Technology

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 17 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Heightened.

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 G.

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...

GROWN.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 17

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.

Disappointed that you have to wait another 12 months to explore the state of Leonida and the iconic Vice City in GTA VI? Me too, but these 13 games should soothe your hunger for GTA VI and then some.

For the rest of May, Fanatical is offering a special bundle that will allow you to buy dozens of random games for as little as $1. Not only is this the cheapest you can get almost any game, but you may also be able to score VR headsets, a Steam Deck, or AAA titles for that price.

Apple has officially deprecated the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) client in the latest update for Mac computers, and the feature will be “removed in a future version of macOS.” The change will break file sharing with many old network drives and Mac models, including Apple’s discontinued Time Capsule.

In recent days, it has become nearly impossible to move through the world without being confronted by the latest high-profile case of interpersonal violence — the ongoing trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, following the harrowing testimony of singer Cassie Ventura, Diddy's ex-partner. Ventura's detailed allegations of prolonged abuse, coercion, and exploitation have dominated headlines and social media feeds, making the coverage inescapable. For many, this constant exposure brings up waves of complex feelings, including pain, anger, confusion, or even numbness. And for those of us with a personal history of trauma, these waves may at times feel like a tsunami.

This collective reaction is not only understandable, it’s deeply human.

As a trauma therapist and mental health professional who has worked alongside hundreds of survivors of interpersonal violence with a focus on human trafficking and sexual violence, I want to offer a framework for understanding what many of us are experiencing, and gentle tools for protecting our mental health as we navigate this moment.

Our reactions are personal and valid

There is no single way to respond to trauma exposure. Our reactions are shaped by our own lived experiences, including any past histories of violence. They are intersectional based on our identities, the communities we belong to, and the broader histories of injustice we carry. They are also adaptive as our minds are constantly working to make meaning, to find understanding, and ultimately, to protect us.

Sometimes, this means we feel an intense pull to learn more. We read every article, scroll through every comment thread, or watch every video in the hope that information might help us feel a little safer, more in control, or closer to justice. This search for meaning is not a flaw; it is a natural function of a brain seeking safety and clarity in a world that can often feel unsafe and chaotic.

When meaning-making becomes overexposure

There can be a point where our quest for meaning tips into overexposure, sending us into a state of disregulation. Even when we’re not seeking it out, constant exposure to the Diddy trial coverage can have an impact on our mental health. As we find ourselves reading one more post, watching one more reel, and clicking one more headline, the exposure adds up and our nervous system, especially those who have experienced past trauma, becomes activated. 

We begin to move outside our "window of tolerance,” a concept in trauma healing that describes the range of emotional states where we feel grounded and able to respond effectively to stress. When we're pushed beyond that range, we may shift into hyper-arousal, where we feel speedy, agitated, angry, panicked, or unable to stop scrolling. Or we might move into hypo-arousal, where we feel numb, detached, exhausted, or checked out.

In hyper-arousal, we might feel compelled to argue with strangers in the comments section or rapidly consume articles. In hypo-arousal, we might shut down, avoid contact with others, or feel disconnected from our bodies and emotions. Both are nervous system responses to overwhelming situations, and both are signs that we need care, not judgment.

Recognizing disregulation

Here are a few signs that our media consumption may be impacting our mental health:

• Losing track of time while reading about the case

• Feeling emotionally exhausted or detached after reading updates

• Trouble sleeping or concentrating after trial exposure 

• Thoughts of our own past experiences of violence arising 

• Spiraling into despair, hopelessness, rage, or any intense emotional state

• Feeling disconnected from your body

If you recognize yourself in any of these, you are not alone. This response is an adaptive human reaction to graphic trauma exposure.

Tools for regulation and grounding 

Caring for ourselves in the face of the Diddy trial coverage means tending to our nervous systems. Here are a few ways to support our well-being:

• Create social media boundaries. Consider limiting screen time, setting app timers, or pausing before engaging with sensitive content. 

• Check in with your body. Are you breathing shallowly? Clenching your jaw? Holding tension? Gentle movement, deep breathing, or stretching can help regulate our nervous system and bring us back into the present moment. 

• Name your feelings. Say them out loud or write them down. Naming emotions helps us metabolize them. If you’re having trouble identifying them, try looking at the emotions wheel. 

• Protect your peace in comment sections. Online space, especially comment threads, can reflect common misconceptions about violence that place undue scrutiny on survivors rather than those who caused harm. It’s okay to disengage from these conversations. Preserving your mental health does not mean you care any less; it means you are choosing where to place your energy.  

• Reach out. Talk to someone you trust. Community care is essential to healing.

• Practice grounding. Sensory-based techniques like holding a cold object, naming five things you see, and engaging your full five senses can bring you back into your body.

• Seek support. Whether through therapy, community support, or a trusted friend, reaching out to others to process what is happening can be an important lifeline. At the Sanar Institute, we specialize in providing this type of trauma-specific care to ensure that individuals and communities that have experienced interpersonal violence have access to life-changing support.

A call for collective compassion

As we navigate through this trial, this is an invitation to us all: we do not need to consume every update to care deeply about what happened. We are allowed to set boundaries. We are allowed to care for our bodies, our spirits, and to prioritize our psychological safety.

Each of us processes trauma exposure differently. Let’s offer compassion for our own responses and grace for the ways others may be showing up. The goal isn’t to disconnect from the world but to stay rooted in it, with care.

Kate Keisel, LCSW is the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of the Sanar Institute, which creates holistic access to trauma-conscious and person-centered care to support individuals and communities healing from the traumatic events of interpersonal violence. This column represents the opinion of the author.

You know that feeling when you want to drop an emoji or GIF into a conversation, but you can't quite remember the keyboard shortcut? Microsoft hears that pain, which is why there’s a subtle but significant change brewing that should make it that much easier.

Updated on Friday, May 16 at 3:15 p.m. ET: On Friday afternoon, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (who has a history of getting inside scoops from Apple) reported that Apple denies blocking the Fortnite app from iOS devices in Europe. Further, Gurman reported that Apple asked Epic Games to resubmit the app for approval in the EU. We still haven't heard anything from Apple directly, and we'll continue to monitor the situation.

You can read our original story below.

Introducing Fortnite v. Apple, Part Infinity: App Approval Thunderdome.

In case you couldn't tell from the catchy title, the Epic Games v. Apple legal drama has been an ongoing drama in the tech world. And in the latest news, Epic Games reports that Apple has rejected Fortnite's attempted return to the App Store.

"Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union," posted the official Fortnite account on X today. "Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it."

Mashable reached out to Apple to ask about the situation, and we'll update this article if we learn any new information.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: You can finally buy books in the Kindle app, thanks to a California judge

Exactly a week ago, Epic Games delighted gamers by announcing it had officially resubmitted Fortnite to the App Store. But after the latest rejection, Fortnite has become unavailable for all iOS users worldwide.

Previously, iOS gamers in the EU were at least able to download Fortnite, but now, even that is unavailable. On top of that, Fortnite can't even be downloaded through a third-party app store in the European Union, for reasons that are unclear.

One possible explanation? We know that Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite for approval in the United States using its European developer account. If the submission was rejected as Epic Games claims, that could have triggered a wider problem for the company. Epic Games may have also pulled the app from third-party stores itself.

Here in the United States, iOS gamers have been unable to download Fortnite on Apple devices for years, which is what kicked off the legal case in the first place. Here's the tl;dr version from Mashable's Alex Perry:

Fortnite has been unavailable to play natively on iPhones since 2020 because of a still-ongoing legal dispute between Apple and developer Epic Games. The short version is that Apple likes to take a 30 percent commission on in-app purchases in iOS apps, and Epic didn't like that. One thing led to another, and now there's a bona fide antitrust case against Apple. That case recently resulted in the company being named in contempt of court, forcing the company to stop collecting fees from off-app purchases.

The return of Fortnite to the App Store has been a long time coming, but gamers will have to wait even longer to try and talk to Darth Vader in the game, at least on Apple devices.

On X, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that Apple had "weaponized" the app review process, framing this as a free speech issue.

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Budget controller brand 8BitDo just opened preorders for its new Arcade Controller, an impressively thin and customizable gamepad that costs just $89.

Right now, you can buy two years of Proton VPN’s premium plan for $81.36 on the official website. This comes out to $3.39 per month, and if you don't want to commit for that long, the 1-year plan is also on sale.

Get ready for your emoji to change if you use Gboard on an Android phone.

Google's emoji keyboard is undergoing a design change that'll hopefully make things cleaner and easier to use. Gboard removed the "All" interface. In its place, Gboard redesigned the emoji, sticker, and GIF icons, enlarging them and making your choices more clear. 9to5Google spotted the change and published images showing the differences. Right now the changes are only in Gboard's latest beta.

You can see on the new Gboard, on the right, that the bottom buttons are bigger and easier to select. Credit: 9to5Google

9to5Google also spotted some other minor changes, such as a flat toolbar instead of an elevated one. Overall the changes are pretty small, but they're the kinds of thing that'll make you go, "Hmm, this is weird!" when you go to find an emoji.

So your emoji world won't be turned upside down, but it might be shifted a bit.

Steam has been around for over 21 years, and it's turning 22 in a few months. That's a big number. And a lot of releases have debuted on the platform through that timeframe. Now, Steam is gaining a bestsellers list that goes back until the launch of Half-Life 2—the first in-house game Valve debuted on Steam.

SAVE $300: As of May 16, get the Sonos Arc soundbar for $599 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's a 33% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sonos Arc $599 at Amazon
$899 Save $300 Get Deal

If you spend a lot of time enjoying movies and TV from the comfort of your living room, you should make sure you've got great sound that complements your area nicely. You can do that with your built-in TV speakers, sure, but a soundbar can make a huge world of difference.

As of May 16, get the Sonos Arc soundbar for $599 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's $300 off and a 33% discount.

This user-friendly soundbar is a minimalist's dream that offers excellent sound to punch up your TV setup. It's meant to provide a more theater-centric experience that can add booming bass and crisp treble to your living room, with 11 drivers and Dolby Atmos support so you can really feel as though you're immersed in what's happening on-screen.

Setup is simple by way of a Bluetooth connection if you prefer, and the soundbar itself is small and unobtrusive, so you can place it just about anywhere, whether that's near your TV or mounted somewhere for better reach and still have great sound wherever you decide to sit.

With plenty of blockbusters hitting streaming after leaving theaters this year, you might decide to spend some money and watch them at home, so make sure you have decent audio to go with the superhero flicks and other box office hits while you kick back, relax, and think about how great it is that you don't have to get up and go to the bathroom and miss something since you're watching at home.

Few gaming genres are as massively popular as shooter games. Whether it's because of their exciting campaigns or competitive multiplayer, no other genre has come close to replicating the widespread appeal of shooters. However, almost all modern shooters owe their success to a forgotten retro genre.

SAVE $130: The Samsung Jet 60 Pet cordless stick vacuum is on sale for just $199.99 at Best Buy as a Deal of the Day on May 16. That's about 39% in savings, but you have to act fast.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Jet 60 Pet $199.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $130 Get Deal

If you're not completely sold on robot vacuums, but still want to make your cleaning experience less of a chore, a cordless stick vacuum is your best bet. But before you splurge on an outrageously expensive Dyson, check out this deal on a Samsung (yes, Samsung makes vacuums).

As of May 16, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet is on sale for only $199.99 as one of Best Buy's Deals of the Day. That's nearly 40% or $130 off its list price of $329.99. It's also $60 cheaper than Amazon has it at the moment. You'll have to act fast, though, as it's only around until the end of the day today (roughly 13 hours or so).

The Jet 60 Pet offers a sleek and slim aesthetic in an eye-catching rose gold finish and its Jet Cyclone technology operates similarly to Dyson's, keeping dust and debris from clogging up the filter. It's also extremely light and easy to maneuver at just five pounds. While it's dubbed the "Pet" model, it's worth noting that at only 150 air watts, it's not as powerful as some folks with heavy pet hair problems may need. However, the included mini motorized tool will help you get those fine particles and pet hair on furniture, rugs, and other surfaces. It runs for about 40 minutes on a single charge and comes with a spare battery, so you can swap it out and get up to 80 minutes of cleaning time total.

Ultimately, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet puts an enjoyable cleaning experience in your hands (instead of a robot's). And at less than $200, it's hard to get hung up on any flaws.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

• Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender — $89.99 (List Price $119.99)

• Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $99.90 (List Price $159.00)

• Skylight Calendar 15-inch Digital Calendar & Chore Chart — $319.99

• Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)

• Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $179.99 (List Price $249.99)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $349.95 (List Price $449.99)

• Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.99 (List Price $699.99)

Apple Music now lets you import libraries and playlists from Spotify and other competing services. However, the feature is currently limited to Australia and New Zealand.

Fortnite is now in the business of resurrecting the dead, apparently.

On Friday, developer Epic Games announced in a blog post that Darth Vader is back in Fortnite as a recruitable boss character in the game's primary Battle Royale mode. He can be recruited to fight alongside you and your friends, but here's where things get strange: You can voice chat with Darth Vader and he'll respond using an AI approximation of the late James Earl Jones' voice. According to Epic, the Jones estate signed off on this, providing a statement in the blog post:

James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it. We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.

The ethical concerns here are numerous and obvious, but it should be noted that Jones himself signed off on his voice being used in this exact manner back in 2022, before his death. Mashable recently reported on a similar case involving the voice and likeness of Agatha Christie.

Credit: Epic Games SEE ALSO: The Sabrina Carpenter 'Fortnite' skin is everywhere, and it's pretty funny

Anyway, Epic said you can ask him questions about the Galactic Empire or the Force and he'll answer them. Of course, it took about 30 seconds for someone to make the AI bot say something it shouldn't say:

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Epic Games did program the Vader character with safeguards in place (read more about parental controls in this FAQ), and he'll reportedly refuse to engage in romantic talk or discuss killing younglings. If a user discusses self-harm or mental health, Vader will direct the user to seek help.

Right now, the AI Darth Vader only speaks English, and Epic Games says they used a combination of Google Gemini 2.0 Flash and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 AI models.

You can check out the AI Darth Vader in Fortnite now, unless you're on iPhone.

SAVE $50: As of May 16, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $149.99, down from its usual price of $199.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch FE $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you need a new smartwatch, you've got tons to choose from. You don't have to stick to the Apple Watch or even any of its high-priced competitors. Samsung has a great lineup to look into if you want to save money on the fancier options and still get everything you're looking for in a smartwatch. Right now, you can get one for an especially low price that's worth your while.

As of May 16, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $149.99, down from its usual price of $199.99, at Amazon. That's $50 off and a discount of 25%.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE can be a fantastic companion for your fitness journey and regular workouts thanks to its wide range of options. It can help you track your steps, calories burned, how well you're sleeping, and your heart rate. That's just the tip of the iceberg, though. It's more than just a fitness tracker.

Sync to your Android phone and make calls, send and read texts, and make payments while you're out and about. It's a good way to stop leaning on your phone so much and do everything straight from your wrist. You can do all this for under $200 for this model, so if you've been looking for a new watch, now's the time to make your move.

SAVE $7: Between May 16 and May 18, Fandango is offering $7 off tickets to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX with code BLOODLINES.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fandango $7 off 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' in IMAX Use code BLOODLINES at Fandango Get Deal

A new Final Destination movie probably isn't something that 2000s horror lovers thought they'd be facing in the year of 2025. And yet, fate has brought us here: It's Bloodlines opening weekend, baby.

Don't push this one off until it comes out on streaming. Such a destined seismic event in horror history should not only be seen in theaters, but in IMAX. Between May 16 and May 18, you can save $7 on any ticket to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX when you purchase through Fandango. Just ender code BLOODLINES at checkout.

IMAX tickets typically range between $15 and $18, depending on the theater. So Fandango's $7 credit could technically equate to nearly 50% off your movie ticket, and that could technically equate to a free snack or soda.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (May 16, 2025)

The chances of a franchise horror sequel flopping aren't low, especially one coming a decade or two after the OGs. But early reviews of Bloodlines ensure that there were no accidents (no coincidences, no mishaps, and no escapes) when moving forward on a sixth installment of Final Destination — this movie rocks. Mashable contributor Jason Adams sums the Bloodlines experience up: "You'll cringe, hoot, and holler. You'll wipe the phantom viscera off your face. And you'll spend the entire ride home convinced everything's out to kill you. It's horror movie nirvana." How could you not want to see that on a 72 foot long, 50 foot tall screen?

Online competitive multiplayer games are wildly popular, with players around the world battling it out every day. But they've also earned a reputation for being unwelcoming, especially to new players or casuals who care more about fun than being the best of the best.

SAVE $17: The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Leg Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) $17.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $17.00 Get Deal

Stop what you're doing, cancel your weekend plans, and check out this latest deal on Lego.

The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so if you've been patiently waiting for the right moment to stock up on those little bricks, this is your moment to shine.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away a free Ninjago Thunderfang on May 18. Here’s how to get yours.

This 484-piece kit comes in 35 colors and encourages kids to engage in creative play. It's great supplement set to any existing Lego collection.

And if that wasnt enough, you can also build and take home an exclusive Lego Ninjago Thunderfang model for free on May 18.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)