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Whether you're buying your first cordless power tool or looking to upgrade your collection, a big decision is whether to choose a brushed or brushless motor. Every major tool brand offers newer brushless tools, such as Ryobi's HP line and Milwaukee FUEL Brushless. So, what's the difference, and are they worth the higher price tag?

I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of an AI-sceptic. I see how AI-powered search can perform wonders with natural-language queries, but when it comes to editing my code, I still like to have control.

If you've been meaning to learn Linux but never quite made it stick, it's probably not a motivation problem. The desktop is usually not the best place to start learning Linux because you already have a working desktop in your Mac or Windows PC. A NAS, on the other hand, is exactly the kind of project where Linux earns its place, and where you'll actually end up learning something that stays with you.

Our smartphones have more storage than ever, but running out of space is still a common problem while using the powerful cameras for photos and video, large modern apps, and everything else. If you're low on storage, here's how I just freed up nearly 20GB of space on my Samsung Galaxy by taking advantage of one hidden setting.

Excel's default charts often make data harder to read, with distracting gridlines, awkward spacing, and attention-grabbing colors. That's why I have a quick cleanup routine to transform basic charts into more professional-looking visuals in minutes.

WiiM has launched its first-ever soundbar called the WiiM Bar after releasing the Sound Lite smart speaker last December. And this time, the brand has a different vision—it is designed to function as a standalone streaming speaker and work with compatible WiiM gear instead of just being a soundbar for a movie night.

Genesis launched its brand in the United States in 2016 with a straightforward promise: build vehicles that could compete with the European and Japanese luxury brands without the price tag. Nearly a decade later, Genesis has grown into one of the most decorated brands in the segment, earning consistent praise from owners, journalists, and other automotive industry organizations alike.

Motorola released a new Razr Ultra, and it's a lot like last year's model, which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award. But do minimal upgrades, and a $200 price hike make the 2026 Razr Ultra a worthy buy? We tested it to find out.

At first glance, Hulu's June lineup looks extremely promising. The streaming service has added several movies this month that are celebrating key milestones, including Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (20th anniversary), AI: Artificial Intelligence (25th anniversary), and Independence Day (30th anniversary). All three movies will tap into the nostalgia of each era.

TL;DR: Amazon has chopped a whole $100 off the ASUS ROG Strix 27-inch 1440P HDR gaming monitor (XG27ACMS), now only $249. With that 29% cut, you’re getting this monitor’s lowest price yet for 320Hz QHD and a speedy 0.3ms response time.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix 27-inch 1440P USB-C HDR Gaming Monitor (XG27ACMS) $249 at Amazon
$349 Save $100 Get Deal

A great gaming monitor doesn’t need to take up your entire desk, and Amazon has just knocked a seriously speedy ASUS ROG Strix display down to its best price yet. 

As of June 4, the ASUS ROG Strix 27-inch 1440P USB-C HDR gaming monitor (XG27ACMS) is on sale at Amazon for $249, down from its typical $349 price. This 29% discount means $100 off the 27-inch Fast IPS model, with the listing currently shipped and sold by Amazon itself, free returns included, and faster delivery available for Prime members.

This cut has also taken the monitor to its lowest price ever (as seen on price tracker camelcamelcamel), not hitting a price point this low since December last year.

Along with a 2560 x 1440 QHD display, you’re getting a refresh rate as high as 320Hz when overclocked. This is exactly the kind of spec you want for shooters like Marathon, racing games like Forza Horizon 6, and even single-player games like 007: First Light, where smooth motion can make the gaming experience even better. 

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If all those Hz during high-octane titles make you worry about screen-tearing, though, ASUS’ added Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync works to keep that to a minimum — along with ghosting. 

The model in the ROG Strix range also comes with G-SYNC compatibility, DisplayHDR 400 support, USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, and ASUS’ DisplayWidget Center software, so you can tweak monitor settings with a mouse instead of going through trial and error with on-screen buttons.

If you’re open to a monitor that’s a bit bigger, Samsung's 32-inch Odyssey G5 QHD gaming monitor has dropped to a record low price on Amazon, too. 

On the off-chance you may want to make the jump to QD-OLED, you can also save $350 on this 34-inch ASUS ROG Strix Ultrawide QD-OLED gaming monitor.

If you’re also a Pokémon TCG fan, although currently not available on Amazon, the newly announced Pitch Black expansion — Booster Packs, ETBs, Display Boxes, and Booster Bundles — is available to preorder at TCGplayer.

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The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an artist.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 4, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Art supplies

• Green: Pep

• Blue: Rappers

• Purple: Apparition

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Painting media

• Green: Espirit

• Blue: Starts of classic Hip-hop groups

• Purple: Ghost ___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1089 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Painting media: ACRYLIC, GOUACHE, OIL, TEMPERA

• Espirit: GUSTO, GANACHE, VERVE, VINEGAR

• Starts of classic Hip-hop groups: BEASTIE, PUBLIC, RUN, SALT

• Ghost ___: KITCHEN, PEPPER, TOWN, WRITER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 4, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're graceful.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 4, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Smooth moves

The words are related to fluidity.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe elegance.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Poetry in Motion.

NYT Strands word list for June 4

• Style

• Composure

• Aplomb

• Ease

• Poetry in Motion

• Grace

• Poise

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a science geek.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 4, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 4, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Mixed metals.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice..

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

ALLOY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

SAVE OVER $20: As of June 4, the Lego Art Mona Lisa set (#31213) has returned to its lowest price yet at Amazon, at $79.95. This is $20.04 off its full price of $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego LEGO Art Mona Lisa Building Set (#31213) $79.95 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.04   Get Deal

This year's Prime Day sale is a few weeks away, but Amazon isn't stopping its deals until then. If you've been searching for discounted Lego sets in particular, the retailer has quite a few to look through right now. Some are even sitting at their lowest prices. The Lego Art Mona Lisa set (#31213) is back at its lowest price at the retailer, making now an excellent time to buy.

While the Lego Art Mona Lisa set usually costs $99.99, Amazon's knocked just over $20 off, bringing it down to $79.95. Again, this marks a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer, so now is an excellent time to swoop in and grab it pre-Prime Day.

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If you enjoy Leonardo da Vinci’s original work, this brick-built version of the Mona Lisa looks like a fun project to build and display in your home. Recommended for ages 18 and up, it comes with 1,503 pieces to create the Mona Lisa, along with a gold frame for displaying it once you're done. It also comes with blank pieces you can swap the eyes out for if you want a more abstract design.

Who knows how long this Lego Art Mona Lisa set will stay on sale at this price, though. Act fast to take advantage of this Amazon deal while it's still available.

If you're curious about what's new from Lego right now instead, check out our rundown of the best new Lego sets to see what's available.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Talk to people who've heard about Linux but haven't used it, and they'll often say something like, "Don't you have to use the command line?" It's possible to do more outside the terminal on modern Linux distros, but I'll happily stay in the command line. It's still the primary interface for Linux for serious users.

Despite being massively unpopular even with Republicans, there's one part of Trump's anti-weaponization fund – a deal Trump struck with the DOJ that would have set up a $1.8 billion slush fund for people claiming political persecution – that he's still fighting to keep: an immunity deal that would protect him and his family from IRS audits.

"I'm sorry, what? He gets permanent immunity from tax crimes?" asks a shocked Seth Meyers in the Late Night clip above. "I've never heard of that. Even if you're acquitted in a murder trial, the jury doesn't say, 'You're free to go, and you'll never be tried again for any murder!

"It's especially insane when you consider what we already know," Meyers continues. "For years Trump did not pay any federal income taxes; in 2016 and 2017 he paid only $750 in income tax; and according to a 2024 report he may owe more than $100 million in back taxes. Now, you might be wondering why Trump owes $100 million in back taxes. The answer is actually very complex. You see, it has to do with long-term depreciation of assets and capital expenditures carried over multiple fiscal years, and itemized deductions from adjusted gross income, and I'm just f***ing with you, he cheated. He cheated on his taxes."

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TL;DR: Amazon has listed the Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Play Booster Box to preorder at a new sale price of $154.99, knocking $9.71 off the original $9.71. That’s an immediate 6% discount on the 30-pack box ahead of the set’s Oct. 2 release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Play Booster Box $154.99 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $9.71 Get Deal

MTG’s Reality Fracture expansion isn’t even out until after the summer; you can already get a deal on securing your new box of trading cards right now by ordering through Amazon. 

As of June 4, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Play Booster Box up for preorder at $154.99, a 6% discount from the $164.70 price it had when listed. A 30-pack box, which means you’ll only be paying $5.16 per pack before tax. 

Better still, this listing is shipped and sold by Amazon directly, with delivery currently listed for Oct. 5 (slight after the expansion’s Oct. 2 release date). It also includes Amazon’s preorder price guarantee, so if the retailer drops the price again before release, you should pay the lowest price Amazon offers between checkout and launch. 

As an expansion, Reality Fracture is already being teased as one of Magic’s bigger story shifts for 2026. For its theme, Jace’s Echoverse is an alternate Multiverse full of twisted versions of familiar characters and spells, with echoed pairs, shattered mirror cards, facet foils, and other collector-friendly treatments. 

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Inside the Play Booster Box, you’re getting 30 Reality Fracture Play Boosters, each with 14 Magic cards. Every pack includes a Legendary card and its Echoverse alternative, along with one to five cards of Rare rarity or higher and at least one Traditional Foil card. Traditional Foil Lands can also appear in 20% of packs. 

As for other upcoming expansions, the upcoming Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box had a $50 price cut to just under $140. Meanwhile, the newly released Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven - Play Booster Box is now only $135, too. 

If you’re also a Pokémon TCG fan, although currently not available on Amazon, the newly announced Pitch Black expansion — Booster Packs, ETBs, Display Boxes, and Booster Bundles — is available to preorder at TCGplayer.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

3D printers come in a range of sizes, from small compact units right through to room-sized behemoths. While space is a determining factor for where your 3D printer should go, there are some things that might sway you if you have the luxury of choice.

Google-owned robotaxi company Waymo is giving a new life to its old electric vehicle batteries — by using them to fill energy gaps in local grids.

Instead of recycling the retired batteries, Waymo's initiative will squeeze the last drops of electricity from them, and dispatch that power where it's most needed.

B2U Storage Solutions, which Waymo has partnered with on the initiative, says its EV battery storage systems "act as a vital reservoir." They absorb surplus solar power during midday peaks then send it back to the grid during high-demand periods, typically in the late afternoon. 

SEE ALSO: Can Waymo and Waze fix cities' potholes?

To begin with, that extra energy will benefit California and Texas, two states in which the company already does plenty of business. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio are all serviced by Waymo. The Waymo/B2U partnership will deploy hundreds of megawatts of storage capacity across the grids, the companies say.

That's not a huge amount — the greater Los Angeles region receives about 8,100 megawatts of electric capacity from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility — but it can replace the dirty energy often used to support the grid during periods of high demand, from gas turbines to burning trash.

"Our shared fleet of EVs provide a massive opportunity to support the growth of clean energy on the electricity grid while expanding the circular economy," Adam Lenz, Waymo's Head of Sustainability & Environment, said in a statement. 

SAVE $100: As of June 4, the Sonos Era 300 is on sale for $379 at Amazon. Compared to its full price of $479, this deal saves you $100.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $379 at Amazon
$479 Save $100   Get Deal

Whether it's for playing your favorite tunes or as part of your TV's surround-sound setup, a high-quality speaker can go a long way. The Sonos Era 300 is one we praised as having "Absolutely huge sound" back in its original review, and if you've been hoping to pick it up, the good news is Amazon's knocked $100 off its price tag right now.

Usually, the Sonos Era 300 speaker is listed for $479, but both the black and white models of it are marked down to $379 at Amazon as of June 4. Sure, its lowest-ever price is a bit lower at $359, but it's just a $20 difference between the two. Ahead of Prime Day, it's still a deal worthy of jumping on while it's still available.

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Whether you're already part of the Sonos ecosystem or this is your first jump into it, the Sonos Era 300 delivers big, clear sound. In our review, Mashable's Stan Schroeder said of its sound quality that, "Most smart speakers are built from compromises, and I typically want to equalize the sound this or that way, depending on what's playing. Not the Sonos Era 300; it sounds great no matter what you play."

However, he noted that "its design is a little lackluster," but if you care more about what comes out of it than how it looks, it can certainly deliver. Plus, if you already have other Sonos speakers like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or Sonos Arc Ultra, you can pair them up for one incredible surround sound setup at home.

This discount on the Sonos Era 300 is a great one to jump on before Prime Day. Don't miss out on it at Amazon.

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