Technology

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a good drink.

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 July 6, 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 July 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An alcoholic drink.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter D appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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...

TODDY

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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch international soccer.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Leaving a team

• Green: Regionally specific

• Blue: Best sluggers

• Purple: Almost USA members

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Move on from a player

• Green: San Diego teams

• Blue: Members of the 600-HR club

• Purple: USMNT players, with the last letter removed

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 #651 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Move on from a player: CUT, RELEASE, TRADE, WAIVE

• San Diego teams: AZTECS, PADRES, SAN DIEGO FC, WAVE

• Members of the 600-HR club: AARON, RUTH, SOSA, THOME

• USMNT players, with the last letter removed: ADAM, FREES, RICHARD TRUST

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

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

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

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

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, July 6, 2026:

AcrossHalloween silhouette

• The answer is Bat.

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Ron's assistant on "Parks and Recreation"

• The answer is April.

State that only borders one other state

• The answer is Maine.

Out of money

• The answer is Broke.

"___ all good!"

• The answer is Its.

DownDisney deer

• The answer is Bambi.

Split up

• The answer is Apart.

Groups of three

• The answer is Trios.

Octopus's defense against predators

• The answer is Ink.

Harper ___, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird"

• The answer is Lee.

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

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

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

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection is on sale for $64.69 at Amazon, down from its $99.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection $64.69 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.30   Get Deal

Mega Greninja’s new Premium Collection has only just joined the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution lineup, but Amazon has already dropped one of the better post-launch prices we’ve seen for this eight-pack box. 

As of July 6, the Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection is available at Amazon for $64.69 — which is a massive saving off its $35.30 listing price. This lowest-priced listing is shipped and sold by Amazon directly, though delivery times are listed for between July 30 and August 13. If you’d like to get yours as soon as possible, the third-party listing from Hero Collect (for $69.95) can arrive as soon as July 14.

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At $64.69, this Premium Collection works out to roughly $8.09 per booster pack before you count the extra Mega Greninja ex bonuses.

Inside the box, you’re getting eight Pokémon TCG booster packs of trading cards (two Chaos Rising, four Perfect Order, and two Phantasmal Flames), one foil promo card featuring Mega Greninja ex, one oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Greninja ex, and a tech sticker featuring Mega Greninja. 

The card itself is built around Mega Greninja ex’s Mortal Shuriken Ability, which lets you discard a Basic Water Energy from your hand to place six damage counters on one of your opponent’s Pokémon. Its Ninja Spinner attack can also hit for up to 200 damage. 

Amazon’s own $64.69 listing is the most convenient option right now, but it is not the absolute cheapest. If you’re open to shopping at other storefronts, TCGplayer currently has unopened Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection listings starting at $54.62 — while Walmart is selling the box for $57.99 with free shipping through third-party seller Cash Cards Unlimited.

You can get over $10 off the Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box. Meanwhile, the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is still available to buy for under $90. 

Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) may have finally claimed the Iron Throne, but her enemies aren't going down without a fight.

That's very much the theme of the House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 4 trailer above, which sees our new Queen trying to work out what Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton) is planning in Tumbleton.

Elsewhere, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Larys (Mathew Needham) are faced with fresh challenges, and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) gets some Harrenhal reinforcements.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $20: As of July 6, the Keurig K-Mini Mate single serve K-Cup pod coffee maker is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon. That's $20 off its list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Mini Mate $59.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Some coffee machines have very bulky builds. If you live or work in a smaller space, that's not an ideal purchase for a countertop. If you're searching for something smaller to handle your favorite brew, the Keurig K-Mini Mate single serve K-Cup pod coffee maker can help you out. It's even on sale at Amazon right now.

As of July 6, the Keurig K-Mini Mate has been discounted from $79.99 to $59.99 at Amazon, saving you $20 overall. What's even better is every color is on sale at this price right now, so you can choose between the black, glamping green, pink sands, or red rocks models.

SEE ALSO: Get ready to fight for your life: Starbucks is dropping a new Pink Drink Bearista Cup

This coffee machine comes in at just four-inches wide, so no matter if you're in a smaller apartment or tiny office space, it can slot nicely onto a kitchen countertop without taking up a bunch of space.

The Keurig K-Mini Mate works with K-Cup pods and can brew a cup measuring up to 12 ounces in its One Cup reservoir. If you're in a hurry, it can even fit up to a 7.25-inch travel mug so you can have something ready to take on-the-go.

This delightfully compact coffee maker may not be on sale for long, so act fast to save on the Keurig K-Mini Mate at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are free right now with T-Mobile. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

All we seem to hear about these days are price increases. Apple just bumped up the price of its iPad and Mac lineups, RAM prices are about to rise nearly 50 percent, and smartphone price hikes are on the way.

It's a grim picture. So imagine our delight when we see that you can still score an Apple iPhone 17 for free with T-Mobile.

T-Mobile has dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals to beat the price increases:

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

Of course, T-Mobile isn't simply handing over these latest handsets as a favor. Instead, the retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit to bring that charge to zero.

What's happening here is you are signing up for a 24-month commitment with the network. If you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before those 24 months are up, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately.

You will also need to cover the standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee. But that's a small price to pay to lock in the iPhone 17 before Apple's prices bump up again.

Score the latest iPhones for free with T-Mobile.

SAVE $80: As of July 6, the Samsung HW-B62WF soundbar is on sale for $199 at Walmart. That's down from $279, which saves you $80 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-B62WF Soundbar $199 at Walmart
$279 Save $80   Get Deal

The Samsung HW-B62WF soundbar is on sale for $199 at Walmart. That's marked down from $279, which saves you $80 — about 29% off. You’re getting a 3.1-channel setup here, which means clearer voices and more impact in action scenes compared to built-in TV speakers.

The setup puts extra focus on dialogue clarity through a dedicated center speaker, so voices come through more clearly. A wireless subwoofer handles the low-end, adding depth to effects and music without making the overall mix feel cluttered.

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It also adds a layer of spatial audio processing using Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X, which helps spread sound more around the room rather than keeping it flat in front of you. It’s not true surround sound with rear speakers, but it does a good job of making movies and games feel more immersive.

For dialogue-heavy content, there’s a voice enhancement mode that pushes speech forward in the mix. That helps with quieter scenes or shows where background noise tends to overpower talking.

For gaming, the Samsung HW-B62WF soundbar includes an optimized mode that reduces audio delay and improves directional clarity, making it easier to track movement and in-game action in real time.

Grab the Samsung HW-B62WF soundbar at Walmart while it’s still $80 off.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $220: As of July 6, the Dyson V15 Detect is on sale for $619.99 at Amazon. That's a 26% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 Detect $619.99 at Amazon
$839.99 Save $220   Get Deal

Dyson vacuums are popular for good reason, but they often come with a high price tag. If you've been wanting to upgrade, chances are you've been waiting for a new discount or sale. Prime Day and July 4 sales have both come to an end, but Amazon still has some pretty impressive deals live, including this latest price drop on the Dyson V15 Detect.

As of July 6, the Dyson V15 Detect is down to $619.99 from $839.99. That's over $200 off.

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This vacuum has a lot of power, capable of cleaning just about anything. It comes with two advanced cleaner heads: the Fluffy Optic head, which shows up hidden dust on hard floors, and the Digital Motorbar, which deep cleans carpets and detangles long hair and pet hair as you go. It also easily converts into a handheld vacuum for cleaning cars, stairs, and upholstery, and even includes a crevice tool for tight and hard-to-reach spaces.

Additional features include a built-in LCD screen that provides real-time updates, including particle count, remaining run time down to the second, power mode, and maintenance alerts. And speaking of run time, with this vacuum you'll get up to 60 minutes, so you're not constantly having to run back to the charger.

This vacuum deal is available at Amazon right now.

SAVE $370: As of July 6, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $429 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $429 at Amazon
$799 Save $370   Get Deal

Looking for a reliable power source for emergencies? You can't go wrong with the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2, especially now it's down to $429. That's a saving of $370 on list price.

This is a truly great portable power station for your home or off-grid. It has a 1,500W AC output and 3,000W surge peak, so it can power multiple devices at once. And it's not just for small items like laptops. No, it can power fridges, AC units, and even electric cooking equipment.

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And for use on the go (think road trips or camping vacations), this model has a lightweight design of just 23.8 pounds and a foldable handle that makes it easy to carry.

It also features ultra-fast charging, reaching 0 to 100% in as little as one hour using emergency mode via the Jackery app, or around 1.7 hours in standard mode, so you don't need hours of prep time before it's ready to use. And because it's built with ChargeShield 2.0 technology and a durable LFP battery, you'll get safer charging plus a long lifespan of over 10 years.

Get this Jackery deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $20: As of July 6, the Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Amazon's Fire Stick 4K Plus is back on sale. It's the ideal product for simple streaming that you can take on the go. As of July 6, it's $20 off, bringing the price down to just $29.99 for a limited time.

This Fire Stick is ideal if you have a 4K compatible TV. It displays content in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio, so you're getting an incredible viewing experience with great sound quality.

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This discount is for the 2026 edition of the Fire Stick 4K Plus, meaning it has a more modern, streamlined design. Enjoy new features like dedicated categories, pinned apps, and personalized recommendations.

And of course, you'll get access to major streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. You'll also get hundreds of thousands of free movies and TV episodes from ad-supported services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Fire TV Channels. Gamers are catered for too, and you can stream Xbox titles with Xbox Game Pass.

Get this streaming stick deal at Amazon now.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Packs are on sale for $14.99 at Amazon, down from the $19.95 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Pack $14.99 at Amazon
$19.95 Save $4.96   Pre-order Here

The Pokémon TCG’s latest Mega Evolution expansion is still getting ready to drop in the trading card market, but Amazon is already offering discounts on booster packs.

As of July 6, preorders for Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Packs are on sale for $14.99 at Amazon. With $4.96 off its typical $19.95 price, that saves you 25% per pack. These packs are shipped and sold by MVP Marketplace rather than Amazon directly. You do still get Amazon’s 30-day refund/replacement window on this listing.

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TCGplayer currently has Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Packs starting at $13.44 with shipping included (vs. their market price of $11.42). 

Each Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Pack includes one sealed booster with 10 random Pokémon TCG cards inside, plus the cardboard guard packaging you’d expect from a sleeved pack. 

Pitch Black is the next dark-leaning Mega Evolution expansion, led by Mega Darkrai ex. Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex are also joining the set. The whole Pitch Black expansion will include over 115 cards, more new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, more than 20 Trainer cards, and more than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations. 

You can score the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for under $90. If it’s Scarlet & Violet expansions you’re hunting, you can now find the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for around market price on Amazon. 

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box is on sale for $68.90 at Amazon, down from its $79.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box $68.90 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $11.09   Get Deal

The Pokémon TCG’s Ascended Heroes era is still proving pretty expensive if you’re trying to catch up on the Mega Evolution expansion, but Amazon’s new price for the Meganium Box can at least take off a chunk of the cost. 

As of July 6, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box is on sale at Amazon for $68.90. Compared to its $79.99 list price, that saves you $11.09 and takes 14% off the boxed set. This listing ships from Amazon directly, although it’s sold by third-party seller Bigg Time Sales. Free delivery is listed for July 14-16 at the time of writing. Just take note that Amazon is marking this listing as final sale with no returns.

Amazon’s price isn’t technically the lowest overall. TCGplayer currently has the Ascended Heroes Mega Meganium ex Box as low as $58 plus $3 shipping — a $61 total. That's only slightly above its $57.27 market price.

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Inside the box, you’re getting one foil promo card featuring Mega Meganium ex, one oversize lenticular promo trading cards featuring Mega Meganium ex, and four Pokémon Ascended Heroes booster packs. 

Ascended Heroes is packed with incredibly valuable chase cards you can pull (or buy individually on TGCplayer) — including SIR Pikachu ex ($1,300+), SIR Mega Gengar ex ($1,200+), and SIR Mega Gengar ex ($700+).

Among other Pokemon deals right now, you can also get the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for around market price. What’s more, you can grab the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box for under $90.

Apple's iPhone Ultra will be slightly late, it will be pricy, and it'll still sell out fast.

That's according to reliable analyst and Apple sleuth Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared his thoughts in a post on X.

In the article, Kuo compares the iPhone Ultra (a likely name for Apple's first foldable iPhone) with the iPhone X, which was the first iPhone to sport a notch on top, ushering the era of modern iPhones back in 2017.

The iPhone Ultra will be a little late, says Kuo. It will be announced in September, together with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, but it will actually start shipping about a month later, just like the iPhone X did when it launched.

There's been considerable back and forth about this, with some analysts claiming the iPhone Ultra will not be late at all, and others saying it will be delayed. At this point, it's getting impossible to figure out who's right, but at least most reports now agree that the Ultra will be unveiled in September.

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Kuo also gave his most precise prediction for the iPhone Ultra's price, which according to him will be "roughly $2,300–$2,500." Kuo previously said the Ultra would cost $2,000 to $2,500. Notably, Apple recently increased the prices of numerous products due to a memory chip supply crunch, but the iPhones were left alone.

Even with a price point that's roughly two times the price of the company's current flagship, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Kuo expects strong sales "at least through the end of 2026," which could mean the iPhone Ultra would "sell out immediately after pre-orders open, with delivery lead times quickly stretching to 4–6 weeks or longer and remaining there through December." In other words, even if you have north of two thousand dollars to spare for a foldable iPhone, you might have to wait a month or more to get it.

SEE ALSO: All the foldable iPhone Ultra hints in the iOS 27 beta

Apple is likely to launch the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, in early September. Here's all we know about the Ultra so far.

Parmida and Corbin just got dumped on Love Island USA, and the internet is mourning the loss of their favorite Love Island "robot" — also known as "CorbinGPT."

SEE ALSO: 'Love Island USA' might've just aired its saddest Movie Night episode

The Islanders sang their hearts out in a karaoke competition in Season 8, Episode 29 of Love Island USA, which left the winners, Kenzie and Dylan, safe from being dumped from the villa. However, the episode concluded with the results of the most recent public vote, which revealed who viewers thought were the least two compatible couples: Parmida and Corbin, and Kayda and Zach.

The Islanders were asked to pick which couple to save, and four out of the five "safe" couples voted to save Kayda and Zach. Parmida and Corbin were thus dumped from the island, leading to an emotional goodbye in the villa. 

While the show claims that Islanders don't have access to online discourse, X users said they suspected the cast was breaking the fourth wall when The Boys (Bryce, Carl, KC, Dylan, Sincere, and Zach) joked about Corbin being an AI robot.

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"We broke the robot!" said Bryce in response to Corbin crying. "Wait, they put tears in that? I didn't know AI could cry!"

The online joke was sparked by Corbin's deep voice and stoic demeanor, starting shortly after he made his entrance on Love Island USA as a bombshell in Episode 4. Viewers nicknamed him "CorbinGPT" on social media, a reference to OpenAI's generative AI chatbot ChatGPT.

This nickname stuck until his departure from the villa, X users having joked that CorbinGPT received "software updates," "reboots," and "code installations" at various times throughout his stay.

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CorbinGPT may have started as a joke, but it gradually became a point of bonding within the online Love Island USA community. And it turns out, the internet is going to miss CorbinGPT and Parmida the "Persian cat" (a nickname she received after her own Casa Amor bombshell entrance in Episode 17).

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The stakes are growing higher with only six couples left in the villa, which means we can expect more couples to get dumped in the coming days leading up to the season finale. Chat, we're not ready yet!

New episodes of Love Island USA premiere daily except Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on Peacock.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Entirely.

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

FULLY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Shrimp.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for Juy 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PRAWN

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Stop.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 6, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CEASE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An oceanic plant.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ALGAE

Final Hurdle hint

Extra.

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

SPARE

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

It's almost the Third Quarter phase of the Moon's lunar cycle, which means only half of the Moon's Earth-facing side will soon appear illuminated.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, July 6, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in its Waning Gibbous phase, with 66% of its surface visible.

With just above half of the Moon's surface illuminated, there is still plenty to see. In fact, with just your naked eye, you'll be able to spot the Kepler Crater, Mare Imbrium, and Oceanus Procellarum. Binoculars will help you see even more, so if you have them pull them out to see the Gassendi Crater, Alps Mountains, and the Apennine Mountains. And finally, keen moongazers with telescopes will also see the Apollo 14 landing spot and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth approximately every 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. Although the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the amount of its surface illuminated by the Sun changes as it travels around our planet. As a result, the Moon appears to shift in shape throughout the month, progressing from slender crescents to quarter moons and eventually reaching the brightly lit Full Moon stage. This repeating pattern is known as the lunar cycle.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

There's more to Sam Reid's Say More interview than even we knew at the time.

When the star of The Vampire Lestat sat down with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, she'd only seen the first three episodes of Interview With the Vampire's lusty third season. So, she and Reid dug into its details, talking his Taylor Swift-like song about his traumatizing maker Magnus and the dark truth of what he has in common with his fledgling Claudia.

Now, with episode 5 "New York" live, we're looking back at what Reid teased at the time. Chiefly, he talked about how Lestat begins the season by putting up a façade through his rock star persona. Yep, Louis and Armand aren't the only unreliable narrators in this fanged franchise.

In his interview with Mashable, Reid spoke to the Lestat's season-long arc, saying, "It's really a sort of, like, a portrait of an artist, which was Rolin [Jones]' point of direction and a constant point of reference. Lestat is a creative being, and how he kind of discovers himself, works himself out, really nuts through his issues, is through his art. And that is of one of the main arcs of the season, is that he's starting the music as a point of deflection from how he's been portrayed in [Daniel's] book."

Reid went on to explain that Lestat begins by projecting a vampire "schtick" to the public, adding, "But I think deep down, he actually wants to be taken seriously as a musician, as an artist. And progressively throughout the show, the music changes. He's still looking for his sound, and particularly by the time you get to episode five, everything changes, and the music becomes much more adult."

How Lestat's music changes in episode 5

Lestat's songs, written by Daniel Hart, have ranged in influences from T. Rex and David Bowie to Taylor Swift and The Police. "Long Face" (and possibly "Black Licorice") are about his tumultuous romance with Louis. "Your Biggest Fan" is about the stalker Magnus, while "Why Do I Have to Feel?" recounts the loss of his beloved Nicky. In episode 4, he offers a diss track called "Big Boss" for Armand. But in episode 5, Lestat peels back the theatrics, swagger, and sex appeal for a song about Claudia called "Stained Glass Eyes."

At the end of the episode, he plays a song for her on piano. He's stripped away the two guitars, the bass, the violin, the drums, and the Brat Prince façade. What remains is his grief and regret.

He sings:

The day you were born, I was shaking like a leaf on an old oak tree.

Then you stayed like a thorn. Red roses raining down 'til they flooded me.

Even when we parted ways, you never turned

Never turned your gaze

And I can still, I can still hear you say,

"Don't break that stare. I'm burning in your mirror tonight.

No, don't you dare call it yearning. It's the fear that I'm right.

Don't you try to forget all the things you regret."

In those stained glass, stained glass eyes."

As he sings, he sees Claudia staring back at him, as he has seen his slain brothers, Nicky, Magnus, and others. As he sings about how "you never turned... your gaze," the episode crossfades to Claudia's death. Her sun-scorched flesh flutters to ash as she stares down Lestat, her father, uncle, maker, and mirror. This moment crosses over into the present as the ash from her execution falls into his hair as he sings in the recording studio.

As the band comments when they play the finished track back, "Stained Glass Eyes" doesn't fit with the sexy and scathing songs they've been playing on tour. Lestat knows. He says they're killing the other tracks and starting over. This leads to Larry's fateful and fatal departure (RIP, Larry), and the rest of the band begging to be made vampires so they can stay on this musical odyssey with their front man.

Lestat drops the act in episode 5.

This shift from sexy to sincere reflects something Reid said in our Say More interview, about how Lestat has been trained to behave by the two biggest influences in his life and death.

"He's got two makers, you know," Reid mused. "He's got his mother, and he's got Magnus. Both of those figures are very, very influential in what forms him as a character, and [both] are abusive. He's a highly sexualized character, because he's been sexualized from the beginning. Whether it's his mother wanting to love him to the point of being with him, because she wants to live vicariously through him, or whether it's his maker wanting what he sees on stage, that kind of performer, that spark, and eroticizing him and making him this kind of perfect, immortal being. It's the only way he knows how to express himself, is by thrusting around on stage and writhing around. And so we do ask the audience to come with him on the journey. Maybe don't understand it at first, but it's a slow unraveling that he begins to unravel too."

How to watch: The Vampire Lestat debuted on AMC and AMC+ June 7, with new episodes weekly.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 6, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 6, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for July 6 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for July 6 Pips

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 2-6 placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for July 6 Pips

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

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

We're well acquainted with most of the winged stars of House of the Dragon, past and present: the colossal Vhagar, the fierce Caraxes, the mighty Vermithor, the misunderstood Sheepstealer. But there's one dragon in Season 3 who keeps showing up and is yet to receive a full introduction.

In the military ranks of Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), there's a smaller blue dragon who appears constantly grounded. Who is she, and will we get to see more of this little cobalt gem?

Meet Tessarion, known as the Blue Queen, a dragon ridden by Prince Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), Ormund's ward and the youngest son of Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and King Viserys (Paddy Considine) — meaning he's a direct threat to Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) throne.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' just united three generations of House Velaryon in one shot

We first spy Tessarion in Season 3, episode 1, when we're introduced to Ormund at his army camp. Tessarion's not fully grown, standing only two humans high and wearing a small saddle. And she's so cute. But she's fenced in with spears, in a move that likely keeps the troops calm and horses uneaten more than anything (and keeps out thieves). At this point, we don't know House of the Dragon is hiding Daeron in plain sight, ready for the Hightower lord to pull the switcheroo in episode 3.

In the latter episode, we get a better look at Tessarion when she's in the front line of Ormund's troops, during his confrontation with Daeron Targaryen (Matt Smith). In this scene, Ormund is forced to surrender and hand over Dearon as a prisoner of war. Importantly, Ormund had the foresight to know Daemon would demand such a captive, so has his decoy ready — not mounted on Tessarion (she would not allow this) but beside her.

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Just watch her little face when the decoy walks over to Daemon. Utter confusion that plays as concern. If dragons could furrow their brow, Tessarion would do it. Daemon doesn't even try to take her along as hostage, as this relatively peaceful transfer would inevitably turn hostile.

Without spoiling anything from George R. R. Martin's Fire and Blood, Tessarion's plight is not to remain a grounded dragon. She'll have a part to play in the Dance of the Dragons yet.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.