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The Windows Registry is an effective way to make changes to Windows 11, especially in situations where Microsoft hasn't provided an official way to change a setting. Unfortunately, it also comes with some potential drawbacks.

Self-hosting a VPN wasn't something I ever expected I'd do—it just seemed unnecessary. However, after using it for a while, my WireGuard server has quickly become irreplaceable. Now, I can't imagine using my homelab without it.

Although I've listed hard drives, or HDDs, among the 7 types of storage media that are officially too old, that doesn't mean that I don't use them. In fact, one of my most important, most precious drives is an old HDD which I've had for a good few years now.

Linux has a weird way of pulling you deeper. One day you’re installing Ubuntu, and before you know it, you’re tweaking configs, switching distros, and living in the terminal. As such, if you’ve been using Linux for some time now, a natural question pops up—how far down the rabbit hole have you actually gone? Here are the seven levels of Linux users to help you see where you land.

You probably own at least one device that relies on infrared communication. Infrared is the key to making dumb devices smart for a fraction of the price it would cost for a new “smart” appliance. Thankfully, Home Assistant makes it easier than ever in the April 2026 release.

I used to treat Word's "Save as type" menu like a digital museum—a collection of dusty, legacy formats I'd never need to touch. However, it's actually a specialized toolkit that can shrink-wrap your layouts, protect your master templates from accidental overwrites, and turn a static page into an automated document engine.

I spend a lot of time bouncing between macOS for music production, Linux for reviving older PCs, and Windows, where I get most of my work done. It's my default environment, and over the years I've gotten pretty obsessive about smoothing out the rough edges. Not because Windows is unusable, but because it's full of little bits of friction that add up fast. Search feels inconsistent, window management is good but not great, and too many things still take more clicks than they should.

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Interacting with PDF files doesn’t have to be a slog. PDFToolkit handles all your PDF needs while running right in your browser, so you don’t even have to download anything. And since everything is processed locally, your files stay private and secure.

PDFToolkit simplifies the PDF process for good, with a full suite of AI-powered tools. Modify texts and images, merge and split files, add e-signatures, or convert them into another format. This tool lets you easily convert them into Word, PowerPoint, JPG, and PNG files, while keeping the original layout intact.

If you need to work with multiple files at once, it’s not a problem. Batch processing makes it speedy. PDFToolkit also offers password protection and a simple way to redact sensitive information on your documents, so you can rest easy when you’re working with important files.

Since this is a browser-based tool, you won’t have to worry about compatibility. You can access it from any modern web browser, anywhere. It was also designed for speed, saving you time, as most operations are completed in a matter of seconds.

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You shouldn’t have to be on defense when you’re browsing the web. Between pop-ups and video ads, spending time online is no longer a peaceful experience. That’s where AdGuard comes in, stopping ads in their tracks and allowing you to enjoy the internet as it was intended.

Right now, you can snag a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) until April 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If you’re done dealing with ads on your smartphone, laptop, and tablet, AdGuard is ready to take care of them for you. This intuitive ad blocker offers three handy features — an advanced ad-blocking module, a privacy protection tool, and parental controls for the little ones in your life.

AdGuard kicks all types of ads — from banners and pop-ups to video ads — to the curb. It also keeps you safer online by hiding your data from hackers and blocking trackers. AdGuard can even stop malware, phishing websites, and cyberattacks in their tracks.

An AdGuard Family Plan lets you share the love, with the option to protect up to 9 devices. And it works on Android and iOS so you can keep all your phones, tablets, and laptops secure.

If you have kids in the house, parental control features are available to restrict access to inappropriate or adult content.

This lifetime subscription lets you pay once and enjoy AdGuard’s benefits forever, including future updates and new features.

Regularly $169.99, you can secure your lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan for just $15.97 now through April 12.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Theater kids can get a bad wrap for being too much and generally annoying. But speaking as a theater kid, a lot of that energy comes from an urgent desire to be known — not just seen but truly known. 

Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton understand that yearning and channel that earnestness and openness into the teen drama Their Town. Pulling inspiration from Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, Duplass scripts a deceptively simple story about two high schoolers who connect one long night after play rehearsal. Aselton directs, weaving the story across a small Maine town, turning everyday locations into sacred spaces of sharing. And in the lead roles, this husband-and-wife team chose one established young actor, IT's Chosen Jacobs, and one newcomer, their daughter, Ora Duplass.

Together, they create a hangout movie that is patient, poignant, and powerful. 

Their Town captures the frail and frightening freedom of youth. 

Beginning at play rehearsal after school, Their Town swiftly establishes Abby (Duplass) and Matt (Jacobs) through their positions on stage. She is the lead, opposite her moody boyfriend Tyler (William Atticus Parker). But when he abruptly bails on the production, Abby looks to the wings for a possible substitute, and spots shy Matt (Jacobs). There's just one problem; Matt signed up to do stage crew, not go on stage. 

With some fussy encouragement from their drama teacher, Mr. Elliot (Jeffery Self, nailing the small town determination of such an artist), the pair decide to get to know each other after rehearsal to see how things shake out. The first stop is Abby's house, where her mom and boyfriend are flabbergasted to see her arrive with Matt. A harsh mother-daughter squabble follows, propelling Abby to pull Matt anywhere else. That ends up being Matt's big, empty house, where his dads (Daveed Diggs and Leonardo Nam) will check in on him via video call. 

It's an intense thing to see a classmate's home for the first time. Both Matt and Abby are faced with a situation they didn't expect, leading to some awkward conversations about preconceived notions but also humane laughs. From here, they will wander about their town from a beloved taco truck to a locked-up playground, reclaiming old haunts with fresh eyes. 

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Watching them wander, eat, flirt, and fumble, I was riveted, in part because I could see a reflection of my own youth in their journey. After play rehearsal, hanging out with the theater kids was where I finally found community. There, my nights were rich with possibilities and the feeling of the infinite. I made friends there that decades later still know me and still shape me. Watching Their Town felt like time-traveling back to my own youth, my own hometown, sitting on a forgotten swing set in a dark night, where the only sound was our shared laughter.

Chosen Jacobs and Ora Duplass are magic together. 

Don't write off Ora Duplass as a nepo baby, lest you reveal yourself to be a fool. Though she only has a couple of shorts to her credit, it's easy to see why her parents entrusted her with the role of Abby. Ora has a natural presence on camera. Like her mother, she shines when she smiles, and she crackles when in conflict. But it's in scenes where Abby's pose of confidence falters that this ingenue reveals her depths. 

At 24, Jacobs has six years on 18-year-old Ora, and all of that (and more) working in movies and shows, including IT, Hawaii Five-O, Castle Rock, Darby and the Dead, and The Hunting Wives. Yet they prove perfect scene partners in Their Town. Their chemistry is natural and delicate. Abby and Matt don't pop onto screen as an inevitable coupling, but rather as two strangers with an undeniable connection. Her default mode is cheerful, a butterfly eager to please. He's more reserved, but not cold. For instance, when Abby chatters away in Spanish to the taco truck vendor, Jacobs' eyes reflect curiosity and nervousness, wondering what's being said and if it could be about him. 

As the night goes on, the bond between them grows through conversations about their lives, loves, and struggles. Duplass' script is too smart to fall into cliches. So even when discussing peer pressure to be perfect, anxiety, or suicidal ideation, there's an aching specificity and nuance to the dialogue. Through these two incredible young actors, it doesn't feel like a script, but like a real conversation, the kind shared across a dashboard on a starry night, or whispered across a phone line after bedtime. 

Aselton's cinematographer Sarah Whelden bolsters this sense of intimacy through a handheld camera that gently moves, reflecting the slow breath in and out of growing serenity — or, in other moments, panic. Deceptively simple framing gives her heroes space to breathe and test their boundaries. And in each moment, we are invited to be there with them. As the film finds its low point with some deeply high school theatrics, it'll wind back to resolution that embraces the magic of being a theater kid on a stage. Here's your chance to be seen. Will you take it? And moreover, will you give your partner that same gift? 

In the end, Their Town is a sublime hangout movie that brilliantly captures those nights that felt infinite, those conversations that broke our brains for the better, and those relationships that molded our souls. Aselton, who's previously helmed the racy sex romp The Freebie, the tense thriller Black Rock, and the zippy comedy Mack & Rita, completely changes gears here. Their Town is not mumblecore or a Linklater homage. It's a thoughtful teen drama that rejects the urge to talk down to young people, instead embracing their complexity and confusion. There's constant empathy for Abby and Matt, as the film follows them not doggedly, but in admiration for their bravery and growth in the face of so much possibility and fear. 

Their Town is a quietly brilliant coming-of-age drama you absolutely shouldn't miss. 

Their Town was reviewed out of the 2026 SXSW Film Festival. It does not currently have a release date.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 6, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 6, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 6 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 6 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 6 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this orange space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who like college football on New Year's.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Out in LA

• Green: CFP games

• Blue: Hoopers named Chris

• Purple: Low-seeded conference champs

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A Los Angeles Athlete

• Green: College Football Bowl Games

• Blue: Basketball Chrises

• Purple: Men's NCAA Tournament 16-Seeds

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: Sports Edition #560 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A Los Angeles Athlete - CLIPPER, KING, RAM, SPARK

• College Football Bowl Games - FIESTA, ORANGE, ROSE, SUGAR

• Basketball Chrises - BOSH, MULLIN, PAUL, WEBBER

• Men's NCAA Tournament 16-Seeds - HOWARDS, LONG ISLAND, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M, SIENA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.

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.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To hang on.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CLING

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To gain knowledge.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LEARN

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

An infection.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VIRUS

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To stir up.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

STOKE

Final Hurdle hint

A popular dressing.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

RANCH

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theatre kid.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 6, 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: It's party time!

• Green: Intrigue

• Blue: A popular kids' game

• Purple: Broadway classics

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Events with dancing

• Green: Interest

• Blue: Components of Whack-a-Mole

• Purple: Musical with last letter changed

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 #1030 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Events with dancing: BALL, HOEDOWN, HOP, RAVE

• Interest: CLAIM, CONCERN, SHARE, STAKE

• Components of Whack-a-Mole: HOLES, MALLET, MOLE, TIMER

• Musical with last letter changed: CAROUSER, EVITE, OLIVES, WICKET

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 April 6, 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 never cross the line.

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 April 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fringe group

The words are related to boundaries

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being out the outskirts.

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 Outer Limits.

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NYT Strands word list for April 6

• Verge

• Boundary

• Margin

• Edge

• Brink

• Extremity

• Outer Limits

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 don't break your promises.

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 April 6, 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.

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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Promised.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SWORN

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.

TL;DR: Get the full Microsoft Office suite on your Mac for a one-time $49.97 — no other fees, no renewals, just lifetime access.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
$219 Save $169.03   Get Deal

Free productivity apps sounded like a good idea until you hit the roadblocks. Formatting breaks, missing features, and compatibility issues tend to show up right when you need things to work smoothly. That’s why a full version of Microsoft Office still stands out — especially when it’s available as a one-time purchase instead of another monthly bill.

For a limited time, you can get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for just $49.97 (reg. $219). It’s a straightforward upgrade that gives you the tools you probably already know — just without the ongoing cost.

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What you get with Office 2021 for Mac:

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote: the core apps for writing, data, presentations, email, and collaboration

• One-time purchase, lifetime access: no subscription fees

• Built for Mac users: clean, familiar interface optimized for macOS

• Reliable file compatibility: share and open files without formatting headaches

• Instant delivery: get your license key and download right away

If you’ve been piecing together your workflow with free tools, this is a simple way to upgrade without overthinking it.

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office Home& Business 2021 for a one-time $49.97 (reg. $219).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Don't you just love a mini PC? Smaller than a laptop, way smaller than a desktop, and with specs that often sit somewhere in between. I love the idea of having a whole computer that fits inside my purse, but I have to admit that my mini PCs spent most of their lives collecting dust on a shelf. What a waste.

Finding love isn't for the weak. Dating app exhaustion is realer than ever, and while people want to branch out and meet in person, they're finding it difficult. 

One reason is that dating apps are a legitimate way to find a partner, and not just a short-term one. Nearly 44 percent of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term partner rather than just casual dating or hookups, according to the Pew Research Center. One in 10 partnered adults met their current partner through a dating app, and for younger adults and LGBTQ people, that number rises even higher. 

SEE ALSO: The best 9 dating apps for men who are tired of being alone

Dating apps aren't going away, despite fatigue. And it is possible to make them work for you if you want to find your special someone.

Are dating apps worth it?

Even using the "right" app for you may still bring moments of uncertainty and frustration (you're dating, after all), but finding the app with features that most closely align with your dating style and the type of partnership you're looking for can still make online dating worth it.

If you've been using apps for a while and are experiencing serious burnout, it's always fair to take some time off and come back to them when you feel ready. Our guide will be here for you! Even the best app can feel exceptionally tedious when you simply don't have the energy.

Which dating app is best for serious relationships?

There are so many dating apps, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to finding a serious, committed relationship.

Some free dating apps are better suited for casual flings or hookups (e.g., Tinder, Grindr, etc.), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specifically designed to help users find meaningful connections (e.g., eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).

The good news is that we've done the research (and hands-on testing) to figure out which apps work best for long-term relationships, and Match Group isn't the only player in the game. Plus, all of these platforms are available via Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone won't limit your options. Some old-school dating sites still maintain desktop versions.

To find your match, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2026:

With all due respect to the Chevrolet Corvette, no vehicle is more deeply woven into the American identity than the Ford pickup truck. The F-Series has been the best-selling truck in the country for nearly half a century, and the best-selling vehicle of any kind for 44 years straight.