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Linux users claim they want mainstream adoption, but here's why they don't
In a rational world, Linux is just an operating system and people who genuinely believe it's a better operating system than the alternatives would want it to become as easy to use and popular as possible.
5 Milwaukee tools you can’t get from Makita
Every homeowner or DIYer has a few power tools from their preferred brand, with Milwaukee being a popular choice. And while most brands offer the essentials, what sets Milwaukee apart is its vast selection of unique, niche, or trade-specific tools. With that in mind, here are some neat Milwaukee tools you can't get from Makita.
I wanted a repairable phone, but the Fairphone 6 still has a breaking point
I have long loved the idea of owning a Fairphone, but it wasn't until the latest generation that I decided to make the switch. Unfortunately, shortly after placing the order, I realized this phone wouldn't quite live up to its promise of being fully repairable. In some areas, it is just as vulnerable as any other phone.
Stop trusting viral 3D printer hacks—they're hiding the real problems with your machine
YouTubers are great at driving interest in 3D printers, especially with fancy time-lapses and early hardware reviews. Some of these polished tutorials tend to hide a trend of viral hacks created for views instead of engineering quality. But replacing mechanical knowledge with surface-level tricks can inadvertently hide hardware problems that need careful consideration.
Digital minimalism is overrated—how more devices made me more productive
Digital minimalism is one of those ideas that sounds wise until you actually live it. The promise is fewer devices, more focus—but what you often get instead is one overloaded machine pulling you in six directions at once. I know because I tried it, and my "optimized" two to three device setup was quietly one of the most distracted periods of my life. More devices fixed that—and the reason has its roots in behavioral psychology.
Score the Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop for its lowest price yet
SAVE $600.99: As of April 21, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop for $899 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's a discount of 40% and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop $899 at Amazon$1,499.99 Save $600.99 Get Deal
If you're still struggling to keep your home clean when you've got a busy schedule or a full house, you don't have to deal with it alone. You can recruit a robot vacuum to help whip your home into shape, and it won't cost you an entire paycheck. Case in point: we found this robot vacuum for its lowest price ever, and it's got every feature you could want to help tidy up your home in record time.
As of April 21, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop for $899 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's a discount of 40% and the lowest price we've seen.
SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of lazinessThis robot vacuum and mop eliminates a few steps from your routine. It boasts a strong 19,500Pa of suction to help cut through the dirt, debris, and hair ground into the carpet. All of this is stored in its bagless auto-emptying station. It can handle all the mess, so you just have to occasionally empty the station when it gets full.
It can find its way around your home and create maps of each room to eliminate bumping into things and navigational slowdowns. It can also swap between robot vacuum and mop with ease so you don't have to worry about which mode to use. With its high-density roller, it can scrub hard-to-reach stains as well as edges and corners. When it's finished with its cleaning session, it'll even refill its own tank.
if you're ready to offload these tasks to a robot, now's the time to jump in while this model is the lowest price it's been.
The Soundcore Space 2 headphones prove why Soundcore is the budget brand to beat
Don't you love it when the universe seems to be listening?
For instance, my colleague Samantha Mangino just wrote about how great the budget-friendly Soundcore Space One headphones are, and voilá, Soundcore's new Space 2 headphones are officially available at Amazon and Soundcore's website as of April 20.
Naturally, I couldn't be one to close my ears off to what the universe was offering me, so I got my hands on a pair of the Soundcore Space 2 headphones ahead of their launch, and tested them out over the course of the past two weeks. (As a headphones reviewer, I guess this is also technically my professional obligation, but still.)
Knowing that the Space Ones are great, I've had my eye on the second-gen headphones since their announcement at Mobile World Congress in March — I'm happy to report that these headphones do not disappoint. At a price point far more accessible than premium flagship releases these days, I could see these headphones being the best option for most people, especially if you don't need the absolute top-of-the-line features.
Of course, budget products always come with a few trade-offs, and the Space 2s are no exception. So let's get into it.
Soundcore Space 2: Price and specs The Soundcore Space 2 headphones look (and sound) great. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableIn an era where one of the big constants of headphones releases is increasing price points, it's nice to see a brand launching well-rounded headphones that don't cost several hundred dollars. It's especially pleasant to see headphones that are just $129.99, as the Soundcore Space 2 are. While this is $30 more than the Space One's $99.99, it's still an incredibly competitive price point. Here's what you'll get with the headphones:
Battery life: 50 hours with ANC on, 70 hours with ANC off
Quick charge: Five minutes of charge for four hours of playback
Listening modes: Noise cancellation, normal, transparency
Drivers: Double-layer 40mm diaphragm drivers
Multipoint connection: Yes, up to two devices
Equalizer: Eight-band custom equalizer, with 22 equalizer presets
Spatial audio: Yes
Audio codecs supported: SBC, AAC, and LDAC
Passive playback: Yes
On-ear controls: Noise cancellation button, multifunction button, power/Bluetooth button, and volume controls
Colors: Seafoam green, white, black
Out of the box, the Space 2 headphones sound balanced, clear, and generally pretty damn great. But you don't have to stop there.
With the companion app, the Space 2 headphones allow for plenty of customization. There's the eight-band custom equalizer, the HearID test that helps you find your sonic preferences, and the 3D Sound (Soundcore's name for spatial audio). And, as on other Soundcore audio devices, you have your pick from 22 preset equalizer options, too. (I remain partial to the Treble Booster).
I put these headphones to the test with plenty of variety, including "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age, "Aerodynamic" by Daft Punk, "Hooligan" by BTS, and "Here is Someone" by Japanese Breakfast. Whether it was the rock-heavy punches from Queens of the Stone Age, the bass-forward mix of BTS's song, or the lilting vocals and soft strings of "Here is Someone," the Space 2 headphones handled the soundscape deftly. I even listened back to a podcast episode I edited (and therefore, was very familiar with) — Soundcore's headphones sounded great.
SEE ALSO: The 12 best headphones of 2026 — we tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and BeatsAs a self-proclaimed spatial audio skeptic, I was also pleasantly surprised by the 3D sound feature. Generally, I find spatial audio to sound hollow and tinny in a way that very much does not immerse me. And while Soundcore's version didn't work unanimously across genres, for some songs (again, like "No One Knows") it added the immersive sense, without losing a sense of the song's fullness.
Finally, their noise cancellation. I don't have too much to say here — it's nothing astounding, but it certainly gets the job done, especially on lower-pitched hums. That means if the main reason you're getting noise-cancelling headphones is to block out a lot of talking, you might find these aren't best suited to your needs. Soundcore recommends these for plane rides in particular. While I didn't get a chance to travel during my testing period, I can attest to them being great headphones and great for busy households. Living with eight of my family members in Southern California, I'm very attuned to the sounds of other people playing music, TV shows, cooking, or sounds of the neighborhood, like gardeners with leaf blowers or cars driving by — these headphones handled all of the above with ease.
A better-than-budget look and wearIn my experience, budget headphones tend to show their price point in their design. Maybe they're clunky, have odd colorways, or are more prone to squeezing the head.
This was not the case with the Space 2 headphones. The memory foam ear cushions and padded band made hours of wear entirely possible and comfortable — even when I wore hats or my glasses. The on-ear buttons were intuitively placed, with two on each side (and some customization available through the app), which made pausing music and switching to the next song entirely possible without ever reaching for my devices.
Soundcore's headphones look better than your average pair of budget headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableIn a similar vein, the wear detection worked well most of the time. Mainly, it faltered if the sensor was blocked (one time when I put my headphones on my lap, and another when I only removed one ear cup from my ear). Still, for $130, I'm not complaining.
Finally, Soundcore gives the option of three colorways on these headphones, all of which are cute and fit in with more expensive headphones, like the Bose QuietComforts.
Black and white are the other two available colorways on the Space 2 headphones. Credit: Soundcore Credit: Soundcore Some of the best battery life availableThis isn't going to be a very long section because it's quite straightforward, but the battery life on these headphones deserves a call-out. With noise cancellation, you can get 50 hours of playback. Noise cancellation and wear detection drops that to 45 hours, while no noise cancellation bumps it up to 70 hours. Long story short, it'll take you a minute to run down the battery life.
In my two weeks of testing, they finally ran out on the very last day I was using them — and even then, a five-minute quick charge got me 20 percent of the battery life back. For comparison, significantly more expensive headphones like the Bose QC Ultra 2 and Sony XM6 headphones can each run for 30 hours with ANC. Only a handful of options fall in the higher battery life range, like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Marshall Monitor III headphones, which offer 60 and 70 hours with ANC, respectively.
Unexpected extrasIf a pair of headphones $130 or under nails the sound and design and has decent battery life, I'm typically not expecting much more from them. And yet, this is Soundcore.
What that means is that these headphones come with a couple of interesting extras. One piqued my interest more than the other, but I appreciate the inclusion of both. Let's start with the nap mode feature, which allows you to set white noise and a timer for taking a nap. It's not the most surprising feature, considering Soundcore makes the best sleep earbuds on the market, but I'm not sure over-ear headphones are the most sleep conducive. Still, I guess it's nice that the option is there.
More intriguing was the live translation feature. I'd encountered it before on Soundcore's open earbuds and found it to be pretty reliable. I tested it again by making my friend speak to me in Korean and my mom speak to me in Spanish — with both languages, the translation was about 80 to 90 percent accurate, and relatively fast working. The only place it didn't work was with the automatic language detection — the app kept crashing. However, inputting the language that was to be translated first worked with great results.
What the Soundcore app shows you while using the Live Translation feature. My friend deemed this "impressively accurate." Credit: Screenshot / Soundcore The budget pitfallsI genuinely had a hard time coming up with features of these headphones that I found to be less than ideal. While I don't think any of these features are experience-destroying, they're worth being aware of before purchase.
Slight creaking: While this wasn't the most noticeable, I could occasionally hear slight creaking from the headphones when I moved my head — especially when I wasn't streaming audio. It wasn't nearly as bad as I'd experienced on the JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones, but it was more noticeable than on a more expensive pair of headphones, like the Bose QuietComforts.
App isn't the best for accessing all the features: These headphones are decently feature-rich, but the app can be a little confusing to navigate, with too many menus hiding all the options for customization.
Noise cancellation lets in higher tones: The noise cancellation for low-tones is great — for higher tones like talking, these headphones tend to show their price more. That's not to say it doesn't work well — it does — but you shouldn't expect Sony performance here.
In a word, yes. In two words, absolutely yes.
Soundcore made a name for itself in creating excellent budget products, and it holds that name up with the Space 2 headphones. I can't think of another pair that offers the same balance of performance, design, and functionality, making these a great buy for everyone, from students to folks on a budget looking for a pair of everyday headphones.
Soundcore Space 2 $129.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Soundcore
Pixar's best movie isn't one of the old classics, it's this blockbuster from 2017
When you think of the best Pixar movies, a few likely come to mind first—maybe the always-popular Toy Story series or the emotional rollercoaster of Up.
These 3 self-hosted apps are the only reason I finally added more RAM to my NAS
You might think of your NAS as a "build once and forget about it" thing. The thing is, however, that just like your computer does, your NAS can benefit from upgrades. And a really good upgrade people often overlook is RAM. Here's why it'd be worth it to upgrade—if you can afford these RAM prices, that is.
Here’s when your Samsung Galaxy will get Android 17 (One UI 9)
While most Galaxy owners are still waiting for the One UI 8.5 release, Google and Samsung have already begun testing the next big update, One UI 9, based on Android 17. Google announced Android 17 in February and is now beta-testing the new software, which will be available on Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets soon.
5 open-source operating systems everyone mistakes for Linux
Linux has been used as a catch-all term for any free, open-source operating system that prioritizes user control over systems like Windows or macOS. Although many share command-line interfaces and a philosophy of freedom, calling every open-source project a Linux distribution ignores important details about computing history and engineering. There are distinctions you need to understand if you want to appreciate the complexity and variety of open-source software. Just remember, not everything that is an outsider is Linux, even though distros can be very different.
I froze PC upgrades for a year—here's why you should do the same
Going into 2026, I had big plans for my PC. But the current state of the market (read: the dumpster fire that it is, rather) made me reconsider. Majorly.
Amazon Pet Days returns in May: Everything you need to know about Prime Day for pets
Amazon isn't hosting its next big sitewide sale until Prime Day in July (or maybe June). But in the meantime, pet owners will be able to stock up on discounted food, treats, toys, apparel, grooming supplies, and other pet essentials during its fifth annual Amazon Pet Days sale next month.
The retail giant confirmed Tuesday that the event will run from May 11 to 15 this year, which makes it the longest Amazon Pet Days sale ever. Here's what you should know about it ahead of time.
What is Amazon Pet Days?Amazon Pet Days is Amazon's yearly sale on pet supplies — pretty straightforward. It always happens in May, which is National Pet Month, but it's never been a five-day event before. It started as a 24-hour event in 2022 and ran for 48 hours from 2023 to 2025. (This is becoming a pattern for Amazon: Last year, it extended its flagship Prime Day sale from 48 hours to four days.)
What kind of deals to expect during Amazon Pet DaysAmazon Pet Days will bring deals on pet essentials for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and small mammals, including kibble from big-name brands like Blue Buffalo, Hill’s Science Diet, Iams, and Purina. It tends to be a good opportunity to save on the sort of unglamorous petkeeping stuff you probably need to buy anyway, like a new bag of dental chews or a fresh tub of kitty litter.
Amazon typically drops a selection of early Amazon Pet Days deals in late April as a way of previewing some of the sale's top offers.
Do you have to be a Prime member to shop Amazon Pet Days?Amazon Pet Days is often called "Prime Day for pets," but unlike actual Prime Day, it's not exclusive to members of Amazon's Prime program — anyone can shop the deals. However, Prime members get the extra benefit of free same-day, one-day, or two-day delivery on millions of items (with no order minimums), which can come in clutch if you find yourself suddenly low on, say, food or poop bags.
If you haven't had a Prime membership recently, you may be eligible for a free 30-day trial.
Half Man review: Is Richard Gadds new series as good as Baby Reindeer?
It's all very well making ground-breakingly good TV, but what happens when you have to follow it up?
This is the challenge faced by Half Man, Richard Gadd’s new limited series following his massive success with 2024's Baby Reindeer.
So how does the series, directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, compare? Well, the two shows have their similarities and differences. Half Man isn't as funny as Baby Reindeer. Both are very dark. Both have characters at war with themselves. The question is, which is better? And how can Half Man hope to compete with a predecessor that earned so many viewers, armchair detectives, and awards?
SEE ALSO: The 20 best TV shows streaming on Max What's Half Man about?Set in Glasgow, Scotland, the six-episode BBC/HBO show jumps between two timelines. Each episode is framed by snapshots of a wedding in the present day. Niall (All of Us Strangers' Jamie Bell) is getting married. But the occasion is marred by the arrival of his step-brother Ruben (Gadd), who clearly has unfinished business with Niall that goes beyond wishing him all the best for the future.
Flashbacks slowly reveal why. The first three episodes take us back to the main characters' teenage years, when a bullied Niall (Mitchell Robertson) sees his life upended by Ruben (Stuart Campbell) being released from a young offender's institute and coming to live with him and his mother Lori (Neve McIntosh). Niall, a vulnerable teen struggling with his sexuality, is both obsessed with and afraid of Ruben — a tall boy with tattoos and a swagger, who seems to cause chaos wherever he goes.
Half Man follows the highs and lows of their lives, from school and university into adulthood, watching as the two rely on, love, and at times despise one another, all while the series tries to unpack what it is that makes a person the way they are.
Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson play a young Ruben and Niall. Credit: Anne Binckebanck / HBO Half Man is a painful exploration of masculinity and sexualityOne of the main themes that runs throughout the show is Niall's struggle with his sexuality. He's clearly aware of his attraction to men from a young age, but it's just as clear that he can't accept it. Self-hatred and internalised homophobia means he hides that part of him away. However, he later visits dogging spots (public or semi-public places for sexual encounters) and chem sex parties, which puts him at risk from blackmailers and police.
As with Baby Reindeer, Gadd's writing in Half Man does an excellent job of subtly exploring the issues its main characters face. Niall and Ruben are both closed off in their own ways, but the show allows their actions to speak volumes even when they shut down, leaving room for the talented cast to complement the script with subtle actions and facial expressions. And in the rare moments when the characters do open up, the dialogue is filled with the gut-punches we've come to expect from Gadd.
"Why can't you just be happy with that side of yourself?" Niall's girlfriend Ava (Anjli Mohindra) asks him in one key moment. "It's the 21st century, nobody cares anymore."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," responds Niall. "The fact that the world is progressing only adds to the problem because not only am I ashamed, I'm bloody irrational too."
When Ava tells Niall that "everyone who matters knows" about his sexuality, his response, delivered in a strangled yell by Bell, is painful to hear: "Because I don't know."
Niall struggles to come to terms with himself throughout "Half Man". Credit: Anne Binckebanck / HBO Does Half Man have any weaknesses?Despite only being around six hours long, Half Man crams a lot in. Possibly too much.
Moving from adolescence to adulthood, the show's time jump is a key narrative driver, making us want to keep watching to find out what exactly has led Niall and Ruben to a point of violence on Niall's wedding day — but it does also lead to a small problem in the story. This occurs in episode 4 when the timeline ticks forwards to Niall and Ruben's adult selves and the core cast changes from Robertson and Campbell to Bell and Gadd. It comes with a reversal in the main characters' fortunes that, when coupled with the skipped decade, feels jarring at first. As if maybe we've missed too much and are playing catch up.
Luckily, the feeling doesn't last. The time jump needs to happen for the sake of the story, and it's not long before Gadd and Bell's performances overcome what could have been a slight narrative misstep to pull us into Half Man's powerful second act.
So is Half Man as good as Baby Reindeer?Half Man is Gadd's first foray into TV drama that's not directly based on real life. It's a test he passes. Half Man is gripping, emotional, complex, and upsetting, telling a story of masculinity and brotherhood that feels rooted in reality even though the story is fictional. It stumbles at times but never falls, and the strengths massively outweigh any negatives.
Is it as good as Baby Reindeer? No. But that would have been close to impossible. Baby Reindeer, with its unique subject matter, incredible blend of awkward comedy and extremely dark themes, and true story tagline, felt like a groundbreaking show. The kind of series that doesn't come along every year. Half Man walks a more well-trodden path. But it does what it does well, cementing Gadd as a storyteller with a lot more to offer.
Half Man airs on HBO on Thursday, Apr. 23 at 9 p.m. ET and is available to stream on HBO Max, with new episodes airing weekly. In the UK, the series is streaming on BBC iPlayer from Friday, Apr. 24, with new episodes airing weekly.
Heated beds don't fix bad 3D prints, but these 6 things do
Heated print beds have become a staple feature on most 3D printers, even at the entry level. They help that all-important first layer remain in place, and prevent warping caused by a sudden drop in temperature once filament has been extruded.
Power Query is the game-changing Excel feature you're not using—here are 5 ways to put it to work
Looking back at my old Excel spreadsheets, I can't believe I survived without Power Query. It turns complex automation into something surprisingly user-friendly. If you've avoided it because it looks intimidating, this guide is for you.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 21, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love action movies.
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.
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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 21, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Walk leisurely
Green: Nonsense
Blue: Purses
Purple: Action films
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Amble (in)
Green: Balderdash
Blue: Kinds of bags
Purple: Starts of one-word James Bond movie titles
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 #1045 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayAmble (in): BREEZE, MOSEY, STROLL, WALTZ
Balderdash: BALONEY, BILGE, BULL, BUNK
Kinds of bags: CROSSBODY, HOBO, MESSENGER, SADDLE
Starts of one-word James Bond movie titles: GOLD, MOON, OCTOPUS, THUNDER
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 21, 2026Are 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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for April 21, 2026
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love an adventure.
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 MashableBy 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 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Risky businessThe words are related to courage.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe daring people.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Daredevils.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
NYT Strands word list for April 21Adventurous
Gutsy
Daredevils
Courageous
Intrepaid
Bold
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 21, 2026
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to travel in groups.
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 21, 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 April 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A cluster.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
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...
CLUMP
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.
Mint review: Romeo & Juliet but make it Scottish crime
From creator, writer, director Charlotte Regan (Scrapper), BBC series Mint is undeniably a modern take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Glasgow, where we lay our scene.
Leaning on the Bard's star-cross'd lovers framework across six short episodes, Regan carves out her own style of crime drama. Boasting an arsenal of cinematography, understated performances, a hint of magical realism, and a hypnotic score, Mint is a surprising, fresh take on a centuries-old story — one that will undoubtedly make its way to U.S. screens.
SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream them What is Mint about? Ben Coyle-Larner and Emma Laird in "Mint." Credit: House/Fearless Minds/BBCThe ancient grudge? Two organised crime gangs led by stern patriarch Dylan Evans (an excellent Sam Riley) and reactive young'un Liangelo Denson (Connor Newall), where abdication looms and new mutiny simmers. Our forbidden lovers? Shannon Evans (Emma Laird) and Arran Denson (Ben Coyle-Larner) a pair whose ill-advised love at first sight moment comes in a shower of sparks.
When Shannon's father decides to step away from the family business, with her brother Luke (Lewis Gribben) steering clear of such inheritance, whispers of unrest reach enemy ears — and Shannon and Arran's burgeoning romance becomes dangerous territory.
Featured Video For You 'Dreaming Whilst Black' creator Adjani Salmon on calling out the entertainment industryInstead of going granular on the patriarchal business of Dylan's criminal activity, Mint focuses on the complexity of the women around him: his wife Cat (Laura Fraser), mother Ollie (Lindsay Duncan), and daughter Shannon, all of whom evaluate their own power in the family.
The Brutalist's Emma Laird is both naive and brazen as Shannon, a young woman born into the shadier side of society, surrounded by family who adores her. The crime boss's daughter, she has a fearlessness, glamour, and ennui that thrives in Laird's hands (and Elle Wilson's lush costumes). Duncan's Ollie is a covert firestarter, carefully keeping her hands clean. Fraser's Cat struggles with facing the reality of her role in the Evans empire and the true dynamic of their family.
Ben Coyle-Larner in "Mint." Credit: House/Fearless Minds/BBC/Sanne GaultBut we're here for doomed romance and fatalistic passion, right? Ben Coyle-Larner, aka musician Loyle Carner, makes his screen debut as Arran, the one "But Daddy I Love Him" man Shannon's not allowed to fall in love with. Coyle-Larner and Laird are well-matched, giving understated performances. Instead of dramatically professed love scenes on balconies, it's deadpan flirtation in garage workshops and literal floating on air across a Glasgow park. It's real life romanticised through magical realism and dynamic cinematography — and it's all thanks to a dream team of production talent.
Mint forges its own experimental style Emma Laird and Ben Coyle-Larner in "Mint." Credit: House/Fearless Minds/BBCFor a TV series, Mint feels at times like an experimental film, music video, or piece of contemporary theatre. Director Regan, cinematographer Christopher Sabogal, and production designer Amy Maguire (both of The Buccaneers) produce a six-chapter set of stylised chiaroscuro, extreme angles, home movie footage, and copious amounts of extraordinary slow-motion footage. It's no surprise all three have worked on music videos, with much of Mint feeling as such — Patrick Jonsson's mesmerising score and a glut of Charli XCX and Joy Crookes helps.
Stitching together the chaos and the calm, editor Mdhamiri Á Nkemi (who worked on Regan's triumphant debut, Scrapper), crafts a wild ride. Documentary-style, voyeuristic shots sit beside conventional close-ups, beside sweeping overhead shots and loaded slow zooms. The effect is theatrical and dramatic, rendering violence over-the-top and giving Mint its own visual identity among crime dramas. Social realism this is not.
Regan's Mint is a short, sharp gem that leans on visual disruption to freshen up a tale as old as time. Here's hoping it reaches beyond British screens soon.


