Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 13, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 04/13/2026 - 04:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love to hide things away.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 13, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: While not in use

The words are related to depots.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a backyard stockroom.

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 Storage Shed

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NYT Strands word list for April 13
  • Tools

  • Hose

  • Mower

  • Grill

  • Bicycle

  • Storage Shed

  • Wheelbarrow

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 13, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 04/13/2026 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love Christmastime.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 13, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 13, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Small and delicate.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

ELFIN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Thinking about leasing a car in 2026? Here’s when the math actually makes sense

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 23:30

Vehicle leasing has seen wild swings in popularity over the decades. In the 1990s, leasing exploded as an affordability option, allowing people to drive high-end luxury cars for a fraction of what the monthly payment would be through financing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 25-year-old Windows tool is better than Task Manager

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 22:46

No Windows experience is complete without occasionally opening the Task Manager to figure out which application is using all of your RAM, or to end a program that has been frozen for ten minutes with no hope in sight. But it isn't even the best tool for the job—there is something else you should be using instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Godzilla's golden age is gone—these 5 classic films prove why modern versions can't compete

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 22:00

Godzilla is easily one of the most iconic Kaiju of all time, and now most of his films can be found on HBO Max. Relatively recently, Kaiju and many other recognizable Toho figures have been rebooted into the Monsterverse. Yet, all these modern films only cement the fact that the King of Kaiju's golden era is far behind him.

Categories: IT General, Technology

2026 Hyundai Tucson trim guide: Which one actually belongs in your driveway

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 21:45

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson remains a heavy hitter in the compact SUV segment, offering a good mix of style, technology, and practicality. With a lineup that includes gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, it covers a broad range of needs for potential buyers, from efficient daily driving to more rugged weekend use.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't buy a soundbar, 10-year-old surround systems are better and cheaper

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 21:30

Soundbars offer convenience and are a fairly simple way to significantly upgrade the sound quality of your TV. If you're looking for the best sound for your dollar, however, then an old surround sound system might be a better choice.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You need to try this CarPlay customization trick that no one talks about

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 21:00

When you use CarPlay, you probably just start some music, enter a destination, and drive off. However, there is a lesser-known feature that can make your CarPlay experience a lot more personal and fun: setting a custom greeting or sound when it connects to your car.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 everyday items I no longer have to buy thanks to 3D printing

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 20:45

Owning a 3D printer comes with the promise that you can just make some stuff yourself now instead of buying it from the store. At least, that's what you tell yourself as you place your order for the magic factory box, but most of us don't actually end up doing that at all.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Modern phones are locked down, but this legendary HTC ran every operating system imaginable (even Ubuntu)

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 20:00

When you pick out a phone, you’re also picking out the operating system—that typically means Android or iOS. What if a phone didn’t follow those rules? What if it could run any OS you wanted? This is the story of the legendary HTC HD2.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 landmark animated films that still stop people in their tracks

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 19:45

Animation is my favorite visual medium, and I have watched an incredible amount of it in my life, but these five movies are without any doubt ones that each represent a major turning point in the art form. One could easily do a top 100 list too, given the near-century of animation to choose from, but for my money, these are the key titles.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I use Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT every day—here's the only one you should pay for

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 19:30

I use Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude almost every day, both for work and for my own projects. Each service has its strengths and weaknesses, and you can access a lot of the features for free. The paid plans offer even more features, but if you only want to pay for one, there's a clear winner.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't throw away your old GPU: It's the secret to a better Plex server

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 19:00

Plex streaming isn't just a matter of having a hard drive spacious enough to fit your collection of movies and shows. It turns out, though, that in order to have an optimal experience, you need a lot of things, including a computer capable enough to decode your media into something watchable on your specific form factor. Your old GPU can go a long way at helping you out with this.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 annoying Spotify settings you need to turn off now (and why)

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 18:15

We all have certain icks with our favorite apps—a bug, subpar display, long navigation, or even core features that we want to change to our liking. With streaming platforms like Spotify, you can get annoyed quickly when these issues manifest every day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Home Assistant automations that aren't just solutions in search of a problem

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 17:45

There are plenty of Home Assistant automations that look impressive but are really just showing off what the smart home software can do. Having an AI generate a snarky description of the person at the front door when the doorbell rings is fun but not really necessary. There are some automations that are genuinely useful, however.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 reasons I can no longer use Windows as my daily driver

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 17:30

I'm a recovering Windows user. From Windows 3.11 to earlier this year, I've always had a love-hate relationship with Microsoft's flagship OS.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My smartphone made me verify my age, and you might be next

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 17:15

When I updated my iPhone to the latest version of iOS, I was greeted with an unexpected demand: verify my age in order to continue to have access to some features. Currently, this only applies to people in the UK, but it's likely coming to your neighborhood, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 8 GNOME extensions transform a minimal desktop into a powerhouse

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 17:00

GNOME aims to be simple to use, with a minimal interface, a small set of core apps, and basic customization available by default. But GNOME extensions can offer almost anything you might miss from a fuller-featured desktop environment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jim Henson's dark fantasy starring David Bowie is still magical 40 years later

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 16:45

In 1986, Jim Henson joined forces with talented fellow filmmakers and a musical icon to tell the story of Labyrinth, resulting in an everlasting cult classic that has endured for 40 years. While he may be best-known for the charming characters of The Muppets, Henson and his company have either been involved in projects with darker tones or crafted them themselves, such as The Dark Crystal. Features such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth retain the careful, practical work behind Henson's creatures with more mature and riskier storytelling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I replaced Notion with a self-hosted app that costs nothing and runs on my Raspberry Pi

How-To Geek - Sun, 04/12/2026 - 16:30

Notion is one of the most popular note-taking apps out there, and for good reason—it has a ton of well-developed features. However, I wanted something that was a bit simpler and more private. That's why I started using Joplin.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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