IT General

Markiplier's feature film debut Iron Lung is about to hit home release on the creator's platform of choice: YouTube.

The 36-year-old creator and streamer also known as Mark Fischbach pivoted to filmmaking in the last few years, with his first feature-length horror movie released in cinemas in January to colossal success. Written, directed, edited, and starring Fischbach, and based on David Szymanski's 2022 post-apocalyptic horror game, Iron Lung made Sam Raimi's marooned horror Send Help sweat at the box office — and it even saw an extended theatrical release.

Now, Iron Lung will be available for to rent or buy on YouTube Movies on May 31, with a global rollout expected. The news was announced (of course) on YouTube by Markiplier on Sunday.

SEE ALSO: How content creators are redefining Hollywood's power structure

"I'm sorry it's later than I thought it'd be, but it's coming out May 31 in as many international territories as I can make work," the creator said in his characteristically candid announcement video (below).

"It's releasing exclusively on YouTube Movies, because I figured you guys are already here anyway. It made the most sense. They were the people that would talk to me, because I don't know how many other companies would have, or even given me a chance of doing something like this," he said.

"I don't know if it'll make much of a difference, but hey, at least I'll be in a position that I could do something about something, and that's a position that I wouldn't have been in if it wasn't for you guys. So, I am really grateful. I'm really excited to just focus on YouTube for a bit. That's something that I've been wanting for a long time."

"I figured you guys are already here anyway. It made the most sense."

The Google-owned platform makes total sense for Markiplier's movie. A YouTube gaming titan since 2012, Fischbach has amassed 38.6 million subscribers on the platform as of May 2026. He was included in Mashable's inaugural Mashable 101 list of the most influential creators in 2025.

Markiplier at the ‘Iron Lung’ premiere at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2025. Credit: Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach

Building on his sprawling empire of followers on YouTube, Instagram, and X, Fischbach made the move into screen work of a more scripted nature, starring in and executive producing Prime Video's The Edge of Sleep in 2024.

We're always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We've also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

You can find a live hub for those deals right here.

Last year, Formula 1 brought in $3.9 billion in revenue, a 14 percent jump from 2024. Attendance is up, races are selling out, and the stands look different than they used to. Younger. Louder. More online. More American. More feminine. A lot of that starts with Drive to Survive on Netflix, but it doesn’t end there.

In this Trending Now episode, culture reporter Christianna Silva and producer Teodosia Dobriyanova explore how 2025 became F1's most successful year to date. And making fandom more accessible means that the motorsport could be democratized.

SAVE OVER $200: As of May 18, the Eufy C10 robot vacuum is on sale for $219.99 at Amazon. This is $260 off its list price of $479.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy C10 Robot Vacuum $219.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $260   Get Deal

Summertime sale events are coming up fast, with Memorial Day sales kicking off at multiple retailers.

Amazon has already dropped some exciting deals, and if you've been looking for a robot vacuum, this is a great time to buy. One of our favorite budget models, the Eufy C10, is among the discounted picks. Sold by Eufy itself, this marks a return to the lowest-ever price the manufacturer has sold this model for at Amazon (although Amazon has sold its own stock for ever so slightly cheaper.)

As of May 18, the Eufy C10 robot vacuum has dropped to $219.99 at Amazon. That's a massive 54% discount from its full price of $479.99.

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Mashable's Leah Stodart ranked the Eufy C10 as the "best budget robot vacuum for small spaces" in our roundup of the best budget robot vacuums. Stodart notes: "For its price, it offers everything you need to keep floors clean without regular elbow grease, including self-emptying." Stodart continues: "It reminds us of older ultra-thin Eufy models, and we like its compact self-emptying station, which can hold 60 days of dust and debris."

The Eufy C10 has plenty to offer as a cleaner. It features 4,000 Pa suction that can grab any dirt, pet hair, or debris on your floors. It also has a helpful extendable side brush to help it reach into corners to clean. Plus, its 2.85-inch height is great for getting it underneath low furniture in your home.

If you don't want to spend too much on a robot vacuum, this deal on the Eufy C10 is well worth checking out at Amazon.

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

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free with a VPN. The best services for unblocking porn sites from Australia are ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN.

The world of porn continues to be impacted by age-verification laws. Back in early 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub hit back by blocking users from those locations. A similar situation took place France and the UK, and now Australians are facing the same set of challenges.

The porn blocks arrived just days before new online safety codes came into effect, requiring organisations to verify the ages of users. It's the same story we've seen before, with the same straightforward workaround.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile just dropped the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claim

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Australia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (1-Month Plan) $10.81 only at Proton VPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment. The situation may have changed before the free-trial period comes to an end.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are the top choices for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in locations all around the world

• Easy-to-use apps available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policies so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Multiple simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantees

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Canada vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are well underway, but we're still seeing the group stage take shape. Canada have won both of their opening games, and now they face a Denmark side still looking for their first points of the competition. Fans will be expecting another win from Canada, but anything can happen in a tournament like this.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. Denmark?

Canada vs. Denmark in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 18. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Canada vs. Denmark for free

Canada vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Canada vs. Denmark plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Canada vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

We already know, thanks to multiple rumors and reports, that Apple is planning a massive overhaul of its smart assistant Siri, in the upcoming iOS 27.

Now, a new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has some details on the privacy aspects of this new, smarter Siri.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI may sue Apple over ChatGPT integration

According to the report, Apple's standalone Siri will have a strong emphasis on privacy. One feature that it's not very common in other AI chatbots, for example, will be auto-deleting chats, as seen in Apple's Messages. In the Settings panel for the Siri app, users will be able to choose whether they want to keep conversations forever, for one year, or just 30 days.

The report also says users will be able to choose whether Siri opens with a new chat, or to a "grid" of previous conversations at launch.

Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write?

Apple will also place tighter limits on how Siri's memory works. This might mean that the AI-powered assistant won't be able to pull from previous conversations as liberally as some rival systems can, but it should be better for user privacy.

Finally, the report claims that Apple will proclaim its AI experience as "ad-free," in contrast to OpenAI, which recently started rolling out sponsored ads in ChatGPT.

TL;DR: Watch Finland vs. USA in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships has started with a number of really interesting battles on the ice.

USA confidently beat Great Britain in their last outing, but they're still looking to bounce back from a surprising defeat to hosts Switzerland in their first game. Now they face Finland, a team that has won both of their games in impressive form.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Finland vs. USA?

Finland vs. USA in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 18. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.

How to watch Finland vs. USA for free

Finland vs. USA in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. USA plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Finland vs. USA in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still buzzing from the international hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but there's more to come. We know the focus of the ice hockey world is firmly fixed on the resolution of the NHL season right now, but the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is here to offer something to fans without a vested interest in the Stanley Cup.

This tournament doesn't have quite the same prestige as the Winter Olympics, but the 2024 World Championship was the most successful in terms of overall attendance. We're expecting this tournament in Switzerland to be just as popular as the USA, Canada, Czechia, Sweden, Finland, and other top sides battle it out on the ice.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Ice Hockey World Championships?

The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. 16 teams are divided into two groups for the Preliminary Round played in a single round robin format. The top-four ranked teams of each group advance to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Czechia.

When is the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships?

The 2026 IIHF World Championships will take place from May 15-31. This year's tournament will be hosted by Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.

How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the tournament before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like your post-apocalyptic movies blood-spattered and filled with monsters, Na Hong-jin's Hope looks like one to put on the calendar.

The Wailing director Na Hong-jin's new movie sees police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and officer Sung-ae (Jung Ho-yeon) investigating a trail of destruction in a South Korean village — which quickly escalates into something even bigger and more terrifying.

Zo In-sung, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender also star.

Hope is in theaters this fall.

Want more of the latest entertainment news, reviews, trailers, and interviews? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Scene Box listed for $34.99, down from its $41.99 list price. Clip the on-page 20% coupon before checkout, and the price drops to $27.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Scene Box $27.99 at Amazon
$41.99 Save $14.00 Use the product page coupon for full discount. Get Deal

As of May 18, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Scene Box available for $34.99, marked down from its $41.99 list price. Better yet, there’s also a 20% coupon you can tick on the product page, bringing the final checkout price down to $27.99.

That brings the price down to its record low, confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel. The listing is sold and shipped by Amazon directly. 

That coupon is set to expire on May 25, though Amazon notes that coupon availability can change, and collected coupons may expire earlier if quantities run out. So if you want the discount, you might need to act fast.

By comparison, Walmart currently has the same Scene Box listed for $26.99 with free shipping, sold by third-party seller Flipside Gaming. TCGplayer listings start at $20, but with shipping included, the lowest option rises to $28.99.

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Inside the Scene Box, you get six Traditional Foil Borderless Scene Cards that combine into Spidey’s Sensational Showdown (featuring Spidey, Doc Ock, Venom, and Green Goblin), along with six Art-Only Scene Cards, three Marvel’s Spider-Man Play Boosters, and a paper display easel. Each booster includes 14 Magic trading cards, with at least one Rare or higher and one Traditional Foil card. 

To stock up on more from the web-head-themed expansion, you can also grab the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Gift Bundle on sale at Amazon for around $73. 

For those trying out different crossovers, the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit (with two ready-built decks) is now only $19.99 — with an extra $5 chopped off in the latest Amazon offer.

If you’re a Pokémon TCG fan, the newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box listed for preorder at $79.94, down from its $89.99 list price. This deal saves you $10.05 on a box with a 40-card ready-to-play deck, one of four foil promo cards, four booster packs, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box $79.94 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $10.05   Pre-order Here

Chaos Rising is finally out on May 22, and the Pokémon TCG’s leading retailers are steadily dropping more discounts ahead of the expansion’s big drop — and those who actually play the card game will definitely want to get in on this latest deal on Amazon.

As of May 18, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box priced at $79.94, knocked down from its $89.99 list price. That works out to 11% off, saving you $10.05 altogether. The listing is currently sold and shipped by Kings Games. Amazon lists a 30-day refund or replacement window. 

The other two key retailers in the Pokémon TCG space have gone even cheaper. TCGplayer currently has unopened Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box listings starting at $56.84 with shipping included, with a market price of $58.06 and a listed median of $57.42. Walmart is also lower than Amazon at $64.99 with free shipping, sold and shipped by Cataclysm Games. It's worth noting that this listing is marked as not returnable.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Inside the box, you’ll get a 40-card ready-to-play deck, one of four unique foil promo cards, four Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs (10 trading cards each), and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. The promo cards you can potentially get are Delphox, Ampharos, Crobat, and Goodra. For anyone who likes diving into a new expansion with some competitive play right out of the box, this is the perfect buy.

Chaos Rising continues the Mega Evolution line with Mega Floette ex bringing turmoil to the city, while Mega Greninja ex rallies other Mega Evolution Pokémon ex like Mega Pyroar ex and Mega Dragalge ex to fight back. For casual Pokémon Legends: Z-A players who are now dabbling in the TCG, it’s a fun twist.

To get even more booster packs and accessories from the expansion, Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box preorders are on sale at Amazon. Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love tropical fruits.

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 18, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The daily rind

The words are related to fruit.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe tangy fruits.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Citrus.

NYT Strands word list for May 18

• Clementine

• Lime

• Kumquat

• Pomelo

• Citrus

• Orange

• Tangerine

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a baseball fan.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 18, 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: Same sound

• Green: To break

• Blue: Baseballer

• Purple: Sweet plants

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Homophones

• Green: Rupture

• Blue: MLB player

• Purple: Fruit anagrams

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 #1072 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Homophones: PAIR, PARE, PEAR, PÉRE

• Rupture: BLOW, CRACK, POP, SPLIT

• MLB player: PADRE, RED, ROYAL, TWIN

• Fruit anagrams: CHEAP, EARP, LUMP, WIKI

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 18, 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 Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always hesitant.

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 18, 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 18, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Reluctant.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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...

LOATH

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.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to Qlango Language Learning for $49 (reg. $239) — an 80% discount on a gamified app that helps you retain vocabulary using spaced repetition.

Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $49
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Learning a new language usually means getting sucked into a subscription plan, feeling the pressure to keep up streaks, and using apps that never really click. This deal eliminates the unnecessary, so you’ll pay once, and you’re set for life.

The Qlango Language Learning lifetime subscription is on sale for just $49 (reg. $239), so you can learn as many languages as your brain can handle with no rush to finish before a certain deadline.

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Qlango uses spaced repetition — a proven learning method that brings back words at just the right intervals so you’re more likely to remember them for good, not just cram and forget.

The format is simple but super effective: you answer prompts directly in your target language, which actually helps your brain start thinking in that language faster. And if you ever get stuck, there’s a handy hint system so you’re never left guessing.

With a 4.8/5 rating on the App Store and over a million downloads on Google Play, there’s solid proof that people love it and that the app actually works.

This subscription unlocks 71 languages, from widely spoken ones like Spanish and French to less common options like Icelandic.

You’ll work through 6,679 essential words per language, two real-world example sentences per word, and six difficulty levels that adapt to your pace.

You can also switch up your learning modes, such as translation, dictation, and sentence building, depending on what works best for you.

If you’ve been wanting to learn a language but don’t want another monthly bill, this is the kind of deal that makes it easy to finally start. It’s perfect for casual learners, travelers, or anyone brushing up on basics without committing to a strict routine.

Get the Qlango Language Learning lifetime subscription today for just $49 (reg. $239).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: ChatOn Premium combines access to paid versions of GPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI models into one app for $55.24 through May 31 with code CHAT35.

Opens in a new window Credit: AIBY ChatOn AI Assistant Premium Plan (3-Year Subscription) $55.24
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Trying AI tools in 2026 can start to feel less like productivity and more like accidentally signing up for subscriptions. One app for writing, and another for image generation. Yet another for PDFs. Suddenly, your monthly AI budget starts looking suspiciously like a car payment.

That’s what makes ChatOn an interesting alternative. Instead of locking you into one model, ChatOn gives access to multiple major AI systems in a single workspace — including the paid versions of GPT, Claude, Gemini, Sonar, and more.

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New users can currently get a three-year ChatOn AI Assistant Premium subscription for a one-time $55.24 (reg. $119.99) through May 31 with code CHAT35.

That matters because different AI models are better at different things. Some are stronger for writing, some for reasoning, some for coding, and some for research. ChatOn lets users switch between them without bouncing across multiple subscriptions and browser tabs.

The platform also goes beyond simple chatbot responses. It includes AI image generation, video creation tools, OCR text extraction, document summarization, PDF support, translation tools, voice input, and real-time web search with linked sources.

There’s even a built-in library of more than 100 prompts for common tasks, which makes the app especially useful for people who use AI regularly but don’t necessarily want to become part-time prompt engineers.

And while lifetime deals tend to grab attention, a fixed three-year subscription from an established app with more than 100 million downloads can honestly feel like the more grounded long-term bet.

For people who rely on AI for work, school, creativity, planning, or day-to-day productivity, ChatOn is a genuinely useful consolidation tool.

Get a three-year ChatOn AI Assistant Premium subscription for a one-time $55.24 (reg. $119.99) through May 31 with code CHAT35.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: T-Mobile has dropped new deals on the latest iPhones. Score the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and more for free right now at T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

Leading mobile carriers are battling it out to offer you the most competitive mobile deals. The likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are constantly dropping new deals in an effort to pursuade you into switching, and that includes offers on the latest iPhones.

In fact, T-Mobile has just dropped a new batch of live iPhone deals that are particularly tempting:

• Apple iPhone 17e — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on most plans.

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

The value of these iPhones is applied as 24 monthly credits to your bill, so you're still paying for the phone but you're getting paid back in full over time. We should note that you do need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection fee with these offers, but that's always the case with this type of limited-time mobile deal. It's a small price to pay for a new iPhone.

The latest iPhone lineup is seriously impressive, with something for everyone.

In Mashable's review of the iPhone 17, Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." When Schroeder took a close look at the iPhone 17e, he said: "The iPhone 17e is a decent upgrade over its predecessor, and a good choice if you want the cheapest new iPhone you can get." That's good enough for us.

Upgrade to the iPhone 17 lineup for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection up for preorder at $64.99, down from its $69.99 list price. That’s $5 off and under TCGplayer’s $66.69 market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection $64.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $5   Pre-order Here

The Pokémon TCG’s Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is almost here, and Amazon is already undercutting the wider market with one of the better preorder prices available right now.

As of May 18, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection listed for preorder at $64.99, knocked down from its $69.99 list price. This deal saves you an extra $5 before the box officially releases on May 22. Better yet, the listing is sold and shipped by Amazon directly, with the preorder price guarantee attached.

That's right under TCGplayer’s $66.69 market price. The dedicated trading card selling platform has a lowest listing price of $65.48 with shipping included. Walmart is technically the cheapest, with the same box listed for $64.95 with free shipping, but that listing is sold and shipped by third-party seller Rez Broz Collectibles.

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The Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection includes:

• 1 foil promo card featuring Mega Zygarde ex

• 1 oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Zygarde ex

• 1 tech sticker featuring Mega Zygarde ex

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This collection centers on Mega Zygarde ex as the Legendary Pokémon becomes a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex — featured in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with a ready-to-play foil promo and extra display pieces packed alongside a stack of booster packs from different Pokémon TCG expansions.

At $64.99, that works out to about $8.12 per booster pack before factoring in the promo card, lenticular card, or sticker.

If you’re trying to grab even more boosters at a reasonable price, you can still buy the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order Booster Bundle (six packs) for around $50. For the next expansion, preorders for Chaos Rising ETBs are now on sale at Amazon.

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The world will stop this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will welcome the best international sides from around the world as they compete for arguably the biggest prize in sport. Huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Lamine Yamal are likely to steal the spotlight, but new stars always shine brightly in this prestigious competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams progress to the knockouts rounds. That's when things get really interesting.

The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in the final.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

A number of free streaming platforms are offering coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Australia — SBS

• Austria — ORF and ServusTV

• Belgium — RTBF and VRT

• France — M6

• Germany — ARD and ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ

• Italy — RAI

• Norway — NRK

• Netherlands — NOS

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)

These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

5. Watch 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for accessing live sport on free streaming platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.