credit: Future)
Buried this one
Yes, I'm a little sad I couldn't solve this in three tries, but nothing I had lit up my brain. Had I not tried a new word combo, but with that key “R” letter, ” I might've wasted a guess on a completely wrong answer that included the letters I had, but with the wrong letter companions.
Welcome back to my weekday Wordle Solution Diary, where I take you step-by-step through my own Wordle puzzle efforts. Today, we're tackling Wordle #255.
If you just want to skip to the Today's Wordle answer, (and yes, we have a page to do just that), you can depart right now. But what would be the fun in that?
You want to preserve your streak and, I believe, learn how to get better at Wordle, which means making smart choices and understanding the tactics that can take you from a “Winning in 5” to a “Solved in three” kind of Wordle player.
The guide below includes how I make my guesses and images of my work. When I make a mistake, you'll see it. Maybe it'll help you avoid some of your own.
Let's Wordle together.
Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know today’s Wordle answer, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY.
Feeling strong
Even though it took me four attempts, yesterday's solution (Wordle #254) in four strengthened my confidence. Seeing the “CH” combination reminds me that all those decades of writing might, in fact, count for something.
I'm so cocky that now I'm ready to Wordle from the train. I'm still using my laptop, though. I'm convinced the big screen is helping me focus.
The Wordle start screen (Image credit: Future)
The first word
Your biggest leap will always be that first word. I can choose any five-letter word but, generally, dismiss anything with double letters, as per our guide on how to win at Wordle.
There are two goals: Get as many correct letters in the right spots as possible and miraculously guess the word on the first try. Thus far, I've never accomplished the latter.
This morning, I make a slight change in tactics and look up a massive list of five-letter words to help jog my memory. I'm no dummy but I'm also not a dictionary. I can't start every Wordle with “FACES” (though I do love that as a starting point).
I spot “BREAD” and immediately fall in love (who doesn't love bread?). This word has everything: Two key vowels, “E” and “A” and excellent consonants that can live anywhere in a five-letter word. Can you imagine if this is the moment I get Wordle in one?
Could've been worse
Surprise, doing this on a train with a spotty mobile broadband connection is as risky as starting your Wordle with a word that repeats two letters. Sadly, I lost the original 'BREAD” entry image, but can present the middling results here.
Getting two letters in the wrong spots on the first attempt isn't exactly a success story, but I like to focus not only on what I got but what's been permanently excluded.
I hate to see “A” go. There are so many good “A” words like “CHAIR” and “FAITH.”
The “R” is useful and knowing that it's not the second letter makes me think it could start or end the word.
Even so, with just two letters to work with, I think I will stick with my tried and true strategy of pulling in an entirely new set of letters. I need more material to work with.
(Image credit: Future)
Wild guess
I go wild and drop “YOUTH” in there like the risk-taker I am. It's a solid word with another pair of vowels and three consonants that all could work well with the “R” or “E.” I'm especially excited about the “R” possibilities. It could work right next to that “T” or at the end of a “Y” word.
Please don't judge me because I still refuse to use Wordle's Hard Mode. It's not that I don't think I could work each word with previously-guessed letters but it's that I know the majority of you are not playing in Hard Mode. Maybe someday.
(Image credit: Future)
Slow climb
Grabbing one more letter is, if we're being honest here, not a great result. Two chances in and I have three letters. There are a lot of words you could make with “R,” “E,” and “U.” It's actually good news that none of them are in the right place.
I always take my time on the third turn. No sense in rushing to try a new word. I want to win in three. Can I see any obvious word combinations?
(Image credit: Future)
A long think
Having no “O” to go with the “U” or “A” to go with the “E” is throwing me a bit. I start thinking about “S” and “R” and where they might take me.
I always recommend putting letters into the Wordle game board to see how they look and if they work and fit in the five letters before committing (hitting Enter).
This is the trial and error phase of the game.
As I'm thinking through word and letter combos, I start considering “P,” an excellent way to start a five letter words. I know that “R” won't follow “P” (it's been excluded from that position) but having a “U” and an “E”…I stop thinking.
The best parts of Wordle are those moments of pure inspiration. Literally “PURE” is where it started. I needed one more letter and my old friend “S” seemed like the perfect fit.
I type in “PURSE.” nNever have I believed in a word or Wordle guess more.
I hit enter.
(Image credit: Future)
Hubris, you are thy enemy
(Image credit: Future)
In my defense, I cooked up “PURSE” on the train as we were pulling into the station. I then had to run uptown with the guess in my head, which only led to me believing even more feverently that I was about to solve Wordle in three.
Looking on the bright side, we now have four letters “P,” “U,” “R,” and “E,” but with only two of them in the right place. My love affair with “S” temporarily suspended, I look to see what raw materials I'm working with.
These are good letters and I believe there aren't too many combinations. At this juncture, it's critical to take stock of not only the letters you have but, based on previous work, where they can and cannot live on the board.
“P” cannot live in the first, second, or fifth spot, which “E” now owns.
“R” can't live in the second, third, or fifth spot.
This should be simple but I am now in one of those terrible Wordle loops where no configuration of the four letters leads to recognition.
I have a meeting in five minutes. I often tell people when they're Wordle stumped to take a break. Thinks might make sense in 10 or 15 minutes.
I try 'ERUPT” because that's what I'm about to do. It's a perfectly fine five-letter word, but I don't hit enter because that “T” simply cannot be there. “E” owns the last spot.
(Image credit: Future)
Monetary gains
I'm not sure why I've chosen “RUPEE.” There's the double letter attempt (“R,” “P,” and “E” are all double-letter candidates) but with a truly oddball word that few would ever guess.
My confidence level right now is low. If I hit “Enter” and I'm wrong, I stumble into fifth attempt territory.
(Image credit: Future)
Son of a gun
I am more than a little surprised that “RUPEE” was the Wordle result. That guess managed to save me from Wordle in 5 or Wordle in 6 purgatory.
Just another reminder to always think outside the box and DO NOT FORGET DOUBLE-LETTER WORDS.
Welcome back to my weekday Wordle Solution Diary, where I take you step-by-step through my own Wordle puzzle efforts. Today, we're tackling Wordle #254.
If you just want to skip to the Wordle answer for today, (and yes, we have a page to do just that), you can depart right now. But what would be the fun in that?
You want to preserve your streak and, I believe, learn how to get better at Wordle, which means making smart choices and understanding the tactics that can take you from a “Winning in 5” to a “Solved in three” kind of Wordle player.
The guide below includes how I make my guesses and images of my work. When I make a mistake, you'll see it. Maybe it'll help you avoid some of your own.
Let's Wordle together.
Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know today’s Wordle answer, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY.
Starting early
Showered and dressed, I feel ready to beat Wordle at its own game. I play today's Wordle on my desktop to ease the screen captures I'll use to help guide you.
The Wordle start screen (Image credit: Future)
The first word
Your biggest leap will always be that first word. I can choose any five-letter word but, generally, dismiss anything with double letters, as per our guide on how to win at Wordle.
There are two goals: Get as many correct letters in the right spots as possible and miraculously guess the word on the first try. Thus far, I've never accomplished the latter.
I chose “PLACE” because of its attractive mix of vowels and consonants. Look at all those vowels. How can I miss with this word?
(Image credit: Future)
Mixed results
I've seen worse first results (see #251). The “E” at the end (right letter and right place) is a nice anchor to start with. I'm not surprised to see the “C” in there; so many five-letter words include a “C.”
One thing I do not do at any stage in my process is Google words that include “C” and/or “E.” It just feels like cheating. Come on, we can do this the old-fashioned way.
(Image credit: Future)
The second guess
As happy as I am that I now have two-out-of-five letters, this is not enough raw material to construct a word. As a result, I'm going with my tried-and-true strategy of a second word that uses a completely new collection of letters. You know what I want: To solve this Wordle in three.
(Yes, I know those of you that love Wordle's Hard Mode will look down upon me. But the stats show that I'm in the majority of people playing the game, so I'm OK with it.)
Obviously, “Rough” is not the word, but I'm hoping a few of those letters are winners. As I prepare to hit enter, it occurs to me I'm doing all this before my first cup of coffee. That may be a mistake.
(Image credit: Future)
Double the fun
Look at me, picking up two new letters. Four-fifths of the way there to all the letters I need and a Wordle solution. My next guess is crucial. I can't rush things. I really want to solve this in three.
(Image credit: Future)
Three's the charm?
With four letters, I plan to spend a few minutes trying different letter combinations in my head and on the Wordle board before committing (hitting “Enter”). I need strategy, inspiration, and luck.
One hurdle: Only one letter is in the right place but I think old friends “C” and “H” might be paired together at the start of the Wordle answer.
I have the tiniest epiphany. An open vowel, like “O,” has to go after “CH.” If that's the case, there's really only one choice for what can go between “CHO” and the “E” that we know does belong at the end.
Still wishing I was holding a cup of coffee in my hand, I hit enter.
(Image credit: Future)
Wait, what?
(Image credit: Future)
Not gonna lie, I am shocked. I really thought “CHOSE” was the answer. It's a great five-letter word, and S is one of the most popular letters. I'm honestly bummed that I missed out on solving Wordle in three.
In a situation like this, where four of the correct letters are also in their correct places, the task becomes relatively simple: go through the remaining letters in your head, slotting each one into the open spot.
The only obvious answer is what just happened to me a moment ago.
(Image credit: Future)
Success
I can't really blame myself for first choosing “CHOSE” over “CHOKE.” I'm generally positive, totally non-violent, and I'm not into sports. The word simply never occurred to me.
I also consider myself lucky – CHORE is a word using the more popular R in the space there, and that could have seen me do this in five attempts, despite a strong strategy.
In the end, this is a pretty good result and Wordle credits me with a “Splendid” for my efforts. How did you do?
Winning at Wordle every day is a daily goal, but the reality is a once-a-day effort to solve a five-letter puzzle that can feel equal parts exhausting and exhilarating. Oh, those rare, solved in three, miraculous solved in two, or incredibly lucky one-and-done. It’s the four, five, and six guesses that really get you – but it’s also those journeys that teach us the most.
Well, while we could just tell you the Wordle answer for today, that wouldn't be much use, would it? Even if it preserves your streak, it's a hollow victory – this is a game where you're only cheating yourself out of learning.
What starts today is a daily (weekdays) diary of how I, someone whose very existence is predicated on a playing with and using words, solved Wordle.
Come with me on a journey of how to pick a first word (was I packing vowels or constants?), and what crucial choices I made along the way to winnow out useless letters, collect accurate ones, and then compose them into one seemingly simple five-letter word.
I'll also do my best to share images of my work. Including all the embarrassing mistakes. Come, let’s learn how to Wordle like a pro, together, so you no longer need to grab the answer.
Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know today’s Wordle answer, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY.
A mid-day break
Today, I'm playing Wordle on my desktop. I figure it’ll make capturing screenshots of my successes and failures a little easier. On a whim, I ask Siri to play The Beatles’ Abbey Road. The classic album should put me in a good headspace for puzzle work.
The Wordle start screen (Image credit: Future)
The first word
I choose quickly, going with FRAME. It’s a little heavy on the consonant side, but the solid anchors of A and E vowels make me confident I should have at least two correct letter hits.
This seemed like a good place to start. (Image credit: Future)
Disaster
In all my weeks of playing, this is the first time I have ever had a zero letters result on Row 1. On the bright side, I have now eliminated five letters from consideration. But now I'm in the unusual position of having to start from scratch. This means I'll once again begin with a word that has a decent mix of vowels and letters. Putting on a brave face, I dive back in.
Not the result I expected. (Image credit: Future)
The second guess
What’s interesting is that the calculation here is already different because key letters like A and E are no longer available to me. This cuts out a significant number of potential five-letter words.
I've used POUND on many previous Wordles. It leans heavily on consonants but also represents the framework of many other five-letter words. In general, it’s always smart to use words that, with one or two changed letters, could be a different five-letter word.
Feeling unexpectedly confident, I hit enter.
This is… going well. (Image credit: Future)
Uh-oh
Things are not going well. Wordle has clearly dug deeper than normal for this quintuple configuration. I got one letter – just the D. At least it’s in the right position. That, in and of itself, helps narrow the list of potential words to an even greater degree. Still, I have very few materials to work with here. Instead of relying on what I have to make the next guess, I must focus on what’s been excluded.
Making a new choice
I never use a scratchpad when Wordling, but I do work out letter configurations in my head before putting them on the Wordle game board. I may also start typing in potential letter combinations in Worlde to see if they spark a word idea. I can do this a dozen or more times before committing.
I also look at letters to identify possible starting letters and what I consider more obvious middle letters. These can be vowels or consonants, but the choices are usually driven by letters I’ve solved for the beginning or end of the word. In this case, all I have is that D.
Looking at what’s left, I notice I have just one vowel (I) left. Y, the sometimes vowel, is still there, but I’m convinced that if it’s in the mix, it’ll be the first letter. That “I”, though. I feel like it has to be used (hard to have a word without a vowel) and has to be in the middle.
Third time’s the charm?
With Wordle, you learn new words every day. (Image credit: Future)
I start by just typing in a few letters to see if they spark full, five-letter inspiration. “HIT,” though, does not.
The work is also full of “is this a word?” guesses. The good news is that Wordle never penalizes you for guessing with words that don’t exist. It just shudders in a rather judgy way to let you know that that simply won’t do.
Guess what, “BILED” is apparently a word, meaning, “Containing, possessing, or having an application of bile.”
Fourth round
I now know two letters, and, somewhat surprisingly, I have them both in the right place. As I guessed, the “I” belonged near the middle. By using an “E” again – even though I know it's not part of the final word – I wasted an opportunity to guess at another letter. In my defense, I really thought “BILED” was not a real word.
I need to take a beat and really analyze what’s left. So many consonants. What could that Wordle be?
In my head, I’m putting every remaining letter ahead of “I” and ending with an “ed” sound just to try and spark some insight. I try a letter combo but don't commit because, as is often the case, my idea doesn’t fit in the allotted five letters.
Stuck, I remind myself that there is a possibility that one or more letters could repeat. I don't see the “I’ doing that, but there could be another “D” in the middle. My brain feels like mush.
You try lots of letter combinations and words or non-words along the way, without committing to any of them. (Image credit: Future)
Starting over, again
At this stage, I can keep grinding away at my available letters or try a word that pulls in as many unused letters as possible to try and pick up one or two more correct letters. Solving this with two, even in the right place seems next to impossible.
In the end, I decide against this method. My problem is that I have too few vowels. The lack of an “E” before the “D” is concerning. Perhaps it’s a “Y” before the “D.”
I change my mind again and go with a word that has the benefit of using four new letters. I’m praying “SIGHT” gets me at least one or two new letters.
Trying a different tactic. (Image credit: Future)
What’s left
Not even remotely what I expected. Only “I” is left standing as “S,” “G,” “H,” and “T” are not in the correct word.
Getting nowhere, fast. (Image credit: Future)
A moment of inspiration
I look at the “V” and start thinking it’s a great letter to go before “I.” Then inspiration hits.
As I noted earlier, I have to leave open the possibility that the word would repeat one or more letters. I enter “VIVID.”
The excitement builds before I hit “Enter.” There’s so much promise in this guess. It’s educated (what’s left to choose, really?) but also a leap.
Could it be? (Image credit: Future)
Success
What a relief. (Image credit: Future)
Wordle awards me a “Great!”. It’s not much of a compliment. It knows I could’ve done better. I’ll take it, though. Just happy to be through this one.
Being plagued with annoying Gmail notifications could soon be a thing of the past if a new feature being tested by Google comes to fruition.
9to5Google has spotted a new addition to Google's email service that allows users to pause mobile notifications while the Gmail desktop client is being actively used.
This should mean that users won't get pinged for every new email message they receive if they have Gmail running on a desktop PC somewhere.
Gmail silence
The site reported seeing the feature on a test account, where it was advertised in a pop-up alert.
The feature would allow your browser to “detect if you're active or away”, meaning Gmail would be able to identify when a user is actively using the service.
9to5Google notes that it doesn't appear that the service can be enabled or disabled through Gmail settings, but instead has to be accessed through the Google Chrome settings menu itself, potentially meaning it is a closely-linked tool between the company's browser and email platforms.
The tool doesn't appear to be rolling out publicly as of yet, with no sign in the Google support pages, so it may be part of a beta test ahead of a wider launch later this year.
The news comes as Google is in the midst of rolling out a major overhaul for Gmail which brings together Google Chat, Spaces and Meet into a new, integrated view to provide users with a one-stop shop for all their communication needs.
As well as this integrated view, the new Gmail will allow users to view specific app menus in a collapsible panel, and get alerts for new Chat and Space messages through notification bubbles.
Going forward, all Google apps in Gmail will be situated in a single menu on the left of the screen. Users can switch between them by clicking on an app's menu, or point to an icon to see a preview, with the new collapsible panel able to be hidden or displayed with a click at any time.
Google also notes that individual and group chat messages can be accessed from the Chat tab, including opening into a small pop-up window at the bottom of your screen.
Google is currently rolling out the updated Gmail to select users now, with a wider rollout taking place over the next few weeks. Scheduled Release domains will reportedly begin receiving the new look from February 28.
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