Mashable

SAVE ALMOST $50: As of April 30, the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 14% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $299.99 at Amazon
$349 Save $49.01   Get Deal

The Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) is back on sale at Amazon, but there's a catch. As of April 30, the 128GB version of this tablet has dropped to $299.99 from $349. That's almost $50 off the list price, but only the silver model is reduced to this low price.

This iPad is powered by the A16 chip, so it runs both fast and smooth whether you're gaming, editing photos and videos, or jumping between different apps. This is paired with a stunning Liquid Retina display to give you a high performing device. The 11-inch display also offers sharp detail and True Tone technology which adjusts the screen to match your surroundings.

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Standout features include advanced cameras, fast WiFi 6 connectivity, USB-C, and an all-day battery life to keep you going while on the move. It runs on iPadOS, so the interface is easy to use and personalize. It's also compatible with many Apple accessories including the Apple Pencil, which gives support for writing, drawing, and note-taking. And the Magic Keyboard magnetically attaches to the iPad to help you type more easily.

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

SAVE OVER $700: As of April 29, the Anker Solix C2000 is on sale for $749 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C2000 $749 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $750   Get Deal

If you're looking for a compact but reliable portable power station with strong performance, look no further than the Anker Solix C2000. As of April 30, this unit is on sale at Amazon with over $700 off the list price. That's a 50% discount and a drop in price from $1,499 to $749.

This is a powerful unit that's designed to keep your essentials running for long periods of time. It delivers 2,400W of rated output with a 4,000W peak, so it's capable of powering multiple appliances at once, including big devices like fridges or air conditioners.

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For recharging, there are multiple methods to choose from, including AC and solar charging. And it'll charge up fast, reaching a full charge in under an hour when using combined inputs. You can even recharge on the go with your vehicle.

But despite its strong performance, this unit is designed to be easier to handle and compact. It is lightweight and practical for travel or moving around the house. So this one isn't just great for power outages — you can also use it on road trips or camping vacations.

This Anker deal is available to buy now at Amazon.

Space fans can now order Rise, the plushie that stole the world's hearts when it flew around the moon with the Artemis II astronauts. 

The soft, squishy toy is what's known as a zero-gravity indicator, a small object that floats to show the crew and mission control when the capsule has reached space. The tradition dates back to the early 1960s and has continued with Beanie Babies, Snoopy, Baby Yoda, and other stuffed animals that sometimes reach mascot status.

Dreamed up by second-grader Lucas Ye, Rise is a smiling moon wearing a cap that resembles Earth. The design represents the famous Earthrise image taken during Apollo 8, when humans first saw our home planet hovering just above the moon's horizon.

Lucas crafted his own prototype before winning a NASA contest last year out of more than 2,600 entries. The crew  — Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — had the final pick. During the mission, Rise had an SD card carrying over 5.6 million people's names, submitted from space fans around the world, tucked in a tiny pocket.

The character quickly became a breakout star of the mission, the first flight to deep space in a half-century. The public reaction appeared to catch the agency off-guard. NASA doesn't make its own merchandise, and it had not issued any licenses to manufacture the toys before the launch on April 1. That meant the Kennedy Space Center gift shop and others were inundated with requests for Rise over the course of the 10-day mission with not one plushie on the shelves to sell.

"We sincerely appreciate your excitement and support," the Kennedy shop had said in a notice on its website earlier this month, "and kindly ask for your patience as fulfillment times may be longer than usual."

SEE ALSO: Watch a bright comet photobomb the sun on a space weather camera Rise zero-gravity indicator designer Lucas Ye, a second-grader from California, attends the Artemis II launch at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 1, 2026. Credit: NASA / Keegan Barber

Popularity skyrocketed as people saw the crew's affection for Rise, whom Koch called their "stowaway." During live broadcasts, Glover would position the plushie in front so it would look as though it were talking into the floating microphone. Wiseman was spotted leaving the bobbing Orion spacecraft with Rise hooked onto his pressure suit. 

"I was supposed to leave Rise in Integrity," he said on X, referring to the crew's nickname for their space capsule, "but that was not something I was going to do." 

One day later, Wiseman showed that Rise was still safe in his custody, tethered to his water bottle. 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Where to buy NASA's official Artemis II plushie "Rise"

Now, three weeks after Artemis II's successful return to Earth, customers can purchase their own Rise plushies from NASA Exchange, the self‑funded network of gift shops that does not run on taxpayer dollars. Along with the plushies, which retail for $24.99 apiece, are other mementos featuring Rise, including a T-shirt that reads "Copy, Moon Joy," a slogan that had its own viral moment during the test flight.

There are sure to be some differences between the original and its mass-produced doppelgängers. The moonbound Rise was bespoke, made at NASA's Thermal Blanket Lab in Maryland out of strict, spaceflight-approved materials. It's unclear whether these plushies will also feature the tiny footprint on the back, representing Neil Armstrong's one small step. NASA officials didn't immediately respond to questions from Mashable.

The official Rise plushie can be purchased for $24.99 from NASA Exchange. Credit: NASA

Because the winning design from the contest had a late reveal — just five days before liftoff — commercial vendors didn't have time to prepare licensed versions of Rise, said David Rager, creative director at NASA.

Orders for Rise merchandise may take up to eight weeks to fulfill. All profits will go toward activities and facilities that serve NASA employees. 

"This little guy, Rise, really resonated with us," Koch said.

Google I/O 2026 kicks off May 19, and if the past few years are any indication, AI is going to be the main attraction. The two-day event will be livestreamed and is expected to cover updates across Gemini, Android, Chrome, and more — with keynotes, demos, and what Google calls its "Dialogues" sessions featuring conversations about where AI is headed.

Last year's event was lengthy. Google I/O 2025 ran nearly two hours and touched nearly every corner of the company's product lineup, from its consumer apps to developer tools to hardware. Gemini, as usual, dominated the conversation, with Google rolling out model updates, deeper Workspace integration, and a wave of new AI-powered features across Search, Shopping, and beyond.

SEE ALSO: General Motors adds Google Gemini to 4 million vehicles. Is your car on the list?

The company also used the stage to pull back the curtain on its AR/VR ambitions with Android XR, including a new XR headset built with Samsung and Qualcomm, as well as a pair of Android XR smart glasses developed in partnership with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. On the infrastructure side, Google announced a new AI chip, Ironwood, for Google Cloud customers.

Here's what's likely on the table for Google I/O 2026.

A new version of Gemini

A major Gemini model update is widely expected to be the centerpiece announcement. Whether it lands as a 4.0 or something in between, a newer, more capable version of Google's flagship AI is almost certainly coming, per CNET's preview of the event. Gemini is already embedded across most of Google's product lineup, so whatever gets announced will have a wide reach.

A next-generation model would set the tone for the company's entire product roadmap going forward.

On the more speculative end, our tech editor Timothy Beck-Werth thinks I/O 2026 could also bring updates to some of Google's lesser-covered AI products — Nano Banana, Gemma, Lyria, and Genie, among them — along with a possible Veo 4 announcement, Google's AI video generation tool. None of that is confirmed, but if Veo does get a major update, YouTube integration feels like a natural next step given how aggressively Google has been pushing AI into its platforms.

Aluminium OS

Google's long-in-development project to create an Android operating system for PCs and laptops is expected to get significant airtime. The project would potentially merge Android and Chrome OS into a single platform.

Google's Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat confirmed to Android Authority earlier this year that the platform is still on track for a 2026 debut, pushing back against court documents from the Google antitrust trial that suggested a possible 2028 timeline. Chrome OS, notably, isn't going anywhere — Samat was clear that Google sees the two as parallel strategies rather than one replacing the other, with Aluminum OS targeting a broader consumer laptop audience.

Android XR glasses

After debuting as a concept at last year's I/O, Google's Android XR smart glasses are expected to take a step closer to an actual product this year. CNET notes that multiple hardware partners are involved, which could mean a range of price points when they eventually ship.

As Mashable reported in December, Google has actually been developing two distinct products under that umbrella. The first is a display-free pair of AI glasses equipped with a camera, speakers, and microphones for hands-free Gemini interaction — a form factor that draws obvious comparisons to Meta's Ray-Ban glasses.

The second, more ambitious product adds an in-lens display that can privately surface information like navigation directions and translation captions, visible only to the wearer. Both are being built in partnership with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, and both run on Android XR, the same operating system powering the Samsung Galaxy XR headset that launched in October 2025.

On the developer side, Google's own design documentation for Android XR glasses offers a window into how the company is thinking about the experience. The platform is built around the idea that interfaces should feel like a natural extension of how people perceive the world. Google I/O 2026 could be where developers finally get the full toolkit to start building for it.

What remains unclear heading into I/O 2026 is when the display version will actually ship. Google confirmed the simpler AI glasses are expected this year, but has declined to give a launch date for the display model.

Android 17

Google has been rolling out Android 17 betas since February, with a final release expected around June or July ahead of the usual Made by Google Pixel hardware event in August.

The beta has been light on headline features so far, though app bubbles — a floating window system for quick app access — has been one of the more notable additions. Like last year, Google will be hosting an I/O edition of the Android Show right before the big conference on May 12.

More agentic AI

Across the board, expect a heavy push for agentic AI. Systems capable of handling tasks on your behalf with minimal input are all the rage right now. OpenAI is rumored to be making a phone around the concept. Google has been signaling this direction for a while, and I/O is the natural stage to show what that actually looks like in practice.

Google I/O 2026 begins May 19 at 10 a.m. PT and streams live at io.google.

TL;DR: Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 is available as a lifetime license for $34.96 (reg. $499.99), offering a one-time alternative to recurring software costs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 $34.97
$499.99 Save $465.02   Get Deal

Writing code is only part of the job. Testing, debugging, and managing projects usually happen in the same environment, which is why tools like Visual Studio tend to stick around for the long haul. The downside is that the costs can stick around, too. If you’d rather keep the tool without the recurring bill, this Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 lifetime license is on sale for $34.96 (reg. $499.99) for a limited time.

Microsoft Visual Studio is one of those tools that doesn’t need much of an introduction. If you use it, you probably use it a lot. This version focuses on performance improvements, deeper AI integration, and more collaborative features, which can be useful if your workflow spans multiple projects or teams.

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As a 64-bit IDE, it’s built to handle larger solutions without slowing down quite as quickly. It supports cross-platform development through .NET MAUI, lets you build web interfaces in C# with Blazor, and works across Windows, Linux, and containerized environments. It also integrates with services like Azure and GitHub, so it fits into most modern development setups.

With advanced AI, you can analyze your codebase, suggest completions for lines or blocks of code, and offer refactoring suggestions to cut down on repetitive work. It won’t magically write your entire project, of course, but it can at least help you spend less time on the parts you’ve already done before.

Collaboration tools are built in as well. You can run real-time coding sessions without requiring teammates to fully clone repositories or replicate your setup down to a T. Features like shared sessions, access controls, and built-in insights into commits and changes are there to make teamwork a little less clunky.

Normally retailing for $499.99, you can grab a lifetime license to Visual Studio Professional 2026 for just $34.96.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The open-box ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) with a detachable touchscreen, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage is on sale for $144.97 (reg. $389.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Chromebook CM30 2024 (Open Box) $144.97
$389.99 Save $245.02   Get Deal

There’s a big difference between what laptops can do and what most people actually use them for. While devices have gotten more powerful over the years, most of us are still opening tabs, answering emails, and streaming something on the side. If you’re shopping for your next laptop, something simpler might make more sense. This open-box 2024 ASUS Chromebook CM30 fits that bill, and for a limited time, it’s on sale for $144.97 (reg. $389.99).

This Chromebook is as flexible as they come — literally. It comes with a detachable keyboard and magnetic stand cover, so you can switch between laptop and tablet modes in seconds. That makes it useful whether you’re typing out emails or just kicking back with a video.

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Under the hood, it runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. That’s a solid setup for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light multitasking. The 128GB of eMMC storage gives you room for apps and files, though, like most Chromebooks, it works best if you’re comfortable using cloud storage.

The 10.5-inch WUXGA touchscreen offers sharp visuals and responsive navigation, and it comes with a built-in stylus that charges quickly and stores neatly in the device. You’ll also get dual 5MP front and rear cameras, along with USB-C, an audio jack, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity. And with a battery life rated at up to 12 hours, it’s built to last through a full day of casual use.

Since this is an open-box unit, it may have been previously handled or returned, but it’s been inspected and verified to be in working condition before resale.

Originally $389.99, you can get the open-box ASUS Chromebook CM30 for $144.97 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

SEE ALSO: "Wuthering Heights" review: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi front a perplexing and provocative romance 13. Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language

In a first-of-its-kind project, Songs in Sign Language reimagines three musical sequences from recent Disney movies in American Sign Language. This was no easy undertaking: The process required redoing "roughly 95 percent" of the original animation, director Hyrum Osmond revealed in the video above. Disney partnered with Deaf West Theatre in order to ensure authenticity and accuracy in the animated ASL performances, resulting in an ambitious reworking of Encanto's "We Don't Talk About Bruno," Frozen 2's "The Next Right Thing," and Moana 2's "Beyond." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language is now streaming on Disney+.

12. Heresy

Expectant mothers tend to have a terrible time of it in horror movies, and Heresy looks like it'll be absolutely no exception. Set in a medieval Dutch village, the film follows Frieda's (Anneke Sluiters') attempts to start a family, all while navigating an unpleasant husband, unpleasant neighbors, and an unpleasantly sinister presence in the nearby woodland. We can't imagine this one will be a laugh a minute, but fans of The Witch — and folk horror in general — may want to tune in. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Anneke Sluiters, Len Leo Vincent, Reinout Bussemaker, Léon van Waas, and Nola Elvis Kemper

How to watch: Heresy begins streaming on Shudder May 1.

11. Forbidden Fruits

Adapted from playwright Lily Houghton's Of the woman came the beginning of sin and through her we all die, this surreal teen dramedy focuses on a coven of teen witches whose favorite haunt is their local mall.

Each of the girls in their coven is named after fruit. There's Apple (Lili Reinhart), Cherry (Victoria Pedretti), and Fig (Alexandra Shipp). But like The Craft or Mean Girls, the group dynamic sours as a new member joins up. Sure, at first Pumpkin (Lola Tung) seems sweet, but she's setting off rivalries and sniffing out secrets. What dark magic could this incur?

While helmer Meredith Alloway offers some flashy and thrillingly trashy visuals in this funky film, Forbidden Fruits feels a little undercooked. As I wrote in my SXSW review, "I wasn't satisfied, but got the sense that this is an inside joke I'm just not on the inside of." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Chamberlain, and Gabrielle Union

How to watch: Forbidden Fruits is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

10. Battlestar Galactica Credit: Sci-Fi Channel / Kobal / Shutterstock

Maybe you're a diehard Battlestar Galactica fan. Maybe you've never seen it. Maybe you only know it as inspiring the final death pose of the Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons. Whatever level of engagement you're at, the Battlestar Galactica universe is streaming on Paramount+ this week. That means all four seasons of the 2000s series (that's 74 episodes), the miniseries that kicked it off beforehand, and the spin-off film The Plan. We know it's about to be more summery out there, but on the odd occasion there's a rainy day, it could be the move to fire up one of the most beloved sci-fi series of all time. — S.C.

Starring: Katee Sackhoff, Mary McDonnell, Edward James Olmos, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, and Grace Park

How to watch: The Battlestar Galactica universe begins streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV on May 1.

9. "Wuthering Heights"

Whether you hit the cinemas in full Victorian garb to thirst upon Emerald Fennell's Emily Brontë adaptation or not, it's coming to the privacy of your own home. "Wuthering Heights," the latest version of Cathy (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff's (Jacob Elordi) ill-fated romance on the Yorkshire moors, hits HBO Max this week, meaning you can join us in tearing apart the smaller details of the adaptation, including soundtrack foibles and missing scenes. Perhaps this film is more ourselves than we are; perhaps it's not. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, Ewan Mitchell, Owen Cooper, Vy Nguyen, and Charlotte Mellington

How to watch: "Wuthering Heights" begins streaming on HBO Max May 1.

Featured Video For You The problem with Emerald Fennell is "Wuthering Heights" is audience expectations 8. This Is Not a Drill

While this sounds like the name of the Extinction Rebellion handbook, This Is Not a Drill is a separate project, but one that also aligns with those fighting for environmental justice. 

Directed by Oren Jacoby, the documentary debuted at last year's Telluride Film Festival, and follows the work of grassroots activism leaders including Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson, The Vessel Project founder and CEO Roishetta Ozane, and former oil industry worker turned methane documenter Sharon Wilson. You can watch the doc for free on Patagonia's YouTube channel. The team behind the doc are working on a school, college, and community outreach project around the U.S., which you can read more about on the film's website. — S.C.

How to watch: This Is Not a Drill is streaming for free on Patagonia's YouTube page.

7. Swapped

Tangled co-director Nathan Greno helms Netflix's latest animated film, which doubles as a body-swap comedy.

Set in a scenic forest known as the Valley, Swapped centers on an adorable otter named Ollie (Academy Award winner Michael B. Jordan) who has a run-in with a flustered bird (Juno Temple) that magically pitches them into each other's bodies. Whereas before the swap, they were fighting over resources like food, could they become friends by walking in each other's metaphorical shoes? Here's hoping. Because the creatures of the Valley could use a unifying force in the face of a fearsome pack of wolves.* — K.P.

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Juno Temple, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, and Justina Machado

How to watch: Swapped begins streaming on Netflix May 1.

6. Man on Fire

Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II steps into Denzel Washington's shoes in Man on Fire, an adaptation of A.J. Quinnell's novel of the same name. (The novel has been adapted twice before, in a 1987 movie starring Scott Glenn, and a 2004 movie starring Washington.) The series introduces Special Forces mercenary John Creasy (Abdul-Mateen II). Haunted by his past, he finds a new purpose in Rio de Janeiro, protecting teenager Poe Rayburn (Billie Boullet) from growing danger. Expect some serious action chops from this tale of redemption and revenge. — B.E.

Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Billie Boullet, Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, Paul Ben-Victor, and Bobby Cannavale

How to watch: Man on Fire begins streaming on Netflix April 30.

5. Tales from the Crypt

Horror anthology Tales from the Crypt spent a large chunk of the '90s terrifying viewers. William Gaines and Steven Dodd's show features seven seasons and 93 episodes, each of which features a stand-alone scary tale introduced by talking corpse puppet the Cryptkeeper (John Kassir). Keep an eye out for some very famous guest stars, including Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Demi Moore. — S.H.

Starring: John Kassir, Whoopi Goldberg, Brad Pitt, Steve Buscemi, Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Demi Moore, Ewan McGregor, Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Teri Hatcher, Tim Curry, Joe Pesci, Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Reeve, and Kyle MacLachlan

How to watch: Tales from the Crypt begins streaming on Shudder May 1.

4. The House of the Spirits

Isabel Allende's classic magical realism novel The House of the Spirits comes to the small screen this week, in the book's first-ever Spanish-language screen adaptation. Spanning four generations, the series tells the story of the Trueba family as they navigate personal struggles, deep loves, and political turmoil in Chile. If you're looking for a more faithful take on Allende's debut than the 1993 film starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons, this series is it. — B.E.

Starring: Alfonso Herrera, Nicole Wallace, Dolores Fonzi, Fernanda Castillo, Aline Kuppenheim, Eduard Fernández, Sara Becker, Fernanda Urrejola, Rochi Hernández, Juan Pablo Raba, Pablo Macaya, and Nicolás Contreras

How to watch: The House of the Spirits is now streaming on Prime Video.

3. Dust Bunny

After giving audiences such sensational (and sensationally twisted) shows as Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal, Bryan Fuller makes his feature directorial debut with a monster movie that feels like Amélie meets Léon: The Professional.

The story centers on a young girl (Sophie Sloan) who's plagued by the monster under her bed — a massive dust bunny. So, naturally, she looks for a hitman to take care of the creature. Lucky for her, there's one living in her building. And he's played by Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen. The result is a monster movie that is whimsical, gnarly, thrilling, and fun.

In my review, I wrote, "Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy."* — K.P.

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sigourney Weaver, David Dastmalchian, Rebecca Henderson, and Sheila Atim

How to watch: Dust Bunny is now streaming on HBO Max, and is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

2. Hoppers

Pixar's Hoppers is an uproarious riff on Avatar, only instead of humans zapping their consciousness into nine-foot-tall blue alien bodies, they're zapping their consciousness into robot animal bodies to get closer to wildlife. When animal lover Mabel Tanaka (voiced by Piper Curda) gets her hands on this technology, she uses it to try to save a local glade from her town's greedy Mayor (voiced by Jon Hamm). Along the way, she'll befriend a beaver king (voiced by Bobby Moynihan), start an animal rebellion, and cause more chaos than she could have ever bargained for.

SEE ALSO: 'Hoppers' review: Pixar's beaver-centric take on 'Avatar' is its most unhinged film yet

Bursting with charming animation and sweet friendships, Hoppers is Pixar's strongest original film in years. What really takes it over the edge is its astounding third act, which goes to some wonderfully weird (and sometimes even downright frightening) places. In my review, I called it Pixar's "most unhinged film yet," and I mean that as the highest of compliments.

Starring: Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco, Eduardo Franco, Aparna Nancherla, Sam Richardson, Ego Nwodim, and Meryl Streep

How to watch: Hoppers is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

Best of streaming this week: Widow's Bay

Take a trip to the charming island of Widow's Bay, just 40 miles off the coast of New England. Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) hopes to turn the town into the next Martha's Vineyard, but there's just one problem: The locals claim the island is cursed. Despite Tom's initial skepticism, he'll soon learn that these claims have substance — and that whatever supernatural forces are at work are only growing stronger.

From that premise, Widow's Bay builds out a winning blend of comedy and horror that pays homage to everything from Jaws to Halloween. The result is one of the strongest, most unique new shows of 2026 so far. As I wrote in my review, Widow's Bay offers up "an enthralling portrait of a town you'll want to get lost in... even if some of its locals would advise you to run the hell away." — B.E.

Starring: Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and Kate O'Flynn

How to watch: The first two episodes of Widow's Bay are now streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes every Wednesday.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

TL;DR: Live stream Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa in the Europa League for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Europa League final is fast approaching. Only four teams are left to compete for the top prize, including two from the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa is a really interesting matchup. Aston Villa have obviously enjoyed a much more successful domestic campaign, but Premier League standings don't count for anything here. It's going to be an intense contest between two talented sides. Will we see bags of goals like PSG vs. Bayern Munich earlier in the week? You never know.

If you want to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa in the Europa League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa?

Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa in the Europa League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 30. This fixture takes place at the City Ground.

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa for free

Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can unblock ServusTV to stream the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream FNottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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 Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• 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 Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free at a glance: Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is unlike any other. Every season of F1 has a number of fascinating storylines to follow, but due to a major set of regulation changes, there's so much uncertainty right now. And uncertainty can lead to exciting racing.

Lando Norris secured an incredible title victory on the final day of last season. Now the pressure is on McLaren to defend that title against a long list of talented drivers and motivated teams. Expect the likes of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton to challenge for race wins this season. Mercedes look like the team to beat this season, but a lot can change.

If you are interested in watching F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. A season consists of a series of races (Grands Prix) that take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed public roads.

Lando Norris is the defending champion. McLaren won the Constructors Championship in 2025.

When is F1 in 2026?

The 2026 F1 season is the 77th edition of the championship. This year's championship features 24 Grands Prix events held all over the world between March and December:

1. Australian Grand Prix — March 8

2. Chinese Grand Prix — March 15

3. Japanese Grand Prix — March 29

4. Miami Grand Prix — May 3

5. Canadian Grand Prix — May 24

6. Monaco Grand Prix — June 7

7. Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — June 14

8. Austrian Grand Prix — June 28

9. British Grand Prix — July 5

10. Belgian Grand Prix — July 19

11. Hungarian Grand Prix — July 26

12. Dutch Grand Prix — Aug. 23

13. Italian Grand Prix — Sept. 6

14. Spanish Grand Prix — Sept. 13

15. Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Sept. 26

16. Singapore Grand Prix — Oct. 11

17. United States Grand Prix — Oct. 25

18. Mexico City Grand Prix — Nov. 1

19. São Paulo Grand Prix — Nov. 8

20. Las Vegas Grand Prix — Nov. 21

21. Qatar Grand Prix — Nov. 29

22. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Dec. 6

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore GPs will host a sprint race.

How to watch F1 for free

In the U.S., F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV. An Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year, but it's possible to gain access to Apple TV without spending anything.

Apple TV Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (7-day free trial) Apple TV comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. This is a sneaky trick, but you could sign up to watch the next F1 race and then cancel your subscription before you need to spend anything. This obviously isn't a long-term fix, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream select F1 race weekends for free. Shop Now Apple TV Prime Video Channel Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel (7-day free trial) Already an Amazon Prime member? You're in luck. You can sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. This lets you watch select F1 races live with the Prime Video app. The subscription typically costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch select races without actually spending anything. Shop Now Apple One Opens in a new window Credit: Apple One Apple One (30-day free trial) Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial. Time it right and this trial could provide access to up to four race weekends for free. You do need to be a new or returning subscriber to each of the included services to get the free trial. Shop Now

It's worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs. This special offer goes live for 90 days after the new device is activated — that's a good chunk of the season.

SAVE $40: As of April 30, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are on sale for $139.95 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 $139.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $40   Get Deal

There are plenty of earbuds and headphones that work well for runners, but if you want to stay safe, picking a pair of bone conducting earbuds is the best choice. Bone conduction technology delivers sound by transmitting subtle vibrations through the bones in your skull rather than channeling it through your ear canal. These vibrations travel straight to the inner ear, so you can listen to music while still keeping your ears clear to hear what’s going on around you.

And as of April 30, you can get a great deal on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, currently priced at $139.95 at Amazon ($40 off). Choose from several colors, including black, blue, orange, and silver.

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Like the name suggests, these headphones are built for active use, specifically running. They have a secure fit thanks to a flexible Ni-Ti alloy frame and ergonomic ear hooks that stay in place during runs, high intensity workouts, or cycling. You'll also get up to 12 hours of battery life, so for runs long and short sessions, you'll have enough juice for your playlist.

This Shokz deal is available at Amazon now.

One of the most compelling reasons to get YouTube's Premium subscriptions is picture-in-picture; that is, the ability to continue watching a video in a smaller, floating window, while you interact with other apps on your phone.

In the U.S., picture-in-picture isn't limited to Premium users; Premium Lite users, as well as users who aren't paying any sort of YouTube subscription, get it too. Now, YouTube has announced it will be rolling out this feature to all users globally, on both iOS and Android.

SEE ALSO: YouTube is prompting users to enable watch history. Here's the workaround.

There is a pretty big caveat, though: This will only work on longform, non-music videos for Premium Lite and Free users. Only YouTube Premium subscribers can get picture-in-picture for music content. Better than nothing, eh?

It's worth noting that there's no change here for users in the U.S.; the only change here is for international users.

How to get picture-in-picture on your phone for free:

1. While watching a longform, non-music video on an iPhone, swipe up as if you're closing the app. The video will stay floating, and you can move it around, as well as access other apps while it plays on top of them. On Android, you may have to touch the home button instead of swiping, depending on your phone model.

2. If the above doesn't work, you may need to enable picture-in-picture in your settings. On the iPhone, go to Settings - General - Picture-in-Picture and enable "Start PiP Automatically." Conversely, if you don't want the picture-in-picture window to pop up every time you close the YouTube app, disable this feature. On Android, you may have to go to Settings - Apps - Special app access and then toggle "Picture-in-picture" for the YouTube app.

If this isn't working for you, have patience. YouTube said the feature will be rolling out globally "in the coming months."

SAVE $150: As of April 28, get the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor for $649.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of 19% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor $649.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Whether you're playing your favorite first-person shooters or enjoying a story-based game, an immersive gaming monitor is essential. The right one can help you feel like you're right in the middle of the action, and we've found a discount on one in particular that you'll love adding to your home setup.

As of April 28, get the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor for $649.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's $150 off and a discount of 19%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best premium gaming monitors instantly level up your desktop — for a price

This 34.2-inch gaming monitor boasts a 3440 x 1440 display with an 0.03 response and a 240Hz refresh rate. With an extensive 1800R curve, it can put you right in the middle of the action, whether you're fighting off zombies or heading out on a picturesque role-playing adventure.

It features DCI-P3 99.3% color coverage and Delta E

If you're looking to add a new monitor to the way you enjoy games on PC, or you just want a great new specimen for daily work and internet use, this is a splurge well worth making. Just make sure you don't miss it while it's so heavily discounted.

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 Thursday, April 30, 2026:

AcrossLow-quality A.I. content

• The answer is Slop.

"Whoa, settle down!"

• The answer is Chill.

Toyota rival

• The answer is Honda.

Subject of many Sun Tzu quotes

• The answer is Enemy.

"Now ___ talkin'!"

• The answer is We're.

DownGleamed, as the sun

• The answer is Shone.

___ notes (text accompanying a record)

• The answer is Liner.

Person I used to be, before some personal growth

• The answer is Old Me.

Pause's counterpart

• The answer is Play.

What "masticate" is a fancy word for

• The answer is Chew.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

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 30, 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 30, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 30 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 30 Pips

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 30 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 1-5, 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some knowledge of popular U.S. sports and pop culture.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: 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: Practicing mindfulness

• Green: Big man

• Blue: West Coast baseball

• Purple: Sounds like a famous basketball player

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Exercise Classes

• Green: Terms for a Frontcourt Basketball Player

• Blue: California Baseball Stadiums

• Purple: Ends in a Baseball Hall of Famer's Surname

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 #584 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Exercise Classes: BARRE, PILATES, SPIN, YOGA

• Terms for a Frontcourt Basketball Player: 5, BIG, CENTER, POST

• California Baseball Stadiums: ANGEL, DODGER, ORACLE, PETCO

• Ends in a Baseball Hall of Famer's Surname: ALKALINE, DISMAYS, ROCKEFELLER, TRUTH

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 yesterday's Connections.

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

Specialty.

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

NICHE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Upward.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NORTH

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Hard.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SOLID

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A slow-moving mammal.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLOTH

Final Hurdle hint

Baking ingredient.

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

FLOUR

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 day 13 of the lunar cycle, and the day before the Full Moon. If it's a clear sky where you are tonight, chances are you'll spot lots of features on the Moon's surface.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, April 30, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. Tonight, 98% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mare Serenitatis, Tycho Crater, and the Copernicus Crater. With binoculars, you'll see the Alps Mountains, Archimedes Crater, and the Alphonsus Crater. And, finally, with a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 16 landing spot, Rima Hyginus, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

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?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to circle Earth once, going through eight distinct phases in the process. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes as it moves in its orbit. The shifting light creates the changing shapes we know as full, half, and crescent Moons. Altogether, there are eight main lunar phases.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're easily startled.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 30, 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: To unsettle

• Green: To keep track

• Blue: Represented by a letter

• Purple: Belonging

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Unnerve

• Green: Remove, as an item from a list, with "Off"

• Blue: What "T" might stand for

• Purple: Homophones of possessive adjectives

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 #1054 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Unnerve: ALARM, DISTURB, SHAKE, SHOCK

• Remove, as an item from a list, with "Off": CHECK, CROSS, MARK, TICK

• What "T" might stand for: TESLA, TIME, TRUE, TYRANNOSAURUS

• Homophones of possessive adjectives: HOUR, HUR, THERE, YORE

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 30, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a science nerd.

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 30, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Wet blankets

The words are related to wetness.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe precipitation.

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 Condensation.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 30

• Vapor

• Mist

• Aerosol

• Condensation

• Drizzle

• Humidity

• Steam

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're full of it.

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 30, 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 30, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Rubbish.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CROCK

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 yesterday's Wordle.