Technology

TL;DR: The KeySmart® SmartCard offers a slimmer tracking option for your belongings that easily fits in wallets and passports, and now a three-pack is only $89.99.

Looking for a way to track important items you use every day? AirTags are a clunky shape that is tough to fit into small spaces. The KeySmart® SmartCard has improved on that, providing a sleeker alternative compatible with the Find My app for seamless integration with Apple devices for location tracking.

 You can currently score a three-pack of these thin KeySmart® SmartCards for $89.99 — making them just $30 each.

Keep tabs on items easily with this sleek tracker

We've all been there — already late for something important when we have to dig under couch cushions to find our wallet. With the KeySmart® SmartCard, finding your items is as easy as opening the Apple Find My app. And its 2mm thick, roughly the size of two credit cards, makes it easy to place and forget.

Stick a KeySmart® SmartCard in your passport, luggage, purse, pet carrier, or other compact spot. The thin size not only comes in handy for fitting in more spaces, but also lets you be more subtle about your tracking. Stay under the radar instead of looking obvious with a chunky AirTag. 

The KeySmart® SmartCard also bests the AirTag when it comes to waterproof status. It offers an IPX8 rating compared to the AirTag's IPX67 rating, meaning it can withstand being submerged in water for longer (one hour in 3.3 feet of water if you want to get specific). This makes it a great option for items that will brave the great outdoors.  

While the AirTag will constantly require new batteries, the KeySmart® SmartCard operates on a rechargeable battery that powers up with a Qi-enabled wireless charger. 

Enjoy peace of mind with this three-pack of the KeySmart® SmartCard, now only $89.99 (reg. $119.97), or just $30 each. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Works with Apple Find My (3-Pack) $89.99
$119.97 Save $29.98 Get Deal

TL;DR: Enjoy award-winning sound in total comfort with the Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones for just $99.99 (reg. $199).

Want to tune in and tune out? If you've been looking for a more comfortable way to listen to music than wireless earbuds, it may be time to consider a pair of wireless on-ear headphones. 

These Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones offer total comfort without sacrificing high-quality sound. And right now you can snag a pair for just $99.99 (reg. $199). 

Enjoy award-winning sound with these comfortable on-ear headphones

Want to enjoy rich, award-winning sound anywhere? The Beats Solo 3 are wireless on-ear headphones that deliver finely tuned acoustics, noise isolation, and balanced audio... without hurting your earbuds. The comfort-cushioned and adjustable ear cups offer a luxurious listening experience. 

Whether you want to listen to your go-to playlist on a walk or unwind with your favorite podcast on the commute home, these wireless on-ear headphones offer all-day play with up to 40 hours of listening time. Running low on juice? Just a speedy five-minute charge can get you three hours of playback. 

There are controls located on the headphones, so you can take calls, control your music, adjust the volume, and even activate Siri right from the on-ear controls. 

The Beats Solo3 are equipped with an Apple W1 chip, so you'll take advantage of an extended range and fewer dropouts with Class 1 Bluetooth. And they're Android compatible, too. 

Curious how you're getting such a great discount? These Beats Solo3 are an open-box item, which means they are typically excess inventory in brand new condition, and you're receiving a steep discount due to the packaging not being in pristine condition. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats By Dre Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones (Open Box) $99.99
$199.95 Save $99.96 Get Deal

Fruitvale Station. Creed. Black Panther. Together, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have built a cinema collaboration transcending genre. They've leaped from heart-wrenching biographical drama to soul-warming sports drama to a politically daring superhero movie that is undoubtedly the best the MCU has produced. Now, they reunite for a vampire movie with Sinners, and not only make one of the greatest vampire horror movies ever made, but also easily one of the best movies of the year.

Written and directed by Coogler, Sinners re-imagines vampires, making them a uniquely American monster and, moreover, reflective of his experience as a Black artist operating in a society in which white men often have control over the financing of art. And though the film has a literal preacher, Sinners is not preachy. It's poignant, provocative, and profound. It's also scary, funny, and it will fuck you up.  I laughed. I gasped. I screamed, and I wept. Let's get into why.

Michael B. Jordan plays beguiling gangster twins in Sinners.  Michael B. Jordan plays twins Smoke and Stack in "Sinners." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Following Mickey 17 and Alto Knights, Sinners is curiously the third movie Warner Bros. has released in 2025 that features an A-list actor playing two roles. In Sinners, Michael B. Jordan plays both of the Smokestack Twins. Nicknamed Smoke and Stack, they were born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi, but made bank up in Chicago, where, according to the rumors, they worked for Al Capone. Seven years later, it's 1932, and the twins are back in town and fixing to found a juke joint "for us, by us," as Stack puts it.

Mostly set in one 24-hour period, Sinners follows Smoke, Stack, and their awestruck cousin Samuel (Miles Canton, terrific in his debut role), who dreams of playing the blues, as the twins prepare for opening night. That means buying a local mill to house their juke joint and building a crew to run the bar, fry the catfish, play music, and guard the door. Within the rollicking excitement of this first act, Coogler creates a vivid world of complicated relationships, love, loss, lust, and Hoodoo. Meanwhile, Jordan gives not just the performance of his career, but two of them. 

SEE ALSO: The 21 best TV shows by Black creators on Netflix

At first sight, the twins are easy to tell apart: Smoke wears blue and Stack favors red. But even without this sartorial visual cue, they are instantly distinctive because of Jordan's firm grasp on their differences. The planner, Smoke, is rigid, standing tall and firm, his tone crisp and serious, even when he's cajoling his former lover, Hoodoo conjurer Annie (a radiant Wunmi Mosaku), into helping him out one more time. Meanwhile, Stack's posture is suavely relaxed, his attitude devil-may-care. His red fedora suggests he's a romantic rogue, as does the snarling unplanned reunion with his ex, Mary (a ferocious Hailee Steinfeld), who may be married to a rich, white farmer, but won't be ignored.

With seamless compositing and visual effects, Coogler knits Jordan's two performances into a series of face-offs as the brothers disagree over little things — like whether to accept wooden nickels from cash-strapped clientele or what to do about some unexpected guests to their opening night. Every step along the way, Coogler and Jordan are elegant in building the Smokestack Twins' world, rich with friends, family, and charismatic characters, like a happily drunken harmonica player called Delta Slim (a sublime Delroy Lindo). Their world building is so enveloping that I began to wish Sinners were a series instead of a movie, just so I could spend more time with them before their community is ripped apart by supernatural fangs. 

Sinners vampire seeks not just blood, but souls and music.  Michael B. Jordan and Miles Canton embrace in "Sinners." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

By the time the vampire comes careening into Sinners, you might have forgotten it's a horror story at all. Sure, a bloody opening scene promises that preacher's son Samuel will come through a horrid event. But the world of Sinners is so grounded in the rigorous rationale of Smoke and Stack that an immortal bloodsucker nearly seems out of place. This is keenly scripted by Coogler, because we, like the twins, might build our lives with all we understand to ignore the threats we don't — doing so at our own peril. 

This is the twins' world, but it is Samuel's story. His gift of playing the blues, weaving compelling tales as he sings his heart out while playing his gorgeous guitar, is a magical power. In a solemn, soulful voiceover at the film's start, a narrator connects this sacred tradition across cultures, including Western Africa, explaining that such artists can heal their communities through song, but also that their talent attracts evil.

Indeed, a white vampire named Remmick (a hauntingly creepy Jack O'Connell), who begins his coven with a couple of Ku Klux Klan members, is drawn to the juke joint's opening night by Samuel's music. This creative cousin's song is so powerful that it transcends time, which Coogler displays in a heady musical number.

SEE ALSO: 25 of the best movies by Black creators to watch on Netflix now

As Samuel plays his guitar and sings, dancers and singers across Black culture appear in the juke joint. Alongside the revelers in their 1930s attire pops up a '70s funk guitarist with an afro, rocking out while an '80s breakdancer busts a move in a sharp sweatsuit. A DJ spins records and spits bars as fly girls twerk alongside West African tribespeople, bedecked in shells, beads, and ceremonial masks. It's a glorious celebration of Black culture, rallying under one roof. And the vampires want in or — as a vision overlays the wooden structure — to burn it all down.

Their attacks will be manipulative, using the language of "fellowship." But it's ultimately the promise of money that gives them an opening. Like many movie bloodsuckers who've come before, Coogler's vampires are averse to garlic and must be invited inside to enter a building. But beyond blood, Coogler's creatures are carnivorous of the very spirit of their victims, adding their memories to a hive mind controlled by their master Remmick. He taunts the twins that he can see the memories of all he eats, and that if he gets Samuel in his clutches, those songs will be his.

This spiritual cannibalization deepens the horror of Sinners. On a surface level, Coogler satisfies on vampire carnage. His monsters boast gnarly fangs, glowing red eyes, and an invincibility that means they can be shot, stabbed, and bleeding out yet still cackle and run away — or even dance.

In sequences of vampire ambush, Black Panther editor Michael P. Shawver builds tension by cutting from outside the mill, where the monsters lurk, to an inside moment of human revelry. The blow the monsters strike will not be shown. In denying us the view of the hit, we are robbed of the relief of its conclusion; instead, our anxiety worsens as we wonder what else is coming. The violence these stalking vampires do will be grisly, leaving gaping wounds in necks and jaws. Yet it is the threat of their cannibalizing Samuel's music — and thereby Black culture — for their insatiable conquest that is the most rattling. 

Sinners is a stupendous and scary movie. Michael B. Jordan readies for war in "Sinners." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

For those with no interest in subtext, Sinners can function as a solidly scary vampire movie in the vein of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's From Dusk Till Dawn, which also featured brothers trapped overnight in a club by ravenous vampires. Coogler's riff on that idea is enriched by the period drama that is the first act, building intrigue with the Smokestack Twins' notorious reputation, the tension over Samuel's desire to chase the music despite his preacher father's warning that it's the devil's journey, and the women who want these men, despite the obstacles of reputation, racism, and husbands. Then, the heart-pumping music that plays within the film, sung by heroes and villains alike, brings a greater resonance to its drama and horror.

Moving deeper into the movie's meaning, it's easy to imagine that Coogler and Jordan are reflecting, through the lens of horror, their own experiences in Hollywood. Together, they've made five films, including Creed III, which Jordan directed; each one centered on Black heroes and Black culture. Like the twins and Samuel, they are building something for their community, by their community. And they are doing so in an industry in which Black characters have long been denied the spotlight by a studio system run predominantly by white men.

Take for example, Coogler and Jordan's Black Panther, the box office smash that finally put a Black hero in the lead, casting the late Chadwick Boseman, but only after 17 MCU films preceded it. For Sinners to focus on a blues musician reflects the historical cannibalization of Black culture within American art, particularly in music. The birth of rock n' roll is often credited to Elvis, but his inspirations were Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Big Mama Thornton. More recently, though Black artists pioneered the genres of hip hop and rap, a series of controversies — involving Macklemore and Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj — have centered on how white performers seem to have a critical advantage in this space, often getting Grammy notice over their Black peers or influences.

This reality plays into Remmick's hunger and the symbolism of the gold coins that he carries as a lure. Just let him in, and the gold is yours. But through Sinners, Coogler and Jordan warn the true cost of such a Faustian deal could be your creative soul. This rich white man views them not as artists, but as commodities to be acquired, not treasured.

In that, Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable. 

UPDATE: Apr. 15, 2025, 2:47 p.m. EDT This article was originally published on April 10, 2025. It has been updated to include current screening information.

Sinners is now in theaters.

Remaking Ang Lee's award-winning 1993 queer rom-com The Wedding Banquet is no mean feat, but Fire Island's Andrew Ahn makes a masterclass of it.

A wholehearted, hilarious approach to Lee's rambunctious narrative, The Wedding Banquet balances the pressures of cultural traditions and family expectations with the liberation and joy of found family. Boasting a veritable feast of a cast delivering impeccable, funny, and moving performances, the film is a deeply romantic tale about a brilliant ruse that spins out of control. But there's clarity (and love) to be found in the chaos for these wonderful characters.

SEE ALSO: 70 best LGBTQ films to stream right now What is The Wedding Banquet about? Han Gi-Chan, Youn Yuh-jung, and Kelly Marie Tran in "The Wedding Banquet." Credit: Bleecker Street / ShivHans Pictures

The Wedding Banquet centres on two gay couples who are friends, each with major life hurdles ahead of them — and a proposal that could prove a temporary solution to it all. Ahn teams up with Lee's co-writer James Schamus to move the original film's New York-set narrative to Seattle, and the pair expand on the tension between cultural tradition, family, and queer identity in the present day.

Killers of the Flower Moon's Lily Gladstone and The Last Jedi star Kelly Marie Tran play Lee and Angela, lesbians who are struggling with their IVF journey and its towering costs. Wicked star Bowen Yang and Our Song's Han Gi-Chan play gay couple Chris and Min, who are navigating differing levels of commitment and Min's looming student visa expiry. A talented artist who is not out to his wealthy Korean family, Min is faced with a conundrum: become the head of one of his grandparents' companies or be forced to return to Korea. And while Min plans to propose to his love of five years, Chris, Min's grandfather would likely cut him off financially if they got married.

So, for the ultimate win-win, the four decide on a deal: Min and Angela will get a green-card marriage if Min pays for Angela and Lee's IVF expenses with his family's money. With a city hall appointment in the diary, everything's on course. But when Min's grandmother Ja-Young (Pachinko and Minari screen legend Youn Yuh-jung) arrives to meet her grandson's betrothed and help plan the ceremony, the wedding scheme levels up in stress, extravagance, and comedic potential. There's just one hour for the group to "de-queer the house," and Chris, Lee, and Angela are thrown into a flurry of swiftly removing the house's wealth of Tegan and Sara and Elliot Page books, The L Word DVDs, and Lilith Fair posters. Will it work? 

The cast of The Wedding Banquet are sublime. Han Gi-Chan and Bowen Yang in "The Wedding Banquet." Credit: Bleecker Street / ShivHans Pictures

You cannot ask for better than the cast of The Wedding Banquet, an ensemble of staggering talent who deliver truly exceptional performances.

Angela and Chris are longtime college friends whose ability to open up rests almost entirely with each other and a lot of tequila, and Tran and Yang bring a relatable fear of decisiveness to their characters. Why make a giant life decision when you can get shitfaced with your best friend instead, right? As Angela, Tran bears probably the greatest emotional arc in the film, slowly spiralling out of control without having the words to describe it all, and Tran's performance here is one of her best on-screen yet. Yang expertly keeps Chris' complete discomfort with commitment on track with hilarious physical comedy in unexpected moments — I would watch Yang unsuccessfully try to quickly get dressed in a panic every day of the week. And one of the unsung comedy heroes of the film is Bobo Le as Chris' party-loving cousin Kendall, a casual observer of the events who allows Chris' softer side out.

Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran in "The Wedding Banquet." Credit: Bleecker Street / ShivHans Pictures

In contrast, Min and Lee are open books, frustrated by the lack of emotional maturity and commitment from their partners while being extremely loving, patient people. Here, Gladstone's signature radiance and understatement shines through Lee, a character impossible not to fall in love with in their capable hands. 

Almost stealing the whole show is Han, whose offbeat and theatrical comedic timing as Min is simply perfect for the rom-com genre. Lines of dialogue that should be throwaway moments are unexpectedly hilarious or deeply romantic delivered by Han, who brings the power of his performance in South Korean gay drama Where Your Eyes Linger to this significantly lighter but just as meaningful role. 

Meanwhile, Didi's Joan Chen is outrageously funny and audacious as Angela's mother, May, a woman so publicly enthusiastic an ally and PFLAG member she gets literal awards for it. May's reaction to Angela and Min's wedding ruse subverts many a heteronormative rom-com with outbursts like, "My daughter, marrying a man?... Why did I put years into gay activism if this is what I get?" But Angela holds deep past resentment toward her mother for her private lack of support, and this internalised hurt bleeds into Angela's lack of ability to communicate; she refers to this as her tendency to "simmer" on things.

Joan Chen in "The Wedding Banquet." Credit: Bleecker Street / ShivHans Pictures

Where The Wedding Banquet soars is how the film treats Min's relationship with his grandmother Ja-Young, with a brilliant performance by Oscar winner Youn. She impeccably balances deadpan humour with moments of quiet love and growing empathy, and scenes between Youn and Chen as two contrasting matriarchs are highlights. Over the course of the film, Ja-Young gets to know her grandson not as man she and her husband want him to be, but as he is.

The Wedding Banquet is a beautifully filmed ode to queer love.

A film that explores the complexities of cultural and queer identity, The Wedding Banquet sees its characters examining their roots and looking to their futures. But it's also a really beautifully shot ode to queer love and creating a home with found family.

Ahn crafts tender moments of love and intimacy between the two couples in their own ways: handheld close-up shots of toes touching in bed, of brushing teeth together, of gardening in the backyard. The director creates a mellow, loving space in Lee's home for them all, one which Min's grandmother will eventually see for herself. Their lives are so intertwined Angela and Lee are literally sat in the middle of the room during a hilarious and heart-wrenching argument between Chris and Min, and Gladstone's reactions in this scene are deeply relatable.

Ultimately, The Wedding Banquet is a triumph of a romantic comedy, a smart and heartfelt update on Lee's '90s classic that explores the pressures of balancing cultural tradition with LGBTQ identity. Ahn's film leaves ample space for these wonderful characters to mess up, say the wrong thing, and figure out their next steps, all with the support and love of each other. Please let me marry this film.

UPDATE: Apr. 15, 2025, 1:48 p.m. EDT "The Wedding Banquet" was reviewed out of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2025. This article, originally published on March 22, 2025, has been updated to include current screening information.

The Wedding Banquet is now in theaters.

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.

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.

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: Collector's items

• Green: Treatment

• Blue: Same last name

• Purple: Things that have this in common with a wheel

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: Sports memorabilia

• Green: "Rice" method

• Blue: Youngs

• Purple: Things that roll

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 #207 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Sports memorabilia - AUTOGRAPH, JERSEY, POSTER, TRADING CARD

• "Rice" method - COMPRESSION, ELEVATION, ICE, REST

• Youngs - CHASE, CY, STEVE, TRAE

• Things that roll - BOWLING BALL, DICE, GYMNAST, SCREENER

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 yesterday'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 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the board

The words are used in gaming.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are essential components of play.

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 GamePieces.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 18

• Checker

• Domino

• GamePieces

• Battleship

• Tile

• Token

• Knight

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.

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's The Mini crossword answers for April 18 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: Exclamations

• Green: Legendary thrillers

• Blue: Things you collect or choose

• Purple: Someone's things

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

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

• Yellow: Interjections

• Green: Horror movies, with "The"

• Blue: Things you can pick

• Purple: Personal property minus "S"

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 #677 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Interjections: BOY, GOODNESS, MAN, WOW

• Horror movies, with "The": BIRDS, EXORCIST, HAUNTING, SHINING

• Things you can pick: APPLE, BANJO, CARD, NOSE

• Personal property minus "S": BELONGING, EFFECT, GOOD, POSSESSION

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 18

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.

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 April 18 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 April 18, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An elegy.

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 D.

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...

DIRGE.

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 April 18

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.

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

To cut.

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

SLASH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An opening that leads to an attic or basement.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HATCH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Darkness.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLOOM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A yellow and white flower.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DAISY

Final Hurdle hint

A dome made of snow.

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

IGLOO

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

On Easter Sunday, families go out on the hunt for eggs, but this is the 21st-century and those eggs don't have to come from a chicken, or a chocolate factory!

On Thursday morning, Nintendo kicked off the post-hump day portion of the week with a juicy little Nintendo Direct livestream focused on Mario Kart World. It was nice to get some fun new details about the flagship launch title for Switch 2, but the Direct didn't really answer the biggest question on many gamers' minds: Why does Mario Kart World cost $80?

Compared to the standard video game price of $60 that held steady for about 15 years — and even considering the more recent bump to $70 with some big titles — the price is downright upsetting at first glance. When the $80 price was first revealed, gamers immediately raised questions. Ever since, Nintendo's party line has been to tell gamers just wait for the Direct. The implication being that once fans saw the game in action, they'd understand the price hike.

Now that the livestream is over, I don't feel Nintendo really revealed anything to explain it. (And I've actually played Mario Kart World.)

But after giving it some thought, and wanting so badly to scold Nintendo for nickel-and-diming customers, I realized that maybe the price doesn't even need to be justified. And with ongoing tariff chaos, Nintendo likely has bigger problems. You still can't pre-order the Switch 2 in the United States, after all.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date just days away, per leak Mario Kart World's price might not have anything to do with the game itself Chargin' Chuck's inclusion might be driving up the price, honestly. Credit: Nintendo

In interviews with the media after the big Switch 2 Direct two weeks ago, Nintendo employees generally took the position that Mario Kart World's price makes sense because of how much content is in the game. Thursday's Mario Kart-centric Direct did shed some light on this, and to be sure, the game does seem to have a lot of cool new stuff.

It's got a giant open world full of hundreds of optional challenges to explore with friends. There are also dozens of unlockable costumes, loads of new tracks, a multitude of both local and online multiplayer modes, and even enhanced social features, like webcam support. It's clear that Mario Kart World is a massive game with dozens (or maybe even hundreds) of hours of enjoyment to be found. Strictly from that perspective, one can easily argue that it's worth $80 (Nintendo clearly thinks so), even if no one actually enjoys spending $80 on a video game.

But there's a lot more at play here. The big one: Video game prices have been flat for a long time, even as other tech products get more expensive. In general, prices go up over time. It sucks, and no one likes it, but that's life. You used to be able to get a week's worth of food at Taco Bell for $20, and now you can't. It's actually a strange aberration that game companies maintained a $60 price tag for so long.

I'd argue that gamers have been getting a good deal on big-budget games for the last decade. That's even easier to argue when you look at how much it costs to make a big video game in the 4K era.

Unfortunately, game companies are far less forthcoming about budgets than film studios, so the best information we have comes from data breaches. One such breach in 2023 revealed that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 for PS5 cost $300 million to develop. It also takes a lot longer to make blockbuster games than it used to, which adds to labor costs.

My face when thinking about real-world economics. Credit: Nintendo

It's also worth pointing out that PlayStation (among many other video game companies) has done layoffs at its internal studios since that leak came out. While Nintendo cut contractor positions from its testing department last year, the company does not have an extensive history of doing mass layoffs for full-time employees. Much of this is undoubtedly due to friendlier employee rights in Japan compared to the U.S., but it should be noted that Nintendo has, in the past, actively worked against doing layoffs.

For example, former CEO Satoru Iwata once cut his salary in half to make sure jobs wouldn't be lost. And if the cost of treating employees fairly is slightly pricier video games for the Switch 2, I'm okay with that.

Mario Kart World's $80 price may be a harbinger of things to come...

I've gone to great lengths to explain why Mario Kart World probably costs as much as it does, but that doesn't make the hit to your wallet any less impactful. That's a lot of money to plunk down on a luxury good like a video game, especially in stressful economic times. Fans may also wonder why this game, and only this game, costs so much, especially as some families struggle to afford basics like groceries and rent.

That's where the final and most maddening real-world factor comes into play: your wages. In the U.S., wages have not kept up with inflation or productivity at all over the past several decades. In 2022, the Economic Policy Institute found that the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour was worth less than it had been at any point in nearly 70 years. The EPI also found in 2015 that hourly worker productivity had risen by 74 percent in the prior 40 years, while wages for hourly workers had risen by only 9 percent in that same timeframe. Contrast that to the 30 years following World War II, when wages and productivity rose at a nearly 1:1 level.

In short, stuff costs more, but you're not necessarily getting paid more.

That's a political problem more than anything, and any potential solutions to it are well above my pay grade. But over the last two weeks, I've gone from thinking that $80 for Mario Kart World is unreasonable to reluctant acceptance.

You're allowed to be annoyed at a video game costing $80 (I still am), but it's likely not the last game we'll see priced at this level. And in deciding if the price is justified, Switch gamers will ultimately vote with their wallets.

This story is an opinion piece and doesn't necessarily reflect the views of Mashable or its publisher, Ziff Davis.

Microsoft Word on iPhone and iPad can now turn your voice notes into fully formatted documents. It’s the latest improvement to Word powered by Microsoft’s Copilot generative AI functionality.

Google has lost yet another huge monopoly case — and the search giant is still facing another antitrust-related trial later this month. On top of that, the company just received an antitrust cease-and-desist order from Japan's Fair Trade Commission, which follows an antitrust fine upheld in 2024 by the European Union.

On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws and illegally monopolized the online ad tech industry. In 2023, Google made $237.9 billion from advertising revenue, far more than competitors like Microsoft and Baidu. The Justice Department and a group of states joined together to sue Google in this case.

The ruling states, “Plaintiffs have proven that Google has willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts to acquire and maintain monopoly power in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising.”

After U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema's ruling, it is likely that the U.S. Department of Justice will force the Alphabet-owned search company to sell off its Google Ad Manager, including its publisher ad server and its ad exchange. The DOJ has recommended such action prior to the court ruling.

“We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half," Google Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland said in a statement provided to Mashable. "The Court found that our advertiser tools and our acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, don’t harm competition. We disagree with the Court’s decision regarding our publisher tools. Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable and effective.”

During the three-week-long trial, the DOJ argued that Google monopolized the industry by buying up competitors and locking its publishers and advertisers into using its products. Google argued that it provided a more affordable solution to its customers than more expensive competitors.

“Google’s monopolies allow it to soak up excessive profits, leaving less for the workers and businesses whose livelihoods depend on online advertising,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement. “Everyone from major news organizations to small independent bloggers has taken a financial hit because of Google’s conduct, making it harder to continue to offer free, high-quality content online for everyone."

Attorney General James was part of a coalition of attorneys general from 17 states, who joined the DOJ in this antitrust lawsuit against Google.

"Today we won a major victory after a court found Google violated the law when it used its power and influence to limit competition," Attorney General James continued. "I look forward to continuing this case to deliver real change and restore competition to online advertising platforms that workers and businesses across the country rely on.”

Google's online advertising technology, which connects publishers and advertisers, accounts for around 12 percent of Alphabet's business. Spinning off Google Ad Manager would not affect the company too much, as the bulk of the search company's revenue comes from ads served on its own platforms like Google Search and YouTube. In fact, Google previously looked into selling off part of its ad tech business as a result of EU antitrust regulations, as Reuters reported last year.

This marks the second time Google has lost a big antitrust case in less than a year. 

In August 2024, a U.S. judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws with its agreement with Apple, which saw the search giant pay the iPhone maker $20 billion per year in exchange for Google Search being the default search product on iOS.

Later this month, a trial will be held to determine what Google will need to do as a result of that antitrust trial. The DOJ has recommended that Google sell off its web browser Google Chrome. The DOJ has also recommended that if this does not remedy Google's monopoly of the industry, then Google may have to sell off its mobile operating system Android.

UPDATE: Apr. 17, 2025, 4:28 p.m. EDT This piece has been updated to include a statement from Google and a statement from New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Online dating as a gay man has its share of horror stories. It's also a rite of passage dating back to the Craigslist m4m era. It's a high-risk, high-reward activity.

For members of the LGBTQ+ community, online dating presents a unique set of challenges, which can sour the experience. Ghosting and catfishing are still common, but you might also find people asking unnecessary questions about your past, straight guys who shouldn't be in your feed, and even some not-so-subtle fetishization. Not exactly the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling we're all after, right?

SEE ALSO: The uncomfortable truth behind the lavender marriage trend

Yet, despite the BS, the right queer dating app can genuinely help you find meaningful connections. Whether you're after a hookup, friendship, or "the one," these gay dating platforms are where millions of men connect (Pew Research found that about one in four LGBTQ+ adults met their partner online). The key is figuring out which LGBTQ+ dating apps in 2025 are actually worth your time and energy.

What is the best gay dating app right now?

We can't talk about the gay dating scene in the 21st century without talking about Grindr, the undisputed king of gay dating mobile apps. However, there are a lot of other options, especially if you want to make a genuine connection.

"Grindr is a tried and true app that many queer men gravitate toward to find partners or for relationships that require lesser commitment, so it’s easy to point to it as the No. 1 app," Michelle Herzog, LMFT, AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "However, like Tinder, it’s gained a reputation as a hookup app — but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t men looking for long-term commitments, either." Lately, Grindr users have been complaining about a buggier app experience and free features going behind paywalls. So, even if you don't quit Grindr for good, it might be time to test other gay dating apps.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock porn for free

The most popular dating apps have a lot to offer, and that's where you'll find the most queer users. Keeping Tinder on the back burner isn't just a straight people thing (especially for guys in less populated areas where apps like Scruff offer slim pickings). Plus, mainstream apps deserve credit for trying to create a more inclusive atmosphere. OkCupid gets kudos for embracing change and making inclusivity a core part of its compatibility scoring.

You can also try niche gay dating sites if you tend to like a certain type of man, but in general, the more popular apps offer the greatest chance of success — it's a numbers game.

Whether you're looking for something serious, a hookup, something that stays strictly online, or an altogether different definition of connection, there's an ideal queer dating app out there for you. So, here's a breakdown of the best dating apps for gay men to help you find your perfect match.

AI has become a useful resource for studying thanks to its capability of reinterpreting text and sources. And if you've grown to use AI for your study sessions, Google's Gemini Advanced tier is now free for you.

As expected–and literally announced by Google yesterday–the next Android 16 Beta has been released. This is the fourth beta, and it marks the end of the Android 16 beta schedule. Like last month, this version focuses on stability, as well as the newly launched Pixel 9a.

Most people know that black holes are kind of scary. Admittedly, that's true, but black holes are so much more than that. They are truly fascinating wonders, from how they form, their many types, and even how they die. Every aspect of black holes is mind-boggling if you know the truth about them.

Those who want a good keyboard for work and games should check out the Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL mechanical gaming keyboard. It's going for $119.99 on Amazon, down from the usual price of $159.99. It's also only been this price once before.

Technically, everything with a battery in it is a potential fire hazard—so when a specific set of batteries starts catching on fire, it's a cause of worry. Now, a bunch of Casely batteries are catching on fire, so the company is issuing a recall on almost half a million units.

Google’s Gemini Live, the AI feature that lets people have natural conversations with its AI assistant, is rolling out to more people. Initially, the feature was only available for Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 users, but it will soon be available to all Android devices.