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The smartphone may prove to be the most enduring symbol of modern human invention. The microcomputers are now portals to entirely new worlds. They now have tiny artificially intelligent assistants inside of them. They've even gone to space. 

Smartphones have also played a part in harming impressionable youth, intensifying a mass mental health crisis, and exacerbating global pollution.  

According to the World Health Organization, global e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. A record amount of e-waste, 62 million tons to be exact, leached pollutants, including lead and mercury, into the environment in 2022. Mobile phones, computers, and appliances make up the majority of electronics in landfills. The United States generated about 7.2 million tons of e-waste in 2022 and collected about half of it. 

Why aren't we recycling more?

You may have heard of the space race, and now the AI race, but have you heard of the rare earth mineral race? If not, now's the time. 

Most of the world's modern tech, including smartphones, is powered by just 17 metallic elements. They form powerful magnets, lasers, batteries, and more. They're abundant worldwide, but increasingly hard to mine. That production difficulty has led to political conflict as countries try to secure large rare-earth deposits — and to a sense of scarcity. When you toss away your phone or let it collect dust in a drawer, these rare-earths are stuck, too. It's basically the trapped-water theory, but for very small amounts of naturally occurring magnetic elements.

A 2026 CNET reader survey found that only 39 percent of people had recycled an electronic device — a 2024 YouGov survey put that number at only seven percent. About a third of U.S. adults cited uncertainty about recycling rules and programs for their reluctance, while about a fifth said they simply throw them in the garbage — dumping e-waste is illegal or regulated in 25 states. Yet another survey conducted by Allstate Protection Plans found that more than half of Americans kept their devices on hand purely as backups. 

That behavior creates its own set of issues. According to the United Nations' Global E-waste Monitor (GEM), the amount of e-waste far outnumbers rates of electronic recycling, and it's going up by 2.6 million tons every year. In 2024, five times as much e-waste was generated as was recycled tech. 

And it gets worse: For the amount of e-waste that is recycled, less than a quarter of it is properly collected and processed, often resulting in even more waste and pollution. Even if electronics are successfully broken down in the complicated recycling process, a single device only produces a small amount of rare-earths, which means we need a lot more devices in the recycling stream to make a difference.

SEE ALSO: How to actually recycle electronics, beauty empties, toys, and more tricky items in 2026

All of that leads to this reality: Less than one percent of rare-earth element demand is met by recycling e-waste, leaving the majority of countries reliant on just a few powerful nations with large pools of rare-earth elements. We need to come up with a better system, quickly.  

For years, environmental activists have proposed a much easier solution: Simply stop buying so many new electronic devices. Refurbish programs have risen in popularity among tech companies, retail giants, and even the U.S. president, while Right to Repair advocates push for laws that will allow more individuals to extend the life of their personal devices. 

But even amid these trends, the number of participants needs to multiply tenfold to address the growing e-waste problem. 

While more than a third of Americans told Allstate Protection Plans they are likely to buy a used or refurbished device, only 18 percent actually went through with it. Young people, however, are much more likely to buy refurbished devices than older generations, according to Statista, even as they hoard older devices. About half of Gen Z said they'd choose used over new to save the planet. A resurgence in nostalgia for Y2K tech like iPods and cyberdecks — as well as a desire for "built to last" devices in a struggling economy — may help move the needle further.

Phones are our legacy, for better or for worse. What will you do about it?

Featured Video For You The space junk doomsday scenario is getting closer

There's a new guy in charge at Apple.

As you may have heard, longtime Apple CEO Tim Cook is leaving his post this fall, opting to take on a more high-level role at the company. That means Apple has a new CEO, and his name is John Ternus. His face is certainly recognizable if you've watched an Apple product launch livestream in recent years, though perhaps less so than Craig Federighi, Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering.

Obviously, there's a lot more to Ternus than his presentational skills if Apple feels comfortable making him CEO, the position held by Steve Jobs from 1997 to 2011.

So, who is John Ternus? Here's what we know about Apple's little-known new boss.

SEE ALSO: Apple may have already given us a big hint about AI Siri New Apple CEO John Ternus: Everything you need to know

Ternus is a 50-year-old business executive and engineer, and he's the same age Cook was when he became CEO in 2011.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and a brief stint as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems, Ternus joined Apple in 2001, and he's been there ever since.

Tim Cook and John Ternus at Apple headquarters in Northern California. Credit: Apple

Ternus started in the Apple product design team and worked his way up the ladder, becoming a VP of hardware engineering in 2013. He moved further up to senior VP in the same department in 2021. In other words, Ternus has been a longtime hardware guy at Apple, as opposed to Cook, who was more business-focused before replacing Steve Jobs as CEO.

“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” said Ternus in an Apple press release.

“Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor...I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”

Finally, as a fun sidenote, Ternus was apparently a heck of a competitive swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania in the 90s, per Fortune. You can read all about that in the Daily Pennsylvanian. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal also reports he's fond of Porsche racing and has respectable lap times for an amateur driver.

Why did Apple pick Ternus for CEO?

While Apple's internal product development is a bit of a black box (unless you're Bloomberg's Mark Gurman), Apple's press release credited Ternus and his team for a lot of recent Apple hardware successes.

"Throughout his tenure at Apple, Ternus has overseen hardware engineering work on a variety of groundbreaking products across every category," Apple said. "He was instrumental in the introduction of multiple new product lines, including iPad and AirPods, as well as many generations of products across iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch."

His most recent accomplishment?

Apple credited Ternus with the development of the popular and well-regarded MacBook Neo laptop. He was also involved with the iPhone 17 line, with Apple calling out the iPhone Air as an example of Ternus's hardware chops.

Generally speaking, during Ternus's time as a hardware higher-up (though, again, it would be irresponsible to credit him and him alone with these products), Apple's devices have become more popular and better reviewed than ever, with a couple of notable exceptions.

Ternus was reportedly a big part of the MacBook Neo's development. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

MacBooks, in particular, have become some of the most beloved laptops on the market, and that's thanks in large part to another of Ternus's big accomplishments at Apple — overseeing the transition to Apple silicon and the M series processors. CNBC and others have reported that Ternus played a pivotal role in the development of Apple's in-house chips.

If you want more tea on the Apple leadership shakeup, Gurman recently reported that Ternus was hesitant to support the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Car projects championed by Cook. The former has been a sales disaster, while the latter never even came out. Still, despite a few misses, Cook grew Apple's market cap by 20x during his tenure, making Apple into a $4 trillion company.

By any measure, Cook has been hugely successful, but Apple insiders say Ternus may have a more Jobs-like product vision and attitude.

Gurman also reported that Ternus has a reputation for a more decisive, quick-thinking approach to decision-making. He'll also be expected to help Apple catch up to the competition in the AI arms race. Apple has notably lagged behind everyone else in both feature quantity and quality, and Siri's AI redesign may be one of the first big tests after the announcement.

So, in summary, Ternus is a lifelong hardware developer who is going to try to build on Apple's recent successes in that regard, while also embracing AI to the extent that it can.

We'll surely get to know him better in the near future as Apple hosts WWDC 2026 in June and the iPhone 18 launch later this year.

The modular PC maker Framework unveiled a slew of new products during its jam-packed [Next Gen] Event livestream Tuesday — including the new Laptop 13 Pro, a repairable MacBook Pro alternative.

The Laptop 13 Pro is Framework's fourth laptop since its founding in 2020, when it launched the original Laptop 13. And, "In many ways, this product has been six years in the making," company founder Nirav Patel wrote in a blog post. "We’ve taken all of the feedback you’ve given us on the first seven generations of Framework Laptop 13 to make this the ultimate portable developer and power user machine," he said.

Laptop 13 Pro preorders are now open on Framework's website, starting at $1,199 for the build-your-own "DIY Edition" and $1,499 for pre-built configurations. That includes options pre-loaded with Ubuntu Linux in addition to Windows. The first wave of shipments will go out in June.

Opens in a new window Credit: Framework Framework Laptop 13 Pro (Intel Core Ultra Series 3), DIY Edition $1,199 at Framework
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Framework Framework Laptop 13 Pro (Intel Core Ultra Series 3), Pre-built $1,499 at Framework
  Pre-order Here

Framework also revealed updates to the gaming-ready Laptop 16, a new OCuLink Dev Kit, a new wireless keyboard, and a new laptop sleeve during its livestream. Along with the Laptop 13 Pro, they "represent a step change in our capabilities" and fulfill recurring customer requests, Patel said. "We have the scale and resources to build the products you want from us and to deliver on our mission of remaking consumer electronics."

Read on for a closer look at all of the announcements.

Meet the Framework Laptop 13 Pro The Framework Laptop 13 Pro features a crisp and bright touchscreen (!) display. Credit: Framework

In crafting the Laptop 13 Pro, Framework set out to create a “MacBook Pro for Linux users," Patel said. "We wanted to prove that you can have a computer that is refined, robust, and high performance, that still respects your rights through repairability, upgradeability, and the power to choose the software you want to run on it."

The Laptop 13 Pro sure looks like a MacBook Pro. Weighing just over three pounds, its new, fully CNC aluminum chassis has a flat "slab-like" shape reminiscent of a modern Apple laptop. (In contrast, the standard Laptop 13 has a silver chassis with the wedge shape of an M1 MacBook Air.) It's launching in a graphite finish reminiscent of Apple's space black colorway, but a silver version is coming soon.

SEE ALSO: Framework Laptop 13 review: A good laptop and an even better concept

The Laptop 13 Pro is fueled by powerful Intel Core Ultra Series 3 ("Panther Lake") chips with 16 to 64GB of fast and efficient LPCAMM2 memory. It's available in Core Ultra 5, Core Ultra X7, and Core Ultra X9 configurations.

The Laptop 13 Pro is bedecked with a new 13.5-inch 2,880 x 1,920 display that offers up to 700 nits of brightness, a 30 to 120Hz variable refresh rate, and touchscreen capabilities — something "many of you have been requesting for years," Patel wrote. The screen has newly squared-off corners and an improved anti-glare matte finish.

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro's chassis weighs a little over three pounds. Credit: Framework

The Laptop 13 Pro also sports a new haptic touchpad. "Touchpad feel is an area where Windows and Linux laptops have historically fallen behind Macs, so this is where we’re putting a lot of our focus across our mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams to deliver the best experience possible," Patel said. It has the same keyboard as the regular Laptop 13, but it's available in two more colors besides basic black.

Additionally, the Laptop 13 Pro's speakers are located on both sides of its base rather than underneath it, like they are on the Laptop 13. They support Dolby Atmos, which is a first for a Framework Laptop.

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro (left) will eventually be available in silver to match the original Laptop 13. Credit: Framework

A lower-end touchscreen was previously only available on the Laptop 12, Framework's budget-friendly hybrid, while the haptic touchpad is brand-new for the Framework Laptop series. As with any Framework machine, all of the Laptop 13 Pro's components are user-replaceable and upgradable, and its four port modules are swappable.

Patel called the Laptop 13 Pro "a complete ground up redesign that brings a massive leap in battery life," noting that better stamina has been customers' biggest ask over the years. Its 74Wh battery offers over 20 hours of 4K Netflix streaming per charge, he claimed, which represents a 12-hour boost from the previous-generation Laptop 13 with a 61Wh battery.

SEE ALSO: Memory shortage: Framework raises DDR5 RAM prices again with a per GB price hike

Not only that, Patel added, but the Laptop 13 Pro's battery life is "actually slightly longer than a 14-inch MacBook Pro M5!" A Panther Lake laptop I tested earlier this year offered over 24 hours of video playback, so this isn't totally far-fetched. The M5 MacBook Pro only lasted 21 hours and 17 minutes in our battery life benchmark.

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro's 74Wh battery gives it more stamina than an M5 MacBook Pro, or so the company claims. Credit: Framework

The Laptop 13 Pro also comes with a bigger 100W GaN power adapter for faster charging.

The Laptop 13 Pro isn't meant to replace the base Laptop 13, which will continue to be sold alongside it, starting at $899 for the DIY Edition and $1,099 pre-built. A Framework rep told me that existing Laptop 13 owners will be able to upgrade their device with all of the Laptop 13 Pro's improved components, including the new touchscreen display ($299) and Panther Lake mainboard (starting at $449). The new 74Wh battery ($89) works if you grab a Bottom Cover Upgrade Kit ($169), while an Input Cover Kit ($179) nets you the haptic touchpad. The display and mainboards are now available for preorder in the Framework Marketplace.

Framework Laptop 16 updates — plus an OCuLink Dev Kit in the works The Framework Laptop 16 is getting one-piece haptic touchpad and keyboard modules. Credit: Framework

Framework is dropping some new components for the beefy Laptop 16, its desktop replacement with swappable graphics modules. That includes one-piece haptic touchpad and keyboard modules with no seams; a new translucent smoke gray bezel color; and a new entry-level AMD Ryzen 5 340 CPU option.

The new touchpad and keyboard modules are up for preorder in Laptop 16 configurations that start shipping in June, while the new bezel color will launch sometime later this summer. The Ryzen 5-powered Laptop 16 is preorderable today, starting at $1,249 for the DIY Edition and $1,599 pre-built.

Framework's OCuLink Dev Kit launches later this year. Credit: Framework

In addition, Framework previewed an OCuLink Dev Kit for the Laptop 16 during Tuesday's livestream. This module will "[enable] extremely high throughput peripherals like eGPUs" through the device's rear Expansion Bay, Patel wrote in a separate blog post. Hooking up a laptop to a more powerful eGPU, or external Graphics Processing Unit, is an easy way to bump its graphics performance when you want to use it for ultra-demanding tasks like AAA gaming, 4K video editing, and software development.

The Dev Kit includes an adapter board, a graphics module dock, and a PCIe card dock. It will ship later this year; stay tuned for pricing.

Coming soon: The Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard The Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard will be able to fit inside a Framework Laptop one day. Credit: Framework

Framework later showcased its forthcoming Wireless Touchpad Keyboard, which is exactly what it sounds like: a compact, portable keyboard with a built-in touchpad on the right-hand side. It's made in partnership with Lite-On, the same Taiwanese tech manufacturer that's made its laptop keyboards for the past five years, and it has the same key spacing and travel. The touchpad itself supports multi-finger gestures.

The Wireless Touchpad Keyboard will have a translucent back cover and a replaceable battery. Framework is currently working on a USB-A Adapter Expansion Card module that lets it sit flush inside its laptops.

SEE ALSO: Framework Laptop 16 (AMD) review: I’m obsessed with both the concept and the laptop

The keyboard won't launch until later this year, but Framework wanted to tease it well ahead of time "to give developers an early start on building around it," Patel said. We don't know how much it will cost yet.

The Framework Laptop Sleeve is here The silver one is kind of giving duct tape. Credit: Framework

Last but not least, Framework is releasing a new carrying case for the Laptop 13 Pro, Laptop 13, and Laptop 12. Priced at $39, it has a padded main pocket and a compartment for accessories. It comes in black and silver. Framework's website still had it listed as "coming soon" at the time of writing.

You can watch the full Framework [Next Gen] Event livestream on the company's YouTube channel.

SAVE $270: The Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $529.99, down from the standard price of $799.99. That works out to a 34% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop $529.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $270   Get Deal

We all deserve a break these days. Even if your schedule is not packed with meetings and errands and other daily chores, having some relaxing time is essential. Instead of spending energy on cleaning the floors, offload the task to a robot. Sure, robots might not be ready to cook us dinner, but they've proven their worth as vacuums and mops. Check out this deal at Amazon today on a budget-friendly model.

As of April 21, the Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $529.99, marked down from the usual price of $799.99. That works out to a 34% discount that shaves $270 off the price.

Mashable's resident expert on robot vacuum and mops, Leah Stodard, ranked the Eufy C28 as the best affordable robot vacuum and mop combo with a self-wash station. In her full review of the Eufy C28, she wrote, "The Eufy C28 is the most affordable mainstream roller mop robot vacuum we've seen so far," and that's even more true now that it's $270 off.

SEE ALSO: Score the Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop for its lowest price yet

It's a compact model that does a great job at vacuuming and mopping floors given its price point. Stodart mention it doesn't earn a spot on the list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair on carpets, but it does a reliable job with keeping up on the daily.

While it's $270 off, snag the affordable Eufy C28 robot vacuum and mop. You'll be able to offload both vacuuming and mopping so you can take off on summer's best adventures or simply relax on the couch.

SAVE $20.71: As of April 21, preorder the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven - Play Booster Box (30 Packs) for $143.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $164.70. That's a discount of 13%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven - Play Booster Box (30 Packs) $143.99 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $20.71   Pre-order Here

It's that time again: a new Magic: The Gathering expansion is on its way. Secrets of Strixhaven is officially landing on April 24. It'll bring hundreds of new cards to the game, and if you plan on competing or collecting, you'll want to get your hands on some of the latest and greatest cards. You can do that easily with this discounted set that's up for preorder right now.

As of April 21, preorder the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven - Play Booster Box (30 Packs) for $143.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $164.70. That's $20.71 off and a discount of 13%.

SEE ALSO: Grab the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box for market price at Amazon and TCGplayer

There are nearly 368 new cards that comprise Secrets of Strixhaven, with several magical colleges to explore in the world of Arcavios. This box comes with 30 Play Boosters, each containing 14 cards. That means 1-5 cards of Rare or higher rarity, 3-6 Uncommon, 5-8 Common, and 1 Land card. You'll also find surprises like Traditional Foils, Foil Borderless Mythics, and more in these packs.

This booster box is the best way to build your stores of cards that can be used to create new decks. You'll get a good spread of options for filling in holes or starting a brand new deck to see what the expansion has to offer.

If you're ready to dive into this new addition to the world of Magic, you'll want to lock in your booster box preorder while it's discounted. These things always sell out rather quickly.

Have your Instagram posts been turning black and white without your consent? You're not alone.

According to Engadget, some users on Facebook and presumably elsewhere (though I wasn't able to find a lot of complaints on X) have complained that photos uploaded to the Instagram app in color were being automatically and unintentionally turned black and white at some point in the uploading process.

It was enough of a problem that Instagram confirmed its existence to Engadget, explained what the problem was, and claimed it had already been fixed.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 most-followed Instagram accounts

"Earlier today, a technical issue caused some HDR photos to appear incorrectly as black-and-white for a subset of accounts,” Instagram told Engadget, before saying the problem was already being fixed.

According to the Instagram spokesperson, anyone still experiencing the problem should simply wait a few hours for the photos to automatically go back to their original, intended state.

In the meantime, if you want to avoid anything like this happening in the future, there's a way to turn off HDR photos on an iPhone. By default, your iPhone will turn on HDR automatically when it's called for, but if you go to Settings, then Camera, then turn off Auto HDR, you can avoid any HDR-related mishaps going forward.

SAVE 20%: As of April 21, preorder The Mandalorian or Grogu Amazon Echo Dot bundle for $79.96 and $71.98 respectively ahead of their May 1 release date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon The Mandalorian Echo Dot $79.96 at Amazon
$99.96 Save $20   Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Grogu Echo Dot $71.98 at Amazon
$89.98 Save $18   Pre-order Here

Can't wait to head to the theater for The Mandalorian & Grogu? The May 4th Star Wars deals are already heating up, so you can get your fill of both characters long before the movie arrives. Amazon is sweetening the deal, for instance, on two of its newest Echo Dot bundles so you can bring the pair home to act as your new smart speakers.

As of April 21, preorder The Mandalorian or Grogu Amazon Echo Dot bundle for $79.96 and $71.98 respectively ahead of their May 1 release date. Each bundle comes with an Echo Dot in the color of your choice (charcoal, deep sea blue, or glacier water) as well as a stand, and either a Mandalorian helmet or Grogu, depending on your preference. Or you can get a bundle with both.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away free N-1 Starfighter models on Star Wars Day — how to claim yours

Other than the adorable Grogu stand and the menacing Mandalorian helmet, these are your run of the mill Echo Dots with a new facelift for Star Wars fans. You can play music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more via the Dot as well as make calls, ask Alexa questions or use apps, and much more.

These tiny smart home hubs are all about connecting your devices and controlling other items throughout your abode. They can link up to and synergize with other Echo products you have as well. You can even control your Fire TV theater system with them if you'd like.

If you want to bring both Echo stands home, you'll have to wait a bit, though. You'll be able to get yours set up just in time for the movie about a month later when you get them on May 1, though The Mandalorian & Grogu launches on May 22.

Sometimes the news is so chaotic that you forget just how many ridiculous things have happened in a relatively short space of time.

"This is usually the part of the show where we would do our recurring segment 'A Closer Look', about all the crazy things that are happening in the news, but we just got back from a three-week break, and it turns out nothing happened. So instead we're debuting our new segment, 'Everything's Great,'" says Seth Meyers in the Late Night clip above.

"That's right, it's been a quiet three weeks, and nothing really— what's that? Oh, Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is closed again? OK. Uh, what, Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker? And, sorry, the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship and Iran is vowing to retaliate? Okay, but that's just the Middle East— what? Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi? He posted a meme of himself as Jesus, but then said he thought it was a meme of himself as a doctor? What? He said the Pope is weak on crime?"

The segment goes on like that for a solid two minutes.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

SAVE $300: As of April 21, the Ecovacs Goat O1000 robotic lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $1,199. That's $300 or 20% off its list price and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Goat O1000 robotic lawn mower $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $300   Get Deal

Summer's right around the corner, which means so is yard work. If you have a lawn that requires constant care, you may want to consider a robotic lawn mower this season. Like robot vacuums, they can take over a chore you'd rather not do and give you hours of your time back every week. They're not the cheapest investments, but Amazon just dropped the price of Ecovacs Goat O1000 robotic lawn mower to save you a big chunk of change.

As of April 21, the Ecovacs Goat O1000 robotic lawn mower is on sale for just $1,199 at Amazon instead of its usual $1,499. That's 20% or $300 in savings, knocking it down to its cheapest price ever.

The Goat O1000 robot lawn mower is powered by AI Vision and 3D ToF LiDAR, which means it can accurately navigate your lawn for proper upkeep while avoiding obstacles like kids' toys, furniture, pets, and more. It's designed for smaller lawns, with the ability to mow up to a quarter acre or for 1.5 hours before it needs a charge. TrueEdge Trimmer technology helps it conquer clean edges, so you don't need to go back in manually. Plus, you can adjust the cutting height to your preference, from 1.2 to 3.1 inches.

To make the most of the Goat O1000's features, you'll need to download the Ecovacs app. Like a robot vacuum, you'll be able to set no-go areas, create multiple mowing zones, define travel paths, adjust the cutting height and speed, and create your mowing schedules. It's like having a personal lawn care professional in your pocket.

Sure, it's still not the cheapest investment at $1,199, but it's the best price you'll find on the Ecovacs Goat O1000 and it'll save you more money in the long run on lawn care.

Amazon isn't hosting its next big sitewide sale until Prime Day in July (or maybe June). But in the meantime, pet owners will be able to stock up on discounted food, treats, toys, apparel, grooming supplies, and other pet essentials during its fifth annual Amazon Pet Days sale next month.

The retail giant confirmed Tuesday that the event will run from May 11 to 15 this year, which makes it the longest Amazon Pet Days sale ever. Here's what you should know about it ahead of time.

What is Amazon Pet Days?

Amazon Pet Days is Amazon's yearly sale on pet supplies — pretty straightforward. It always happens in May, which is National Pet Month, but it's never been a five-day event before. It started as a 24-hour event in 2022 and ran for 48 hours from 2023 to 2025. (This is becoming a pattern for Amazon: Last year, it extended its flagship Prime Day sale from 48 hours to four days.)

What kind of deals to expect during Amazon Pet Days

Amazon Pet Days will bring "thousands of deals" on pet essentials for animals of all kinds, according to a company blog post. In the past, it's been a good opportunity to save on the sort of unglamorous petkeeping stuff you probably need to buy anyway, like a new bag of dental chews or a fresh tub of kitty litter.

Most of the deals featured in Amazon Pet Days will revolve around supplies for dogs and cats, the company said, but select products for fish, parrots, reptiles, small mammals, and even horses and chickens will also be on sale. Look for discounts on kibble, toys, and more from big-name brands like Blue Buffalo, Chuckit!, Greenies, Iams, and Purina.

Amazon typically drops a selection of early Amazon Pet Days deals in late April as a way of previewing some of the sale's top offers.

Do you have to be a Prime member to shop Amazon Pet Days?

Amazon Pet Days is often called "Prime Day for pets," but unlike actual Prime Day, it's not exclusive to members of Amazon's Prime program — anyone can shop the deals. However, Prime members get the extra benefit of free same-day, one-day, or two-day delivery on millions of items (with no order minimums), which can come in clutch if you find yourself suddenly low on, say, food or poop bags.

If you haven't had a Prime membership recently, you may be eligible for a free 30-day trial.

SAVE $900: The 98-inch Samsung Class Crystal UHD 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $1,599.99, down from the standard price of $2,499.99. That's a 36% discount and the lowest price we've seen on this model in 2026.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 98-inch Samsung Class Crystal UHD 4K TV (UN98DU9000, 2024 model) $1,599.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $900.00   Get Deal

We've spotted a really big deal. If you've been yearning for a jumbo TV but haven't felt like the price was reasonable enough to make the leap, this Amazon deal might be your sign.

As of April 21, the 98-inch Samsung Class Crystal UHD 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $1,599.99, marked down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 36% discount that takes a massive $900 off the price. It's the lowest price we've seen on this model so far this year.

If you're feeling in the mood to treat yourself, your favorite shows, and your friends, upgrading to the 98-inch Samsung Class Crystal is a great choice. Sure, you could spend the money elsewhere, but what else could give you hours of enjoyment everyday for years to come?

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (April 17, 2026)

The Samsung Class Crystal UHD 4K TV is designed with Samsung's Supersize Picture Enhancer with a wide picture ratio. This means the display remains sharp even at its large size. There's also the Motion Xcelerator that clocks speeds of up to 120Hz, and that means you can use this model as a gaming TV. Image sitting in your climate-controlled living room playing games this summer.

Since 98-inch Samsung Class Crystal UHD 4K TV is sitting at the lowest price we've seen this year, take it as a sign to make the upgrade. You'll be able to stream shows, watch movies, game, and catch this summer's best sporting events while saving $900.

SAVE $600.99: As of April 21, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop for $899 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's a discount of 40% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop $899 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $600.99   Get Deal

If you're still struggling to keep your home clean when you've got a busy schedule or a full house, you don't have to deal with it alone. You can recruit a robot vacuum to help whip your home into shape, and it won't cost you an entire paycheck. Case in point: we found this robot vacuum for its lowest price ever, and it's got every feature you could want to help tidy up your home in record time.

As of April 21, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 robot vacuum and mop for $899 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's a discount of 40% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

This robot vacuum and mop eliminates a few steps from your routine. It boasts a strong 19,500Pa of suction to help cut through the dirt, debris, and hair ground into the carpet. All of this is stored in its bagless auto-emptying station. It can handle all the mess, so you just have to occasionally empty the station when it gets full.

It can find its way around your home and create maps of each room to eliminate bumping into things and navigational slowdowns. It can also swap between robot vacuum and mop with ease so you don't have to worry about which mode to use. With its high-density roller, it can scrub hard-to-reach stains as well as edges and corners. When it's finished with its cleaning session, it'll even refill its own tank.

if you're ready to offload these tasks to a robot, now's the time to jump in while this model is the lowest price it's been.

Don't you love it when the universe seems to be listening?

For instance, my colleague Samantha Mangino just wrote about how great the budget-friendly Soundcore Space One headphones are, and voilá, Soundcore's new Space 2 headphones are officially available at Amazon and Soundcore's website as of April 20.

Naturally, I couldn't be one to close my ears off to what the universe was offering me, so I got my hands on a pair of the Soundcore Space 2 headphones ahead of their launch, and tested them out over the course of the past two weeks. (As a headphones reviewer, I guess this is also technically my professional obligation, but still.)

Knowing that the Space Ones are great, I've had my eye on the second-gen headphones since their announcement at Mobile World Congress in March — I'm happy to report that these headphones do not disappoint. At a price point far more accessible than premium flagship releases these days, I could see these headphones being the best option for most people, especially if you don't need the absolute top-of-the-line features.

Of course, budget products always come with a few trade-offs, and the Space 2s are no exception. So let's get into it.

Soundcore Space 2: Price and specs The Soundcore Space 2 headphones look (and sound) great. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

In an era where one of the big constants of headphones releases is increasing price points, it's nice to see a brand launching well-rounded headphones that don't cost several hundred dollars. It's especially pleasant to see headphones that are just $129.99, as the Soundcore Space 2 are. While this is $30 more than the Space One's $99.99, it's still an incredibly competitive price point. Here's what you'll get with the headphones:

• Battery life: 50 hours with ANC on, 70 hours with ANC off

• Quick charge: Five minutes of charge for four hours of playback

• Listening modes: Noise cancellation, normal, transparency

• Drivers: Double-layer 40mm diaphragm drivers

• Multipoint connection: Yes, up to two devices

• Equalizer: Eight-band custom equalizer, with 22 equalizer presets

• Spatial audio: Yes

• Audio codecs supported: SBC, AAC, and LDAC

• Passive playback: Yes

• On-ear controls: Noise cancellation button, multifunction button, power/Bluetooth button, and volume controls

• Colors: Seafoam green, white, black

The Soundcore Space 2 headphones sound great

Out of the box, the Space 2 headphones sound balanced, clear, and generally pretty damn great. But you don't have to stop there.

With the companion app, the Space 2 headphones allow for plenty of customization. There's the eight-band custom equalizer, the HearID test that helps you find your sonic preferences, and the 3D Sound (Soundcore's name for spatial audio). And, as on other Soundcore audio devices, you have your pick from 22 preset equalizer options, too. (I remain partial to the Treble Booster).

I put these headphones to the test with plenty of variety, including "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age, "Aerodynamic" by Daft Punk, "Hooligan" by BTS, and "Here is Someone" by Japanese Breakfast. Whether it was the rock-heavy punches from Queens of the Stone Age, the bass-forward mix of BTS's song, or the lilting vocals and soft strings of "Here is Someone," the Space 2 headphones handled the soundscape deftly. I even listened back to a podcast episode I edited (and therefore, was very familiar with) — Soundcore's headphones sounded great.

SEE ALSO: The 12 best headphones of 2026 — we tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

As a self-proclaimed spatial audio skeptic, I was also pleasantly surprised by the 3D sound feature. Generally, I find spatial audio to sound hollow and tinny in a way that very much does not immerse me. And while Soundcore's version didn't work unanimously across genres, for some songs (again, like "No One Knows") it added the immersive sense, without losing a sense of the song's fullness.

Finally, their noise cancellation. I don't have too much to say here — it's nothing astounding, but it certainly gets the job done, especially on lower-pitched hums. That means if the main reason you're getting noise-cancelling headphones is to block out a lot of talking, you might find these aren't best suited to your needs. Soundcore recommends these for plane rides in particular. While I didn't get a chance to travel during my testing period, I can attest to them being great headphones and great for busy households. Living with eight of my family members in Southern California, I'm very attuned to the sounds of other people playing music, TV shows, cooking, or sounds of the neighborhood, like gardeners with leaf blowers or cars driving by — these headphones handled all of the above with ease.

A better-than-budget look and wear

In my experience, budget headphones tend to show their price point in their design. Maybe they're clunky, have odd colorways, or are more prone to squeezing the head.

This was not the case with the Space 2 headphones. The memory foam ear cushions and padded band made hours of wear entirely possible and comfortable — even when I wore hats or my glasses. The on-ear buttons were intuitively placed, with two on each side (and some customization available through the app), which made pausing music and switching to the next song entirely possible without ever reaching for my devices.

Soundcore's headphones look better than your average pair of budget headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

In a similar vein, the wear detection worked well most of the time. Mainly, it faltered if the sensor was blocked (one time when I put my headphones on my lap, and another when I only removed one ear cup from my ear). Still, for $130, I'm not complaining.

Finally, Soundcore gives the option of three colorways on these headphones, all of which are cute and fit in with more expensive headphones, like the Bose QuietComforts.

Black and white are the other two available colorways on the Space 2 headphones. Credit: Soundcore Credit: Soundcore Some of the best battery life available

This isn't going to be a very long section because it's quite straightforward, but the battery life on these headphones deserves a call-out. With noise cancellation, you can get 50 hours of playback. Noise cancellation and wear detection drops that to 45 hours, while no noise cancellation bumps it up to 70 hours. Long story short, it'll take you a minute to run down the battery life.

In my two weeks of testing, they finally ran out on the very last day I was using them — and even then, a five-minute quick charge got me 20 percent of the battery life back. For comparison, significantly more expensive headphones like the Bose QC Ultra 2 and Sony XM6 headphones can each run for 30 hours with ANC. Only a handful of options fall in the higher battery life range, like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Marshall Monitor III headphones, which offer 60 and 70 hours with ANC, respectively.

Unexpected extras

If a pair of headphones $130 or under nails the sound and design and has decent battery life, I'm typically not expecting much more from them. And yet, this is Soundcore.

What that means is that these headphones come with a couple of interesting extras. One piqued my interest more than the other, but I appreciate the inclusion of both. Let's start with the nap mode feature, which allows you to set white noise and a timer for taking a nap. It's not the most surprising feature, considering Soundcore makes the best sleep earbuds on the market, but I'm not sure over-ear headphones are the most sleep conducive. Still, I guess it's nice that the option is there.

More intriguing was the live translation feature. I'd encountered it before on Soundcore's open earbuds and found it to be pretty reliable. I tested it again by making my friend speak to me in Korean and my mom speak to me in Spanish — with both languages, the translation was about 80 to 90 percent accurate, and relatively fast working. The only place it didn't work was with the automatic language detection — the app kept crashing. However, inputting the language that was to be translated first worked with great results.

What the Soundcore app shows you while using the Live Translation feature. My friend deemed this "impressively accurate." Credit: Screenshot / Soundcore The budget pitfalls

I genuinely had a hard time coming up with features of these headphones that I found to be less than ideal. While I don't think any of these features are experience-destroying, they're worth being aware of before purchase.

• Slight creaking: While this wasn't the most noticeable, I could occasionally hear slight creaking from the headphones when I moved my head — especially when I wasn't streaming audio. It wasn't nearly as bad as I'd experienced on the JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones, but it was more noticeable than on a more expensive pair of headphones, like the Bose QuietComforts.

• App isn't the best for accessing all the features: These headphones are decently feature-rich, but the app can be a little confusing to navigate, with too many menus hiding all the options for customization.

• Noise cancellation lets in higher tones: The noise cancellation for low-tones is great — for higher tones like talking, these headphones tend to show their price more. That's not to say it doesn't work well — it does — but you shouldn't expect Sony performance here.

Are the Soundcore Space 2 headphones worth it?

In a word, yes. In two words, absolutely yes.

Soundcore made a name for itself in creating excellent budget products, and it holds that name up with the Space 2 headphones. I can't think of another pair that offers the same balance of performance, design, and functionality, making these a great buy for everyone, from students to folks on a budget looking for a pair of everyday headphones.

Soundcore Space 2 $129.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Soundcore

It's all very well making ground-breakingly good TV, but what happens when you have to follow it up?

This is the challenge faced by Half Man, Richard Gadd’s new limited series following his massive success with 2024's Baby Reindeer.

So how does the series, directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, compare? Well, the two shows have their similarities and differences. Half Man isn't as funny as Baby Reindeer. Both are very dark. Both have characters at war with themselves. The question is, which is better? And how can Half Man hope to compete with a predecessor that earned so many viewers, armchair detectives, and awards?

SEE ALSO: The 20 best TV shows streaming on Max What's Half Man about?

Set in Glasgow, Scotland, the six-episode BBC/HBO show jumps between two timelines. Each episode is framed by snapshots of a wedding in the present day. Niall (All of Us Strangers' Jamie Bell) is getting married. But the occasion is marred by the arrival of his step-brother Ruben (Gadd), who clearly has unfinished business with Niall that goes beyond wishing him all the best for the future.

Flashbacks slowly reveal why. The first three episodes take us back to the main characters' teenage years, when a bullied Niall (Mitchell Robertson) sees his life upended by Ruben (Stuart Campbell) being released from a young offender's institute and coming to live with him and his mother Lori (Neve McIntosh). Niall, a vulnerable teen struggling with his sexuality, is both obsessed with and afraid of Ruben — a tall boy with tattoos and a swagger, who seems to cause chaos wherever he goes.

Half Man follows the highs and lows of their lives, from school and university into adulthood, watching as the two rely on, love, and at times despise one another, all while the series tries to unpack what it is that makes a person the way they are.

Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson play a young Ruben and Niall. Credit: Anne Binckebanck / HBO Half Man is a painful exploration of masculinity and sexuality

One of the main themes that runs throughout the show is Niall's struggle with his sexuality. He's clearly aware of his attraction to men from a young age, but it's just as clear that he can't accept it. Self-hatred and internalised homophobia means he hides that part of him away. However, he later visits dogging spots (public or semi-public places for sexual encounters) and chem sex parties, which puts him at risk from blackmailers and police.

As with Baby Reindeer, Gadd's writing in Half Man does an excellent job of subtly exploring the issues its main characters face. Niall and Ruben are both closed off in their own ways, but the show allows their actions to speak volumes even when they shut down, leaving room for the talented cast to complement the script with subtle actions and facial expressions. And in the rare moments when the characters do open up, the dialogue is filled with the gut-punches we've come to expect from Gadd.

"Why can't you just be happy with that side of yourself?" Niall's girlfriend Ava (Anjli Mohindra) asks him in one key moment. "It's the 21st century, nobody cares anymore."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," responds Niall. "The fact that the world is progressing only adds to the problem because not only am I ashamed, I'm bloody irrational too."

When Ava tells Niall that "everyone who matters knows" about his sexuality, his response, delivered in a strangled yell by Bell, is painful to hear: "Because I don't know."

Niall struggles to come to terms with himself throughout "Half Man". Credit: Anne Binckebanck / HBO Does Half Man have any weaknesses?

Despite only being around six hours long, Half Man crams a lot in. Possibly too much.

Moving from adolescence to adulthood, the show's time jump is a key narrative driver, making us want to keep watching to find out what exactly has led Niall and Ruben to a point of violence on Niall's wedding day — but it does also lead to a small problem in the story. This occurs in episode 4 when the timeline ticks forwards to Niall and Ruben's adult selves and the core cast changes from Robertson and Campbell to Bell and Gadd. It comes with a reversal in the main characters' fortunes that, when coupled with the skipped decade, feels jarring at first. As if maybe we've missed too much and are playing catch up.

Luckily, the feeling doesn't last. The time jump needs to happen for the sake of the story, and it's not long before Gadd and Bell's performances overcome what could have been a slight narrative misstep to pull us into Half Man's powerful second act.

So is Half Man as good as Baby Reindeer?

Half Man is Gadd's first foray into TV drama that's not directly based on real life. It's a test he passes. Half Man is gripping, emotional, complex, and upsetting, telling a story of masculinity and brotherhood that feels rooted in reality even though the story is fictional. It stumbles at times but never falls, and the strengths massively outweigh any negatives.

Is it as good as Baby Reindeer? No. But that would have been close to impossible. Baby Reindeer, with its unique subject matter, incredible blend of awkward comedy and extremely dark themes, and true story tagline, felt like a groundbreaking show. The kind of series that doesn't come along every year. Half Man walks a more well-trodden path. But it does what it does well, cementing Gadd as a storyteller with a lot more to offer.

Half Man airs on HBO on Thursday, Apr. 23 at 9 p.m. ET and is available to stream on HBO Max, with new episodes airing weekly. In the UK, the series is streaming on BBC iPlayer from Friday, Apr. 24, with new episodes airing weekly.

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.

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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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 21, 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: Walk leisurely

• Green: Nonsense

• Blue: Purses

• Purple: Action films

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Amble (in)

• Green: Balderdash

• Blue: Kinds of bags

• Purple: Starts of one-word James Bond movie titles

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 #1045 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Amble (in): BREEZE, MOSEY, STROLL, WALTZ

• Balderdash: BALONEY, BILGE, BULL, BUNK

• Kinds of bags: CROSSBODY, HOBO, MESSENGER, SADDLE

• Starts of one-word James Bond movie titles: GOLD, MOON, OCTOPUS, THUNDER

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 21, 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 love an adventure.

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 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Risky business

The words are related to courage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe daring people.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Daredevils.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 21

• Adventurous

• Gutsy

• Daredevils

• Courageous

• Intrepaid

• Bold

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 like to travel in groups.

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 21, 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 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A cluster.

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 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...

CLUMP

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.

From creator, writer, director Charlotte Regan (Scrapper), BBC series Mint is undeniably a modern take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Glasgow, where we lay our scene.

Leaning on the Bard's star-cross'd lovers framework across six short episodes, Regan carves out her own style of crime drama. Boasting an arsenal of cinematography, understated performances, a hint of magical realism, and a hypnotic score, Mint is a surprising, fresh take on a centuries-old story — one that will undoubtedly make its way to U.S. screens.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream them What is Mint about?  Ben Coyle-Larner and Emma Laird in "Mint." Credit: House/Fearless Minds/BBC

The ancient grudge? Two organised crime gangs led by stern patriarch Dylan Evans (an excellent Sam Riley) and reactive young'un Liangelo Denson (Connor Newall), where abdication looms and new mutiny simmers. Our forbidden lovers? Shannon Evans (Emma Laird) and Arran Denson (Ben Coyle-Larner) a pair whose ill-advised love at first sight moment comes in a shower of sparks.

When Shannon's father decides to step away from the family business, with her brother Luke (Lewis Gribben) steering clear of such inheritance, whispers of unrest reach enemy ears — and Shannon and Arran's burgeoning romance becomes dangerous territory.

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Instead of going granular on the patriarchal business of Dylan's criminal activity, Mint focuses on the complexity of the women around him: his wife Cat (Laura Fraser), mother Ollie (Lindsay Duncan), and daughter Shannon, all of whom evaluate their own power in the family. 

The Brutalist's Emma Laird is both naive and brazen as Shannon, a young woman born into the shadier side of society, surrounded by family who adores her. The crime boss's daughter, she has a fearlessness, glamour, and ennui that thrives in Laird's hands (and Elle Wilson's lush costumes). Duncan's Ollie is a covert firestarter, carefully keeping her hands clean. Fraser's Cat struggles with facing the reality of her role in the Evans empire and the true dynamic of their family.

Ben Coyle-Larner in "Mint." Credit: House/Fearless Minds/BBC/Sanne Gault

But we're here for doomed romance and fatalistic passion, right? Ben Coyle-Larner, aka musician Loyle Carner, makes his screen debut as Arran, the one "But Daddy I Love Him" man Shannon's not allowed to fall in love with. Coyle-Larner and Laird are well-matched, giving understated performances. Instead of dramatically professed love scenes on balconies, it's deadpan flirtation in garage workshops and literal floating on air across a Glasgow park. It's real life romanticised through magical realism and dynamic cinematography — and it's all thanks to a dream team of production talent.

Mint forges its own experimental style  Emma Laird and Ben Coyle-Larner in "Mint." Credit: House/Fearless Minds/BBC

For a TV series, Mint feels at times like an experimental film, music video, or piece of contemporary theatre. Director Regan, cinematographer Christopher Sabogal, and production designer Amy Maguire (both of The Buccaneers) produce a six-chapter set of stylised chiaroscuro, extreme angles, home movie footage, and copious amounts of extraordinary slow-motion footage. It's no surprise all three have worked on music videos, with much of Mint feeling as such — Patrick Jonsson's mesmerising score and a glut of Charli XCX and Joy Crookes helps.

Stitching together the chaos and the calm, editor Mdhamiri Á Nkemi (who worked on Regan's triumphant debut, Scrapper), crafts a wild ride. Documentary-style, voyeuristic shots sit beside conventional close-ups, beside sweeping overhead shots and loaded slow zooms. The effect is theatrical and dramatic, rendering violence over-the-top and giving Mint its own visual identity among crime dramas. Social realism this is not.

Regan's Mint is a short, sharp gem that leans on visual disruption to freshen up a tale as old as time. Here's hoping it reaches beyond British screens soon.

Mint is now streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 (G53F) QHD gaming monitor on sale for $159.99, down from $249.99. That saves you $90 on a 1440p IPS display with a 200Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, HDR10 support, and AMD FreeSync Premium.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-Inch Odyssey G5 (G53F) QHD Gaming Monitor $159.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $90 Get Deal

Being able to get a decent gaming monitor for under $200 usually means you’re at least technologically compromising on some level, but Amazon’s new price cut on this Samsung model means you’re getting impeccable performance at a bargain. 

As of April 21, the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 (G53F) QHD gaming monitor is down to $159.99 at Amazon, marked down from its $249.99 list price. That makes it 36% off and brings the monitor to its lowest-ever Amazon price — as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

For a cent shy of $160, the spec sheet is a lot better than what the Odyssey G53F’s price would have you believe. The Odyssey G5 gives you QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution, which is a proper step up from Full HD and should make everything from open-world games like Crimson Desert to everyday desktop work look noticeably sharper.

The 27-inch IPS panel also has a wide 178-degree viewing angle, so colors should hold up better if you’re not sitting perfectly dead center.

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What’s more, you’re getting up to a 200Hz refresh rate and a 1ms MPRT response time, which should help keep fast-paced multiplayer titles like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Fortnite visually smooth and responsive. AMD FreeSync Premium is also included to help reduce screen tearing and choppiness when the action picks up, even during longer sessions.

Samsung has also rounded out the Odyssey G53F with HDR10 for brighter highlights and deeper shadows, plus Black Equalizer for spotting enemies in darker corners. That’s along with Virtual Aim Point and Auto Source Switch+ for a couple of extra gaming-specific flourishes to make this a must-buy for smaller budgets.

For those open to spending a bit more, the 27-inch 280Hz Alienware gaming monitor is also on sale for just under $300. Additionally, the 45-inch curved LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitor is now over $500 off.

In March, Apple announced the date of its annual WWDC event, along with a logo for WWDC 2026.

Now, famed Apple oracle Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says that the WWDC 2026 imagery on the Apple website actually contains our first hints about the new AI-powered Siri that Apple has been working on for years. That means a possible hint about the new and improved Siri has been right under our noses for almost a month.

SEE ALSO: End of an Apple era: Tim Cook to step back, John Ternus named CEO

So far, Apple has released two official images to promote WWDC 2026, which will take place June 8 through 12 at the company's Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California. The images include neon text that casts a harsh light on the rest of the image, and Gurman says that's not a simple stylistic choice.

Credit: Apple Credit: Apple

Instead, Gurman's latest Apple update suggests that this design mimics the yet-to-be-revealed Siri redesign. If he's correct, Apple is testing a new Siri design that will include a glowing visual cue in the Dynamic Island similar to that neon glow from the promo images.

It's not much to go on, but after years of waiting, it's something.

We could finally get AI Siri at WWDC 2026

Apple's annual developer conference will kick off with a June 8 "special event," where the company could finally debut a new AI-powered version of Siri.

As the AI chatbot revolution has changed the way we use technology, Apple's signature AI assistant Siri remains firmly stuck in the past. After years of delays, Apple finally announced a partnership with Google Gemini to power a more conversational version of Siri with more advanced AI features (and possibly its own standalone app).

Apple is expected to announce the launch of iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, and a Siri announcement would be very appropriate.

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