Blogroll

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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 write.

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

DRAFT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A covering.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SHAWL

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An idiot

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TWERP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Wooly.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HAIRY

Final Hurdle hint

Sour.

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

TANGY

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 competitive.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 26, 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: Winnings

• Green: Topic

• Blue: Old-school films

• Purple: Same letters

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Championship awards

• Green: Matter at hand

• Blue: '80s comedies

• Purple: Anagrams

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 #1080 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Championship awards: CUP, MEDAL, PENNANT, RING

• Matter at hand: CONCERN, FOCUS, POINT, SUBJECT

• '80s comedies: AIRPLANE, BIG, CLUE, TWINS

• Anagrams: ENLIST, LISTEN, SILENT, TINSEL

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 May 26, 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 outdoorsy.

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 May 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the nature trail

The words are related to the outdoors.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe natural surroundings.

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 Scavenger Hunt.

NYT Strands word list for May 26

• Pawprint

• Feather

• Daisy

• Scavenger Hunt

• Puddle

• Moss

• Acorn

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 homebody.

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 May 26, 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 May 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Sofa.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

COUCH

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.

We spend a ridiculous amount of time behind the wheel. On average, American drivers rack up about 293 hours a year driving, which is basically two full weeks of your life spent in a car.

TL;DR: Your search for an affordable laptop ends here with this ASUS Chromebook CM30, on sale now for just $149.99 (reg. $369.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: 203 Trading LLC ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) Detachable Touchscreen 8GB RAM 128GB eMMC (Refurbished) $149.99
$369.99 Save $220   Get Deal

Some laptops are built to be workhorses. But if you’re looking for one that easily transitions from your work day to mindless scrolling, that’s the ASUS Chromebook CM30. This multi-tasking device goes from laptop to tablet in seconds thanks to a detachable touchscreen, and right now it’s on sale for just $149.99.

We could all use a break every now and then. The ASUS Chromebook makes it easy to sneak in a little “me time,” with a detachable touchscreen that makes it easy to switch from laptop to tablet.

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!

Whether you’re sneaking in a Netflix session during a busy work day or you like to unwind with some mindless scrolling after hours, this Chromebook lets you knock it all out on one device.

Not only does this Chromebook make life more convenient, but it’s also power-packed, too. A MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor and 8GB of RAM provide smooth multitasking, while 128GB of eMMC storage gives you enough space to save your important files.

This Chromebook runs on Chrome OS, so you can download all your go-to apps. It’s also equipped with dual 5MP cameras on the front and rear, so you can snap pics or video chat with loved ones. And when you’re tired of using the touchscreen, a built-in push-pop stylus is available when you need it.

Made from a military-grade aluminum chassis, so you can rest easy knowing the ASUS Chromebook CM30 is durable. When fully charged, you can also enjoy an impressive 12-hour battery life.

You’re saving $220 thanks to this model’s Grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing while you enjoy the deep discount.

Act fast to snag your own ASUS Chromebook CM30 for only $149.99 while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The BMW X7 has become the benchmark for big luxury SUVs for a reason. It’s fast, ridiculously comfortable, packed with tech, and somehow still manages to feel smaller behind the wheel than something this massive should.

The official Plex app works — until you start noticing what it has quietly removed, charges extra for, or just never bothered to get it right. A newcomer called Plezy is making a surprisingly strong case for replacing it entirely.

While Unix-like operating systems have captured my imagination, the first computer I owned ran MS-DOS. While these systems are widely considered different, MS-DOS helped me develop command-line habits that have served me well on Linux. While you can do a lot more than you used to on modern Linux distros without having to touch the command line, when I got started, that wasn’t always the case.

Plug-in hybrids have become increasingly popular as buyers look for a middle ground between traditional gas cars and fully electric vehicles. However, many PHEVs still come with some major compromises, whether it be high pricing, disappointing electric range, or mediocre efficiency once the battery runs low. The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid continues to avoid those pitfalls, offering one of the most complete packages in the segment for 2026.

Sometimes it's a bit slow getting back into the swing of things after a long weekend. But one thing I do know helps take the edge off is a good movie during the week. Netflix's May additions are pretty much spent at this point, but there's always something new to watch, and I've got a few suggestions.

I remember how amazed I was the first time I saw a USB-C port work as a display output. Simply plug in a USB-C cable with HDMI or DisplayPort on the other end, and it just works.

Top Memorial Day Apple Deals at a glance: Best Overall M5 MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899 (save $200 at Amazon) Get Deal Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30 at Amazon) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Past-Gen Deal Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (A16, 128GB) $299 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Deal at Best Buy Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB) $799 (save $300 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Beats Deal Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones $249.95 (save $100.04 at Amazon) Get Deal Best MagSafe Accessory deal Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger $45.99 (save $9 at Amazon) Get Deal Honorable Mention Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe iPhone Charger $66.49 (save $53.41 at Amazon) Get Deal

I'm Mashable's Tech Editor, and I drew the short straw as the editor on call for Memorial Day. But I'm kind of glad I did, because we spotted an unexpected price drop on the new M5 MacBook Air.

In my review of the latest MacBook Air, I said that this is a pretty much perfect laptop, though I wasn't in love with the price. So, with the new record-low price of just $899 at Amazon, the MacBook Air just erased my one and only gripe. In the days of RAM-ageddon, this is a phenomenal price — and it's not the only Apple product on sale today.

At Best Buy, you can pick up previous-gen iPad Airs starting at $499, or save $300 on the M5 iPad Airs with 1TB of memory. At Woot, you can score a 4-pack of the original AirTags for only $59.99. And at Amazon, Prime Members can save $50 on iPads and AirPods.

Get your clicking and scrolling fingers ready as we break down the best Memorial Day Apple deals, with big savings on Apple AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags, iPads, and Beats headphones.

SEE ALSO: The best Memorial Day tech deals you can shop this weekend — save on headphones, laptops, and more Best Apple Deal: M5 MacBook Air Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

As we mentioned above, we weren't expecting this one. We were excited when the newest MacBook Air dropped to $949, but as Memorial Day weekend draws to a close, this sleek Apple laptop just hit its lowest-ever price: $899. With the lightning-fast M5 chip, Apple's famous Liquid Retina display, powerful and well-balanced speakers, and a svelte form factor, I think this is the best laptop in the world for the money, full stop.

With a worldwide memory shortage causing tons of price hikes in the laptop space, I highly recommend jumping on this price while you still can!

More Memorial Day deals on Apple products:

• Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger — $45.99 $54.99 (save $9)

• Apple AirTag 4-pack (1st Gen) — $59.99 $99 (save $39.01 at Woot)

• Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe iPhone Charger — $66.49 $119.99 (save $53.41)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones — $249.95 $349.99 (save $100.04)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100 at Amazon and Walmart)

• Apple iPad, 11 inches — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2, Refurbished — $399 $799 (save $400)

• Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M3, 128GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB) — $799 $1,099 (save $300 at Best Buy)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inches (M5, 256GB) — $899 $999 (save $100)

Between Samsung and Google, Samsung Galaxy devices come with a lot of apps, but there’s one you may have already uninstalled that's actually worth keeping around—or at least reinstalling a few times a year.

Hyundai is recalling thousands of standard and hybrid vehicles after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered a dangerous software glitch.

According to a May 19 safety recall report, software powering the vehicles' front cameras may inadvertently cause the forward collision-avoidance system to activate. In other words: The car could suddenly brake too early or without cause, leading to potentially serious crashes. The report documented 376 reports of unexpected braking between October 2024 and April 2026.

SEE ALSO: Someone drove a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test 'Wade Mode.' It didn't end well.

The software bug was found in more than 421,000 vehicles manufactured by the company since 2024, so Hyundai drivers who recently purchased a vehicle should see if their car is affected.

Which Hyundai cars are being recalled?

The recall applies to 2025-2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and Tucson models, including both standard fuel and hybrid options. The list includes both the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid.

How do I know if my car has been recalled?

Owners of recalled vehicles will be notified by NHTSA mail by July 17. If you are uncertain if your vehicle is part of the recall, you can search the NHTSA recall database using your car's vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate.

Drivers can also take their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer to update their vehicle's software, the NHTSA says.

Are other vehicles affected?

The NHTSA issued 19 total recalls across Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, Tesla, Honda, and General Motors (as well as other manufacturers) for a variety of issues. Additional Hyundai models — including 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid vehicles and Hyundai's 2025 Ioniq 5 and 2026 Ioniq 9 electric vehicles — also made the list.'

Switching operating systems can be a daunting task—you have to figure out which of your favorite apps are supported, and find good alternatives for those that aren't. Here are the ones I installed immediately after switching to Linux.

The three-row SUVsegment is more competitive than ever, but one Korean contender continues to stand out by offering more luxury for less money. While the Toyota Grand Highlander has quickly become the default recommendation for many families, the newly redesigned Kia Telluride makes a strong case for itself with a lower starting price, a more upscale cabin, and an impressive amount of standard equipment. For 2027, Kia has given its popular family hauler a major overhaul, introducing bolder styling, new off-road-inspired trims, and updated technology throughout.

SAVE $120: As of May 25, you can buy the Bose QuietComfort headphones on sale at Amazon for $229. That's a 36% discount on its usual $359 price tag. You can also grab the limited-edition Cypress Green color for only $209.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones $229
$359 Save $130   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones (cypress green) $209 at Amazon
$359 Save $150   Get Deal

While there's no denying that the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are some of the best (if not the best) noise-cancelling headphones on the market, their more basic sibling, the regular QuietComforts, are still pretty awesome. In fact, Mashable Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino said they're her "all-time favorite headphones," and she's tested a ton. They're also significantly cheaper than the Ultras — especially now that they're on sale for Memorial Day.

As of May 25, the Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones are just $229 at Amazon. That's $130 or nearly 40% off their list price of $359. While that's not the lowest price we've ever seen for these cozy cans, it's still an excellent deal on above-average noise-cancelling headphones that check all the right boxes. Not to mention, every color option is on sale for once. You can even grab the green pair pictured in this article for only $209.

The basic QuietComforts will still deliver impressive noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, rich audio, intuitive controls (which Mangino counts as a huge perk), and up to 24 hours of battery life. The only drawbacks are that you won't get spatial audio or more advanced AI features in the app. As Mangino writes in her review, "The average person will be more than satisfied with the headphone's full, rounded sound."

If you're looking to upgrade your headphones, but don't want to spend $400 or more, we can't recommend the $229 Bose QuietComfort headphones enough.

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!

Find this Bose headphones deal at Amazon now.

You'll want to be careful before signing in to your Microsoft 365 account from an outside prompt, even if you're vigilant. The FBI says a new scam based on the Kali365 phishing-as-a-service platform can bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) by tricking users into approving legitimate Microsoft logins.

Last weekend marked the arrival of Ladies First, a new comedy from director Thea Sharrock starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike. In the movie, Cohen plays a misogynistic CEO who somehow enters a flipped world dominated by women. Come for the satire, stay for the genius brand reversals like Victor's Secret and Harriet Potter.