IT General

Longtime users will already know the benefits of the AdultFriendFinder “Premium Gold Plan,” but for those who have just signed up, there's a lot to learn. The hookup site regularly prompts users to sign up. That doesn't mean you should immediately enter your credit card details. There are definitely benefits to a paid membership, but it's best to know and understand what the Premium Gold Plan actually has to offer.

Not that you have to, of course. Not everyone wants to fork out for an extra feature. Tight budgets are what they are. We get it. You can still have lots of fun playing around with AdultFriendFinder's free version. Just know that there are limits to that freebie fun. And there's a ton of spicy content and quality-of-life stuff when you upgrade.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

You can test the waters with a one-month membership that will only set you back $35.95. Or you can commit to three months at $26.95 per month. If the trial run goes well, it might be worth committing to a more long-term membership. You can get a one-year membership for just $19.95 per month. It's worth noting, however, that you will need to manually cancel your Gold account after each membership period ends, otherwise the subscription will automatically renew by default. Don't make the age-old mistake of only remembering to cancel once you've seen the money leave your account.

If you're intrigued but want to know more before making a commitment, we've rounded up three perks exclusive to paid users that will help justify the monthly cost:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Discover vastly expanded chatting options

If you’re relying on a free membership, actual chatting options are limited. You can search for individual members based on some limited criteria (Man/Woman/Trans or Couple/Group, for example), and you apply some very limited filters (Online or Near Me), but if you try to click through the profile photo and learn more about the person who has caught your eye, you’re instantly prompted to upgrade your account.

Free members are limited to interacting with others in forums and group chat spaces, which is fun but simultaneously restrictive, since there’s no guarantee the people you chat with actually live anywhere nearby. And while free members can receive regular direct messages from premium users, they will need to upgrade to respond and start a back-and-forth DM convo. 

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder red flags — how to avoid scams on AFF

Gold members, on the other hand, get more. They can send and respond to private messages, enter webcam shows, and speak to the host for free. They can also create a Friends list that will make regular contact much easier. This unlocks access to AFF’s instant messenger, too, for real-time convos. 

Unlock AdultFriendFinder’s even naughtier side

One quick visit to the homepage and you'll see that nudity filters are turned off by default. But hey, that's what AdultFriendFinder is all about. It proudly platforms and encourages sexual content. But free members only get a basic look. With a premium membership, for example, you have access to better quality photos, videos, and streams, so those tiny thumbnails and grainy, low-res webcam feeds — you know, the ones that look like they’re being downloaded straight from the ‘90s — will suddenly come to life in stunning (not to mention steeamy) HD. 

But more than that, Gold members can also view and comment on nude photos and videos on profiles that the uploader has restricted to paying members. And while standard members are allowed to watch member webcams, they can only watch one at a time. Gold members, meanwhile, can open multiple streams at once. 

Finally, Gold members can access AdultFriendFinder’s Sex Academy, a massive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex and sexual health, and discover new techniques to improve their skills between the sheets. Topics range from the basics — 101 skills like how to correctly put on a condom — to more advanced stuff such as oral sex techniques. Everything's covered in a way that's easy to follow and — in the case of practical sex skills — easy to replicate in real life.

Refine your search for the perfect match

We know that free members can’t really interact with their searches, but we still have to admit it's frustrating to discover how limited the basic search function is, especially when you consider how much information users voluntarily provide about themselves.

Of course, it's no surprise that paid members get a far better experience. Signing up for a membership unlocks a more refined search that includes not just basics like gender, sexual orientation, and an age and distance range (Straight, Bisexual, Bicurious, Gay, and Prefer Not To Say are all options), but also marital status, ethnicity, and body type (Average, Slim/Petite, Athletic, Ample, A Little Extra Padding, and BBW/BBM are the options here).

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Snapchat: Which is better for sexting?

Paid members can get super specific in AFF's self-explanatory My Kinks section. Fill this out to let other users know exactly what you're into — there's no shame or judgment on AFF. This will help to attract like-minded people and give you the ability to search through other users who share the same kinks. The list is pretty exhaustive and extremely kink-friendly.

Paid members can also build up a friends list, helping to track their favorite people and chat partners. That makes it easy to slip back into a steamy conversation or keep up with a particular streamer’s schedule. 

If you’re after a naughtier online dating experience, something that prioritizes kinky fun and taboo-busting chats that other sites keep hidden behind innuendo and self-censorship, AdultFriendFinder’s paid membership experience is very much worth exploring. 

SAVE $90: As of July 28, the Amazon Ember 50-inch 4 Series is on sale for $309.99. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 50-inch 4 Series TV $309.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $90   Get Deal

If you’re looking to upgrade your home streaming setup without spending a fortune, this latest deal on the Amazon Ember 50-inch 4 Series is definitely worth checking out.

As of July 28, this TV is down to $309.99 from $399.99, saving you $90. This price is for the newest edition of this TV, so you'll benefit from new Fire TV features like personalized recommendations and an upgraded, modern design. With this TV, you'll be able to watch all your favorite shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD resolution, with HDR10+ support and improved brightness. It's also powered by a new quad-core processor and WiFi 6 support, so the TV will run fast and smooth, loading apps and streaming without buffering.

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The TV also comes with an Alexa voice remote. This lets you search for content, launch apps, and control compatible smart home devices using just your voice. Plus, you'll get access to all the major streaming platforms at the touch of a button (or by using your voice). Enjoy streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, and more, plus lots of free ad-supported options.

It's also designed to blend seamlessly into your space, thanks to its Omnisense technology. Using built-in sensors, the TV can detect when someone enters the room, allowing it to wake the display either to show selected artwork or to resume viewing straight away.

This TV deal is available on Amazon right now.

SAVE $29.99: As of July 28, the Holy Stone HS600 is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's an 11% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Holy Stone Holy Stone HS600 $249.99 at Amazon
$279.98 Save $29.99   Get Deal

Capturing footage from above used to require lots of expensive equipment, but consumer drones have made aerial photography much more accessible. And nowadays, drones don't have to break the bank. Models like the Holy Stone HS600 make aerial footage much more affordable.

As of July 28, this drone is on sale for its best-ever price, bringing the cost down to just $249.99.

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This drone has a 4K camera with a dual-axis gimbal and electronic image stabilization to help you capture smooth, high-quality footage. It's equipped with a Sony sensor and brushless motors, so it's designed to deliver stable flight performance while still recording 4K video at 30 fps.

It also has integrated FAA-compliant Remote ID, removing the need for an additional Remote ID module. Plus, it weighs just 541g and comes with a carrying case, meaning the HS600 is a great choice for portability and travel.

And if this is your first drone, the HS600 comes packed with beginner-friendly features like Follow Mode and Waypoint Mode, allowing you to create flight paths or automatically track subjects while you focus on capturing footage.

This drone deal is available at Amazon right now, but only for a limited time.

SAVE $60: As of July 28, the Beelink SER5 Mini PC is on sale for $389 at Amazon. That's 13% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beelink Beelink SER5 Mini PC $389 at Amazon
$449 Save $60   Get Deal

Mini PCs have become a popular choice for anyone who wants a compact setup without sacrificing performance. And if you've been looking for the right model to add to your space, the Beelink SER5 Mini PC is on sale at Amazon.

As of July 28, this model is reduced by $60, taking the price down from $449 to $389. This price is for the SER5 16G/480G/5500U size, but there are discounts on smaller models too.

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This compact Beelink desktop computer is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor with six cores and 12 threads, delivering up to 4.0 GHz for everyday multitasking.

It delivers impressive graphics thanks to the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics with a 7-core GPU running at 1800MHz, supporting tasks such as 4K video playback, gaming, and creative applications. It also supports dual-display setups, allowing you to connect two screens for a larger office setup.

It also includes a range of connectivity options, including a 2.5G LAN port, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, three USB 3.2 ports, a USB 2.0 port, HDMI, USB-C with data and video support, an audio jack, and a DC power port.

This mini PC deal is available at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free when you trade in an eligible device on Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans with T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Free via 24 monthly bill credits with an eligible trade-in on Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans at T-Mobile. Shop Now

Samsung Unpacked officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it carries a hefty $1,899.99 list price. Buying it outright is a massive investment, but there is a crafty hack you should know about.

Carrier pre-order windows are traditionally the best time to bypass upfront hardware costs. T-Mobile's opening promotion offers up to $1,900 in bill credits over 24 months. If you have an eligible flagship to trade in, this completely cancels out the phone's upfront cost — making it the most aggressive launch offer we've seen for these new foldables.

How to get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free

Getting the maximum trade-in value on the Fold 8 requires some simple steps:

• To unlock the full $1,900 credit ceiling, you must trade in an eligible high-end device (such as a Galaxy Z Fold 6/7, S25 Ultra, or iPhone Pro Max) in good condition.

• You must be on, or switch to, T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans.

You will still need to pay local state sales tax on the full $1,899.99 retail price upfront at checkout, plus T-Mobile’s standard $35 connection charge.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you are already on (or planning to switch to) T-Mobile's top-tier unlimited plans, taking advantage of a $1,900 trade-in credit to get a brand-new $1,899 flagship for free is an absolute no-brainer. Just remember that you're locking into a 24-month service commitment.

If you cancel your line early, the remaining unpaid hardware balance becomes due immediately.

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

What a toilet does.

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

FLUSH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Deepness.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DEPTH

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Wifi equipment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MODEM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A machine.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ROBOT

Final Hurdle hint

Robot.

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

DROID

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched football.

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: Type of football roles

• Green: Ways to hit a tennis ball

• Blue: Extra points

• Purple: Sounds like a number

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Football Positions

• Green: Tennis Shot Descriptions

• Blue: Worth Two Points/Runs

• Purple: Ends in a Number

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 #673 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Football Positions: GUARD, LINEBACKER, RUNNING BACK, TIGHT END

• Tennis Shot Descriptions: BACKHAND, DROP, SLICE, SMASH

• Worth Two Points/Runs: 2-RUN HR, LAYUP, SAFETY, WRESTLING REVERSAL

• Ends in a Number: CONINE, END ZONE, HEAVYWEIGHT, WITTEN

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.

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 July 28, 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 July 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 28 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 28 Pips

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 28 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love fruit.

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 July 28, 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: Guide

• Green: America's fruit

• Blue: New kicks

• Purple: Same front to back

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Command

• Green: How do you like them apples

• Blue: Shoe brands starting with "C"

• Purple: Starting with palindromic names

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 #1143 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Command: CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD, LEAD

• How do you like them apples: EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA, HONEYCRISP

• Shoe brands starting with "C": CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE, CROCS

• Starting with palindromic names: ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST, OTTOMAN

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 28, 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.

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

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 July 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Leave nothing out

The words are related to amounts.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe wholeness.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Its All There.

NYT Strands word list for July 28

• Complete

• Entire

• Its All There

• Undivided

• Total

• Whole Full

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a good listener.

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 July 28, 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 July 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Sound navigation.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SONAR

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.

In case you haven't heard, T-Mobile's mobile network appeared to go down for a lot of users on Monday afternoon.

Users in the United States reported a widespread outage, with mobile service in particular being disrupted, and some users reported they were stuck in "SOS mode," which can happen if service is interrupted. As usual, customers took to social media apps like X and Reddit to vent their frustrations, sometimes directly at T-Mobile itself.

On X, one user reported being stranded and unable to order a Lyft home (though, apparently, still able to post to X), while another said they were seeing a long line at their local T-Mobile store. Over on Reddit, a post about the outage has already collected more than 5,500 comments, with users trading rumors about the possible cause and potential fixes.

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As a reminder: The person running a brand's social media help line typically can't fix the outage.

As of this writing, "T-Mobile" was trending on X, and search terms such as "Is t mobile down" and "t mobile outage" were trending on Google Search.

Mashable reached out to T-Mobile with questions about the outage, which the brand still hasn't acknowledged. We'll update this story if we receive more information.

This is a developing story...

Elon Musk has just taken one more step towards turning X into "the everything app."

On Monday, Musk's social media platform X announced the launch of a new service on the platform called X Money. 

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What is X Money? The new service on X basically provides banking and financial services for paying X Premium and Premium+ subscribers right within the app. X Money includes peer-to-peer payments and money transfers within the X platform, as well as a deposit account. Users will also receive "the X card," a physical Visa debit card for ATM withdrawals and in-person transactions.

According to the announcement post, X Money users will be able to conduct a variety of everyday transactions directly within X, just as they would with any other bank account. Some core functions of X Money include:

• Sending wire transfers

• Mailing checks

• Paying bills

• Paycheck direct deposit

• Send and receive money to anyone on X

X also says that users can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

Elon Musk's gets one step closer to his "everything app" with the launch of X Money. Credit: X

Premium+ subscribers on X are immediately eligible for 6% APY, whereas X Premium subscribers can also reach that rate after meeting Qualifying Direct Deposit requirements. 

X Money's Visa Debit Card, which the service is calling the X Card, will provide 3% cash back on eligible purchases and no-fee cash withdrawals at any ATM worldwide. X Card supports digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay as well.

Deposit accounts are held with X Money partner Cross River Bank, Member FDIC and insured up to $250,000.

Musk has long planned to launch an X Money-type service within the X app. The owner of the social media platform certainly has experience in the industry. Before X was a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Musk ran a payment services company called X that later merged with PayPal in the early dot-com era. Musk has long had a goal of creating a true "everything app," according to biographers and other sources.

Musk previously claimed that it would "blow his mind" if his social media company didn't launch financial services within X by the end of 2024. X Money went through an initial test phase earlier this year and is now rolling out to a subset of its user base in the U.S. with plans to further expand in the near future.

Buying a luxury sedan is usually the easy part. The bigger question comes later, when maintenance bills, repairs, and ownership costs start to add up once the warranty runs out.

The good news is, Paramount+ has a loaded August on the way. The wrench in the works, however, is the fact that the calendar still says July, and you've got a week's worth of potential movie nights to get through.

You're not alone if your phone is suddenly showing "SOS" instead of the familiar "5G" in the status bar. Tens of thousands of people across the country appear to be without T-Mobile service. The outage began around 4 PM ET on July 27th.

When the Kia Telluride launched for 2020, it became an instant hit for a number of reasons, but one seems to really stand out. Buyers got a three-row SUV that looked upscale and felt luxurious without the higher sticker price. Kia actually skipped the 2026 model year for the Telluride, jumping into a full redesign for 2027, which included the addition of a hybrid powertrain.

A rite of passage for every Android user is unearthing the secret Developer Options menu. You may have already done this on a phone, but Samsung Galaxy Watches also have it. But there’s no reason to enable developer mode if there’s nothing cool to toggle on—here are a few things to try.

It's the last week of July, and Netflix has already shown us what it has in store for U.S. subscribers in August—including the claustrophobic sci-fi horror The Last House, a chilling thriller starring Robert De Niro and Adam Scott (The Whisper Man), and some great documentaries, too. But you need a good movie to watch now, which is where we come in.

At this point, anyone who leaves the house risks ending up in the background of someone else's video. Phones have made filming strangers routine, while Meta glasses have made some cameras nearly impossible to spot. Once that footage reaches TikTok, a brief encounter can land in front of millions of viewers — and the people in the video might never know.

But every so often, the camera appears to catch something more salacious: a possible affair. It’s less common than the usual viral fodder...though it happens more often than it probably should.

SEE ALSO: When did it become OK to film strangers in public?

On July 23, TikTok creator Jay Guapõ, who boasts 3.5 million followers, posted a video showing a man and woman kissing near Central Park West and West 63rd Street. Guapõ approaches them while continuing to record.

"Get a room. There's kids around," he tells them.

The video received more than 2 million views within its first several days. As it spread, commenters began searching for the couple's identities, examining their body language, and speculating about why they seemed so uncomfortable being recorded, besides the obvious.

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By July 25, both social media users and the New York Post had identified the lovebirds as Nathaniel Cullerton, 45, and Kelsey Borenzweig, 29, attorneys at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. According to the company's website, Cullerton is a partner in Wachtell's litigation department, while Borenzweig is an associate in the same department. Neither has publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship, and the video does not establish that either person was having an affair.

The Daily Mail initially reported that Cullerton was married and that Borenzweig had recently been in a relationship; however, the outlet later cited a source who said Borenzweig and her reported partner had separated. Nevertheless, viewers are skeptical.

"Most obvious affair ever," one person wrote.

"That’s definitely her boss," another speculated.

The internet had already begun treating the kiss like the Coldplay concert scandal's unofficial sequel. For those who need a refresher, in July 2025, former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s chief people officer, Kristin Cabot, were shown embracing on a stadium screen during a Coldplay concert. Once they realized they were on camera, they ducked out of view.

Footage of their reaction spread like wildfire across social media, amassing over 130 million views. Viewers identified the individuals, and both executives resigned from Astronomer after the video spread. Cabot later filed for divorce, although she has said she and her husband were already separated when the concert took place.

The Central Park video appeared to offer the internet a similar mystery to investigate, while reopening the debate over whether strangers can be turned into content simply because they are in public.

The video has revived a familiar privacy debate

While some viewers focused on whether the lawyers were having an affair, others questioned why Guapõ had filmed two strangers kissing in the first place.

"This is creepy, this not an episode of Cheaters," one TikTok user commented.

"It is morally wrong to film strangers just living their lives outside," another argued. "This? Just two people kissing. Idgaf if they are lawyers, working together, cheating, whatever."

Others saw it differently. One commenter argued that people making out in public "low-key want others to see," while another wrote, "Don’t cheat and we have the right to record in public."

The disagreement soon expanded beyond this particular couple. "We are living in a surveillance state," one user wrote. "Forget about the government, your neighbor is already doing it."

Another blamed the incentives created by social media, arguing that an "attention economy" rewarding views encourages people to point cameras at strangers in the hope of capturing something scandalous.

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That argument has followed social media, specifically TikTok, for years. Videos featuring strangers are now common across the platform, from street interviews and pickup attempts to public pranks and staged acts of kindness. The people who appear in them do not always know they are being filmed or understand how the footage will be presented, especially as smart glasses and other wearable cameras make recording increasingly difficult to notice.

Increased discretion has fueled the rise of pickup, prank, and "troll" accounts that film unsuspecting people. Creators have secretly recorded attempts to get women's phone numbers in gyms, airports, bars, and stores, while others have targeted shoppers and service workers with deliberately uncomfortable pranks. In February, one woman said a man posted smart-glasses footage of himself asking for her number even though she had refused permission for it to be shared.

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The same week the Central Park video went viral, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the platform would remove smart-glasses videos showing people being harassed or taken advantage of.

"We don’t want people to be surreptitiously taking videos of other people and harassing them and then posting them on our platform," Mosseri reportedly said in an Instagram Story.

Instagram also deactivated two pickup artist accounts that used smart glasses to film women in public with more than 1 million followers.

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The Central Park video may not involve the explicit harassment that Instagram's policy targets, but it raises the same underlying concern: a stranger can be filmed without meaningfully agreeing to become content, then identified and judged by millions of people who have only a few seconds of footage to work with.