IT General

Buying a NAS for one specific thing is probably the main reason why a lot of people end up with a NAS in the first place. But what if you end up not being that into the very thing you bought it for? Here are 5 more reasons and ways to put that NAS to use.

Most homeowners have a power tool or two, and chances are Ryobi, Milwaukee, Makita, or DeWALT make it. All the major brands manufacture a wide range of options. And while your go-to brand likely offers the usual essential tools, each also makes a few unique items tailored to specific professions or tasks.

The once-speedy Windows PC you bought will eventually turn into a slow, unresponsive machine, suffering from long boot times and application delays. Many users blame this on aging hardware, the unavoidable decay of technology over time and in some ways it is, leading some to give up. However, the truth is much more subtle and fixable. Your computer wears out because of the digital clutter you install and the natural outcome of long-term operating system use. This systemic clutter exhausts available memory and storage space, severely reducing disk read/write speeds and slowing down your computer's overall responsiveness.

A good streaming box or dongle can cost just as much or quite a bit more than a Raspberry Pi, even when you factor in a case, power supply, and wireless media keyboard. If you're in the market for an upgrade to a dumb TV or an existing smart TV where you don't want to use the built-in streaming apps, the Raspberry Pi might be your best choice.

SAVE OVER $20: As of April 2, the Lego Star Wars C-3PO buildable droid figure is on sale for $117.99 at Amazon. That's $22 off its list price of $139.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars C-3PO Buildable Droid Figure $117.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $22.00   Get Deal

May 4 is just about a month away, but why wait to celebrate? If you're a Star Wars fan and want to tackle some fun Lego sets right now from a galaxy far, far away, Amazon still has some great deals available after its Big Spring Sale. The Lego Star Wars C-3PO buildable droid figure is one option worth checking out, which is still sitting at its Big Spring Sale price of $117.99.

Overall, this saves you $22 off its list price of $139.99. It's also just a few dollars away from its lowest-ever price of $111.95, so why not scoop it up now if you've had your eye on it?

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This Lego C-3PO build is a delightful set to have up on display if you're a Star Wars fan. It has a piece count of 1,138 that fit together to create the beloved character, and since it's more of a display model, it's angled towards adult builders ages 18 and up. Once assembled, his head and arms can be moved around and posed, which is a fun touch.

On top of that, this Lego C-3PO set also comes with an information plaque that can be set up next to the completed build, alongside a C-3PO minifigure and LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary brick.

If you've been hoping to pick it up for less, don't miss out on the chance to save on the Lego Star Wars C-3PO buildable droid figure at Amazon.

April is here, and as you refresh your winter watch list, Netflix has you covered with some more new titles. This month's options are sure to entertain, including the return of highly anticipated shows and a spin-off series that brings back one of Netflix's most popular shows.

With the Full Moon now passed, each night the moon will start to look smaller. It won't be noticeable at first, but after a few nights you'll see the moon start to fade from the right side. This will continue until we reach the New Moon, where it will appear completely dark.

Keep reading to see how much of it is visible tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, April 2, the Moon phase is North America is Waning Gibbous, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There's plenty to see if you have clear skies tonight. Even without visual aids to assist you, you can see the Kepler Crater, Aristarchus Plateau, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. If you do have assistance, in the form of binoculars, you'll be able to spot more features, including the Posidonius and Endymion Craters. Finally, a telescope will give you many viewing opportunities, with the Apollo 11, Caucasus Mountains, and the Schiller Crater appearing the clearest.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to circle Earth, moving through eight unique phases along the way. Although we always see the same side from Earth, different amounts of its surface are lit by the Sun as it orbits, causing it to appear fully illuminated, partially lit, or as a thin crescent. These changing views are called the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an animal lover.

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 April 2, 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: To foster

• Green: A break

• Blue: Furry friends

• Purple: Alcohol companies

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Support

• Green: Opportunity

• Blue: Male animals

• Purple: Ends of liquor brands

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 #1025 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Support: BACK, CHAMPION, ENDORSE, SECOND

• Opportunity: CHANCE, MOMENT, OPENING, WINDOW

• Male animals: BUCK, DRAKE, DRONE, STALLION

• Ends of liquor brands: CARDI, EATER, MESON, MIGOS

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 2, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love the derby.

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 April 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On track

The words are related to sports.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a sporting competition.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Horse Racing.

NYT Strands word list for April 2

• Bettor

• Agent

• Jockey

• Horse Racing

• Trainer

• Bookie

• Tipster

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't drink.

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 April 2, 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 April 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Dry.

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 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...

SOBER

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.

A wealth of open-source projects exists, just below the visible surface of the apps you use from day to day. They may not be high profile or widely appreciated, but they enable everything from networking and statistical analysis to the next generation of AI agents.

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.

Nobody likes thinking about leaving loved ones behind, but it’s pretty normal to make a will even if you’re relatively young. If you’re enough of a smart home enthusiast that you’re using Home Assistant to control a wide array of devices, you might want to consider how this pans out if you’re no longer around.

On Wednesday night, NASA's Artemis II mission sent four astronauts in the Orion spacecraft on the first crewed moon mission since 1972, and Stephen Colbert is just as excited as the rest of us.

In the clip above, the host explains that this mission is the first step in a sequence of planned missions over the next couple of years, culminating in the Artemis IV moon landing in 2028.

"Ooh, I love a good franchise," says Colbert. "After Artemis IV we'll see Artemis V: The Way of Water, Artemis VI: Money Never Sleeps, and Austin Powers 3: The Artemis Who Shagged Me."

SEE ALSO: Artemis II Orion spacecraft live: Watch the lunar mission launch live

Colbert goes on to talk more about the mission, from the planned route around the moon to the four astronauts on the ship.

"Wait a minute, that isn't right," Colbert says. "I don't see Katy Perry in there. Is it really a space mission if Jeff Bezos hasn't welded a terrified Gayle King into a metal tube?"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Despite demolishing parts of the White House's East Wing, Donald Trump's $400 million new ballroom has hit a wall. After the U.S. president was sued by the National Trust for Historic Preservation over the controversial building project, on Wednesday, a federal judge temporarily stopped its construction, ruling "unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!"

On Wednesday night, The Daily Show host Desi Lydic unpacked the ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, which, according to CNN, "had 19 exclamation points."

"19 exclamation points? Who is the judge, me writing a work email?" said Lydic. "'The court demands an immediate halt in construction, but no worries if not! Exclamation point! Sideways smiley face!"

Lydic then examined the judge's stipulation that the Trump administration, per NBC News, "can finish up projects so that they don't leave the site unsafe," with The Daily Show showing a clip of Trump in the Oval Office examining possible loopholes live during a press event.

"Son of a bitch, the judge said no ballroom," said Lydic. "And President Amelia Bedelia took that to mean the judge is begging us to build that ballroom."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Recent Windows updates are triggering BitLocker recovery screens for a lot of people. Since it's enabled by default, a lot of people don't even realize they have the device encryption feature on until they're hit with this screen. The decryption key is automatically uploaded to the Microsoft Account you used to log into Windows. If that backup was never made or interrupted, there is absolutely no way to get to your data without that key. Microsoft support cannot reset it. The same is true if you can't recover the Microsoft account used to log into Windows. Here's what you can do to avoid this nightmare scenario.

SAVE OVER $200: As of April 2, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 have dropped to $226.37 at Amazon. That's $223.58 off their list price of $449.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser Momentum 4 $226.37 at Amazon
$449.95 Save $223.58   Get Deal

If you're spending more time outside now and want some new headphones to enjoy your favorite music or a good audiobook on the go, Amazon's the place to look. Even after the Big Spring Sale, there are still great deals to check out. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 are among those leftover, with the black pair sitting at $226.37.

Usually the Sennheiser Momentum 4s are listed for $449.95 at Amazon, so this marks a 50% discount that saves you $223.58 overall. Unfortunately, only the black pair are sitting at this price right now. If you don't mind having a more neutral color, they're certainly worth picking up at this low price.

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We're very big fans of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and their excellent battery, which earned them a spot on our roundup of the best headphones as the best for long battery life since they offer "60 hours of battery life on a full charge." It's not just their battery that shines, though. Our roundup also notes that they sound "excellent right out of the box." And while the "ANC felt less adept at blocking out noise generally than the Sony WH-1000XM5s, it still did a fair job for its price point, never feeling like an obvious con to the listening experience."

Add to all that a lightweight and comfortable design, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are great picks for long journeys, commutes, or even just hanging out listening at home for long stretches.

It's worth keeping in mind that they're currently marked as a limited-time deal. So if they've caught your eye, now is the time to scoop up the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones and save.

Where to pre-order Lego's World Cup collection: Lionel Messi — Football Highlights (43011) $29.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Cristiano Ronaldo — Football Highlights (43012) $29.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Kylian Mbappé — Football Highlights (43013) $29.99 at lego Pre-Order Here Vini Jr. — Football Highlights (43027) $29.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lionel Messi — Football Legend (43015) $79.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Cristiano Ronaldo — Football Legend (43016) $79.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lionel Messi — Celebration (43018) $199.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here

The 2026 World Cup is still months away, but Lego is already prepping for this summer's showpiece event.

Lego has just revealed a massive Lego Editions lineup featuring the four of the biggest names in the game: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Vini Jr. Whether you want a cinematic diorama of Cristiano Ronaldo for your desk or a huge sculpture of Messi’s signature celebration, these are the ultimate collectibles for football fans right now.

We're in the golden age of Lego licensed sets. We've recently been blessed by a new Lego Pokémon collection that sits alongside our favorite sets from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Marvel. And now we've got a tribute to the beautiful game, just in time for the biggest sporting event in the world. What a time to be alive.

Want to buy these game-changing sets from Lego? Preorders are now live here.

Lionel Messi — Football Highlights (43011) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lionel Messi — Football Highlights (43011) $29.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

This 500-piece set could be your next go-to argument in the GOAT debate. This set features Messi’s legendary No. 10 and a dedicated minifigure of the superstar. Lego has promised a lot of hidden Easter eggs that trace Leo’s journey from Rosario to World Cup glory. Pre-order now and it will ship from May 1.

Cristiano Ronaldo — Football Highlights (43012) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Cristiano Ronaldo — Football Highlights (43012) $29.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

This is the set for CR7 stans. This 490-piece set comes packed with chronological details of his Cristiano's career. It’s a shelf-ready tribute to a player who has spent two decades breaking records and defying physics. Pre-order now and it will ship from May 1.

Kylian Mbappé — Football Highlights (43013) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Kylian Mbappé — Football Highlights (43013) $29.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

Is Mbappé going to be the shining star of this summer's tournament? It's a strong possibility, so what better way of getting ahead of a historic performance? This set captures the French captain’s rise to the top of the game. It’s a 490-piece celebration of speed and precision, featuring a standout number 10 and plenty of little details for even the most dedicated of fans. Pre-order now and it will ship from May 1.

Vini Jr. — Football Highlights (43027) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Vini Jr. — Football Highlights (43027) $29.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

This set is a literal burst of Brazilian energy for your bookshelf. This 510-piece set features Vini Jr. firing off a shot, and has plenty of intricate details to keep you coming back for more. Pre-order now and it will ship from May 1.

Lionel Messi — Football Legend (43015) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lionel Messi — Football Legend (43015) $79.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

This 958-piece build is for the real fans. The victory pose shows Messi pointing toward the sky after scoring a goal. The running pose shows him dribbling across a field. The huge set also includes a large number 10 and MESSI lettering, plus a printed name plaque. Pre-order now and it will ship from May 1.

Cristiano Ronaldo — Football Legend (43016) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Cristiano Ronaldo — Football Legend (43016) $79.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

Lego knew exactly what fans wanted with this 854-piece set. You can assemble the legend in his signature “Siuuu” pose or performing a bicycle kick. The set includes a large CR7 backdrop plus a printed signature plaque. Pre-order now and it will ship from May 1.

Lionel Messi — Celebration (43018) Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lionel Messi — Celebration (43018) $199 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

This 1,427-piece set is a striking piece of 3D wall art for the serious collectors out there. It’s a textured, pop-art style portrait of Messi in the No. 10 jersey, packed with hidden details about his life and career. Pre-order now and it will ship from June 1.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 2, 2026:

AcrossMan's name that's Italian for "eight"

• The answer is Otto.

Part of the Statue of Liberty that's accessed by a double-helix staircase

• The answer is Crown.

See eye to eye

• The answer is Agree.

Spiked clubs used by knights

• The answer is Maces.

Sharply clear, as a TV broadcast

• The answer is In HD.

DownInstrument in a baseball stadium

• The answer is Organ.

Part of the Statue of Liberty that was once open to the public, but closed in 1916

• The answer is Torch.

Coarse fabric for some suit jackets

• The answer is Tweed.

Column to the right of the tens

• The answer is Ones.

Woman's sleeveless undershirt, for short

• The answer is Cami.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Whenever Jack Black is involved in a big blockbuster, you know there's a high chance that the movie's promotional tour will turn musical.

In the Tonight Show clip above, Black combines with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie cast Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Brie Larson, Glen Powell and Donald Glover to perform "The Ballad of Super Mario", which is every bit as silly as it is entertaining.

If Bowser could have sung as well as this — or his "Peaches" song — in the games, maybe he wouldn't have had to resort to so much crime?

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in theatres now.