IT General

Ring is a name that’s become synonymous with doorbell cameras, swallowing up a huge chunk of the market. On the surface, these cameras are easy to use and offer reasonable protection against would-be intruders and porch pirates.

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 9, 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 9, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 9 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-3 placed horizontally.

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

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 9 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this red space must be less than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this purple 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; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (4): Everything in this purple space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 9 Pips

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this red space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (3): Everything in this purple space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this red space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 3-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this green space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Between "friction-maxxing" and the discussions regarding "social media addiction," it's safe to say that we're ambivalent about our lives online. We'd love to "touch grass," yet the bright colors of Instagram Reels lure us into remaining on our phones.

Some people, though, are making concerted efforts to decrease their screentime. But musician Leith Ross is taking it a step further: They're not looking at screens for a full year.

SEE ALSO: We didn't grow up on social media. We grew up on digital nicotine.

Not literally — they will go see a movie in the theater or borrow their partner's laptop for a Zoom interview, which is how Mashable spoke to Ross. But they no longer use a smartphone or a laptop themselves. They use an alarm clock, write by hand, and only play physical games.

The Canadian singer-songwriter still films videos for YouTube — but they record on a camcorder, and someone else uploads them to their channel with over 46,000 subscribers. 

Mashable interviewed Ross about their "year without screens," why they're doing it, and how it's changing their life.

Why go screen-free?

"It was a long time coming," Ross said. They explained that they believe they're addicted to screens and that their compulsive behavior around screens of all kinds was impacting them negatively.

Whether one can truly be addicted to screens or social media is, as of now, contested, much like sex addiction. But the World Health Organization has noted an increase in problematic social media use, such as a lack of control and experiencing negative consequences. "But it felt like everyone was dealing with the same thing," Ross said. They didn't have the motivation to try to do anything about it.

One day, though, their phone was dead. Their TV wasn't working, either, or something like that kept them off screens.

Then, they wrote a song they really liked, and they had an epiphany: There are probably hundreds of songs they could've written that never came to be because they were never bored.

There are probably hundreds of songs they could've written that never came to be because they were never bored.

"I felt a lot of grief in that moment, because writing music is what I love to do, and…and it feels like something I was supposed to do with my life," they said. "And I had just not been doing it as much as I could have."

That thought spiraled into thinking about how many books they wanted to read, too, which led them to wanting to do this project. Cutting things one bit at a time wasn't going to work, as it hadn't worked for them before. So they made a plan.  It took several months to implement, but since Jan. 6, 2026, Ross has been living (by and large) screen-free.

"My year of no screens"

In a seven-page document, Ross outlines the rules for their year with no screens as well as a mission statement. No smartphones, no TV, no laptop or desktop computer, and no gaming systems, with limited exceptions. For instance, they can use a library computer for essentials, such as booking flights. Their family also requests FaceTimes, which are done on a friend's or their partner's phone and supervised. 

Ross has uploaded two YouTube updates since starting their year with no screens, one at the end of Jan. (that has over 100,000 views) and another in Feb. Since then, they (or rather, their team) have also posted a song demo and vlogs from the European leg of their I Can See The Future Tour, a string of shows to support the release of their second album of the same name.

Compulsive screen use and information overload

What problematic screen use looked like in Ross's life was a constant need to be online or looking at a screen, an extreme anxiety or bad feeling in their body when they didn't have access, and a muscle memory of always reaching for a device.

Many people believe they're addicted to social media these days, and their screentime is in the double-digit daily hours. But Ross admitted that they may be a more extreme case, saying they couldn't physically stop themself from being online or scrolling or even watching TV.

"If I was having an anxious night, I would just be on TikTok until four in the morning or later, because as soon as I put it down, I felt that like horrible, overwhelming anxiety," they said. "It was just like my constant, constant, constant coping mechanism for everything."

But they hesitate to support social media bans for children, such as the mandate enacted in Australia last Dec.

"Our aim should be less on making policy that affects the population and more on making policy that affects the tech companies that are f*cking us over," they said, "for lack of a better term." They brought up social media algorithms that amplify hate speech and disturbing content, and that there should be a moral standard for what is shared and pushed by algorithms. 

Social media gives us the illusion of being connected, they said, but we're bombarded with information in an unhelpful way that shuts us down. We don't see uplifting content like liberation work — at least, that's not what Ross was seeing during their last couple of months online.

When they used social media, they also hyperfixated on how others perceived them — a common complaint. For example, last time they toured, they'd immediately go online after a show to see what they and their bandmates looked like, what they sounded like, and what people thought. But during their most recent tour, which ended weeks ago, they "couldn't lean on anybody else's experience at all." 

"I just had to take it at face value for what happened to me," they said, "and it sounds so funny, because isn't that just the human experience?" 

Not seeing the concert through other people's eyes was strange, but it made Ross happier. They weren't overanalyzing themself, how they looked on stage, or their behavior. "There was nothing that I could cling to and be hard on myself about in that way," they said.

"I was really forced into the moment, the present, which is a great feeling," Ross said.

How relationships change post-social media

Besides their relationship with themself, their relationships with other people have changed since they began their year of no screens — for good and bad.

For the friends they see often, their relationship has improved. Since they can't keep up with friends on social media, when they see or talk with them, they're excited to hear about what's been going on. 

"It's not like I wasn't excited to hear about my friends before, but I felt like I already knew," they said.

On the flip side, they said, "I now am not really allowed any illusion of being close to a person that I'm not actually close to." There are people Ross considered close friends before the project started, and while they still do, they don't really connect as much. Before, they felt an intimacy with people just replying to their Instagram stories.

"And I'm not saying that that's unimportant," they said. "But I am realizing that…I don't actually see them very much or at all, and…that we didn't have an ability to connect often and well outside of being online."

"It feels a bit lonely at times," they said, "but it's also inspiring me to strengthen those relationships in real, tangible ways that I can control."

They've also set up a P.O. Box and receive letters from fans and viewers. "Getting a handwritten letter is like a joy that I haven't experienced since I was very young, and it's so fun," they said. They used to be affirmed by kind DMs, now — similar to catching up with friends — receiving these positive messages now "feels like that much more rare and special and unique," especially because of the effort required to write and send a physical letter.

Should I do a year with no screens?

Ross recommends that anyone do this to the amount that they feel capable of — and not for the reasons you might think.

Beyond getting your attention span back, wanting to read more books, and be more creative, Ross believes there's a larger existential threat that makes them want to encourage others to lessen their screentime. 

They believe that an emotional distance has been created between people and their community due to capitalism, individualism, and social media. We're not tangible to each other, and we have less desire to sacrifice for others and do the hard things that make the world better, they said. Living a less digital life and being a part of a physical community may help with that.

"I feel like we need to find a very concrete way back to each other, so that when push comes to shove, we will have real, physical communities in our lives that can take care of us and who we can take care of," they said. 

They won't stop at a year, but when the year is up, they'll likely be less strict, they said. One of the main things they don't anticipate, though, is ever getting a smartphone again. The number one thing that has brought them back to their body and self is not having a computer on them at all times, they said.

For now, they seem to be frictionmaxxing to the extreme — not that they've seen the meme online before Mashable told them about it. 

"It's nice to hear from the other side of the veil [that] I'm relating to an online trend," they joked.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you know basketball player nicknames.

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: High performers

• Green: Combat lingo

• Blue: Also known as

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A team's best player

• Green: MMA terms

• Blue: Nicknames of former NBA players, with "the"

• Purple: Mr. ____

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 #563 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A team's best player - CENTERPIECE, HEADLINER, LEAD, STAR

• MMA terms - ARMBAR, CHOKE, CLINCH, SUBMISSION

• Nicknames of former NBA players, with "the" - ANSWER, BIG DIPPER, MATRIX, TRUTH

• Mr. ___ - 3000, HOCKEY, MET, OCTOBER

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.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 9, 2026:

AcrossSlip-on shoe ... or something you don't want in your bathtub

• The answer is Clog.

Ancient artifact

• The answer is Relic.

In a most unusual way

• The answer is Oddly.

Springs in a mattress

• The answer is Coils.

Raven's haven

• The answer is Nest.

DownSlip-on shoe .. or something you really don't want in your bathtub

• The answer is Croc.

Strung along

• The answer is Led on.

Boomer's bop, nowadays

• The answer is Oldie.

Breathing organs for fish

• The answer is Gills.

Fluid-filled lump

• The answer is Cyst.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Orion is in space, the Artemis II crew is returning from the moon, and you can follow their journey without leaving Earth.

NASA's Artemis Real-time Orbit Website, or AROW, allows the public to track the moonship. During the roughly 10-day test flight, anyone with a phone or computer can see how far the crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — are from Earth.

The tracker turns a complex deep space mission into something easier to understand at a glance. With data from sensors on the spacecraft, AROW takes information already flowing to mission control in Houston and interprets it into simple visuals for the layperson. Instead of trying to picture where the crew might be, you can actually see their path, distances, and major milestones as they happen.

SEE ALSO: Artemis 2 mission timeline: An itinerary for the historic 10-day flight

People can download the NASA app or go to the website to give the tracker a spin. 

AROW began updating about a minute after liftoff on Wednesday, April 1, and will keep feeding live information until Orion dives back into Earth's atmosphere for a splashdown at the end of the mission. Online, users can see where the spacecraft sits in space and trace its figure-eight route.

NASA's Artemis Real-time Orbit Website provides the public with information about the Artemis II moon mission as it happens. Credit: NASA / AROW screenshot

NASA designed the website to show more than a dot on a map. It highlights key moments in the mission and points out features on the moon, including landing sites from the Apollo program. That lets viewers connect what they’re seeing today through Artemis — named after Apollo's twin sister in Greek mythology — with the first era of human exploration on the lunar surface.

The NASA app includes similar features, plus an augmented reality tracker. After calibration, the app uses phone sensors to tell you how to move your device so on‑screen markers line up with where Orion is relative to your position on Earth. 

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

For people who love to pore through the numbers, AROW also shares precise data describing Orion's location and motion.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Since launch, the crew has been in a high-Earth orbit, allowing them time to check out the systems aboard the spacecraft before pushing into a moon-bound trajectory.

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed mission in the Artemis campaign and a major step toward landing on the moon and learning how to live there. By sending astronauts around the moon and bringing them home safely, NASA is attempting to prove the systems needed for future lunar landings — and, perhaps down the road, the first human mission to Mars.

SAVE OVER $200: As of April 9, the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's $220 off its list price of $499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q10 S5+ Robot Vacuum and Mop $279.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $220   Get Deal

For those days when you just don't want to vacuum, a robot vacuum is nice to have on hand. If you've been thinking about investing, there are thankfully some great deals still available post-Spring sales. Among them is the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop, which is discounted right now at Amazon.

As of April 9, the Roborock Q10 S5+ is marked down to $279.99. Normally it's listed for $499.99, so this is a great opportunity to save $220. It's a model that earned a spot on our list of the best robot vacuums as the quietest pick.

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!

The Roborock Q10 S5+ can tackle a variety of messes, as it boasts features for both vacuuming and mopping. It has 10,000 Pa suction for clearing up carpets. It even comes with a JawScrapers Comb main brush and an anti-tangle side brush that help keep hair from getting caught up inside the rollers. And as for mopping, it scrubs up to 3,000 times per minute to get out annoying stains on harder surfaces.

It also works quietly, which is what landed it on our list of the best robot vacuums. Mashable's Leah Stodart said it, "has reliably completed all missions in my apartment for weeks, and isn't nearly as obnoxious when self-emptying as most other robot vacuums I've tested — it barely reaches 70 decibels, which isn't much louder than competitors while they're just cleaning."

On top of that, its base comes with a 2.7 liter dust bag that can hold up to 70 days worth of dirt, dust, hair, and more. If it sounds like the kind of robot vacuum you've been looking for, don't miss out on this chance to save on the Roborock Q10 S5+ at Amazon.

Following days of threats, including a Truth Social post declaring that "a whole civilization will die tonight," Donald Trump has announced a "double-sided ceasefire" with Iran, a two-week period in which the contested Strait of Hormuz will allow shipping traffic.

On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert questioned the president's Wednesday social media post and his use of the term "double-sided."

"But aren't all peace deals double-sided? I believe there's a word for a single-sided ceasefire, and it's murder," the host said.

Trump also said on Truth Social that he agreed to the ceasefire because "we have already met and exceeded all military objectives" in the U.S/Israel war with Iran.

"It's true, this war reached all of its objectives," reacted Colbert. "It's been weeks since anyone mentioned the Epstein files."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

The Moon is nearing a new lunar phase, the Third Quarter. This occurs half of the Moon’s surface appears illuminated, with the visible portion continuing to shrink each night as we move towards the New Moon.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, April 9, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 59% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There's plenty for you to see on the surface of the Moon tonight, even if you don't have any visual aids. Just looking up with your eyes, you should be able to see the Mare Imbrium, Tycho Crater, and the Kepler Crater. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Gassendi Crater, Alps Mountains, and the Apennine Mountains. Finally, if you have a telescope, expect to see features like the Apollo 12 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, it takes the Moon roughly 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through eight distinct stages during that time. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes as it moves, which is why it can look full, partly lit, or just a slim crescent. These shifting appearances are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

SAVE $600: As of April 9, the Mova Z60 robot vacuum is on sale for $899 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mova Mova Z60 Robot Vacuum $899 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $600   Get Deal

Robot vacuums are arguably one of the best smart home devices money can buy. They keep your floors clean, perhaps one of life's most arduous tasks, so you don't have to. Amazon regularly has great deals on top models, but as of April 9, this new deal on the Mova Z60 robot vacuum caught our eye. Not only is it reduced by $600, but it's dropped down to its lowest-ever price of $899 (from $1,499).

This vacuum is designed for powerful yet low-maintenance cleaning. It combines 28,000Pa suction with a HydroForce mopping system that sprays clean water while removing dirty water at the same time, so your floors are dust free and sparkly clean at all times.

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!

It has a TroboWave DuoBrush that helps prevent hair tangles, and AutoShield technology that detects carpets and lifts the mop to prevent it from getting damp. The all-in-one docking station also takes care of tasks like dust emptying, hot water mop washing, refilling, and hot air drying, so there's next to no manual upkeep.

There's even specific pet hair-focused features such as targeted cleaning around high-traffic areas and dual solution tanks for both cleaning and odor control.

You can find this robot vacuum deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $620: As of April 9, the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is on sale for $679 at Amazon. That's a 48% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni $679 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $620.99   Get Deal

If you've been waiting for the right time to purchase a new robot vacuum, now might be that time. As of April 9, the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni has dropped down to its lowest-ever price. With over $600 off the list price, you can take it home now for $679.

This vacuum is built for a serious clean. It combines BLAST technology with a 16,600Pa suction and enhanced airflow to pick up fine dust and pet hair. Its Triple Lift System automatically raises the mop, side brush, and main brush when moving between different surfaces, helping you keep carpets dry while still keeping your hard floors sparkly clean.

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!

This unit is almost completely self maintained, too. The OZMO Roller continuously self-washes during use to keep the mop fresh, and the ZeroTangle 2.0 helps to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush. The OMNI Station handles the rest of the maintenance by washing and drying the mop with hot water, refilling water, and emptying dust. It can even store dirt for up to 150 days before you need to empty manually.

And you don't even need to direct it around your home. This vacuum uses AIVI 3D 3.0 with LiDAR to recognise objects and map out your rooms, so it can navigate on its own.

This robot vacuum deal is available at Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $400: As of April 9, the Sony Bravia 5 65-inch TV is on sale for $1,098 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia 5 65-inch TV $1,098 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $401.99   Get Deal

The Sony Bravia 5 65-inch TV is back on sale at Amazon, and if you've been looking for a new TV for movie night, this is a deal you won't want to skip. As of April 9, the price has dropped from $1,499.99 to $1,098. That's a discount of over $400 ($401.99, to be exact).

There's so much going for this TV. It's powered by the XR Processor with AI, so it can enhance scenes in real time by improving things like the clarity, contrast, and colour. It also upscales lower-resolution content to give you a sharper picture.

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!

For streaming, it runs on Google TV, so you'll have access to streaming apps in one place, along with voice control via Google Assistant and support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. And to make movie nights even more impressive, it supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, and DTS:X, with studio-calibrated modes designed for services like Netflix and Prime Video.

It's also a great choice for gamers. Certain features are tailored for the PS5, such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode. It also has motion handling designed to keep fast-moving scenes smooth and clear.

This Sony TV deal is available at Amazon now (but only for a limited time).

SAVE $800: As of April 9, score the Samsung Galaxy S26 for under $100 at T-Mobile without a trade-in by adding a new line on the Experience More plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung T-Mobile: Samsung Galaxy S26 for under $100   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new smartphone, check out this latest deal at T-Mobile: You could get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S26 for under $100.

As of April 9, you can qualify for this low price without a trade-in by adding a new line on the Experience More plan (or three lines on the Better Value plan). The discount of up to $800 is applied as monthly bill credits over 24 months. The 256GB phone is usually priced at $899.99, so this $800 discount would bring the price down to just $99.99.

You’ll still need to pay taxes and a $35 connection fee, but that's always the case with these mobile carrier offers.

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!

The Samsung Galaxy S26 range is still fresh, so this T-Mobile deal is a steal. The Samsung Galaxy S26 a great choice for Android fans, with its Armor Aluminium and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 casing boosting durability. It's also packed with Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools, including Photo Assist.

It runs fast and smooth thanks to its customized processor. This is also supported by an upgraded cooling system that helps keep the temperature down during demanding usage.

Head to T-Mobile to grab this latest Samsung deal while it's still live.

After a grueling descent through Earth's atmosphere, NASA will strap the Artemis II astronauts into bulky spacesuits for an obstacle course.

Within mere hours of the Orion spacecraft's splashdown on Friday, April 10, the crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen — won't be afforded much time to rest and relax. Instead, the four will be bounced around from one research group to the next before they've fully acclimated to Earth gravity. 

One of those studies will include putting their "right stuff" to the test. The gauntlet, far less flashy than an episode of American Gladiators, will unfold back at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. There, a giant robotic crane and a heavy test suit will help a small team answer a crucial question: After 10 days of weightlessness in space, how soon can humans safely get back to work in another world?

The experiment grows out of a longer‑running study with astronauts returning from six‑month missions on the International Space Station. Those crews spend about as long in orbit as a trip to Mars might take — and they come home pallid and wobbly. 

Scientists worry that in a weakened state, astronauts might not be ready for moonwalks or Marswalks, which require strength and agility.

"We don't want to put the astronauts in a position where they’re going to be stranded in a spacesuit, asking them to do tasks that are probably above what their physiologic capabilities are going to be in," said Jason Norcross, a senior scientist leading the effort. "This helps us really with planning, more than anything else."

SEE ALSO: These 'avatars' will fly around the moon with NASA's Artemis 2 astronauts

Without gravity, muscles atrophy and aerobic fitness fades. The brain and inner ear systems that tell us which way is up and help us stay balanced also need time to readjust. 

To investigate that, Norcross' team has used the Active Response Gravity Offload System, or ARGOS, at Johnson. Picture a crane that holds part of a person's weight. By lifting just the right amount, ARGOS lets a suited astronaut feel as if he or she is in a different gravity environment.

For space station astronauts, ARGOS is tuned to Martian gravity, and the obstacle course is framed with that in mind: Can someone who has spent six months in orbit step into a 400‑pound suit and, within about a day of landing, safely make their way through a mock Mars spacewalk? 

Faking lunar gravity

For Artemis II, the team will reuse the same basic setup but dial ARGOS to lunar gravity instead — one‑sixth Earth's pull — and tweak the tasks to echo the type of work astronauts will need to do on the moon.

Within one to four hours of landing, the Artemis II astronauts will first tackle a capsule escape drill using a mock spacecraft. Lying on their backs, they'll have to sit up, deploy a ladder, climb up and over it, shoulder a pack, and walk a set distance. This exercise seeks to understand whether a crew can open a hatch if a landing goes awry. 

That's a question shared by many space physiologists, said Marie Mortreux, an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island. She studies how muscles and bones cope with different levels of gravity.

"When they come back home from space, you're familiar with those images," said Mortreux, who isn't involved in the Artemis II EVA simulations. "They can't walk … and I'm like, 'What's going to happen if they can't make it out?'"

NASA astronaut Kayla Barron gets assistance out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico on May 6, 2022. Credit: NASA / Aubrey Gemignani

Mortreux's research in rodents suggests that lower-body, weight‑bearing muscles take the biggest hit in space. Arm muscles — the ones people need for latches and handles — hold up better because astronauts use them constantly to pull themselves around in weightlessness. That's reassuring, she told Mashable, but it's not a reason to be complacent, underscoring the need for more research like this. 

Despite being tired and uncomfortable, all space station astronauts who have been subjected to the experiments so far have managed to complete them. 

Inside the spacesuit challenge

The test will continue with a simulated lunar EVA in moonlike gravity the next day. Each of the four crewmates will change into liquid cooling garments, close‑fitting layers threaded with thin water tubes to keep them from overheating. Then, they'll climb into heavy-duty EVA spacesuits that require entering through a back hatch. Just getting into them is physically taxing. 

Once the astronauts stand up, the team will connect their suits to ARGOS. From that point forward, the test compresses the most challenging parts of a moonwalk into a 30 to 40‑minute obstacle course: down a ladder on a mock lander platform, across unstable ground, through geology drills, and onto a steep treadmill hike. The ladder is deceptively difficult: Any task that forces crew to turn their heads, look down, or rely on their inner sense of orientation, could trigger vertigo.

"You'll often see [returning astronauts] keep their head in line with their body," Norcross said, "which is why, when we've designed a lot of our tasks, we've designed them with a lot of turning, a lot of head movement up and down."

Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover dodges rocks and carries a loaded bag during a moonwalk simulation while attached to the ARGOS system to get baseline data ahead of his post-landing obstacle course. Credit: NASA / Robert Markowitz

Next, the astronauts will have to bend and squat through tasks meant to rehearse making electrical and fluid connections. In a real mission, that kind of work might power up a lander or connect life‑support lines — unglamorous but essential chores.

From there, the experiment will shift to the most punishing part. In a trailer filled with sand and rocks, the astronauts will carry several 30‑pound bags back and forth over uneven footing. The ground tends to shift, visibility is limited by the helmet, and the suit resists every stride. 

"Most treadmills don't even go up to 20 percent."

Then, for the science activity: The astronauts will have to hold a tool steady for about a minute to mimic using an instrument, swing a hammer to chip off a rock fragment, and dig a trench with a scoop. Those moves echo what future crews might need to do to collect samples on the lunar surface.

The test will finish on a treadmill. Still attached to the crane, the astronauts will walk roughly half a mile over slopes, including a steep uphill climb. 

"Most treadmills don't even go up to 20 percent," Norcross said, explaining how high they'll set the inclination, "and sometimes it requires them to slow down pretty significantly. But they still put one foot in front of the other."

Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch climbs down the ladder of a mockup lander while attached to the ARGOS system to get baseline data ahead of her post-landing obstacle course. Credit: NASA / Helen Arase Vargas A safety check for future moonwalks

Each Artemis II astronaut will endure the obstacle course, which will take about 1.5 hours to complete, one at a time. Norcross' team will track how long each task takes, how much energy the astronauts use, and how their heart rates respond. The whole experiment repeats three days later to measure how their performance changes over time.

From the space station study, Norcross already sees a pattern: Astronauts look and feel far better by the fourth day after landing, and close to normal within a week, even after half a year in orbit. 

Because Artemis II was short, these tests give NASA a cautious baseline. The data should help mission planners decide how aggressive to make the first lunar excursions, how far to let astronauts roam, and which jobs to push to later days after their bodies have had time to adapt. 

So even though the Wiseman, Koch, Glover, and Hansen didn't set foot on the moon, they're going to at least feel like they did.

"For this Artemis II crew, it'll be, 'Congratulations, you've done your lunar EVA,'" Norcross said.

TL;DR: A durable, travel-friendly, like-new Chromebook is on sale for $59.99 (reg. $199.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Chromebook 100E Gen 2 (Refurbished) $59.99
$199.99 Save $140   Get Deal

Not every laptop needs to be like your main laptop. Oftentimes, you just need something simple, something you can toss in your bag, bring on a trip, or hand off without worrying about every little scratch.

And that’s what this Grade A refurbished Lenovo 100e Chromebook Gen 2 offers.

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!

At $59.50, it’s the kind of device that makes sense as a backup or travel companion. It’s compact, lightweight, and built with durability in mind, including a spill-resistant keyboard and reinforced design that can handle everyday bumps. This means you don’t have to baby it.

Performance-wise, it covers the basics well. The AMD A4 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage are more than enough for browsing, email, Google Docs, streaming, and light multitasking. ChromeOS keeps things fast and simple, with quick boot times and built-in security, plus access to Google apps and the Play Store.

The 11.6-inch HD display keeps things portable without feeling cramped, and with all-day battery life, it’s easy to grab and go without packing a charger everywhere. And since it’s Grade A refurbished, it arrives in near-mint condition—so you’re getting something that looks and feels close to new, without paying new-device prices.

If you’ve been thinking about a low-cost backup laptop—or just something you don’t have to worry about—this one makes a strong case for keeping things simple. Get this near-mint Lenovo 100e Chromebook Gen 2 for just $59.99 (reg. $199.99) while stock lasts.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Travel lighter with the GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable, currently $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $21.99
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal

If you’re looking for little ways to make your life easier, the GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable is a perfect example. This tiny device can power up multiple devices while fitting on your keyring, ending the mess of tangled cables in your bag. And now it’s on sale for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

Keeping up with multiple chargers can be a pain. Whether you’re packing for vacation or simply trying to bring the right cords to the office every day, the GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable simplifies this pain point. Just pop this tiny device on your keyring and be prepared to power up anywhere.

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!

The GoCable allows you to keep a Type-C, Type-C+, and Apple Lightning connector on hand at all times — you just need to supply the power bank or wall adapter. Its 100W ultra-fast charging ensures you’re not wasting time powering up your devices, while also enabling high-speed file transfer.

There’s an LED power display that provides the real-time charging status, and you’ll never have to worry about untangling cords because the magnetic cable always stays neat.

The GoCable 8-in-1 doesn’t just charge things — it’s also got a bottle opener and safe-proofed hidden cutter that makes opening packages easy. A carabiner clip also allows you to attach this cable to anything, so you can always have it on hand.

Be prepared to charge and open anything with this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable, on sale for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

NeeDoh toys first came to my attention in 2024 when my wife, a teacher, was stocking their classroom with fidget toys to keep high schoolers focused and off their phones. We bought a couple of NeeDoh Nice Cubes for our house too, which quickly became coveted fidgets among our friends for their pleasing, pliable feel. So imagine my surprise when the fidget toy that's been a mainstay on our coffee table for two years has suddenly gone viral, causing chaos among children and parents across the country.

What is NeeDoh?

NeeDoh, made by Schylling, a toy company based out of North Andover, Massachusetts, is a line of squishy, brightly colored toys meant to provide a satisfying, sensory experience. They're sort of like the Flubber of fidget toys — squeezable and stretchy, coming in a variety of shapes. One of the flagship products, the Nice Cube, is just that, a cube made out of stretchy material that can be squeezed and pulled to the heart's desire. But more exciting NeeDohs look like cats, gumdrops, or balls covered in a rubber fringe. So why are these innocent toys at the center of internet hysteria?

A NeeDoh Jelly Dohnut. Credit: Schylling A NeeDoh Nice Cube. Credit: Schylling Why are NeeDoh toys so popular?

NeeDohs are selling out. The demand is outweighing the supply, with retailers selling out of restocks within an hour of opening. This has prompted a craze of "NeeDoh hunting" to take off across social media. Videos on TikTok and Instagram show people lining up right as NeeDoh retailers open to secure the products. The videos are reminiscent of the heyday of Black Friday, where patrons would storm through doors to find deals. Now, they're hunting for restocks of squishy fidget toys.

View this post on Instagram

Per usual, internet-based virality has set off the NeeDoh shortage. Like we've previously seen with Stanley cups and Labubus, NeeDoh toys seem to be the next thing to capture the internet's attention. While there hasn't been one specific video to set off the craze, it's been a rampant buildup. As told to Business Insider, Paul Weingard, CEO of Schylling, said that the company sold a year's worth of NeeDoh stock within the first nine weeks of the year.

Where to buy NeeDoh toys

If you visit Schylling's website, you'll be greeted with a pop-up that reads, "Demand for NeeDoh and our other products is exceptionally high right now, so we’re taking a short pause on new orders. In the meantime, you can find our products at your favorite local toy and gift store." So, your best bet is to visit a toy store near you in person.

Some retailers are even refusing to stock NeeDoh until the fad dies down, citing rude and disrespectful behavior from customers seeking NeeDohs. With NeeDohs widely unavailable, resellers and knock-offs are feeding off of the demand. Needoh has even put out an official statement regarding counterfeit products, stating: "If you're purchasing from platforms like Temu, Alibaba/AliExpress, or eBay, these are NOT official NeeDoh products." The original NeeDoh toys are generally very affordable, with the cheapest iteration just $1.79. On Schylling's website, the NeeDoh Nice Cube is listed for just $5.99. Yet listings on the TikTok Shop are priced at $13.98 or more.

View this post on Instagram

Like with any product craze, the NeeDoh hype is certainly temporary until the next Labubu or Stanley tumbler comes around to capture consumers' attention and wallets.

A representative for Schylling could not be reached for comment for this story.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

18. Christy

Sydney Sweeney swung hard in this Oscar bait biopic of boxer Christy Martin. But it was a big swing and a miss.

While Christy does explore the struggles Martin faced in a male-dominated sport, at home with her abusive husband, and as a closeted gay woman, it does so with all the nuance of a a sledgehammer. As I wrote in my pan out of TIFF, "This movie is a mess, and Sweeney is a contributor to that, not its highlights. For one thing, she uses Martin's West Virginia background as an excuse to slap on a thick Southern accent that comes and goes. For another, while her look is different in Christy, it doesn't read 'athlete,' as she lacks tone and physicality...

"[Director David] Michôd seems most riveted by the criminal violence than any other aspect of Martin's story. So even what this film has to say about being a woman in sports, or a lesbian in America, or a person at all, is perplexing. In the end, Christy doesn't hit hard. It just blows."* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, and Katy M. O'Brian

How to watch: Christy is now streaming on HBO Max.

17. The Reunion: Laguna Beach

Reality TV was booming in 2004 when Laguna Beach introduced eight teens from Laguna Beach High to the world, giving us access to their highs and lows.

The Season 1 cast reunites here to look back on Laguna Beach, revealing what was happening behind the scenes and how they feel about it now. However, where a lot of Bravo reunions seem to center on explosive moments, this trailer for The Reunion: Laguna Beach suggests this will be more about healing than hair-pulling. Cheers to host Casey Wilson (Happy Endings), who seems to create a welcoming bonfire environment for the cast. — K.P.

Starring: Kristin Cavallari, Stephen Colletti, Casey Wilson, Lauren Conrad, Jessica Smith, Alex Hooser, Talan Torriero, Dieter Schmitz, and Lo Bosworth

How to watch: The Reunion: Laguna Beach premieres on Roku on April 10.

16. Trust Me: The False Prophet

This true crime mini-series is not for the faint of heart, as it's infuriating on a lot of levels. The story begins with the Mormon community left behind when self-proclaimed prophet Warren Jeffs was convicted of sexually assaulting two children. From there, cult expert Christine Marie and her husband, videographer Tolga Katas, sought to infiltrate the community for a documentary. And that's how they met Sam Bateman, another self-proclaimed prophet who would take Jeffs' place in more ways than one.

The four-part series offers a stomach-churning investigation into Bateman's manipulation, abuse, and rape of his many wives, including child brides. This is unnerving on its own, but Trust Me: False Prophet has an added layer of discomfort because of how Christine Marie aims to insert herself in the center of the narrative as as undercover informant for the FBI, who feels guilt for lying to the girls and women she's aiming to save.

While Marie's end goal is undeniably good, there's a jarring sense that she came here not on a rescue mission but as a means of self-promotion. And while she's not a producer or director on this production, co-helmers Rachel Dretzin and Elise Coker give her a lot of attention that threatens to undermine the bigger story of religious corruption, criminal conspiracy, and sex trafficking. — K.P.

How to watch: Trust Me: The False Prophet is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Untold: Chess Mates

Do you remember when a chess master was accused of cheating by using anal beads to direct his actions? Well, that wild story is at the heart of Untold: Chess Mates.

The documentary sits down with Magnus Carlsen, who many regard as the best chess player of all time, and Hans Niemann, a rising star with an ego as impressive as his prowess at the game. In 2022, at the Sinquefield Cup, the chess world was rocked when Niemann defeated Carlsen. And soon the rumors of cheating began. The anal beads theory gained traction online. So where are they now? Untold has the answer. — K.P.

How to watch: Untold: Chess Mates is now streaming on Netflix.

14. The Addiction of Hope

What if you dedicate your whole life to a dream that doesn't come true? This is the agonizing realization of Jo Stock (Anne-Marie Johnson), an aging actress who's forced to look back on her choices when her sister, Lynnie (Harley Jane Kozak), becomes ill.

With shades of Beaches, The Addiction of Hope explores what we sacrifice for our work when it comes to family. Given a chance to reconnect with her family, will Jo embrace them, or pursue one last shot at fame and fortune? — K.P.

Starring: Anne-Marie Johnson, Erika Alexander, Shari Belafonte, Clancy Brown, Anthony Carvello, and Tom Dugan

How to watch: The Addiction of Hope is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

13. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord

Get your Star Wars fix this week with Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, a new animated series from Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni. Boasting strong critical buzz, the series begins in the aftermath of the Clone Wars, with former Sith lord Maul (voiced by Sam Witwer) hoping to rebuild his criminal syndicate on the planet Janix. He's also on the hunt for a new apprentice, so expect some intriguing Sith shenanigans. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Sam Witwer, Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura, and Richard Ayoade

How to watch: Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord's two-episode premiere is now on Disney+.

12.  Sirāt

Ready for a road drama that'll rattle your ear drums? Óliver Laxe directs Sirāt, which won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Sound and Best International Feature.

Sergi López and Bruno Núñez Arjona star as a portly father and his young son who are attending a rave for a surprising reason. They're searching for Mar, their missing daughter and sister, respectively. Deep in the mountains of southern Morocco, they show her photo to revelers and ravers, desperate for a lead to her whereabouts. Determined to find her, they'll follow the progression of this party, deeper and deeper into the wilderness. But how far can they go? — K.P.

Starring: Sergi López, Bruno Núñez Arjona, Richard Bellamy, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam Henderson, Tonin Janvier, and Jade Oukid

How to watch: Sirāt is now available on Hulu.

11. The Miniature Wife

Ready for a wacky new comedy series about an unconventional marriage? The Miniature Wife has arrived.

Elizabeth Banks stars as best-selling author Lindy Littlejohn, whose marriage with scientist husband Les (Matthew Macfadyen) hits a rough patch when his latest experiment accidentally shrinks her to six inches tall. Bad news is that he's not yet perfected the enlarging device, and there's a 30-day clock on development before his research goes to a greedy tech billionaire. Slapstick and hijinks will ensue as the ticking clock counts down. — K.P.

Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Matthew Macfadyen, Zoe Lister-Jones, Sofia Rosinsky, O-T Fagbenle, and Sian Clifford

How to watch: The Miniature Wife is now streaming on Peacock.

10. The Boys, Season 5

If you want a thoroughly unpleasant TV viewing experience this week, watch The Boys Season 5. The superhero satire's final season sees Homelander (Antony Starr) fully in control of the United States and on a mission to keep it that way forever. Can the Boys stop him before he gains the immortality he so desperately craves?

The Boys' portrait of authoritarian America skews eerily close to real life this season, yet its satire is missing any bite beyond just listing heinous things Homelander and his crew are carrying out. Because of this, The Boys Season 5 is a numbing, exhausting experience saved only in parts by the Boys' juicy character dynamics. As I wrote in my review, this is "The Boys' darkest, most dour season yet — one that plays at commenting on our fractured America, but only offers shock value as opposed to real substance." — B.E.

Starring: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell, Colby Minifie, Cameron Crovetti, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jensen Ackles, and Daveed Diggs

How to watch: The Boys Season 5 is now on Prime Video.

9. Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat Reunion Special

The truth is out: Anthony Norman knows that Rockin' Grandma's Hot Sauce isn't a real company, and that his experience on Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat was all a part of an elaborate prank show. But what does life look like for Anthony after Jury Duty? These two bonus episodes will let us know. First up is a reunion episode hosted by Season 1's James Marsden. Then, Jury Duty worlds collide as Anthony meets up with Season 1's non-actor Ronald Gladden for a chat about their experiences. — B.E.

Starring: Anthony Norman, Blair Beeken, Alex Bonifer, Warren Burke, LaNisa Renee, Jerry Hauck, Erica Hernandez, Stephanie Hodge, Rachel Kaly, Rob Lathan, Emily Pendergast, Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur, and Jim Woods

How to watch: Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat Reunion Special is now available on Prime Video.

8. Thrash

Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Wirkola has given audiences such outrageously ultra-violent genre-bending delights as the Santa-kicks-ass actioner Violent Night, the gonzo fairytale thriller Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, and the zombie Nazi horror-comedies Dead Snow and Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead. So, that alone should be reason to hit play on his latest, Thrash. But you could have also sold us on its premise: Category 5 hurricane plus hungry sharks.

It's a disaster movie and a creature feature. And yes, the trailer is using a dramatic version of "Baby Shark." What else could you want? — K.P.

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, Alyla Browne, and Djimon Hounsou

How to watch: Thrash is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Dimension 20: City Council of Darkness

Brace yourselves, fellow Dungeons and Dragons nerds, because Dropout is coming for the jugular with the next season of Dimension 20. Coming hot on the heels of Gladlands, the next adventure will reunite Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan with intrepid heroes Emily Axford, Ally Beardsley, Brian Murphy, Zac Oyama, Siobhan Thompson, and Lou Wilson for some role-playing in the realm of Vampire: The Masquerade.

This 14-episode season will have focus on these bloodsuckers (of various sorts) working together on the city council, to make this small town of Purpee as pleasant as it can be. It's giving What We Do In the Shadows, and we're not mad. — K.P.

Starring: Brennan Lee Mulligan, Emily Axford, Zac Oyama, Siobhan Thompson, Lou Wilson, Ally Beardsley, and Brian Murphy

How to watch: Dimension 20: City Council of Darkness is now streaming on Dropout.

6. Big Mistakes

Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy cooks up another dysfunctional TV family in the new comedy Big Mistakes, co-created with Rachel Sennott. He plays a pastor named Nicky, who, along with his schoolteacher sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega), gets swept up in the world of organized crime. Are either of them prolific criminals? No. Do either of them want to be doing this? Absolutely not. Their reluctance at every turn keeps Big Mistakes' laughs coming, even if the trope of newbies being drawn into criminal activity is familiar. Plus, Levy and Ortega are a hoot together, while Laurie Metcalf brings the house down as the clan matriarch. — B.E.

Starring: Dan Levy, Taylor Ortega, Laurie Metcalf, Jack Innanen, Boran Kuzum, and Abby Quinn

How to watch: Big Mistakes is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Hacks, Season 5

Strap in for one last ride with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), because Emmy–winning comedy Hacks comes to an end this year. In Season 5, the pair are working hard to cement Deborah's legacy as a great comedian — especially after she's mistakenly reported dead. Don't worry, she's fine! And her connection with Ava is stronger than ever, setting up a swan song for one of the most compelling friendships on TV right now. — B.E.

Starring: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Megan Stalter, Paul W. Downs, Rose Abdoo, and Mark Indelicato

How to watch: Hacks Season 5 is now streaming on HBO Max.

4. The Testaments

Return to the dystopian hellscape of Gilead in The Testaments, a new series set several years after The Handmaid's Tale. Based on Margaret Atwood's 2019 novel of the same name, the show focuses on the daughters of Gilead's Commanders as they attend a prep school for future wives. But even as figures like Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) try to mold them into perfect, subservient wives, these young women start to rebel in small, but increasingly important ways.

The Testaments can get as tough to watch as its predecessor, but it also finds a renewed energy thanks to its different points of view and a talented young cast. As I wrote in my review, "The series finds new power in its young adult perspective, centering on people who have never known anything but authoritarianism, but who are slowly gaining the resolve to do something about it. Perhaps that messaging, combined with some of The Testaments' use of YA tropes, will speak to audiences of [its protagonists'] age in a way that the bleakness of The Handmaid's Tale might not be able to." — B.E.

Starring: Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Eva Foote, Rowan Blanchard, Kira Guloien, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Birva Pandya, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Mattea Conforti, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Mabel Li, Isolde Ardies, and Ann Dowd

How to watch: The Testaments is now streaming on Hulu.

3. Euphoria, Season 3

After four years, Euphoria Sundays are finally back, so if you want to join in on the online conversation about the much-memed show, now's your chance. Season 3 picks up five years after Season 2. In that time, Rue (Zendaya) has become a drug mule for Laurie (Martha Kelly), Jules (Hunter Schafer) has become a sugar baby, Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) are engaged, and Maddy (Alexa Demie) and Lexi (Maude Apatow) are working in Hollywood. How is this crew adjusting to the Wild West of their early 20s? (Spoiler alert: not really well.)

Season 3's time jump comes with an intriguing aesthetic reinvention, but there are several core problems Euphoria just can't shake. This season continues to hypersexualize and humiliate its young cast, including several storylines about sex work that are not dealt with with the nuance and care they deserve. It's extra frustrating because, as I wrote in my review, "There's a great show lurking in here somewhere. So much of Rue's journey proves it. Yet Euphoria keeps smothering that greatness with something far grosser, and that's something no amount of reinvention can hide." — B.E.

Starring: Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, and Colman Domingo

How to watch: Euphoria Season 3 debuts on HBO Max on April 12.

2. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair

Malcolm and his whole trouble-making family is back with a four-episode mini-series that will have fans of all ages absolutely cackling.

Set about 20 years after Malcolm in the Middle's series finale, Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair sees its eponymous genius (Frankie Muniz) as a single dad who tries to maintain his mental health by avoiding his biggest source of stress, the rest of his family. But with Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal (Bryan Cranston) planning a big 40th anniversary party, Malcolm, his teen daughter (Keeley Karsten) and new girlfriend (Kiana Madeira) will have to join in on the chaotic fun, right?

A reboot that is terrifically funny and heartfelt, Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair will hook you from the first ep, and have you binging the whole batch. So, plan your watch accordingly. — K.P.

Starring: Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Masterson, Justin Berfield, Emy Coligado, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, Anthony Timpano, Vaughan Murrae, Keeley Karsten, and Kiana Madeira

How to watch: Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is now streaming on Hulu.

Best of streaming this week: The Audacity

From Succession and Better Call Saul writer Jonathan Glatzer comes The Audacity, a sharp Silicon Valley satire. Billy Magnussen stars as data-mining CEO Duncan Park, whose quest for greatness leads him down some wildly unethical paths. Caught in the crossfires is his therapist, Dr. JoAnne Felder (Sarah Goldberg), who gets more than she bargains for when she tries to exploit her relationships with her "billionaire man children" clients.

What follows is a delicious send-up of the tech world, bursting with questions about how Silicon Valley and its overlords have warped our humanity over time. It's a cutting commentary that manages to feel both heightened and close to home, all anchored by incredible lead performances. As I wrote in my review, "There are few joys in television greater than watching two great actors have it out, and you'll get plenty of that in The Audacity thanks to Magnussen and Goldberg." — B.E.

Starring: Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Simon Helberg, Paul Adelstein, Lucy Punch, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge, and Ava Marie Telek

How to watch: The Audacity debuts on AMC+ on April 12.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

While online dating makes it possible to meet many more people with the swipe of a finger, it's also introduced new ways for bad actors to hurt us. As the web's premier adult dating site, AdultFriendFinder is unfortunately rife with all manner of scams and scammers, and while it's easy to have a good time on the site, it's also easy to get into trouble — at least if you're not vigilant. 

And because AFF hosts nudity and encourages its members to get frisky, it's an especially enticing target for malicious actors. Worse still, these types of attacks are now increasingly common, with so-called "romance scams" now outranking all other scams in terms of total reported financial losses, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

To stay safe, you need to be aware of how you're vulnerable — here are the five most common AdultFriendFinder scams and how to avoid them.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Phishing scams

If you've used the internet before, you've been the target of a phishing scam. Think of the emails from Google asking you to click a link to reset your password, or the sob story you get from an unknown email address claiming to be a relative — these are all examples of phishing attacks, where a bad actor pretends to be someone they're not to gain your trust and steal sensitive information from you.

On AdultFriendFinder, bad actors will happily pose as interested singles, casually flirting with you until the moment they decide to ask for money or personal information, or try to get you to visit an off-site link.

Here are the five biggest red flags to help you spot a phishing attack:

• They rush to get you to an off-site destination, whether that's a website or a different chat platform like WhatsApp or Telegram

• They attempt to create a sense of urgency, often with a sad personal story

• They randomly request specific personal information about you, whether that's your date of birth or your home address

• Their profile and/or behavior is "too good to be true," with professional-quality photos and an instantly flirtatious conversation style

• They dodge or deny requests to meet in person or verify each other's identities through a video call

Identity theft

Unfortunately, between generative AI and the ease with which people can access our personal data, identity theft is now easier than ever. 

On AdultFriendFinder, identity theft scams can work one of two ways: either the bad actors operate with patience to steal your identity, gradually building a workable profile of you based on your name, age, location and employment history, as well as the photos and videos they might be able to harvest from your profile, or they steal another person's identity to execute a more sophisticated phishing scam on you. 

SEE ALSO: The Looksmaxxing Glossary: Every term you need to understand the internet's most unhinged subculture

Your best defence against identity theft scams is to strictly limit the amount of personal information you share on your public profile. It's a good idea to give the minimum necessary identifiable details about yourself; so, for example, you can share your first name but should not share your last name or even your initials, and you can mention that you're a lawyer or a doctor but should not share the name of the law firm or hospital that employs you. 

These rules should still be closely followed even in one-on-one conversations. Don't assume that the person you're talking to is who they say they are until you have verified that yourself, and strictly ration what information you give out about yourself. 

Bots and self-promoters

The bots and self-promoters are simultaneously the most common scam on AdultFriendFinder and the most harmless. Because it's easy to create profiles on the site, webcam models, some OnlyFans creators and other sex workers use the site to promote their pages, usually via chat bots. These scams aren't particularly sophisticated: the person uses their real photos in their profile but engages AI to actually talk to other users, usually to send them to an outside link like an Instagram, OnlyFans or Telegram channel related to their business, and while they're typically harmless, they're also a major waste of your time. Just in case you're tempted to check their links, remember to do your due diligence before clicking on the link, as it's easy to hide malicious links inside shortened URLs. 

These self-promoting accounts are also typically easy to spot. Their photos are typically very airbrushed and professionally shot and staged, and their conversation rarely goes far beyond "hello" before they're mentioning their side hustle. You're better off ignoring these profiles entirely, but if you do take a shot on speaking to one, definitely end the engagement once they start sharing outside links with you. 

Pay-to-play scams

There's no shortage of legitimate online businesses that are happy to exchange your money for kinky chats, webcam shows or custom photos and videos, but you should be especially wary of people offering those services on AdultFriendFinder.

SEE ALSO: Adult Friend Finder vs. Tinder: How they compare as hookup apps

Even if you're willing to buy sexual content or tip a webcam model, AFF was not designed to be a sex work platform, and all of the buyer protections that exist on sites like OnlyFans or Chaturbate are absent from AdultFriendFinder, which means if the model or sex worker wants to take your money and run, you'll have no recourse. 

Blackmail aka "sextortion"

The worst, most pernicious and potentially most damaging scams run on AdultFriendFinder relate to blackmail, or what is colloquially known as "sextortion." Because the site encourages nudity and other sexually explicit content, it also renders its users very vulnerable to blackmail. Are you using the site without your spouse's knowledge or consent? How would your employer or your customers react if your private photos and videos were leaked? 

Bad actors know full well the damage they can do to your reputation, marriage and professional life, and they will seek to use any leverage they can to blackmail you. 

Does this mean you can't use the site or shouldn't engage in some of the more risqué activities it offers? Absolutely not! But it does mean you need to do so responsibly, with a constant awareness of what you're sharing and who you're sharing it with. And if you do experience any sort of sextortion, you should know that it's a crime and should be reported to law enforcement.