IT General

A call from someone pretending to be an IRS agent is, for most of us, just part of the furniture of modern digital life. We hang up, we block the number, we move on. But for Ashton Bingham, then an aspiring actor in LA, one such call in August 2016 was an opportunity to have some fun.

"I was getting a ton of them, and I just decided to film one as a Facebook video," Bingham says. "The call went on for an hour, and it was absolutely insane. Long story short, it went viral" when the scammer ended up blocking Bingham's number — and changed his life. Now Bingham and Art Kulik, a Russian immigrant and former Olympian who met Bingham prior to a Law and Order audition, have turned baiting scammers into their full-time job via Trilogy Media, a YouTube channel with more than 1.6 million subscribers.

But baiting scammers, it turns out, is an art form popular enough to sustain multiple entertainers with wildly different styles. In 2019, another LA resident — musician and voice actor Rosie Okumura — decided she'd chase down a scammer who bilked her mother out of $500 via a Windows pop-up window on her PC. Again, she recorded the call on an hour-plus Facebook video; again, it went viral, this time in large part because Okumura fooled the scammer by claiming she was Kim Kardashian.

SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?

"After that, I got so many requests in my DMs [for more scam-baiting content]," Okumura says, "and the rest is history" — or rather, the rest is another popular YouTube channel, IRLRosie, which also has 1.6 million subscribers, plus a TikTok channel, with bite-size scambaiting clips and 1.2 million followers.

With online scams growing fast — the FTC says reported scams cost people in the U.S. more than $12.5 billion in 2024, which was a 25% increase on the 2023 figure — it shouldn't be a surprise that opposing them should be big business too. Indeed, this new form of entertainment is enough of a rising tide to lift all boats.

Instead of being competitors, Trilogy Media and IRLRosie are effectively colleagues who swap notes and sometimes tag-team the same scammers in the same video. Okumura still favors the simple home-based style, where the humor comes from her wasting scammers' time via voice acting. Bingham and Kulik, meanwhile, have charged off in the direction of internet vigilantism, reinvesting their YouTube revenue into filming elaborate in-person scammer traps in the U.S. and abroad.

"They get in pretty deep that way, whereas I do not feel safe," Okumura says. If she feels a particular scammer warrants that kind of attention, she'll pass on the details to Bingham and Kulik. Ironically, given the name of her channel, "It's Trilogy Media that does things more IRL [in real life]."

SEE ALSO: Get ready for these scams in 2025

Bingham and Kulik, meanwhile, say they've just sealed the deal for an unscripted TV show with an as-yet-unnamed channel — which, along with their paid channel Trilogy+, should help take the edge off the fact that some of their videos are de-monetized by YouTube for getting a little too real, such as mentioning names and locations of scammers.

"We're more vulgar, we're a little bit more edgy" than most scambaiters, Kulik says — but that's just their true personalities coming through. "The only way we know how to do this long term is to stay true to who we are."

Even these two channels are just the tip of an online iceberg of scambaiting. Here's a quick guide to the most popular luminaries in a growing landscape of YouTube creators devoted to tweaking scammers, in the order they began.

Jim Browning

YouTube subscribers: 4.4 million

Earliest video: 2014 (on YouTube)

Location: Northern Ireland

Most popular video: "Calling scammers by their real names" (2020), in which Browning tracks down the nefarious companies behind fake virus messages, has garnered more than 45 million views.

Biggest claim to fame: Working with the BBC investigative series Panorama in 2020 to bring down an Indian call center full of scammers.

Style: Browning (not his real name) is no LA entertainer. He's more of a behind-the-scenes figure who rarely shows his face, preferring to share his screen while tracking down scammers — essentially walking viewers through the steps needed to turn the tables.

Trilogy Media

YouTube subscribers: 1.6 million

Earliest video: 2016 (on Facebook)

Location: Los Angeles, worldwide

Most popular video: "Hunting a scammer with cops" (2022), seen 5.6 million times, in which Bingham and Kulik and the authorities arrive at the front door of a "refund scammer" carrying $40,000 in fake cash.

Biggest claim to fame: Winning the "collaboration award" at the 2022 Streamy awards for a video with Jim Browning and another popular YouTube creator, former NASA engineer Mark Rober. The video covered a "glitter bomb" delivered to the home of a scammer, who is later arrested.

Style: With more than 600 scam-baiting videos, most filmed on location, and 169 million YouTube views, and the most collaborations with other creators, Bingham and Kulik can claim to be the hardest-working duo in scambaiting.

IRLRosie

YouTube subscribers: 1.6 million

Earliest video: 2019 (on Facebook)

Location: Los Angeles

Most popular video: "Scamming the scammer in 5 voices!" (2019) has 13.3 million views. Okumura knows why: the final voice she uses is that of Britney Spears, in which she tells the scammer that she's hosting a revival of the MTV show Crank Yankers.

Biggest claim to fame: Probably the most frequently recognized scambaiter, Okumura receives thanks for her anti-scam activities everywhere she goes. "The best part is getting recognized at restaurants," she says. "They will comp my bill!"

Style: Friendly and fun; the payback part is simply wasting the scammers' time so they can't move on to someone more vulnerable. "I feel like teaching people how to avoid scams is better than helping someone who's lost a ton of money, or putting myself in a dangerous situation," Okumura says.

Scammer Payback

YouTube subscribers: 8.12 million

Earliest video: 2019 (on YouTube)

Location: U.S.

Most popular video: "Scammer begs for his deleted files as I drink his tears" (2020) with more than 24 million views.

Biggest claim to fame: The People's Call Center, a collaboration with the anonymous Scammer Payback team. The Call Center worked with AnyDesk, a software company that allows remote desktop access, to shut down more than 2,000 scammer-run accounts on the service.

Style: Also known as Pierogi, Scammer Payback is like a mix of Browning and Trilogy media; he mostly shares his screen, but appears superimposed above it. He likes to elicit "extreme scammer rage" from his targets.

Scambaiter

YouTube subscribers: 2.7 million

Earliest video: 2021

Location: India

Most popular video: "Showing a scammer his own webcam on my computer" (2021), with more than 34.5 million views.

Biggest claim to fame: Arguably the most popular scambaiting channel not based in the US or UK.

Style: Scambaiter is the pseudonym of an Indian engineer who focuses on the scam-based "call centers" on the rise in his country, sometimes by hijacking their webcams — and in one notable case, hacking into their PA system. There's no entertainment frills, no voice acting, just pure uncut tech-based scam baiting.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

Online scams aren’t just becoming more common, they’re changing in approach, and getting harder to spot. These days, there are scams all over the internet, and while some are relatively easy to spot, others are highly sophisticated – and you might not notice them until it’s too late.

That said, a bit of knowledge of online scams and how they work can go a long way. For the vast majority of online scams, there are telltale signs, and spotting them could save you from falling victim. Here are some of the most common online scams and the warning signs associated with them.

Phishing scams

Phishing scams are a common type of online fraud where scammers impersonate trusted companies, like banks or online retailers, in an effort to steal personal information like passwords or credit card details. These messages, often sent via email or text, are designed to convince you to click on a link to a web page where you’ll share sensitive data. For example, you might get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, warning of suspicious activity and prompting you to “verify” your account. Click the link, and you’ll be taken to a website that looks like your real bank’s website – but it’s not, and when you enter your password, you’re actually handing it over to scammers.

SEE ALSO: Online phishing scams and what to look out for

To spot phishing attempts, look for generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” suspicious sender addresses, and poor spelling or grammar. Be wary of urgent requests or threats that push you to act quickly. If something feels off, don’t click any links. Instead, visit the company’s official website directly to check your account. For example, if you get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, don’t click the link – navigate manually to your bank’s website to log in and find out if the email is the real deal.

Investment scams

Investment scams lure people in by promising guaranteed or unusually high returns with little to no risk. Scammers often pose as financial advisors or representatives of legitimate-sounding companies, pushing opportunities in areas like cryptocurrency, stocks, or forex trading. These schemes might show fake testimonials, flashy websites, or even forged documents to appear credible and pressure you into investing quickly.

SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?

The warning signs include promises of “guaranteed” profits, pressure to act fast, or being asked to invest through unregulated platforms. Be cautious if someone you don’t know reaches out about an investment opportunity, especially if they only communicate online. Always research thoroughly and consult a trusted financial professional before sending any money. 

Job offer scams

Job offer scams target people by advertising high-paying, low-effort jobs or sending unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true. Scammers pose as recruiters or hiring managers from real or fake companies and quickly move to offer you a position without a formal interview. Often, these scams involve requests for personal information, upfront payments for training or equipment, or sending you a check and asking you to wire back part of the funds – only for the original check to be fake.

SEE ALSO: Get ready for these scams in 2025

To avoid falling victim to a job offer scam, watch for vague job descriptions, poor communication, or requests for money early in the hiring process. Be skeptical of offers that promise large sums of money for little or no work. A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay fees or share sensitive information like your Social Security number as part of the screening or interview process.

Tech support scams

Tech support scams trick people into believing their computer or device has a serious issue, like a virus or security breach. Scammers may use pop-up warnings, fake antivirus alerts, or even cold calls pretending to be from companies like Microsoft or Apple. The goal is to scare you into giving them remote access to your device or paying for unnecessary repairs and services.

Warning signs include unsolicited messages claiming your device is infected, requests to install remote access software, or demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate tech companies won’t call you out of the blue or pressure you to act immediately. If you’re unsure, close the pop-up or hang up and contact the company directly through official support channels – if you believe the scam might be impersonating a legitimate company.

Online marketplace scams

Online marketplace scams happen when buyers or sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay try to defraud others. Common tactics include sellers offering high-demand items at suspiciously low prices, or buyers sending fake payment confirmations and asking you to ship the item before funds are actually received. Some scammers even overpay with a fraudulent check and request a refund of the difference. And, sometimes these scams come in the form of cheap rental properties advertised on websites like Craigslist.

To avoid these scams, be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, buyers or sellers who refuse to meet in person, or anyone asking for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Always verify payment before shipping an item and stick to secure payment methods offered by the platform whenever possible.

Charity scams

Charity scams exploit people’s goodwill by posing as legitimate nonprofits, especially after natural disasters or during the holiday season. Scammers often create fake websites or send emails and phone calls asking for donations, sometimes using emotional stories to pressure quick contributions. These fraudulent charities often request untraceable payments like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

To spot a charity scam, be wary of urgent pleas for help, vague details about how donations will be used, or organizations you’ve never heard of. Legitimate charities are transparent, have clear contact information, and allow you to donate securely through their official website. 

Stay skeptical

The basic gist of avoiding online scams is that you should never trust someone you don’t know when they’re asking for money or personal information, especially if they contacted you rather than the other way around. There are so many more online scams than just those listed here. Pay close attention to website URLs and email addresses, and look for any that are close to the real deal, but not quite the same.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

That took a while, but it's finally real: Apple's AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones now support lossless audio.

Apple announced the upgrade in late March, and now the new firmware for the AirPods Max is out, adding support for lossless audio, as well as ultra-low latency audio, for AirPods Max.

The firmware that you want to get this upgrade is version 7E99, and you'll also need to update the device you're using as audio source (an iPhone, iPad, or Mac) to iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS Sequoia 15.4, respectively.

There's an important caveat here: The upgrade is only available for the USB-C version of AirPods Max. That's the latest version that came out last September; earlier versions with Apple's proprietary Lightning port aren't getting this upgrade.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

Once you get the upgrade, the AirPods Max will support lossless audio up to 24-bit, 48 kHz quality. You'll also get ultra-low latency audio, a feature that musicians will be able to utilise to record and mix music while using the AirPods Max. Gamers will also benefit from ultra-low latency audio, as there should be no discernible delay between the audio they hear in their AirPods Max and the actual gameplay on screen.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 1, 2025:

AcrossWITH 8-ACROSS, WHAT WAS LEFT ON WHILE MAKING THIS PUZZLE

• The answer is Caps.

SAN DIEGO BASEBALL PLAYER

• The answer is Padre.

PAIR OF CYMBALS ON A DRUM SET

• The answer is HiHat.

MONOPOLY TOKEN RETIRED IN 2013

• The answer is Iron.

SEE 1-ACROSS

• The answer is Lock.

DownCAPITAL OF EGYPT

• The answer is Cairo.

LIKE A TEMPORARY COMMITTEE

• The answer is AdHoc.

BIT OF APRIL FOOLS' DAY FOOLERY

• The answer is Prank.

READY-GO GO-BETWEEN

• The answer is Set.

SINGER COLLINS

• The answer is Phil.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 April 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 1 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a sign!

The words are related to a time of year.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are related to signs showing this time of year.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Springtime.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 1

• Buds

• Springtime

• Puddles

• Robins

• Blossoms

• Showers

• Pollen

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.

IGN has announced that tickets for its annual convention IGN Live 2025 are now on sale. The two-day event will feature playable demos of upcoming video games, new announcements, panels, contests, stage shows, and giveaways. It won't just be games though, with IGN stating that IGN Live 2025 will be "a huge celebration of everything fans love from the world of games, movies, TV, comics, collectibles, and more."

Here's how you can grab your tickets to IGN Live 2025.

SEE ALSO: 'Doom: The Dark Ages' preview: I am a rhino with a gun Where and when is IGN Live 2025?

IGN Live 2025 will kick off on Saturday, June 7 at the Magic Box @ The Reef in downtown Los Angeles and run through the weekend.

Fortunately for those unable to be in Los Angeles this June, the event will also be livestreamed on IGN's website, YouTube channel, Twitch channel, and X account.

Where to buy tickets for IGN Live 2025

Tickets for IGN Live 2025 are on sale now via the event's official website.

Early bird pricing ends April 30, with single-day tickets available for $15 and VIP passes for the whole weekend at $30. After May 1, single-day tickets will cost $25 while VIP passes will be priced at $40.

VIP tickets will also include a gift bag "filled with tons of cool exclusives," valued at $40.

Who are the event partners for IGN Live 2025?

Not many details on what to expect at IGN Live 2025 have been released yet. However, IGN has announced partnerships with Netflix, 2K Sports, Lenovo, and Arcade1Up at IGN Live 2025, with more to be announced soon.

Last year featured appearances by the casts of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Legend of Vox Machina, as well as Xbox executive Phil Spencer.

Note: IGN is owned by Mashable's parent company Ziff Davis.

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's The Mini crossword answers for April 1 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: Written money

• Green: Plus

• Blue: Expressing emotion

• Purple: Not left

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Currency symbols

• Green: And/together with

• Blue: Emoticon mouths

• Purple: "Right"

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 #660 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Currency symbols: $, £, ¥, €

• And/together with: &, +, N, X

• Emoticon mouths: (, ), O, P

• Right: R, →, ∟, ✔️

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 1

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.

Late Night host Seth Meyers has mocked Elon Musk for complaining about Minnesota governor Tim Walz finding joy in Tesla's cratering stock. Walz isn't the only one.

Tesla's CEO has seen stock for the electric car company plummet, with sales down across the globe as drivers boycott its vehicles — and that isn't even to mention the numerous recalls. Meanwhile, the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been aggressively dismantling the U.S. government, cutting jobs, services, and aid to countless people who need it. 

As such, Tesla's woes have inspired vindictive joy in many. Musk has of course taken objection to those revelling in schadenfreude, calling Walz a "creep" and "huge jerk" for celebrating Tesla's misfortune. Though as Meyers pointed out, you can't actively and joyfully cut federal jobs and benefits then expect people to weep when your multibillion dollar company isn't doing well.

"You're slashing nutritional aid, veteran's benefits, and social security, and you expect us to feel bad about a stock price?" quipped Meyers. "I can't believe this is what happened to the 'fuck your feelings' crowd. They went from 'cry more, libs' to 'stop making me cry, libs.'

"Also, 'Tim Walz is a jerk'? My man, when you run around with a chainsaw on stage, you're celebrating cutting jobs and benefits. To quote I believe it was William Shakespeare, 'the jerk store called and they're running out of you.'"

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Can an AI voice bot help you land a date? That's what Tinder is aiming for with a new game in collaboration with OpenAI.

On Tuesday, Tinder launched The Game Game, an experience designed to help you practice your conversation skills by talking to an AI voice, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o model. The Game Game works by dealing you a "stack of cards," each card containing a different AI persona and "meet cute" scenario, like accidentally grabbing someone else's luggage at baggage claim. Your goal is to score a date or a phone number within the time limit. You'll also get a score based on a scale of three Tinder flame icons.

SEE ALSO: Do flirty chatbots generate good IRL dates?

The time limit isn't just there to gamify the experience. "We built the time limit on purpose because this is just a warm up," said Devyn Simone, Tinder's relationship expert in residence, at the launch event. "This is just a game. It is not designed to replace human conversations. Instead, it's actually designed to encourage real conversations with real people in real life." There's also a limit of five games per day, lest you forget the real purpose of using Tinder as a dating app for matching with humans, not bots.

Tinder isn't the only dating app to bring in AI features. Hinge recently launched an AI prompt editor, Grindr is testing an AI wingman, and then there are apps like Rizz and WingAI that are basically AI agents dating on behalf of the user. However, unlike other AI dating app features that are text-based, Tinder's new game brings a sense of realism to practicing your game by using OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode.

As part of the game, users are rewarded with points by saying flirty and engaging things that would normally keep a conversation going. "The AI rewards curiosity and warmth, listening, asking follow up questions," Simone said during the event. "It's not about being slick or having the best line, it's about being human." Additionally, The Game Game was built with social psychology frameworks that inform the scoring and give you tips and recommendations.

That said, the game isn't meant to be taken too seriously. "The Game Game is intentionally over the top—a low-stakes, playful experience that feels more like improv than a guide to perfect flirting," said a Tinder spokesperson in a follow up email. "It’s about helping people feel comfortable expressing themselves, not following a formula for success."

In other words, the point is to practice your skills in a risk-free environment so you can hopefully feel more confident for the real thing.

I was humbled by Tinder's Game Game

So what's it like to play The Game Game? At the event, I got to test it out. My meet cute was bumping into a lawyer AI persona at a busy mall. We chatted about what "he" was buying (legal books, because, ya know, he's a lawyer) and I made up something about buying an anniversary present for my parents.

The game flashed a warning saying I needed to ask more questions. "So what kind of law do you practice?" I said in a panic, and learned he was a corporate lawyer. As I found myself listening to a boilerplate response about why he liked corporate law, it suddenly felt very much like a real life dating scenario, complete with feigned interest and jilted small talk — both enhanced by the surreal premise that I was talking to a robot.

Our time together ran out before I was able to secure a date — maybe I should have pretended to be more interested in corporate law? Or maybe we just weren't a good match to begin with. But now I can say I've had the unique experience of getting romantically rejected by a bot. For the record, this particular session was on the highest difficulty level, so my ego is still barely in tact.

Did my flirting skills get better? With a time limit and a specific objective, I definitely tried harder to keep the conversation going, so I can see how one could improve after a few more sessions. But while I played the game, I found myself wondering how a human would respond differently to the conversation, which made the whole experience feel unrealistic.

But I guess that's the point. It's supposed to just be a game so you can get out there in the real world and talk to humans instead of bots.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

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: Used to swing on the green

• Green: Wrestling language

• Blue: St. Louis legends

• Purple: Greens

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Golf clubs

• Green: Wrestling terminology

• Blue: Cardinal greats

• Purple: ___Green

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 #190 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Golf clubs - DRIVER, HYBRID, IRON, WEDGE

• Wrestling terminology - ESCAPE, PIN, REVERSAL, TAKEDOWN

• Cardinal greats - BROCK, GIBSON, MUSIAL, PUJOLS

• ___Green - BOWLING, DANNY, DRAYMOND, PUTTING

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.

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for April 1 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's The Mini crossword answers for April 1, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A precious gem.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter J.

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...

JEWEL.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 1

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.

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.

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

A pushcart.

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

DOLLY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

What an Olympian might win.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MEDAL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Not flexible.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

STIFF

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Slightly wet.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 1 Hurdle Word 4 answer

MOIST

Final Hurdle hint

With enthusiasm.

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

GUSTO

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

There is no shortage of email clients to choose from, but I wanted one that was seamless to use across different devices and platforms. So, I tried many email clients to find the one that met my practical needs and was appealing to use. Here's what I found.

Most of us use USB drives for temporary file storage, but they can do much more. You can boot an operating system, store and encrypt passwords, automate critical data backups, and more. If you have a spare USB drive that you only use for storage, here are some other ways to make the most of it.

When you hear "biology" you probably think something like "nature" or "natural", but humankind has been interfering with biology for thousands of years, and now in the 21st century our tools are more powerful than ever.

Physical media, including vinyls, cassettes, and CDs are all the rage right now. If you're looking to dust off your collection of DVDs and put them to use in your Windows PC, getting them playing is quite easy. Unfortunately, Blu-rays are more complicated, but you have a few options there too.

Many Windows users believe accessibility features are only for those with disabilities, but that’s not the case. I don't have a disability, but I use some accessibility features to be more productive. I can’t imagine using Windows without them. Here are some features you should try.

Save $100: Grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones on sale for $329 at Amazon, down from their list price of $429. This 23% discount is live as of March 31, the last day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $329 at Amazon
$429 Save $100 Get Deal

When Bose named their QuietComfort line, they hit the nail right on the head.

In that line is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which have been deemed the most comfortable headphones by not one, not two, but three separate reporters from the Mashable shopping team. And as of March 31, the last day of the Big Spring Sale, Amazon marked them down to $329, dropping their price even further from the $80 price cut we spotted earlier in the sale.

SEE ALSO: 300+ of the best deals from the final day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

I personally tested the Bose QC Ultra headphones in the fall of 2023, shortly after they hit the market. I put them through the ringer in testing their comfort — I left them on for entire work days, wore them with earrings, and even on a cross country flight while wearing glasses. In every situation, they felt cushioned and sturdy, but not too heavy. As Lead Shopping Reporter Dylan Haas put it, "A lot of headphones advertise 'all-day comfort' as a feature, but rarely is that literally true." Like me, he was able to use them for an entire day without any soreness.

With that said, they're not perfect. While their noise cancelling is good (it is Bose, after all), Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino wasn't totally impressed, writing in her review, "while the noise cancellation is really good at blocking out low-pitched noises, it can't wholly block high-pitched sounds unless you turn up the sound to unhealthy volumes." She also felt that the sound quality didn't stand out among other premium options.

I also found that their multipoint pairing could be inconsistent at times, but that's an issue I've experienced across the board with Bose. While annoying, issues like that are easier to overlook when you're not paying full price. If you are looking to get these headphones at the absolute lowest price ever, you might want to pass this time — we've seen them drop down to $299 in the past.

SAVE 15%: As of March 31, shop the Owala FreeSip water bottle for 15% off. Down from its usual $34.99, get it for $29.60, saving you $5.39.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip 32 oz. water bottle $29.60 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $5.39 Get Deal

Based on the speed and velocity with which the Stanley Quencher entered our culture, I never thought something could dethrone it as the 'It Girl' of water bottles. But enter the Owala FreeSip. More traditional in its water bottle design, it comes in flashy colors and has an innovative lid design that sets it apart from the Stanley or Hydro Flasks.

With a two-part design, you can sip or chug from the mouth of the Owala, depending on your hydration needs. The lids feature a two-part lock. The first covers the mouthpiece, while the second prevents you from accidentally hitting the release button. As an Owala user myself, I love the lock design because I can toss it in my bag without fear of spillage. Plus, the second lock can also double as a carry loop for easy toting around.

Beyond all its special features, it's also just a great insulated water bottle. It keeps cold beverages chilly for up to 24 hours. When I fill my water bottle up before bed, it's still perfectly cold by the time I wake up.

Right now, you can find the Owala FreeSip for just $29.60. That saves you $5.39 for 15% off during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Make sure to grab it before the deals wrap up.