Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 3 hours 23 min ago

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, May 14, 2026:

AcrossRepetitive mannerism
  • The answer is Tic.

Nourish, as a garden
  • The answer is Water.

Like the bread used for croutons
  • The answer is Stale.

Mint ___ (classic cocktail)
  • The answer is Julep.

"That's on me," in slangy shorthand
  • The answer is Myb.

DownJayson of the Boston Celtics
  • The answer is Tatum.

Country across the Adriatic from Croatia
  • The answer is Italy.

Tabloid subject, informally
  • The answer is Celeb.

NYT competitor
  • The answer is WSJ.

Gym unit
  • The answer is Rep.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 6 hours 10 min ago

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 May 14, 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 May 14, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 14 Pips

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 14 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 14 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 5-3, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 6 hours 30 min ago

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some sports and pop culture knowledge.

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.

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 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: Fighting

  • Green: Pass the rock

  • Blue: Golf league

  • Purple: Rostered orange birds

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Combat Sports

  • Green: Types of Basketball Passes

  • Blue: LPGA

  • Purple: Members of the Baltimore Orioles

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 #598 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Combat Sports: BOXING, JUDO, TAEKWONDO, WRESTLING

  • Types of Basketball Passes: BASEBALL, BOUNCE, CHEST, OVERHEAD

  • LPGA: ASSOCIATED, GOLF, LADIES, PROFESSIONAL

  • Members of the Baltimore Orioles: ALONSO, BAZ, BEAVERS, MAYO

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 7 hours 37 min ago

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

Humid.

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

MUGGY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Retreat.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 14, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

OASIS

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An upper garment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 14, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TUNIC

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Feature.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FACET

Final Hurdle hint

Square.

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

PLAZA

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 37 min ago

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're clairvoyant.

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 May 14, 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: An inkling

  • Green: Notification settings

  • Blue: Dating red flags

  • Purple: Word in a word

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: Premonition

  • Green: Cellphone modes

  • Blue: Bad things to do in modern dating

  • Purple: Phrases whose second words include their first word

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 #1068 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Premonition: GUT FEELING, HUNCH, INTUITION, SIXTH SENSE

  • Cellphone modes: DO NOT DISTURB, RING, SILENT, VIBRATE

  • Bad things to do in modern dating: BREADCRUMB, CATFISH, GHOST, LOVE BOMB

  • Phrases whose second words include their first word: AIR CAIRO, ALL HALLOWS, ARM WARMER, THE OTHERS

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 14, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 37 min ago

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

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 14, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Men in tights

The words are related to a popular character.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a famous troublemaker.

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 Robin Hood

NYT Strands word list for May 14
  • Outlaw

  • Robin Hood

  • Forest

  • Friar

  • Archery

  • Sheriff

  • Disguise

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 14, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 37 min ago

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always unsure.

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 14, 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 14, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To hesitate.

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 W.

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...

WAVER

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meta AI Incognito Chat makes user conversations private, Zuckerberg says

Mashable - 10 hours 50 min ago

A feature called Incognito Chat is coming to Meta AI and WhatsApp soon, according to Mark Zuckerberg.

The Meta CEO announced the feature on his Facebook page and described it as allowing users a "completely private way" to interact with the company's AI assistant.

SEE ALSO: Meta made $14 million just off of these scam ads

"This is the first major AI product where there is no log of your conversations stored on servers," Zuckerberg wrote.

He said the feature is similar to end-to-end encryption, which "means no one can read your conversations, even Meta or WhatsApp."

While the conversations can't be read by the platforms themselves, they also vanish when a user ends their session.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

"To get the most from personal superintelligence, we'll all need ways to discuss sensitive topics in ways that no one else can access," Zuckerberg wrote.

Incognito Chat privacy and safety concerns

Disappearing chats raise safety questions that Zuckerberg and Meta's blog post on Incognito Chat didn't address.

While absolute privacy may incline users to ask sensitive questions about their health, finances, or career, it will also shield Meta from knowing when users may need urgent help or intervention.

For example, conversations with Meta AI in WhatsApp indicating that a user may be considering self-harm or suicide can trigger a human review, according to Mashable's testing. The same is true for discussions of violence.

These messages couldn't be identified with Incognito Chat, nor would there be any retrospective record of them.

Meta said that it implements safeguards designed to refuse potentially harmful prompts, and that Meta AI will not comply with dangerous requests. Additionally, users who repeatedly submit harmful prompts will be temporarily blocked, according to the company.

Both scenarios — suicidal behavior and acts of public violence — are the subject of lawsuits and criminal inquiries against the biggest AI companies.

OpenAI has been sued multiple times by the bereaved families of users. They allege that OpenAI's ChatGPT coached their loved one to take their own life. OpenAI has denied the allegations in one case involving a 16-year-old who died.

Separately, the Florida state attorney general recently opened a criminal investigation into whether ChatGPT offered "significant" advice to a gunman who allegedly killed two people and five others in an April 2025 shooting.

Google, maker of the chatbot Gemini, was sued for wrongful death earlier this year by the family of an adult man after Gemini allegedly convinced him to kill himself.

"Our models generally perform well in these types of challenging conversations and we devote significant resources to this, but unfortunately AI models are not perfect," Google said in a statement following the allegations.

The lawsuits against Google and OpenAI draw heavily on user chat transcripts.

Can teens use Incognito Chat with Meta AI?

Meanwhile, in an effort to strength safeguards for teen Meta AI users, the company recently debuted a feature that allows parents to view their topics of discussion with AI.

Incognito Chat is meant for users 18 and older, according to Meta. Users will be prompted to confirm their age prior to using the feature. When legally required, Meta will implement additional age assurance methods to verify that a user is an adult.

Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, an advocacy group focused on online safety and corporate accountability, voiced concern over Incognito Chat, particularly given Meta's previous rollout of AI chatbots that permitted "sensual" conversations with children.

"The new features announced today should absolutely raise alarm bells for parents," Gardner said in a statement to Mashable. "We don't have confidence in Meta's record on age verification, so they need to answer a lot more questions about how they are going to guarantee kids' safety."

Categories: IT General, Technology

A U.S. judge told Musk to stay close. He hopped a flight to China.

Mashable - 11 hours 10 min ago

When you’re a centibillionaire, it turns out, legal orders from U.S. federal judges don’t apply.

Case in point: Elon Musk was recently ordered by a federal judge to be on "recall" status for the blockbuster OpenAI trial currently unfolding in Oakland, California. You might expect Musk to comply, given that he brought the suit in the first place.

Instead of staying close to the courthouse as ordered, however, Musk has now hopped on a flight to China with President Trump.

Musk's lawsuit accuses his OpenAI co-founders, including current CEO Sam Altman, of fraud by pivoting the company from a nonprofit to a for-profit enterprise. There has been plenty of fascinating testimony from both tech titans. Most recently, defendant Altman accused Musk of deliberately demotivating staff at OpenAI and of being more interested in sharing "memes on his phone" than in plotting the company’s future.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When Musk wrapped up his testimony last month, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers placed him on recall status, meaning he might be required to testify again. 

"OK, Mr. Musk, you are not excused, but you can leave for the day," Rogers said on April 30.

Rogers has previously sanctioned members of the public who attempted to record the proceedings by dressing them down in front of the whole court, so it's anyone's guess how she will respond to Musk's flouting of her instruction. She also seems unafraid of Musk, having chided him that even though he took "Law 101," he is "not a lawyer."

SEE ALSO: 'Memes on his phone!' Sam Altman's trial testimony takes a turn

Musk did not receive judicial clearance to travel overseas while the trial continued, NBC has confirmed via multiple sources. Instead, Musk joined Trump on his state visit to China to discuss topics such as Taiwan, Iran, and AI with President Xi Jinping.

Being recalled in a trial is an ambiguous position to be in, legally speaking. While there are no explicit rules forbidding traveling, you are expected to be available if your testimony is compelled because of needed clarity or the emergence of new evidence.

Being across an ocean probably wouldn’t fly for most witnesses on recall status. Then again, Musk isn’t your average witness.

Closing arguments in Musk v. Altman are expected on Thursday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Plex users can now manage artwork directly in the mobile app—here's what changed

How-To Geek - 12 hours 57 min ago

Plex has rolled out a new update for Android and iOS, bringing a host of new features alongside fixes. Among the features, there’s a highly requested one that has finally been added. Plex will now allow users to upload custom artwork directly from their mobile app.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Take to the skies with the DJI Neo Three-Battery Combo Kit for the lowest price weve seen

Mashable - 13 hours 37 min ago

SAVE $90: As of May 13, get the DJI Neo Three-Battery Combo Kit for $199 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $289. That's a discount of 21% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Neo Three-Battery Combo Kit $199 at Amazon
$289 Save $90   Get Deal

Whether you're just getting into drones or you've been flying for some time, it's always a good idea to save money on the next one you purchase. And despite the fact that it's been increasingly more difficult to obtain DJI drones as of late, it's the brand you'll definitely want to go to if you're ready to take the plunge. In fact, you can save big on one right now at Amazon that's perfect for any level of user.

As of May 13, get the DJI Neo Three-Battery Combo Kit for $199 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $289. That's $90 off and a discount of 21%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Flip drone is finally back at a record-low price at Amazon — save over $100

This affordable kit comes with the DJI Neo drone, three flight batteries, a two-way charging hub, a pair of propeller guards, a pair of spare propellers, four propeller screws, a gimbal protector, screwdriver, and a Type-C to Type-C PD cable. In short, it's everything you need to get you flying ASAP with as little oversight as possible.

The drone itself is palm-sized, and it can take off from your hand as well. At just 135 g, it's regulation-friendly so you don't need to worry about getting any sort of approval to fly it, and it can take 4K video. Not only that, but it can fly itself to help you take stunning footage.

Fly the drone with or without a controller with voice support, use it to explore your surroundings, or see how it can elevate your photography. It'll last up to 54 minutes per flight thanks to the additional batteries as well, so you won't be scrambling to recharge it when you need it the most.

Pick up this bundle and get flying ASAP and save some serious cash while you're at it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This AI-powered workspace cuts down on tab overload, and now it’s $50 for life

Mashable - 13 hours 37 min ago

TL;DR: Hive AI brings you AI tools together into one space, and right now, a lifetime subscription can be yours for just $49.97 (reg. $345) through June 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hive AI Hive AI - Productivity & Collaboration Workspace: Lifetime Subscription (Pro Plan) $49.97
$345 Save $295.03   Get Deal

Tired of keeping up with dozens of apps? Thanks to AI, we’re all relying on more tools than usual these days. Hive AI helps put that technology right into your workflow, helping you cut back on all the tab-hopping and second-guessing. It combines the best of Notion and Miro so you can enjoy a superpowered workspace.

Right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to the Hive AI Pro Plan for just $49.97 (reg. $345) until June 14.

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!

If you’re looking for an easy way to boost productivity, Hive AI Productivity and Collaboration Workspace can help. This workspace provides AI-powered assistance at every turn — whether you need to summarize, rewrite, refine ideas, or uncover insights. It also makes it easier to collaborate with coworkers in one convenient spot.

If you need help organizing your notes, creating documents, or task planning, Notion can help. If you’re working on mapping out ideas, brainstorming, or building a visual workflow, Miro’s there. Hive AI’s tools are geared toward getting you from concept to completion more efficiently.

You can access Hive AI on your desktop, smartphone, or via browser interface as needed.

This lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan gives you access to unlimited documents and visualization boards each month, plus unlimited AI requests. You can also take advantage of real-time multiplayer editing, shared workspaces, and the ability to add unlimited collaborators.

Secure your own lifetime subscription to the Hive AI Pro Plan for just $49.97 until June 14.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to find the right robotic cleaner for your pool

Mashable - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 23:27

Nothing beats summer days by the pool, but spending a hard-earned Saturday morning cleaning it by hand can leave you questioning whether all that fun is really worth the maintenance. 

Question no more, because Beatbot is here to save your summer. Its range of high-tech robotic pool cleaners takes the hard work out of pool maintenance, giving you time back to enjoy a swim in your beautifully clean pool. 

Beatbot has options to suit every need and budget. Read on to find the best fit for your pool. 

Make an impressive entry 

If you’re new or fairly new to robotic pool cleaners, Beatbot’s Sora series is the ideal place to start. Each product in the range is easy to adopt with simple settings and functions, and right now, you can score a deal as part of the Beatbot Anniversary celebration. 

Here’s the low-down on which Sora is right for you: 

Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot Sora 10 Robotic Pool Cleaner $499 at Beatbot
$699 Save $200 Sora 10 is accessible and easy to adopt, making it the best cordless cleaner for first-time robotic pool care users. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot Sora 30 Robotic Pool Cleaner $699 at Beatbot
$999 Save $300 Sora 30 is a 3-in-1 cleaner that covers floor, walls, and waterline, making it a stronger everyday cleaning product. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot Sora 70 Robotic Pool Cleaner $1,149 at Beatbot
$1,499 Save $350 Sora 70 offers 4-in-1 cleaning across floor, walls, waterline, and surface, making it the most complete Sora model. Get Deal The elite upgrade for true tech heads

Already made the transition to cordless pool cleaning? Graduate to a more premium smart pool care model with the AquaSense X, Beatbot’s most innovative and advanced model offering.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot AquaSense X AI Robotic Pool Cleaner $4,250 at Beatbot
The do-everything model with enhanced navigation features and elite cleaning performance. Shop Now

With advanced navigation, stronger automation, and high-performance all-zone coverage, it gives a more precise clean and boasts flagship-level engineering.

If you’re a pool-owning tech-head who wants the best of the best, the AquaSense X is for you. Available at Beatbot, $3,999, down from $4,250.

The long-term solution for busy people

For many of us, especially the parents, summer is about juggling priorities, and every minute is precious. 

The iSkim is Beatbot’s most hands-off pool cleaner. It has an extra-large 9L filter basket with a wide skimming inlet, significantly reducing the frequency of emptying. It’s also powered by a 10,000 mAh battery and a 24W solar panel, delivering up to 28 hours of operation and enabling 24/7 cleaning. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot iSkim Robotic Pool Skimmer $419 at Beatbot
$499 Save $80 Capable of operating for up to 28 hours from a single charge. Get Deal

If you’re looking for truly hassle-free pool care, the iSkim is for you. Available at Beatbot, $419, down from $499 

The Beatbot Anniversary Promotion is running through May 25, 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The cyberdeck trend is way older than you think

Mashable - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 23:09

Cyberdecks are having a moment. But they're not quite as original as many of their Gen Z makers might think.

These quirky, personalized DIY computer builds, often with impractically tiny keyboards, keep appearing in new forms on Instagram and TikTok. They include cyberdecks crammed inside Altoids tins, reading cyberdecks that look like books, and suitcase cyberdecks for music production.

Most telling are the so-called girly cyberdecks, mostly made by women with deliberately over-the-top bling, such as the gold clamshell model with gold ring-covered mouse from TikTok user Ube Boobey. The London-based 22-year-old has garnered more than 5 million views since posting her first cyberdeck, back in March.

"I have no previous experience with tech," noted Boobey, real name Annike Tan, on her first post. "That's not a cyberdeck, it's a load of components stuffed in a clutch bag," griped one commenter. "Yeah U right," Tan responded, deadpan.

And yet, the load of components worked — so much so that Tan got what most startup founders would kill for, a Wired magazine feature, a mere month later. This was no mere retro trend; these charmingly amateur computer builds caught a mood, an exhaustion with the tech establishment, a need to revolt against the prevailing winds of Silicon Valley.

Just like they did 50 years ago, in fact.

Everything old is new again: The origins of the cyberdeck

The name cyberdeck traces back to sci-fi author William Gibson's groundbreaking 1984 novel Neuromancer, where it was technically called a "cyberspace deck." (Gibson had invented the term "cyberspace" in an earlier story from 1982, but popularized it here.) In the first chapter, our protagonist is "jacked into a custom cyberspace deck that projected his disembodied consciousness into the consensual hallucination that was the matrix."

The only part of that description that really applies is "custom." Another Gibson novel, Idoru (1996), comes closer to the modern cyberdecker ideal with its description of "sandbenders" — charmingly amateur computers made by a commune in Oregon, with materials like coral, turquoise, and an aluminum chassis made from melting old cans found on the beach.

For the historical origins of cyberdecks, however, you have to go further south than an Oregon beach. You have to go back to the old Silicon Valley, a place where companies like Hewlett-Packard made deathly dull early computers for corporate use.

The Homebrew Computer Club was founded in March 1975 by engineer Gordon French and activist Fred Moore, both of whom believed that "personal" computers, rather than boxy IBM-style mainframes, were the future. The people they attracted (using fliers, in the absence of social media) were hobbyists and hippies. One was John Draper, who'd made himself infamous by building a "blue box" that allowed anyone to make free long-distance phone calls, earning the ire of AT&T. Another two were kids who'd turned a quick profit selling Draper's dubious blue boxes at UC Berkeley: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs.

SEE ALSO: Frustrated Apple fans are sharing old Steve Jobs keynote clips

Attendees were encouraged to bring their homemade computers. They cooed over digital tape drives that could hold an unheard-of 500 kilobytes of data. They applauded when machines built from a kit could be made to play music.

"I expect home computers will be used in unconventional ways," Moore wrote in the first newsletter, "most of which no one has thought of yet."

Wozniak took that promise and ran with it. In 1976 he showed off a machine he'd designed while working at Hewlett-Packard, one so homebrew that his superiors at HP had refused to make it. It didn't even have a housing, so early users had to bring their own wooden boxes or suitcases. The parts were $500, but they made copies to sell to other members at cost. His friend Jobs was so enthusiastic, he wanted the pair to start a company and contributed the name of the device, based on a happy summer of fruit-picking in Oregon. It was called the Apple Computer A, later renamed the Apple I.

That, of course, was where modern personal computing began. You could argue Steve Jobs crushed the dream of the cyberdeck-style Wozniak machine when he made himself and Woz millionaires in the 1980s, but you'd also have to note that he repeated the same lesson when he returned to Apple in 1997. PCs had become indistinguishable "beige boxes" in the 1990s, so Jobs brought us the candy-colored iMac — exactly what a cyberdecker might make with the help of unconventional designers like Jony Ive.

Now here we are, again, in a world where all computer-based devices are starting to look boringly similar. Apple doesn't make beige boxes, but it does make aluminum boxes that, if you're lucky, come in a choice of colors. Silicon Valley, with its emphasis on AI that consumers increasingly distrust, is starting to look as out of touch with the kids as it did in the 1970s. Creatives are angry at AI for stealing their content. Tech giants like Google are seen to be causing the slow enshittification of ... well, most any product they make, over time, under pressure from the market.

Meanwhile, the Maker movement is as popular as ever. Creators are in the driving seat of culture. Etsy is an industry to itself, so much so that Etsy sellers have formed a guild; Solarpunk, with its stories featuring DIY as a response to the apocalypse, is arguably the most influential movement in science fiction since William Gibson.

What better time for a homebrew-style rebellion?

The cyberdeck makers of the 21st century, by all appearances, are only just getting started. They have everything those Homebrew Computer Clubbers would have killed to get, in terms of equipment, reach, and feedback. And they are, of course, drawn from a much more diverse array of folks than the uniformly white and male members of the Homebrew Computer Club. Wozniak, for example, would never have thought of stuffing his components in a clutch bag and seeing what happened.

So if history is any guide, the cyberdeck movement will create computers that are used in unconventional ways. Most of which no one has thought of yet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying for gas—These 5 electric SUVs cost less than $40,000

How-To Geek - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 23:00

Electric vehicles used to come with one major compromise: affordability. If you wanted to stop paying for gas, you often had to accept a much higher monthly payment in return. That gap is finally starting to close, with a growing number of electric crossovers now landing comfortably below the $40,000 mark while still offering solid range, modern tech, and everyday practicality.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 awesome new features coming to Android 17, ranked

How-To Geek - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 22:51

Android 17 is shaping up to be one of the biggest and most important Android releases in years. It’s packed with new features and changes. Here’s my personal ranking of the seven features I’m most excited about in Google’s new “intelligence system”—yes, that’s what Google is calling Android now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nevermind the Acura RDX—this Buick SUV is quiet and costs $5,000 less

How-To Geek - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 22:30

It might seem unlikely to compare a Buick to an Acura. For as long as any of us can remember, these two brands have operated on different wavelengths: Buick as a torchbearer of American "attainable luxury" and Acura as the high-tech, performance-oriented Japanese disruptor.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Highlights from The Android Show I/O Edition 2026

Mashable - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 22:15

The Android Show I/O Edition showcased new Googlebook laptops and the latest updates in Gemini, which Google promises will work seamlessly across devices bringing agentic AI to the masses. See all the highlights from the online event.

Categories: IT General, Technology

KPop Demon Hunters is going on tour. Heres how to get tickets.

Mashable - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 22:15

You've sung "Golden" while watching KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix in your living room. You've belted it out at movie theater singalongs. But soon, you'll be able to scream along to the Oscar–winning hit — and other KPop Demon Hunters bangers — at a full-on concert.

SEE ALSO: 'KPop Demon Hunters' stars Arden Cho and May Hong react to fans' TikTok videos

That's right: KPop Demon Hunters is going on tour, Netflix announced today. The streamer has partnered with AEG Presents for a global concert tour, described in a press release as "a live experience that will bring elements of the two-time Oscar–winning film to life in spectacular ways."

Does this mean that the tour will include reenactments of key movie moments? And that HUNTR/X singing voices EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami will be performing? Netflix has yet to release details on what the tour will actually entail or what stops it will be making. However, you can already put yourself in the running for tickets.

How do I get tickets to the KPop Demon Hunters tour?

While tickets are not on sale yet, fans can join the waitlist to learn more information about the KPop Demon Hunters tour as soon as it drops, including concert dates, cities, and when tickets are available.

KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Trump Mobile CEO says the phones are shipping. The terms and conditions say it doesnt have to.

Mashable - Wed, 05/13/2026 - 22:08

It's been almost a year since the made-in-America Trump Mobile T1 smartphone for true patriots was announced. It's still not out, but this week, we got some conflicting information about whether or not it will ever come out.

Today, Trump Mobile CEO Pat O'Brien said the phone would finally start shipping this week. However, the Trump Mobile terms and conditions make it perfectly clear that the upstart mobile brand doesn't actually have an obligation to ship anything.

Over the past day or so, multiple news outlets such as The Hill and content creators such as moistcr1tikal (who paid the deposit and has been waiting for the phone to arrive) noticed strange language on the terms and conditions page on the Trump Mobile website

The terms explicitly state that "Trump Mobile does not guarantee that: the Device will be commercially released," that "production will commence or continue," or that "delivery will occur within any specific timeframe."

For the past year, the company has been accepting $100 deposits on the phone, with the promise that paying that price would "lock in your T1 phone promotional pricing" of $499 for early adopters. However, the terms and conditions page directly contradicts this language.

Which is it? Credit: Trump Mobile

According to the latest terms and conditions, a $100 deposit only gives you the opportunity to buy a phone if it ever comes out. And if it does, the terms also say it doesn't have to cost $499.

"A preorder deposit provides only a conditional opportunity if Trump Mobile later elects, in its sole discretion, to offer the Device for sale," the website reads. "The deposit does not lock in pricing...Pricing and promotional terms may change any time prior to purchase."

SEE ALSO: Trump Mobile T1 phone reappears, still no release date

There's also one last interesting nugget from the terms and conditions page regarding the specs and other features of the phone.

"Device specifications, features, software, hardware components, storage capacities, bundled accessories, colors, and configurations are subject to change prior to final sale. Images, prototypes, beta demonstrations, and marketing renderings are illustrative only and may not reflect final production units," the website reads.

The original T1 smartphone advertised by Trump Mobile. Credit: Trump Mobile The new T1 photo carries this disclaimer: Product features and images are for illustration only. Final product appearance and specifications may vary. Credit: Trump Mobile

This shouldn't be surprising, as the T1 has already changed quite a bit since it was first announced. Trump Mobile famously dropped its "made in America" branding, for example.

This is probably a bit discouraging to read if you're really looking forward to the T1 phone, but it is worth noting that there are some real signs that it exists. The website was recently updated with new specs (which, again, could change at any time), and it appeared in an FCC listing.

In other words, the Trump phone will either come out this week, or not at all, or maybe some other time in between those two. It's impossible to say.

Sad!

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker