IT General

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on June 1

Mashable - 5 hours 13 min ago

The Full Moon has now passed, meaning with each night visibility will get smaller. This will occur until we reach the New Moon. This phase is part of the lunar cycle, a roughly 29.5-day journey the Moon makes around Earth.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, June 1, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 97% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

So, what can you see? Without any visual aids, you'll be able to spot the Mare Imbrium, Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. If you have binoculars you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Clavius Crater, Apennine Mountains, and the Alps Mountains. Finally, with a telescope will help you see the Fra Mauro Highlands and the Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through a repeating pattern of eight distinct phases. Although the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the portion illuminated by the Sun changes as it moves around the planet. This is what creates the different shapes we see in the night sky, from thin crescents to half Moons and the full Moon. Together, these phases form the lunar cycle:

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 1, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 13 min ago

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require knowledge of sports and gym culture.

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. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before 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: Roster building

  • Green: Workout

  • Blue: Philly batters

  • Purple: Isolated muscles

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Parts of a Baseball Roster

  • Green: Gym Equipment

  • Blue: Philadelphia Phillies Players

  • Purple: Muscle Nicknames, Plus A Letter

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 #616 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Parts of a Baseball Roster: BENCH, BULLPEN, LINEUP, ROTATION

  • Gym Equipment: ELLIPTICAL, MEDICINE BALL, ROWING MACHINE, TREADMILL

  • Philadelphia Phillies Players: MARSH, NOLA, TURNER, WHEELER

  • Muscle Nicknames, Plus A Letter: FLAT, SPEC, SQUAD, WHAMMY

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for June 1, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 13 min ago

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

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 June 1, 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 June 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 1 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 1 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 1 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 1, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 13 min ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 1, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Four-walled

  • Green: Chill vibes

  • Blue: Found in literary classics

  • Purple: Worn on a finger

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Room features

  • Green: Old-timey lounging accessories

  • Blue: Subjects in Tennessee Williams titles

  • Purple: ___ Ring

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 #1086 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Room features: CEILING, DOOR, WALL, WINDOW

  • Old-timey lounging accessories: NEWSPAPER, PIPE, ROBE, SLIPPERS

  • Subjects in Tennessee Williams titles: CAT, MEAGERIE, STREETCAR, TATTOO

  • ___ Ring: KEY, ONION, TREE, WEDDING

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 1, 2026

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 1, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 13 min ago

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you have a plant-based diet.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Shall we gather for lunch?

The words are related to food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe natural foods.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Foraging.

NYT Strands word list for June 1
  • Ramp

  • Blackberry

  • Nettle

  • Foraging

  • Chicory

  • Chestnut

  • Morel

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 1, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 13 min ago

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love spicy foods.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 1, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A spicy pepper.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter I appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CHILI

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for June 1, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 13 min ago

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

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

Hawaiian hello.

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

ALOHA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Lives under the bridge.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TROLL

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Gooey.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SLIMY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Upper body.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHEST

Final Hurdle hint

Number.

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

DIGIT

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

AMD revives one of its best-known CPUs as a 10th anniversary model

How-To Geek - 9 hours 13 min ago

AMD is dealing with soaring PC component prices through an unusual strategy: repackaging old CPUs and GPUs to reach gamers who can no longer afford the latest technology.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dell's new, redesigned XPS 13 is built to beat the MacBook Neo

How-To Geek - 10 hours 13 min ago

Dell is continuing its XPS revival by launching a redesigned XPS 13, and it's not just a major rethink of the company's smallest premium laptop — it's a direct bid to capture would-be MacBook Neo buyers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dell puts the MacBook Neo on notice with XPS 13, only $599 for students at launch

Mashable - 10 hours 13 min ago

Dell finally announced its new XPS 13 laptop at Computex 2026 in Taiwan on Monday, almost five months after teasing it at CES. With a premium CNC aluminum build and a launch price of just $599 for students, the device is poised to aggressively compete with Apple's budget bombshell, the MacBook Neo.

On that battlefront, Dell is coming out swinging. "I'll give [Apple] credit, it's a good product...The difference is, we built something better," Dell COO Jeff Clarke told reporters during a briefing ahead of Computex.

Dell XPS 13 specs The XPS 13 will come in sky and storm finishes (left and right, respectively). Credit: Dell

The XPS 13 will be the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop Dell has ever made. It's just as slim as the Neo but half a pound lighter, weighing in at just 2.2 pounds. It will come equipped with a 2.5K touchscreen, keyboard backlighting, and WiFi 7, three features the Neo lacks.

The XPS 13's display will offer up to 500 nits of brightness and full DCI-P3 color coverage, so it should look very crisp and vibrant. It will also support a variable 120Hz refresh rate that can drop to just 30Hz when it's displaying static content, maximizing its battery life.

The XPS 13 doesn't have a lattice-style keyboard or a seamless touchpad, two signature features of Dell's XPS 14 and 16 laptops. Credit: Dell

Dell's XPS 13 is rated for up to 17 hours of video streaming per charge. If that holds up in testing, it'll beat the Neo's battery life by just over two hours.

The XPS 13 will launch sometime later this month in a silvery "sky" finish with Intel's new entry-level Core Series 3 chips ("Wildcat Lake"). The base configuration comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and until Nov. 2, students ages 16 and up can buy it for just $599. Everyone else pays $699 (the same price as an identically configured Neo).

Later this summer, Dell will add a second "storm" finish and scaled-up variants with the flagship Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips ("Panther Lake"). Those upgraded models will have two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the cheaper Wildcat Lake versions will have two USB-C ports. None will have a headphone jack, so there's one point on the Neo's side.

A cheap XPS laptop? In this economy? The XPS 13 is half a pound lighter than the MacBook Neo. Credit: Dell / Mashable composite

The Neo's arrival this spring sent many PC makers scrambling, but Clarke said it didn't affect Dell's planned features for the XPS 13, which was developed over the course of "around 30 weeks." The company first hinted at its existence at CES in January, describing it in a blog post as "our most accessible XPS price point yet."

Dell previously sold an XPS 13 laptop from 2012 to 2024. But it was basically just a compact version of its XPS 14 and 16 laptops, not a budget machine targeting a whole different user base.

The new XPS 13's cheap price tag is quite the feat amid the global RAM shortage that's forced most PC makers to raise their prices — Dell included. Last month, select configurations of its latest XPS 14 got up to 31 percent more expensive. And its new entry-level Alienware 15 gaming laptop debuted at a higher price than expected.

Dell delivered a premium-feeling budget laptop in the current market to fulfill the accessibility commitment it made at CES, Clarke said, though it also took "a change in mindset and attitude."

SEE ALSO: Thank the AI industry for tech price increases: See the full list

"We had this belief that XPS was this incredible premium product, which it is, and it couldn't go below a certain floor," he explained. "We put our minds to it, making the XPS experience more affordable. We wanted to share that experience with a broader range of consumers."

So far, Acer is the only other major PC maker to announce a Wildcat Lake-powered budget laptop with U.S availability. (Out this August, the new Acer Swift Air 14 also starts at $699.) Other models launched in China last month.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 new shows and movies streaming on HBO Max in June

How-To Geek - 11 hours 13 min ago

Get ready for a documentary-heavy month on HBO Max, with new and returning original shows and some delectable movies making their streaming debuts. Whether you’re craving epic fantasy, sharp comedy, or prestige indie films, the platform has plenty of new content to satiate your desires.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Protect up to 9 devices and save $154 on the AdGuard Family Plan

Mashable - 11 hours 13 min ago

TL;DR: Save $154 on the AdGuard Family Plan, which protects up to nine devices with ad blocking, privacy tools, malware safeguards, and parental controls for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

Between smartphones, tablets, laptops, and shared family computers, keeping every device protected can quickly become complicated. The AdGuard Family Plan simplifies that by covering up to nine devices under a single subscription while helping reduce ads, block trackers, and filter potentially harmful websites.

Right now you can get the plan while it’s price-dropped to $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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AdGuard’s Family Plan is built specifically for households rather than individual users. While the company’s Personal Plan covers up to three devices, the Family Plan expands that coverage to nine, making it a more practical option for families with multiple phones, tablets, and computers.

One of AdGuard’s primary functions is ad blocking. The software is designed to remove many of the ads that appear while browsing the web, helping create a cleaner online experience. It also works to block tracking tools that collect browsing data, giving users more control over their privacy.

Beyond ads and trackers, AdGuard includes protection against phishing sites and certain forms of malware. These safeguards can help reduce the chances of accidentally visiting websites designed to steal information or distribute malicious software.

For parents, the Family Plan’s parental control tools may be one of its biggest advantages. The feature allows adults to restrict access to inappropriate or adult-oriented content, helping create a safer browsing environment for younger users.

The software works across both Android and iOS devices, helping families maintain consistent protection across multiple platforms.

For households looking to simplify online safety, privacy, and ad blocking across multiple devices, the AdGuard Family Plan is currently available for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 tips for using hookup apps discretely — advice for Feeld, Tinder, AdultFriendFinder, and Grindr

Mashable - 11 hours 13 min ago

Everybody gets the thirst for a hookup once in a while, and you certainly don't need to worry about justifyng that thirst to us — or anybody else for that matter. The heart (and body) wants what it wants.

What you do need to worry about though is your online privacy — particularly if you're using dating sites and apps that are geared towards sex and NSFW content.

If you want to protect your privacy or at least keep a low profile while you swipe through sexy singles in your area, there are a few different things you can do. Here's some general guidance that works across all apps and sites, plus some more targeted advice depending on the service you're using.

General tips for browsing hookup apps discreetly

The following tips work well across all hookup sites. Think of them as general guidelines for limiting your exposure:

  • Sign up using an alternative email address. Not only does this spare you in the event of a data breach (and trust us when we say they can be more common than you would think), it also means that if somebody does catch a glance at your inbox they won't be able to see what sites you frequent.

  • Anonymize your photos as far as possible. You don't have to blur your face, but neither should you be taking photos of yourself that reveal where you live, where you work, or where you hang out. Additionally, ensure you leave out any identifying marks, such as unique tattoos, from any of your profile photos.  

  • Don't link your social media in your profile. Too many people share their Instagram pages or TikTok handles in their profiles, but doing so dramatically increases your exposure, since every image and story you post there could inadvertently contain identifying information about you, such as who your friends are or where you're from. 

  • Take advantage of gift cards or prepaid credit cards. If you purchase a premium membership to a hookup app or site, you'll leave a paper trail that links to your bank account or credit card. To maintain your anonymity, you can use a prepaid card or purchase a gift card instead of using your main credit or debit card when you register your membership. 

App-specific tips to retain your anonymityFeeld

For the privacy-conscious dater, Feeld’s Incognito mode is a game-changer: You can scout the Discover feed without leaving a digital footprint, remaining invisible to anyone you haven't explicitly "liked." The app also supports private photo vaults that only unlock for confirmed connections.

Tinder

Tinder offers a few unique features that can help you lower your profile, even as you swipe away. First, consider turning off Discovery mode when you're trying to keep a low profile. This will make it impossible for new people to find your profile in search. Meanwhile, you can still chat to people you're already matched with.

If you really want to take things up a notch and you already have a Tinder Plus, Gold or Platinum membership, you can use Passport Mode to browse singles in a nearby city, or a place you're travelling to for work or on a vacation. This is a great way to prevent your local friends and family from accidentally stumbling across your profile. 

SEE ALSO: Is Tinder making a comeback?

You can also block phone numbers if you really don't want certain individuals to find you — your boss, neighbor, or sibling, for instance.

Grindr

The first line of defence on Grindr is a relatively new feature called Profile Hide that works on one user at a time. Say, for example, you come across a co-worker on the app, and don't want them to know you're also using it. Simply click on their profile and find the Hide icon. If you tap this, your profile will become invisible to them and their profile will become invisible to you, like magic.

If you want to take things up a notch, you'll need a Grindr Unlimited membership, which unlocks a really useful privacy feature called Incignito mode, which essentially allows you to use the service in total secrecy, without anyone knowing you're there until you initiate an interaction. 

AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder is like the Wild West of hookup sites, a place where seemingly anything goes, but that carefree attitude can also be a privacy nightmare. We strongly recommend you limit the amount of identifiable information you put on your profile. That includes being very selective about which photos you choose to share.

One good way to strike a balance between total anonymity and a modicum of privacy is to take advantage of AFF's many photo features, specifically their photo permissions options. You can make your main profile photo something reasonably discrete, such as a full-length picture of you wearing a hat or a photo shot from a distance or even a photo with your face blurred out, but then you can create a photo album of more identifiable, personal photos that you choose to share only with friends. 

That way, you can be super selective about whom you share your photos with.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Euphoria season 3 finale streams tonight on HBO Max. Is this the end of the show?

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 23:40

Euphoria season 3 comes to a close with tonight's finale, which airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max. Will this episode wind up being the series finale?

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $40,000 Nissan SUV beats a $57,000 Lincoln on fuel economy and towing

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 23:00

Lincoln introduced the Aviator in 2003 as a three-row luxury SUV, but it shared its platform and its look with the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. While it was more upscale than both, Aviator sales were still modest as buyers noticed the all-too-close family resemblance. As dealers struggled to move units, Lincoln discontinued the model line not long after its debut. The 2005 model year was the last of the Aviator for quite some time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung finally fixed One UI's messy Quick Settings to match the Pixel

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 22:30

I am not the biggest fan of Samsung phones, and that’s mostly due to the software. The plethora of features and options is nice, but I just don’t like some of Samsung’s design choices. Thankfully, One UI 8.5 improved one such thing in a big way: the Quick Settings panel.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why families keep coming back to the Toyota Highlander

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 22:00

SUV buyers in the U.S. are paying a lot more attention to what it actually costs to own a vehicle these days. It’s not just the sticker price anymore—it’s everything that comes after it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 6 settings I change on every Android phone for better Jellyfin streaming

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 21:30

Jellyfin works pretty well on Android with all the default settings in place. But there are still a few tweaks I make in both the Jellyfin client and Android itself to tailor the service to exactly how I want to use it. From enabling wider codec support to improving offline use, to enabling background play, these tips can improve your Jellyfin experience too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Steam Deck can be a NAS—and 4 other devices hiding in your closet

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 21:00

Cloud storage is expensive, we like to host our own content locally these days, and can you really put all your trust in third-party backup solutions?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why you should always buy a new car on a weekday this summer

How-To Geek - Sun, 05/31/2026 - 20:45

If you have been researching a new vehicle but have noticed that prices seem higher than ever, that is not your imagination! The average new-vehicle transaction price is hovering at or near $50,000 today, the highest it’s ever been in the automotive industry. It seems the days of ultra-affordable cars have passed, and even a six-figure salary may not leave enough margin when factoring in the total cost of vehicle ownership.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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