Technology

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 Wednesday, April 22, 2026:

AcrossIt's clearly recyclable!

• The answer is Glass.

___ Day (April 22nd observance)

• The answer is Earth.

Thick, underground part of a plant stem

• The answer is Tuber.

Small cluster of trees

• The answer is Grove.

Rowed, as a boat

• The answer is Oared.

DownFrom the ___ (right at the beginning)

• The answer is Getgo.

Author Ingalls Wilder who wrote "Little House on the Prairie"

• The answer is Laura.

___ Day, observance on the last Friday of April

• The answer is Arbor.

Actor Buscemi

• The answer is Steve.

Rip into bits, as paper

• The answer is Shred.

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: Amazon has the LG 52-inch UltraGear evo G9 curved gaming monitor on sale for $1,699.99, down from its $1,999.99 list price. That saves you $300 on the world's largest 5K2K gaming display, with a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 52-inch Ultragear evo G9 5K2K $1,699.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $300 Get Deal

If you've been after a gaming monitor upgrade that will match your dream giant setup, Amazon has an LG deal that will save you a few hundred dollars.

As of April 22, the LG 52-inch UltraGear evo G9 curved gaming monitor is on sale for $1,699.99 at Amazon, marked down from $1,999.99. That's $300 off and the lowest price this model has hit on Amazon since launch — as confirmed using price tracker camelcamelcamel.

For that price, you're getting a genuinely one-of-a-kind display with what LG promises is the world's largest 5K2K gaming monitor, packing a 5120x2160 WUHD resolution across a massive 52-inch curved VA panel. 

With a height comparable to a 42-inch 4K 16:9 screen, the ultrawide cinematic scale makes anything you’re playing even more immersive. The aggressive 1,000R curve is designed to pull more of the screen into your natural field of view, which makes it a particularly strong fit for sprawling open-world games like Crimson Desert or story-driven RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Pragamata.

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The specs on the UltraGear evo G9 hold up on the performance side courtesy of this monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GtG) response time, which means fast-paced shooters like Marathon and Fortnite are well within reach. Meanwhile, AMD FreeSync Premium takes care of screen tearing when things get a tad more hectic.

Plus, this monitor’s VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification and up to 95% DCI-P3 color coverage round things out, keeping contrast and color well above what you'd expect from a gaming panel at any size — the same goes if you want to utilize a monitor of this size to watch TV and movies.

If you’re willing to make the jump to OLED for a concession on size, the 45-inch LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitor is also on sale at $400 off. Among smaller monitors, you can also grab the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor for only $699.99.

SAVE $100: As of April 22, the Roku 55-inch Smart TV is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's a 29% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 55-inch Smart TV $249.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $100   Get Deal

If your current TV isn’t quite cutting it anymore, now is a great time to upgrade because the Roku Smart TV 55-inch is back on sale at Amazon and it's only $1 off its best-ever price. As of April 22, this great TV is reduced by $100, down from $349.99 to $249.99.

This Roku TV gives you 4K resolution with HDR10 for incredible details and color across everything you watch. And it doesn't just show you great content, it has a built-in picture processor that helps to optimize whatever you’re watching.

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Unsurprisingly, the TV runs on the Roku platform. This means you have access to a wide range of streaming apps (Netflix, Prime Video, and more) as well as over 500 free live TV channels. And better yet, it's all organized on a simple, customizable home screen.

This TV also supports voice control through Roku Voice, Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, and it comes with a voice remote for looking up queries online or even searching through several streaming platforms for your favorite movie. It also has shortcut buttons and a remote finder function that keeps track of its location through the Roku app.

You can find this TV deal at Amazon right now.

SAVE $100: As of April 22, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 17% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 965 $499.86 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $100.13   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new fitness tracker to assist your running, you truly can't go wrong with anything from the Forerunner range.

As the name suggests, this collection of smartwatches is dedicated to running, providing incredible stats and tools to help you reach your goals. And as of April 22, one of the best models, the Garmin Forerunner 965, is discounted by $100 at Amazon. This brings the price down from $599 to $499.

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This watch has a bright, AMOLED touchscreen display (alongside the traditional button controls). It has a long battery life, capable of lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode or around 31 hours with GPS enabled. If you're training for an ultra distance, this watch won't leave you stranded.

It also has built-in full-color maps and multi-band GPS to help assist you with accurate tracking for routes, even in difficult or remote environments. And training features are advanced too. Expect specs like training readiness score, daily suggested workouts, detailed training status, sleep scores, and more. It also supports a range of sports tracking, including triathlon and multisport modes.

This Garmin deal is available at Amazon right now, so don't miss out.

SAVE $20: As of April 22, the Google TV Streamer 4K is on sale for $79.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google TV Streamer 4K $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal

The Google Streamer 4K is back on sale at Amazon, so if you've been looking for a streaming device to transform the way you watch TV, this is your chance to buy for less. As of April 22, this device is down to $79.99 from $99.99, saving you $20.

This streaming stick supports up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision for incredible picture quality. It can also be paired with compatible speakers for a more immersive Dolby Atmos sound.

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It's powered by an upgraded processor with 32GB of storage, so there is plenty of memory space for apps and games. With the streaming device, you'll also get a remote which has recently been redesigned. It includes voice control for searching content and managing smart home devices as well as a customizable button for quick access to favourite features.

And of course, with this device you'll have access to the Google TV platform which makes your TV much more streamlined, as well as giving you easy access to all the most popular streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. The platform also includes over 800 free live TV channels.

Get this streaming deal at Amazon now.

Apple TV and A24's Margo's Got Money Troubles is chugging its way through Rufi Thorpe's novel, but one key character is missing. Where is JB?

SEE ALSO: 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' review: An alien OnlyFans is the highlight of Apple's family dramedy

In the book, JB is one of Margo's (Elle Fanning) loyal OnlyFans clients. The two strike up an online correspondence that goes beyond Margo's typical gimmick of rating customers' penises and comparing them to Pokémon. Soon, their messages turn into long emails, then phone calls, then an in-person meeting and romantic relationship.

Before the relationship takes off in earnest, there's a bit of drama about how Margo gives JB a fake name and fake information about herself in order to keep crafting her online persona. When the two fight about it, Margo debates giving back all the money JB paid her in order to show him her feelings are real. Originally, Thorpe wrote that Margo would give back the money, but consultations with real-life sex workers changed her mind.

"Pretty universally, sex workers were like, 'No. That’s implying it was wrong to take the money. She earned that money. She did a good job, she created the fantasy. That is an admission of fault that is not right,'" Thorpe told The Hollywood Reporter in an April 2026 interview. "And I was like, 'OK, you are correct, and I hadn’t thought about it.'"

Margo's burgeoning connection with JB is a prominent story thread in the novel, but we're now at the halfway mark of the book's TV adaptation, and JB is nowhere in sight. According to a casting announcement in Deadline in May of 2025, Michael Workéyè was cast in the role of JB. However, in the same April 2026 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thorpe revealed that the love story with JB had been cut.

"They tried to keep all of the JB love story, but there was just too much material," Thorpe told The Hollywood Reporter. "It was really jarring to move from some of the more dramatic moments to flirting on your phone. They’re not in the same room together, and you can do that kind of thing in novels but it just didn't translate to the screen. We tried to make it work, but it’s just too different a medium."

That means Margo's romance won't be appearing in the remaining episodes, but on the bright side, that frees up more time to focus on the rest of her support network, including her mother Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer), her father Jinx (Nick Offerman), her roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham), and her OnlyFans collaborators KC (Rico Nasty) and Rose (Lindsey Normington).

Margo's Got Money Troubles is now streaming on Apple TV, with a new episode every Wednesday.

The Moon is showing more each night as we work through the lunar cycle. It's currently day give of the cycle, so it will keep appearing bigger and brighter until we reach the Full Moon in May.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, April 22, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 30% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

If you're looking at the Moon with just your naked eye, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars, the Endymion and Posidonius Craters should come into view. And, finally, with a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA says that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, during which it passes through eight stages. Although the same face of the Moon is always turned toward us, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its path, producing the familiar cycle of full, half, and crescent shapes. These variations are referred to as lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

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.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you’ve never dabbled in sexting, now's the time to give it a bash (so to speak).

Trust us when we say that sexting opens up a whole world of possibilities for your sex life. It’s not just about talking dirty — it’s about building anticipation for the sexy main event. Let's be clear about what we're saying here: Don't just slide into someone's DMs uninvited with sexy talk via a dating app. Though you can definitely do that on AdultFriendFinder, which exists for that very purpose. There are other apps for sexting, too. Sure, the idea of first-time sexting and navigating all the apps seems intimidating. But that why we’re here to help and recommend the best apps for sexting — apps that are purpose-built for digital flirtations and foreplay.

Mashable dating experts have put dozens of these platforms to the test. Which means you can rely on our knowledge in this particular area. Using expert research, our choices are based on various key features, including end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection — all essential for safe sexting fun. Don't forget that when it comes to sexting, you must always consider privacy, safety, and consent.

After all, if you believe in safe sex — and you really should — it's a no brainer to also practice safe sexting. So, with that all said and understood, here’s a selection of the very best sexting apps available right now.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires some knowledge of sports locations and women's sports — and those are your first two hints.

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: Part of a name

• Green: Part of the American Football Conference

• Blue: You don't want to cross these fans

• Purple: Scorers who went all the way

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Words Used in MLB Stadium Names

• Green: AFC North Cities

• Blue: Eagles

• Purple: Players To Score in a Women's World Cup Final

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 #576 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Words Used in MLB Stadium Names — CENTRE, FIELD, PARK, STADIUM

• AFC North Cities — BALTIMORE, CINCINNATI, CLEVELAND, PHILADELPHIA

• Eagles — BOSTON COLLEGE, CRYSTAL PALACE, MARQUETTE, PHILADELPHIA

• Players To Score in a Women's World Cup Final — HEATH, HOLIDAY, LAVELLE, RAPINOE

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.

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 April 22, 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 April 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 22 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this purple space must add up to be greater than 3. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (20): Everything in this red space must add up to 20. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; and 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 2 pips. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): The domino half in this yellow space must have 1 pip. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this dark blue space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 22 Pips

Equal (4): Every domino half in this purple space must have 4 pips. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Every domino half in this red space must have 0 pips. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): The domino half in this light blue space must have less than 3 pips. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): The domino half in this green space must have more than 4 pips. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this purple space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 22 Pips

Equal (1): Every domino half in this purple space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Every domino half in this red space must have 6 pips. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically; and 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 0 pips. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this yellow space must add up to be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this green space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this purple space must have 2 pips. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this red space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 3 pips. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this yellow space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love action movies.

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.

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

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

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 22, 2026 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: Ceramics

• Green: To hit

• Blue: Heteronyms

• Purple: To collect

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pottery equipment

• Green: Wallop

• Blue: Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns

• Purple: Pick-up ___

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 #1046 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pottery equipment: CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEEL

• Wallop: DECK, PUNCH, SLUG, SOCK

• Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns: HERB, NICE, POLISH, READING

• Pick-up ___: ARTIST, GAME, STICKS, TRUCK

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 22, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an environmentalist.

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 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Earth Day

The words are related to protection.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe preserving the planet.

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 Conservation.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 22

• Reduce

• Conservation

• Recycle

• Refill

• Reuse

• Donate

• Repair

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a loud sleeper.

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 22, 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 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Loud noise during sleep.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SNORE

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.

Rufus has always been one of the best apps to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 11. The latest version of the app now includes even more features to significantly de-bloat Windows 11 and remove Microslop before installing the operating system. The update even introduces a new “Silent” mode for unattended installation.

On Jan. 13, 2026, Veronica Roth published a newsletter entitled "Do I Like It? Reflecting on Divergent After 15 Years," in which she addresses just how she feels about her bestselling Divergent series. Despite selling over 32 million copies worldwide and launching a series of film adaptations, the negative reception often rings loudest. The series ending is divisive among fans, and as Roth aptly says on Substack, "Your brain is good at keeping you safe by storing negative experiences."

And despite publishing 10 books outside of the series, readers still come back to Divergent, with Roth saying in her newsletter: "And the people who hated Divergent? They really hated it, and often go out of their way to tell me why…whenever I try to talk about any new work. Or old work. Or any work."

Yet, the author has not ceased writing. Seek the Traitor's Son, the first book in a new romantic dystopian fantasy series by Roth, is coming May 12, 2026. But maybe more surprisingly, it's not the only series Roth has coming this year because on Oct. 6, 2026, the Divergent series continues with The Sixth Faction, the first in a new duology.

At BookCon 2026, Roth announced the series to her fandom after keeping the long-held secret. But it's neither a sequel nor a prequel to her original series; instead, it's an alternate universe in which the heroine, Beatrice Prior, makes a different choice at her Choosing Ceremony.

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We had the chance to sit down with Roth at BookCon 2026 to hear about her new fantasy series and just how she feels about Divergent with the announcement of The Sixth Faction.

Samantha Mangino: How are you feeling about the 15th anniversary of Divergent?

 Veronica Roth: I feel good about it. Writing [The Sixth Faction] books, because they're both done, really did help me to like feel more positively about the series. It doesn't like bother me as much when people talk to me about Divergent because I don't feel like I'm stuck in the past, because I'm writing something new, so it feels like we're talking about what I'm doing now instead of what I was doing when I was 24, which is more restorative, regenerative, and exciting for a creative person.

SM: You're very matter-of-fact when talking about your writing. Do you think that's something that's just come with time and being able to look back?

VR: I think this is honestly just how I am. I've got a Polish mother, and I live in the Midwest, so I think we're just really straightforward people. It doesn't cost me anything, and so I do it. I'm a terrible liar.

SM: Do you feel like this post-Divergent mindset led you to being able to write Seek the Traitor's Son? Or was it something that felt like a natural progression?

VR: I worked on Seek the Traitor's Son over the course of five years and 10 drafts. It was just a joyful project for me. It's full of everything that I love, and I also learned important lessons from it, about keeping stories intimate, even though the backdrop is big and epic. And you know I couldn't have written The Sixth Faction without that because I needed to be able to not think about all the things that Divergent is, and just focus on the story and the characters that I love. So Seek the Traitor's Son taught me how to do that.

 SM: Divergent is a massively popular and widely beloved thing, but I think it also falls into opinionated internet conversations. I'm curious, how that has felt like it's affected your writing generally?

VR:  I think it has been a challenge to navigate because it's a lot of negativity, even though it's also a lot of positivity. And as I've discussed, I'm much better at retaining negativity than positivity. That's just how my brain works. What I've been able to do is create a safe space for myself in my writing. I think with the process of writing Seek the Traitor's Son, that's kinda what I was doing because it wasn't for anyone else. It was a healing book.

 SM: Do you have to set boundaries with yourself in online spaces to stay in a clear mindset while writing?

 VR: I have rules, so if someone's mean to me, I block them. I set up filters, sometimes I have to filter myself because the algorithm is like, 'you might be interested in this,' but, no, I'm not — I don't wanna see that. I don't make anyone else responsible for my emotional well-being — that's my other rule. But it is fun to engage with readers, so you wanna talk to them and answer their questions and joke around with them. It's just a bunch of people talking about books; we all love books.

 SM: I'm wondering if you've noticed a change in internet spaces now compared to when you published Divergent in 2011?

 VR: I think it feels pretty much the same, but the platforms are different. My real thought about it is that it is my responsibility to develop a sufficient amount of resilience. To deal with some negativity, because that is the nature of being a public person. It was the nature of my sister working in a J. Crew. As an adult, everyone is required to tolerate some people being unkind to you — that's existing in the world. But you're also allowed to defend yourself and to separate yourself from things that are toxic. So I try and balance those two things. I can't control people. I can only control me.

SM: After taking a break from Divergent, do you feel like you're carrying any new wisdom into The Sixth Faction?

 VR: Stories about young people have changed because the world has changed. So in this book, Tris is a little less of, 'I will save the world on my own,' and a little more of a 16-year-old navigating a very difficult sociopolitical situation that she is not prepared for. And that just feels like the reality of being a teenager right now, and I wanted the story to speak to that. When you get a little bit more life under your belt, as a person and as a writer, you're able to approach the series with a new perspective.

Google has finally brought Continued Conversation to Gemini for Google Nest devices, so you can stop repeating "Hey Google" to keep the conversation going.

SAVE $300: As of April 21, you can get the Samsung 55-inch QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV for only $597.99 instead of $897.99 at Amazon. That's 33% in savings and the lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV $597.99 at Amazon
$897.99 Save $300   Get Deal

We're in peak sports season, y'all. Besides the action of the Stanley Cup playoffs and NBA playoffs, there's a fresh MLB season taking shape. If your TV is looking dull or lagging, it's a prime time to upgrade — especially since you can find some epic deals on 2025 models.

As of April 21, the Samsung 55-inch QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for only $597.99. That's 33% or $300 off its current list price, as well as its lowest price to date.

As Mashable's TV expert Leah Stodart explains, "Neo QLED is really just Samsung's proprietary term for QLED paired with Mini LED." So, the QN70F features a panel of quantum dots over a bunch of tiny LED bulbs instead of a basic LED panel. The result? A stunning display with impressive color accuracy, deep blacks, and spectacular contrast. All the little details will look good no matter the lighting conditions in your room.

This TV uses an NQ4 AI Gen2 processor to upscale content and enhance the quality of anything you're watching. So even those old episodes of Friends will look more impressive on the QN70F. And thanks to a 144Hz variable refresh rate, gaming and sports will look noticeably smoother and less laggy than your old set.

If an upgrade is in order, but you don't want to spend a ton of money, the Samsung QN70F Neo QLED 4K TV is an excellent value at full price. At $300 off, it's a steal.

TL;DR: If writing prompts slows you down, VibeFarm helps you build, save, and reuse them for a one-time $39.99 for lifetime access.

Opens in a new window Credit: VibeFarm VibeFarm - AI Prompt Composition Workspace: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$179 Save $139.01   Get Deal

Anyone using AI regularly already knows the real bottleneck isn’t the tools — it’s the prompts. Getting them just right can take longer than the actual work, and once you do land on a great one, it’s usually buried in chat history or lost in a notes app somewhere.

This is the issue VibeFarm aims to eliminate. It’s not another AI generator — it’s a prompt composition workspace designed to help you stay in the flow.

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Instead of starting from scratch every time, you can build structured prompts using layered fields, refine them with built-in tools, and save them as reusable “VibeCards” for future use.

With access to 10,000+ premium prompts and a system built for remixing and iteration, you can turn one successful prompt into a repeatable asset. Whether you’re working on visuals, writing, video, or something in between, everything stays organized and easy to reuse.

It also plays nicely with the tools you already use. You can export clean prompts directly into platforms like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or other AI tools — no formatting headaches. And with version control and rollback options, you can experiment without losing what worked.

This platform helps you cut wasted time from your AI workflow while keeping your best ideas working for you long after you’ve created them.

Get lifetime VibeFarm Lite access on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $179) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Playoffs for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA is rolling onto the next round of playoff games, with the Los Angeles Lakers looking to go 2-0 in their first-round series with the Houston Rockets. LeBron James and Luke Kennard inspired the Lakers to win the opening game in the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The big question is whether 41-year old LeBron James can keep it going.

If you want to watch Lakers vs. Rockets in the NBA Playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lakers vs. Rockets?

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Playoffs starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on April 21. This game takes place at the Crypto.com Arena.

How to watch Lakers vs. Rockets for free

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Playoffs is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a VPN (we tested ExpressVPN and it worked great)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

4. Visit YouTube

5. Watch the NBA for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like YouTube, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Nearly three years ago, I asked if the (then) $429 Dyson Supersonic was still worth the price of entry.

These days, with the Supersonic line having expanded, the standard model having increased in price to $449.99, and the most expensive version of the hair dryer topping out at $549.99, it's a question that feels even more apt.

The good news? If you're not super into the idea of spending about $500 for a hair dryer, Dyson just announced the Dyson Supersonic Travel, a $299.99 model of its famous hair tool. In addition to its lower price point, it comes with more travel-friendly proportions and features.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300: This underappreciated multi-styler deserves consideration

As someone who's personally tested Supersonics (and their many dupes), I took a closer look at the latest Dyson beauty launch to gather everything you need to know.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Travel $299.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now The design differences of the Dyson Supersonic Travel

In short, the Supersonic Travel is the standard Supersonic but smaller. According to Dyson, that comes out to exactly 32 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the OG Supersonic. In other words, it's 0.7 pounds to the standard Supersonic's 1.8 pounds, and 8.7 inches tall to the larger model's 10 inches.

This model also comes with one attachment, the styling concentrator, a la the now-discontinued Dyson Supersonic Origin (which ran for $399.99). For comparison, the $449.99 Supersonic comes with three attachments: a styling concentrator, diffuser, and wide-tooth comb. For all five attachments, you'll have to shell out $549.99.

The Supersonic Travel is compatible with all original and Supersonic Nural attachments. Credit: Dyson

The same attachments can be used between the Travel, original, and Supersonic Nural dryers. This means opting for the Travel could technically save you some money — individual attachments range from $19.99 to $44.99. If you only use a styling concentrator and diffuser, for instance, the total cost of a Travel dryer with the extra attachment purchase would come out to $344.98, making it still over $100 cheaper than the three-attachment original Supersonic.

The Supersonic Travel is more versatile in some ways, and less so in others

Functionality-wise, the Supersonic Travel is a slightly different product from the other Supersonics in the line. It has anywhere from 1,000 to 1,220 watts of power and an airflow speed of 11.6 liters per second, compared to the 1,600 watts and 13.3 liters per second of the standard Supersonic. In other words, the bigger dryer is slightly more powerful, so it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect longer dry times.

The standard Supersonic and Supersonic Nural also feature four heats and three air speeds, where the Supersonic Travel features three heats and two air speeds.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones for flying: 8 picks to improve your travel experience

That said, the Supersonic Travel has universal voltage compatibility, so it can be used from 100 to 240 volts, whereas the other Supersonics are locked into 120 volt compatibility.

In terms of its portability, it's also worth noting the Supersonic Travel weighs the same as the Supersonic r, a professional grade hair dryer (priced as such at $549.99) that's become more popular due in part to being lightweight and easy to maneuver.

Where to buy the Dyson Supersonic Travel

The Dyson Supersonic Travel is available for $299.99 at Dyson's website, Amazon, and Best Buy. If you buy at the former, you will receive a complimentary $59.99 travel bag along with the hair dryer.