Technology

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. 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.

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: Protective gear

• Green: Same town

• Blue: Athletic gear

• Purple: Out of this world competitors

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Headgear

• Green: Philadelphia Teams

• Blue: Tennis racket brands

• Purple: Sports meets outer space

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 #211 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Headgear - HAT, HELMET, MASK, VISOR

• Philadelphia Teams - 76ers, FLYERS, PHILLIES, UNION

• Tennis racket brands - BABOLAT, HEAD, PRINCE, WILSON

• Sports meets outer space - ASTROS, GALAXY, STARS, SUN

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.

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 today's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 22 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Counter offers

The words are delicious.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are food and drink related.

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 CafeMenu.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 22

• Pastries

• Juices

• Soup

• Chai

• Sandwiches

• CafeMenu

• Espresso

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.

TL;DR: Let SwiftScan handle all your scanning needs right from your smartphone, with a lifetime subscription available now for just A$65 (reg. A$313) with code TAKE30 through April 27.

Surprised at how often you could use a scanner in 2025? Though we no longer own those clunky scanner-printer combos from the '90s...we have something way better.

SwiftScan VIP not only turns your smartphone or tablet into a scanner, but it also helps you edit files and easily upload them to your cloud storage service of choice. A lifetime subscription is now available for just A$65 with code TAKE30. 

This app is more than just a document scanner

Don't groan next time you need to scan something. SwiftScan simplifies the document scanning process using the camera on your smartphone or tablet. Once you're done, it helps you send and organize your files and even serves as your personal PDF editing tool. 

Just open the app and hold your device above the document. It automatically detects the edges, crops the scan, and enhances the quality with color filters, auto-optimization, and blur reduction. Then, choose if you'd like to save it as a PDF or JPG with just one tap.

Once saved, SwiftScan helps you get your document where it needs to go. You can send it as a fax or an email or upload it directly to your preferred cloud storage service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. 

Need to scan multiple pages? That's not a problem for SwiftScan, which can combine those pages into a single document if needed. 

After scanning, editing is just as easy with the user-friendly interface. If you need to work with a PDF file, SwiftScan can help you navigate these pesky file formats — from signing to annotating or redacting information. 

SwiftScan also saves and organizes your scans in folders. If you ever need an older scan, the app includes OCR technology that makes them easily searchable later without endless scrolling.

Enjoy a lifetime of easy scanning access and PDF editing with this subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now just A$65 (reg. A$313) with code TAKE30 through April 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription AU$65
AU$313 Save AU$248 Get Deal

TL;DR: Always have a scanner on hand with a lifetime subscription to this handy app, SwiftScan VIP, now $41.99 (reg. $199) with code TAKE30 through April 27.

Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription £41.99
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Don't have a chunky scanner lying around the house? That's no problem once you have SwiftScan VIP, an app that turns your smartphone or tablet into a high-quality scanner. 

From receipts you want to save to signing contracts, digitizing documents has never been easier. And a lifetime subscription can be yours now for only $41.99 with code TAKE30 until April 27. 

Never be without a scanner again

Your phone or tablet can double as a scanner with SwiftScan. All you have to do is open the app and point your camera at the page. SwiftScan will automatically detect the edges and crop for you. If you need to scan more than one page, it's easy to combine multiple pages into a single document. 

Once you've scanned your document, you can enhance the quality with built-in tools like color filters, blur reduction, and auto-enhancements. Then save it as a PDF or JPG and send it via email or fax. You can also upload it to your preferred cloud storage service. 

SwiftScan organizes all your scans into folders, and their OCR technology makes searching a breeze if you need to access them later. 

If you have to deal with a PDF, SwiftScan also doubles as a PDF editor. Sign, annotate, or even redact information from PDFs right on the app. 

Keep a scanner on hand for life with SwiftScan VIP, now only $41.99 (reg. $199) with code TAKE30 through April 27.

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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.

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

A kind of bird.

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

SNIPE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Weighed down.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LADEN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Grown up.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ADULT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Geeky.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 22 Hurdle Word 4 answer

NERDY

Final Hurdle hint

What you do to wet clothes.

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

WRING

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

Having a hard time cancelling your Uber One subscription? The U.S. government says you're not alone.

On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against the delivery and rideshare giant Uber alleging that the company partook in "deceptive billing and cancellation practices." The FTC's allegations are in regards to Uber's premium subscription service, Uber One.

“I looked at a credit card bill and I realized that Uber Eats had been charging $9.99 for an Uber One account for the past 8 months. I have never signed up for this service,” reads a typical customer comment cited in the suit. Another customer complaint reads, “I don[’]t have an UBER account and NEVER have but I am being charged a monthly recurring fee of $9.99 for UBER ONE . I don[’]t even know how they got my debit card info.”

This screenshot from the Uber app was included in the FTC filing. Credit: FTC Why did the FTC target Uber with the new suit?

Uber advertised Uber One as a $9.99 per month premium subscription platform that provided customers with exclusive benefits, such as savings on rides and deliveries. However, according to the FTC, Uber mislead consumers on what exactly those savings were.

“Americans are tired of getting signed up for unwanted subscriptions that seem impossible to cancel,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson in a statement. “Today, we’re alleging that Uber not only deceived consumers about their subscriptions, but also made it unreasonably difficult for customers to cancel.”

For example, Uber advertised that customers could save $25 per month as an Uber One member. The FTC disagrees, and the suit shows that the company didn't factor in the $9.99 per month membership fee when advertising supposed savings.

"These claims are false," the government's lawsuit says. "Many consumers do not actually save $25 a month by using Uber One…Uber’s savings claim assumes that the subscription is free; the purported savings does not subtract any costs."

The problems with Uber One went beyond false advertising promises, however. According to the lawsuit, along with the $25 in savings, Uber advertised that users can cancel their Uber One subscription "at any time" with "no additional fees." However, the FTC stated that Uber often charged consumers before the free trial even ended. On top of that, cancelling the subscription wasn't as simple as advertised.

Easy to sign up, incredibly hard to cancel

The suit alleges that Uber deploys deceptive practices known as "dark patterns" to first encourage users to sign up and then discourage them from cancelling their Uber One subscriptions.

The FTC notes that users could sign up with a couple of clicks, but cancelling required up to 32 actions. Credit: FTC

In the app, buttons directing users to “Start saving” or “Try for free” automatically enrolled users in the trial, per the lawsuit. In one case, users were presented with two options, “Start saving” or “Cancel.” The government’s complaint reads, “Once consumers click ‘Start saving,’ they are immediately enrolled in Uber One and will be charged every month or year for a subscription. The only other choice is to ‘Cancel.’ It is unclear what tapping that button would cancel at this point — it could be the delivery or ride they are trying to book; they have not signed up for Uber One and thus could not cancel it."

And in practice, when customers really did try to cancel the subscription, "Uber makes it extremely difficult," the FTC notes.

The FTC says Uber users were "forced to navigate" through a maze of steps in order to cancel their paid Uber One plan. The FTC says that the cancellation process could extend over 23 different screens and force users to take up to 32 different actions just to cancel. And the closer a user got to the end of their current subscription, the harder Uber made it to cancel.

"Uber can require them to say why they want to cancel, urge them to pause their membership or, if that failed, present them with offers to stay," says the FTC.

Some customers were forced to contact Uber customer support in order to cancel, but were not provided a method to contact the company. In addition, many users were charged for the subscription while in the process of cancelling, according to the government. 

Uber's alleged violations and the company's official response

The FTC is charging Uber with five counts under Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA), including misrepresentation and unfairly charging without consent.

In a statement shared with Mashable, Uber disputes any wrongdoing.

"We are disappointed that the FTC chose to move forward with this action, but are confident that the courts will agree with what we already know: Uber One’s sign-up and cancellation processes are clear, simple, and follow the letter and spirit of the law," said an Uber spokesperson. "Uber does not sign up or charge consumers without their consent, and cancellations can now be done anytime in-app and take most people 20 seconds or less."

Uber said that the company used to require that consumers contact the company in order to cancel Uber One if they were within 48 hours of their renewal period. However, Uber has since changed this policy and users can now cancel their subscription from within the app at any time.

The HyperX Alloy Rise is getting a huge discount, which puts it at the lowest price point it has ever been. This high-end mechanical keyboard usually costs $169.99, but it is now on sale for $84.99 on Amazon. That is a 50% discount, pushing almost all the way to budget keyboard territory despite having top-quality features.

If you've ever dreamed of leaving your mark on science, look no further: NASA has a citizen-science program that will let you contribute. Regardless of whether you want to study landslides, comets, or the most distant galaxies in the universe, all you need is a smartphone or PC and a bit of time.

Best Earth Day deals Best refurbished sale Save 25% on Sonos certified refurbished Save 25% Shop Now Best tech deal Get 10% off Apple accessories with trade-in Save 10% Shop Now Best cleaning supplies deal Save on Blueland cleaning products Get 20% off sitewide Shop Now Best mattress deal Save 10% on Avocado mattresses Get 10% off everything Shop Now Best kitchen deal Save 60% on GreenPan Get 60% off sitewide Shop Now Best self-care deal Save 15% on select Biird toys Get 15% off non-vibrating toys with code EARTH Shop Now

This year's Earth Day festivities take place on April 22, and a lot of tech brands are honoring the occasion with special events. You might not think of Earth Day as a big sales holiday, but we’ve actually found tons of Earth Day deals on everything from home and cleaning essentials to eco-friendly mattresses.

In the tech world, Apple is offering customers a trade-in deal to encourage customers to recycle old electronics. Through May 16, when customers recycle an eligible piece of tech at an Apple store, they'll receive 10% off Apple accessories and may be eligible for store credit. A new survey from CNET (Mashable and CNET are both published by Ziff Davis) found that one in three U.S. adults holds onto old devices simply because they don't know how to recycle them.

Here are the best Earth Day deals to shop this week.

Best Earth Day tech deals for 2025 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Save 10% on Apple accessories with trade-in Learn More Why we like it

Even Apple is celebrating Earth Day this year by giving customers 10% off an Apple accessory when they recycle an eligible item in-store. Bonus deal: Apple Watch owners can earn an Earth Day limited-edition award by completing any 30-minute workout on April 22.

While 10% off isn’t huge, it’s a great way to get rid of an old device in your home. Learn more at the Apple website.

More tech deals

• Save 25% on certified refurbished soundbars, speakers, and smart home audio products from Sonos through April 22

• Save on sustainable tech at Nimble

• Shop Plug's Earth Day Sale and save on certified pre-owned tech

• Get up to 20% off generators, electric coolers, and more during GoalZero's Earth Day Sale

Best cleaning supplies deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blueland 20% off at Blueland Get Deal Why we like it

Blueland is offering up to 20% off sitewide, plus 30% off subscriptions during its Earth Day Sale. You can find select items on sale at Amazon, too. But the real deals are happening on the company's website.

I use Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tablets and the Multi-Surface Cleaner. I’ve been pretty impressed with the quality and how much plastic waste I’ve been able to cut down by switching to the brand. It’s also helped me declutter my cleaning cabinet! I keep the tablets in one glass jar under my sink.

More cleaning supplies deals

• Get up to 20% off select Cleancult products at Amazon starting April 22

• Get up to 30% off sitewide during Grove Co.'s Earth Month sale

Best Earth Day mattress deals Opens in a new window Credit: Avocado Green Mattress 10% off at Avocado Green Mattress Get Deal Why we like it

Avocado Green Mattress is having an Earth Month Sale, where you can get 10% off everything, including mattresses, mattress toppers, bedding protectors, and adjustable bed frames. The sale runs through May 5, 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Avocado brand is known for its certified organic mattresses and bedding, plus they're Climate Neutral Certified. But this also means that they’ll be raising prices due to rising costs and tariffs (as stated on their website). So, if you’ve been eyeing an Avocado mattress, now’s the time to buy.

More mattress deals

• Get up to 22% off sitewide at Naturpedic with code EARTH22

• Get up to 15% off during My Green Mattress' Earth Day Sale

• Get up to $400 off mattresses, plus a free gift at Purple

• Get up to 25% off mattresses at Casper

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: GreenPan 60% off at GreenPan Shop Now Why we like it

GreenPan is offering up to 60% off sitewide during its Earth Day Sale. This is huge considering how expensive GreenPan cookware can be. (I spent nearly $400 on my pots and pans set.) And, if you spend $275 or more, you’ll get a free GreenPan Cook’s Journal Cookbook.

GreenPan sells nonstick cookware that is free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, which justifies the price. They also sell bakeware, kitchen utensils, and small countertop appliances.

More kitchen deals

• Get up to 20% off select Stasher products

• Get up to 20% off select kitchen accessories during IKEA's Together for Earth Month Sale

• Get up to 15% off select Caraway products

• Get up to 30% off Energy Star appliances at Samsung

Best self-care deal Opens in a new window Credit: Biird 15% off non-vibrating toys at Biird Use code EARTH at checkout Shop Now Why we like it

One of the best self-care deals I’ve spotted is from Biird — one of my absolute favorite sex toy brands. They almost never have a sale, so I was super excited to hear that they’ll be offering customers 15% off all non-vibrating toys with the code EARTH now through April 27.

This includes the brand’s newest silicone dildos and my personal fave, the Kalii (a glass G-spot dildo).

More self-care and beauty deals

• Get up to 20% off select products at Foria

• Get $25 off any sex toy at The Natural Love Company

• Get up to 60% off select products at Lovers

• New customers can get 15% off the Green Jade Calm Collection at Knesko when they sign up for email & SMS

• Get up to 15% off select products at Saltair

• Get 2 for $35 at Polite Society

• Save on conscious beauty at Ulta

UPDATE: Apr. 21, 2025, 4:13 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with additional information, including a new Earth Day 2025 sale from Sonos.

We've seen tons of different PCs on the smaller side, from mini-ITX-sized ones to actual miniatures. Few are as small as this one, though.

The Elgato Facecam Neo webcam is currently available at a low price. This HD webcam, normally priced at $79.99, is currently on sale for just $59.99 on Amazon, which is a significant 25% discount. This marks a return to the lowest price ever recorded for this model, previously seen only briefly around a month ago.

Microsoft seems to be moving its games over to PlayStation, and Nintendo has an even better relationship with the company. It shouldn't be long before we see more Xbox games head over to the Nintendo Switch 2, especially since it can now handle more complex games.

One of America's many long national nightmares (admittedly one of the smaller ones) came to an end last week, as Nintendo announced a new preorder date for the upcoming Switch 2 console.

After an anxiety-inducing delay on preorders in the U.S. caused by President Trump's tariff policies, the new retail preorder date is April 24, and the price of the console is still $449.99 on its own, or $499.99 when bundled with Mario Kart World. With all of that out of the way, now it's time to figure out exactly how to pre-order a Switch 2. You can go the usual route involving various major retail chains at midnight on the 24th, but as a backup option, you can try buying directly from Nintendo. Here's how that works.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Everything you need to know ahead of time How to pre-order Switch 2 directly from Nintendo

The good news is that Nintendo has a website set up specifically for this, with the rules clearly explained. The bad news is that the rules, as per usual with Nintendo, are a bit wacky and arcane. The even worse news is that, even if you secure a spot in this carousel, you won't be able to make your preorder until May 8.

First, you need to log into the site with your Nintendo Switch Online account. Yes, you need one of those to kick off this process, and what's more is that it needs to have had a paid membership to the service for at least 12 months in order to be eligible for a preorder. You also need a minimum of 50 gameplay hours tied to your account. This is admittedly a creative way to deal with scalpers, but it also means you need to be a somewhat serious Switch user to get through this process.

Anyway, once you're logged in, you pick which Switch 2 model you want (console or Mario Kart bundle) and click the "Register Interest" button. At that point, you've done all you can do. Starting on May 8, Nintendo will start sending out emails to eligible customers on a first-come, first-served basis. These emails are non-transferable and are limited to one console purchase per Nintendo account, and they expire after 72 hours.

One small sliver of light in all of this is that Nintendo isn't limiting this to just one wave of invite emails on May 8. Additional batches of invites will go out over time, so if you don't get an email on the 8th, you might still get one later. This could be a very solid backup option for anyone trying to get a Switch 2 on April 24. If you can't secure one then, at least you'll have this in your back pocket as a potential opportunity to get one a couple weeks later.

The luxury segment represents the automotive industry’s most advanced vehicles, especially when it comes to technology. In a fast-moving world, driver assists and safety features in crossovers are much more impressive than they used to be, capable of taking control and mitigating accidents.

Most people think about style and function when purchasing phone accessories, but I’ve started thinking about sustainability to help the planet. Every case, charger, and screen protector I buy has an environmental impact, and I want to make choices that count.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to BitMar’s content finder for A$23 through April 27 only with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. A$234).

Here’s a challenge: cut the cord with your streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, all of them. You’re likely paying hundreds each year in subscription fees and, chances are, you still can’t find the one movie you want to watch on any of them.

All of these reasons are probably why so many people are turning to BitMar, a streaming service alternative. You know how you can find some free movies or TV shows available online if you dig hard enough? This powerful search engine does that for you. And, for a limited time, you can get it for A$23 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. A$234).

Wait…how does it work?

BitMar is powered by the Bing search engine, but it only has eyes for free streaming content. You’ll use a far more user-friendly interface to plug in a channel, genre, actor, or a specific movie or TV show you have in mind, then this content aggregator scours the web to find it.

Is it legal? Yes. BitMar is fully compliant with copyright laws — and it’s simply locating content already available on the web.

If you’re wondering why you wouldn’t just spend the time searching for it yourself, that’s the reason right there — it saves you time. BitMar also filters out the garbage to leave you with high-quality, ad-free content.

Enjoy no subscription streaming with a BitMar lifetime subscription at A$23 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. A$234). This coupon code expires April 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription AU$23
AU$234 Save AU$211 Get Deal

TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office Pro 2021 at just A$78 (reg. A$344) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

Grab Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows at just A$78 (reg. A$344) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

What you get with your purchase

• One-time purchase, lifetime access — no monthly fees, just essential Office apps

• Includes must-have tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Teams, and Publisher

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• Boost productivity with reliable tools for documents, data management, and communication

• Quick and easy setup that allows you to download it instantly and activate with your product key

• No hidden fees — pay once and use Microsoft Office Professional 2021 forever

Skip the subscription headache — don’t miss this deal and get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for A$78. Sale ends April 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License AU$78
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My work involves capturing and annotating multiple screenshots on my Mac every day. As such, I need a screenshot tool that can do both efficiently. Sure, macOS has a built-in offering that's quite capable and supports annotation, but it falls short in many aspects.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic church, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was known for his progressive ideals within a traditionally conservative institution and advocated for both social and economic justice.

In the weeks before Pope Francis passed, he also shared an important and forward-thinking message about new technology.

"How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!" Pope Francis said in an official video message translated from his native Spanish language. "Something's wrong if we spend more time on our cell phones than with people."

The Pope's prayer concerning technology was uploaded just 3 weeks before his passing.

Pope Francis's message was a part of the Pope's "Monthly Intentions" for 2025. Each month, the Pope set a “monthly prayer intention,” where he invited people around the world to join him in prayer on a specific topic. April’s intention, the final monthly intention before his death, was focused on new technology. The intention and related reflections posted to the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network specifically mentioned artificial intelligence, video calls, smartphones, and screen time in general.

"It's true, technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us but we need to use it well," Pope Francis said in his April video address. "It can't benefit only a few while excluding others."

In his message, Pope Francis called on using technology to "unite, not to divide." He shared that technology should be used to help the poor, the sick, and persons with different abilities. In keeping with his environmentally-conscious messaging throughout his papacy, Pope Francis also called for using technology to "care for our common home" and to connect with one another.

Ironically, many social media users underlined Pope Francis's point about technology immediately after his death, albeit unintentionally. Once the news broke, social networking platforms exploded with memes, many referencing the 2024 film Conclave about the secretive meeting of Cardinals following a pope's death. Others joked about how Vice President JD Vance was among the final people to see the Pope before his death, meeting Pope Francis on Easter Sunday.

"The screen makes us forget that there are real people behind it who breathe, laugh, and cry," Pope Francis said.

In the April prayer on new technology, the Pope shared his hope that "technology does not replace 'person-to-person' contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings."

He concluded, "Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person and will help us face the crises of our times."

SAVE 25%: As of April 21, you can save 25% on Sonos certified refurbished speakers, soundbars, and more. But you'd better hurry! This deal ends April 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Get 25% off select Sonos certified refurbished products Shop Now

If you’re trying to make a conscious effort to spend your money wisely, buying certified refurbished electronics might be the best way to go. And with Earth Day just a day away, we’re seeing some pretty good deals on refurbished tech.

SEE ALSO: Want to avoid tariff price hikes? Shop our giant list of 91 refurbished tech deals.

Right now, you can get up to 25% off certified refurbished speakers, soundbars, headphones, and more at Sonos. The sale features discounts on the Sonos Arc soundbar, Sonos Ace headphones, Sonos Beam, and additional products. You’d better hurry, though, because the sale ends tomorrow.

If you’re worried about the “refurbished” label, don’t be: Sonos says all of its certified refurbished products are “thoroughly inspected and tested to meet Sonos’ high standards” and come with the same warranty as new products. You’ll also be helping 1% for the Planet and reducing your environmental footprint by giving a product a second life.