IT General

I am suspicious of cloud services, so much so that I avoided the entire premise of a smart home until the Matter standard eventually presented me with a local-only option. Yet in the process of living with a local-only hub, I’ve encountered some issues that you just don’t face when your smart home platform is based in the cloud.

Interrupting an actor's vocal warm-up is a risky move, especially when they're about to host SNL UK.

Ted Lasso star and West End icon Hannah Waddingham knows a thing or two about pre-show exercises, schooling cast members Annabel Marlow and George Fouracres in the video above.

Set to host the UK version of Saturday Night Live on May 9 with musical guest Myles Smith, Waddingham takes her warm-up extremely seriously, even if it's just throwing words together and dramatically sounding them out like "big beefy boys need big beefy toys."

It's the penultimate episode of SNL UK Season 1, the finale of which will be hosted by Doctor Who‘s Ncuti Gatwa on May 16, with musical guest Holly Humberstone. The first run of the spinoff has seen previous hosts Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, Riz Ahmed, Jack Whitehall, Nicola Coughlan, and Aimee Lou Wood.

Season 2 is yet to be announced.

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To some degree, every Windows user should know at least some basic drive optimization. And in that regard, the OS has a bunch of party tricks you can use for that purpose. One of the most overlooked ones is Storage Sense, but what is it, and should you actually use it?

TL;DR: Amazon currently has the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G95C) gaming monitor on sale for $699.99, down from its $999.99 list price. This deal comes with a free PC code for Resident Evil Requiem.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey G9 $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300 Get Deal

If you’re hunting for a good price on an ultrawide gaming monitor to give your setup a well-deserved upgrade, one of Amazon’s best offers now includes a code for one of 2026’s biggest games. 

As of May 6, Amazon has cut the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G95C) gaming monitor to $699.99 with free delivery, making it a solid 30% discount for anyone trying to stretch their setup across one giant screen instead of juggling multiple displays. 

The G95C goes big without going OLED, pairing a massive 49-inch Dual QHD screen with a sharp 1,000R curve designed to wrap around your field of view. The 32:9 aspect ratio gives you room to spread out a game, Discord, Twitch, and a few extra tabs without making your desk look like a command center you can barely manage. 

As for speed, this sleek Samsung unit lists a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms(GtG) response time, which should help cut down on blur when matches get a bit chaotic. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support is also included for smoother performance during fast-moving scenes, while DisplayHDR 1000, 1000-nit peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio help bring extra depth to bright highlights and dark corners. 

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Two business days after the monitor ships, you’ll receive an email with a redeemable code for the hit Capcom horror game Resident Evil Requiem. If you’re a fan of the long-running horror franchise, this a great first test for your visual upgrade. 

For any other games you feel like playing — be it a round of Fortnite or trying out Crimson Desert — the Odyssey G9 monitor’s setup-focused touches are worth noting. CoreSync and Core Lighting+ add reactive lighting behind the display, while the ergonomic stand lets you swivel, tilt, and adjust the height. Picture-by-Picture, Picture-in-Picture, Eye Saver Mode, and Auto Source Switch+ round out this unit for anyone using this as both a gaming screen and productivity hub. 

If you’re open to spending a bit less on a monitor that’s slightly smaller, the 34-inch Alienware curved gaming monitor is on sale for just under $300. What’s more, the LG 27-inch UltraGear GX7 is over $300 off. 

Back in 2020, in what's still one of the most shocking sporting upsets of the decade so far, Stephen Colbert managed to claim victory over Barack Obama in a game of "wastepaper basketball" — and now they're having a rematch.

In the clip above, after a tour and interview in the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, the two talk smack while throwing their little crumpled balls of paper at a distant trash can. The end result? A match that's not all that closely fought.

We won't tell you who wins, but we will say there's a trophy involved.

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SAVE $200: As of May 6, the EcoVacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum is on sale for $899 at Amazon. That's a 18% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoVacs EcoVacs Deebot X11 Robot Vacuum $899 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal

The EcoVacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum is back on sale at Amazon, and if you've been looking for a robot vacuum to handle all the work, this is a great choice. A vacuum and mop combo, this unit is at its best-ever price of $899 for a limited time.

This is a robot vacuum that can handle larger homes. Dirt and dust stand no chance thanks to the OZMO Roller 2.0 with TruEdge 3.0 which gives more precise mopping, reaching into edges and corners more effectively. The BLAST suction and ZeroTangle 3.0 technology provide reliable cleaning power, even for homes with pets.

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It also has a TruePass four-wheel system that helps it navigate thresholds and steps with ease, and the smart wet and dry cleaning system automatically adjusts by lifting the mop on carpets to avoid making a mess.

The X11 also features an OMNI Station that has bagless auto-emptying, hot water mop washing, and self-cleaning functions, so all manual work is taken out of your hands. It's even powered by AI navigation to help it learn your home layout by itself.

You can find this robot vacuum deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $500: As of May 6, the De'Longhi Eletta Explore is on sale for $1,499.95 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Eletta Explore $1,499.95 at Amazon
$1,999.95 Save $500   Get Deal

Coffee connoisseurs, head to Amazon now because there's a new deal on the De'Longhi Eletta Explore. As of May 6, this impressive espresso machine has got a $500 discount, bringing the price down from $1,999.95 to $1,499.95.

This model is a super automatic espresso machine that lets you create a wide range of drinks at just the touch of a button. No fussing around with settings or complicated parts, this machine comes with over 50 one-touch hot and cold recipes including espresso, cappuccino, latte, iced drinks, and more.

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Pick one of the 50 recipes from the 3.5-inch full-touch TFT display. You can even personalize drinks, create profiles, and make changes to recipes through the De’Longhi Coffee Link App.

For those that are serious about their beans, this machine comes with a built-in grinder with 13 settings for precise dosing and optimal extraction. It also comes with a dual LatteCrema system that creates both hot and cold milk foam for different styles of coffee, if you prefer a cappuccino instead of a straight up espresso. Cold brew lovers are also covered, with the machine benefiting from Cold Extraction Technology to prepare cold brew in under three minutes.

Get this coffee machine deal from Amazon now.

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 Wednesday, May 6, 2026:

AcrossWikipedia or WebMD

• The answer is Site.

Host city of the 2024 Olympics

• The answer is Paris.

Nuclear reactors split them

• The answer is Atoms.

Hit 2021 film shot in the same location as "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Martian"

• The answer is Dune.

C.I.A. asset

• The answer is Spy.

DownShowed sudden interest

• The answer is Sat up.

"Ten thousand spoons, when all you need is a knife," according to Alanis Morissette

• The answer is Irony.

What's displayed at the top of many iPhone lock screens

• The answer is Time.

Pluralizing letter, spelled out

• The answer is Ess.

Football player's protection

• The answer is Pads.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE $130: As of May 6, the DJI Flip (RC 2) is on sale for $509 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Flip (RC 2) $509 at Amazon
$639 Save $130   Get Deal

The DJI Flip is back on sale at Amazon, and as of May 6, it's down to its best-ever price. And with the ban on future imports of DJI drones, now might be the time to buy. Right now, you'll save $130 with the new price of $509.

This drone is incredibly lightweight, weighing under 249g, meaning it doesn't require FAA registration or Remote ID in the U.S. For peace of mind, it's designed with full-coverage carbon fibre propeller guards. For shooting great content, it benefits from features like subject tracking to keep subjects in focus during filming. It also benefits from a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor to capture images with more light and detail, and it supports 4K/60fps HDR video recording.

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With this DJI drone, you'll get an RC 2 remote controller with a high-bright screen, a battery, and additional essentials. To get going, you'll need to download the DJI Fly app from the official DJI website, as it was recently removed from Google Play.

Get this drone deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $30: As of May 6, get a free $30 Amazon gift card when you buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro $249.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $30   Get Deal

If you need a new pair of earbuds and you love a freebie as much as we do, you need to check out this Amazon deal on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

As of May 6, if you buy these earbuds, you'll get a free Amazon voucher worth $30. You can choose between black and white earbuds, both including the same gift card offer.

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And if the bonus gift card wasn't enough of a selling point, these earbuds are really incredible. Sound quality is seriously impressive, with each earbud featuring a two-way speaker system with a tweeter and woofer for high and low frequencies. They also have an Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0 feature. This can adjust sound in real time to your environment.

These earbuds also include touch controls for answering the phone, adjusting the volume, and other functions. There's even hands-free AI features such as voice assistance and live translation when used with compatible devices. And don't worry about them being flimsy, as these are designed for everyday use thanks to their IP57 dust and water rating.

Head to Amazon to score this earbuds and gift card bundle deal.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Bundle available for preorder at $69.99 ahead of its Aug. 14 release. TCGplayer listings are much higher (starting at $117.73).

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Bundle $69.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Here

The Magic: The Gathering trading card game is heading back to Middle-Earth, and this time Bilbo Baggins is getting his own turn at the table. The Hobbit crossover doesn’t launch until Aug. 14, but preorders are already live and Amazon has the most sensible price right now. 

As of May 6, the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Bundle is up for preorder at Amazon for $69.99, which lines up exactly with the official bundle MSRP. It’s also being sold and shipped by Amazon, with Amazon’s preorder price guarantee attached. That means you won't pay more if the price shifts before launch. 

TCGplayer, meanwhile, seems to be preparing for official stock to sell out with higher listing prices. Its lowest listing is currently $117.73 with shipping included, while the listed median is hovering around $117.76. That makes Amazon the obvious first stop if you’re trying to lock in the new set without paying nearly $50 over retail price.

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Inside the box, you’ll get nine Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Boosters, one alt-art traditional foil promo card, four traditional foil full-art seasonal Hobbit lands, 15 traditional foil basic lands, 15 non-foil basic lands, two reference cards, a card-storage box, and an oversized Spindown life counter. 

That means it’s built for a little bit of everything: cracking packs, building out decks, storing cards, and admiring some very Shire-themed lands. The set pulls from Bilbo’s journey from The Shire to the Lonely Mountain, with Gandalf, Dwarves, Trolls, treasure, and Smaug all part of the adventure. 

As for deals from other MTG expansions, you can score the Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box for only $20. To further expand your collection, Magic: The Gathering’s Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box is also on sale for around $90. 

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box up for preorder at $278.95, down from its typical $344.94 price. Walmart and TCGplayer listings are even cheaper, but this Amazon Chaos Rising Booster Box price is sporting a 19% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Box $278.95 at Amazon
$344.94 Save $65.99   Pre-order Here

The Chaos Rising release date is getting closer, and Amazon is starting to drop more discounts on the upcoming expansion.

As of May 6, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box listed for preorder at $278.95 with free shipping, sold by MVP Marketplace. That is 19% off its typical $344.94 price, saving you $65.99 before tax. 

Each Chaos Rising Booster Display Box contains 36 booster packs from the upcoming Mega Evolution expansion. At Amazon’s $278.95 price, that comes out to roughly $7.75 per booster pack before tax. The listing currently shows free delivery for May 27, with the fastest delivery option set for May 23, right after the expansion’s May 22 release date. 

That said, Amazon is still not the cheapest place to buy. Walmart currently has the same Chaos Rising Booster Box listed at $238.99 with free shipping, sold and shipped by T. Gaming. TCGplayer is also under Amazon, with unopened presale listings starting at $239.40 shipped and a current market price of $238.24.

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Chaos Rising includes over 120 cards, more new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, more than 25 Trainer cards, and more than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations. The set features Mega Floette ex, Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex, and Mega Dragalge ex.

To get more from the upcoming expansion at a better price, you can also score the Pokemon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for just over $130 at Amazon. You can also grab single Chaos Rising booster packs for $12.99 at Amazon. 

An icy world, perhaps just 300 miles wide and far beyond Pluto, may have air, challenging the assumption that small space objects can't hold onto an atmosphere.

This world, known as 2002 XV93, orbits in a distant region sprinkled with leftover rubble from our solar system's early planet-building days. Astronomers often study this ancient detritus, referred to as Trans-Neptunian Objects, by waiting for remnants to pass in front of stars. During rare alignments, researchers can measure how the starlight changes to learn about an object's size and features, such as rings or debris.

What scientists saw instead for this object was startling. On Jan. 10, 2024, the little object eclipsed a faint star — a star so anonymous it doesn't even have a common name. But that event, seen from East Asia, revealed thin air on 2002 XV93.

Typically, if an object has no atmosphere, the background starlight disappears abruptly as the object blocks it. Instead, telescopes recorded a gradual fading out and in of the light at the beginning and end of the event — a sign that an atmosphere had bent or scattered it.

"Our findings suggest that a fraction of distant icy minor planets can exhibit atmospheres," the researchers wrote in a new paper published in Nature Astronomy. 

SEE ALSO: Where NASA's Dragonfly mission is going, 'We don't need roads'

The researchers estimated that an extremely thin atmosphere, with a surface pressure between about 100 and 200 nanobars, surrounds the object. That level is far thinner than Pluto's atmosphere but stronger than anything previously measured around similar small bodies in the outer solar system.

In a post on X, lead author Ko Arimatsu said this is the first detection of an atmosphere for a Trans-Neptunian Object beyond Pluto. It's not known yet what gases are in the world's air, but methane, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide are the team's best guesses, based on their observations.

The discovery shocked scientists because astronomical models indicate small, distant objects should not be able to maintain an atmosphere — at least not for very long. Under weak gravity, gases tend to escape into space, meaning any atmosphere would likely dissipate within a few hundred to a few thousand years.

That may suggest the researchers caught a temporary atmosphere for the object at just the right time. 

The authors proffer a few scenarios for how 2002 XV93's atmosphere could have formed. One possibility is that a comet or asteroid could have crashed into the world recently, releasing trapped gases. Another possibility is that cold volcanoes could have vented gases instead of lava, or internal heat or chemistry could have pushed gases to the surface. 

If the air fades over time, it likely came from a collision. If it continues or changes in cycles, that may mean internal mechanisms are responsible. The team favors the former explanation over the latter.

Scientists say they'll need to study the object more to solve the mystery. They already have James Webb Space Telescope observations of the target that show no indication of frozen material that could have turned into gas.

TL;DR: AcePDF gives you conversion, editing, OCR, and file management tools in one app for a one-time $23.99 (reg. $99.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $29.99
$99.99 Save $70   Get Deal

PDFs are one of those things many deal with on a regular basis, but rarely with just one tool. One app to convert, another to edit, something else to merge files. It all adds up fast, mentally and financially.

That’s what makes AcePDF Converter & Editor worth a look. For $23.99 (reg. $99.99) through May 10, it bundles pretty much every common PDF task into one place — with a one-time payment instead of another ongoing subscription.

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At the core, it handles conversions both ways. You can turn PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or images without losing formatting, and go the other direction just as easily. It also supports batch processing, which is a small detail that makes a big difference if you’re working with multiple files.

Editing is just as straightforward. You can merge, split, rotate, and rearrange pages, add annotations, or build forms. There’s even OCR built in, so scanned documents aren’t stuck as images — you can extract and edit the text directly.

Then there are the extras that tend to come in handy more often than expected: compressing large files, pulling images out of PDFs, adding watermarks, or locking documents with passwords.

Instead of piecing together multiple tools, you get a single app that handles the full workflow from start to finish.

If PDFs are part of your regular routine, this is one of those small upgrades that can save you time every week.

Get the AcePDF Converter & Editor for just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) through May 10at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Surfshark One+ and Incogni give you a VPN, antivirus, alternative ID, and data monitoring all in one $75 bundle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Surfshark Surfshark One+ Plan with Incogni: 1-Year VPN, Antivirus, and Personal Data Removal $74.99
$250.20 Save $175.21   Get Deal

Trying to manage your online privacy usually means juggling multiple subscriptions that each only solve one small part of the problem. Surfshark One+ with Incogni takes a different approach by combining a VPN, antivirus, breach alerts, and data removal into one plan. Right now, a one-year plan is even on sale for only $74.99 (reg. $250.20).

Surfshark takes care of your privacy in real time. The VPN encrypts your internet connection across devices, which helps protect your data on public networks and keeps your browsing activity more private. Antivirus protection runs in the background to catch malware, ransomware, and other threats, while Surfshark Alert notifies you if your information shows up in a data breach.

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There is also an Alternative ID tool, which lets you generate a substitute name and email when signing up for sites. That keeps your real information from getting added to more databases. Private search is included too, so you can browse without trackers tied to your activity.

Incogni focuses on something most people don’t deal with directly. Data brokers collect and sell personal information, which can lead to spam, robocalls, and targeted scams. After you authorize it, Incogni contacts hundreds of these brokers on your behalf and requests that your data be removed. It keeps following up over time, and you can track the progress through a dashboard.

Together, these tools cover both sides of the problem. One protects your current activity, and the other works to clean up what is already out there.

The plan works across up to five devices and runs on most major platforms, so you can keep everything under one account instead of managing separate tools.

Right now, it’s only $74.99 to get a one-year SurfShark One+ Plan with Incogni.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Soundcore's Space 2 are officially available for purchase, following their announcement at Mobile World Congress last month.

The budget headphones retail for $129.99, and are available for purchase at Soundcore's website and Amazon. This is a price increase of $30 over the Space One headphones, which are available for $99.99.

Soundcore Space 2 $129.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Soundcore

I was able to spend a couple of weeks testing out the Space 2 headphones ahead of their launch — spoiler alert, they're great. If you're just looking for the basics, here's everything you need to know about the new Soundcore Space 2 headphones. For a more in-depth look, check out my full review.

Soundcore Space 2 specs

The Soundcore Space 2 headphones come packed with plenty of features, including:

• Battery life: 50 hours with ANC on, 70 hours with ANC off

• Quick charge: 5 minutes of charge for four hours of playback

• Listening modes: Noise cancellation, normal, transparency

• Drivers: Double-layer 40mm diaphragm drivers

• Multipoint connection: Yes, up to two devices

• Equalizer: Eight-band custom equalizer, with 22 equalizer presets

• Spatial audio: Yes

• Audio codecs supported: SBC, AAC, and LDAC

• Passive playback: Yes

• On-ear controls: Noise cancellation button, multifunction button, power/Bluetooth button, and volume controls

• Colors: Green, white, black

What's new with the Soundcore Space 2 headphones?

Soundcore's Space 2 headphones might be more expensive than their first-generation counterparts, but they also come packed with some upgrades.

For starters, you'll get 10 more hours of battery life with ANC, bringing the Space 2 headphones to a grand total of 50 hours of battery life. Soundcore also included a four-stage noise cancellation, which is essentially just a fancy way of saying these headphones are even better at blocking noise, especially at lower frequencies, like an airplane hum. (Yes, this does make them an enticing option for travel).

The design gets a slight upgrade as well, with a more streamlined ear cup fit than the Space One headphones that lends the headphones an overall more premium look. The Space 2 headphones also feature new colorways.

The Soundcore Space one headphones... Credit: Sam Mangino / Mashable Compared to the Space 2 headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

In my testing, it was hard to believe the headphones cost just $129.99 — they easily felt more akin to headphones like the Bose QuietComforts, which cost $359. While their performance doesn't quite match up (which makes sense, they're under half the cost), Soundcore certainly provides a worthwhile budget alternative that makes the gap between budget and mid-range headphones feel even smaller.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love to hit the slots.

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.

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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.

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 6, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Hit the jackpot

• Green: Secured

• Blue: Strike!

• Purple: National emblem

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Found in a casino

• Green: Ways to fasten things

• Blue: Seen in a bowling alley

• Purple: Flag designs

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 #1060 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Found in a casino: CARDS, CHIPS, DICE, SLOT MACHINE

• Ways to fasten things: BUCKLE, BUTTON, LACES, ZIPPER

• Seen in a bowling alley: BOWLING BALL, BOWLING PINS, LANES, SCORECARD

• Flag designs: CIRCLE, HORIZONTAL BISECTION, HORIZONTAL TRISECTION, VERTICAL TRISECTION

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 6, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're always elevating.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Get-up-and-go!

The words are related to waking up.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe leveling up.

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 Rise and Shine.

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NYT Strands word list for May 6

• Soar

• Ascend

• Climb

• Rise and Shine

• Shimmer

• Sparkle

• Radiate

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to compare and contrast.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 6, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

To compare.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

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...

LIKEN

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 today's Wordle.

The Late Show featured a special address on Tuesday, with host Stephen Colbert giving a presidential address to the nation from the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's replica oval office, marvelling at all the fun little details they have around the place — until he's interrupted by the sudden arrival of Obama himself.

"Woah, they even have an exact replica of Barack Obama!" says Colbert. "Though I gotta say, this one is much older than the real one."

After Obama confirms he is in fact the real one, Colbert challenges him to "say something only Barack would say."

"Don't call me Barack," comes the response.

"That's the guy," says Colbert.