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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Updated: 48 min 10 sec ago

The best Memorial Day TV deals — we tracked down huge discounts on Hisense, Samsung, LG, and more

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 11:00
The best Memorial Day TV deals at a glance: Best TV deal overall Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $849.99 (save $550) Get Deal Best art TV deal Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas QLED 4K TV $1,099.99 (save $900) Get Deal Best small TV deal Hisense 43-inch E6 Cinema QLED 4K TV $209.99 (save $140) Get Deal Best splurge Samsung 65-inch S95F OLED 4K TV $2,199.99 (save $400) Get Deal

You probably expect great deals on mattresses and outdoor gear for Memorial Day, but it also happens to be a great time to upgrade your TV. Many of the new releases from CES 2026 are officially on shelves now, and some of those are actually already on sale. If you prefer an even more budget-friendly option, there's also a ton of last-generation models getting the deal treatment to make way for the newer models.

Regardless of your preference, you can bring home a TV from one of our favorite brands — Hisense, Samsung, LG, etc. — in all shapes and sizes for cheaper than usual. I'm tracking all of the best Memorial Day TV deals leading up to and throughout the holiday weekend below, and some of these discounts are massive.

Psst: If you're not sure what to do with your old TV, you can recycle it at most Best Buy stores for free.

Best Memorial Day TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $849.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $550   Get Deal Why we like it

The U6 Pro is one of Hisense's new mid-range models for 2026 and it's a perfect mashup of performance and value. It packs Mini-LED backlighting, quantum-dot color, AI-driven processing, a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 2.1-channel Dolby Atmos audio. Hisense markets it as an easy way to "step into a premium experience without moving into higher-priced tiers." And that's especially true now that the 75-inch model has received its second price drop since its launch earlier this month.

Best Memorial Day Art TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas QLED 4K TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $900   Get Deal Why we like it

Hisense also launched a new version of the extremely popular CanvasTV for 2026, which features a Hi-QLED display with an AI RGB ambient light sensor. Not only is the display upgraded with deeper color accuracy and richer hues, but it can also adjust brightness and color temperature based on the lighting in the room. A new motion detection feature will also wake your display when you enter the room and fade when you walk away in order to save some energy. It still packs the same 144Hz refresh rate, Hi-Matte design, teak frame, and free digital art library to turn your TV into fancy artwork. Amazon and Best Buy both have the 65-inch model for $900 off this Memorial Day.

More Memorial Day TV deals

43-inch to 50-inch TVs

55-inch TVs

65-inch TVs

75-inch TVs and up

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 11:00

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality? That’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discrete sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you’re looking for. You’re here for a good time — so own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little insider secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

  • Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

  • Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

  • FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

  • Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles.

  • Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

  • Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels limited compared to more open apps like Tinder.

  • DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

  • Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 AdultFriendFinder features exclusive to paid users

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 11:00

If you've set up an account and explored what AdultFriendFinder has to offer, you’ll get regular prompts to upgrade your account to a “Premium Gold Plan.” But before you enter your credit card details, it’s good to know and understand the actual benefits of signing up to a paid membership. 

Hey, we get it if you don't want to spend anything. Tight budgets are what they are. And you can absolutely still have fun using AdultFriendFinder's free version, but the site does throw up some annoying barriers that limits the experience for free users. And an awful lot of content and quality-of-life stuff is waiting for you once you upgrade. 

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

You can test the waters with a one-month membership that will only set you back $25.16. Or you can commit to three months for the price of $20.95 per month. If the trial run goes well, it might be worth committing to a more long-term membership. You can get a one-year membership for a monthly fee of just $14.95. Note, however, that you need to manually cancel your Gold account after each membership period ends, as it does automatically renew your subscription by default. 

Intrigued but still need to know more before you make a commitment? Here are three perks exclusive to paid users that will help justify the monthly cost:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Discover vastly expanded chatting options

If you’re relying on a free membership, actual chatting options are limited. You can search for individual members based on some limited criteria (Man/Woman/Trans or Couple/Group, for example), and you apply some very limited filters (Online or Near Me), but if you try to click through the profile photo and learn more about the person who has caught your eye, you’re instantly prompted to upgrade your account.

Free members are limited to interacting with others in forums and group chat spaces, which is fun but simultaneously restrictive, since there’s no guarantee the people you chat with actually live anywhere nearby. And while free members can receive regular direct messages from premium users, they will need to upgrade to actually respond and get a back-and-forth DM convo going. 

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder red flags — how to avoid scams on AFF

Gold members, on the other hand, can send and respond to private messages, enter webcam shows, and speak to the host for free. They can also add people to a Friends list to make recurring contact easier, and unlock access to the site’s built-in instant messenger for real-time conversations. 

Unlock AdultFriendFinder’s even naughtier side

One quick visit to the homepage — where nudity filters are turned off by default — and you'll see that AdultFriendFinder doesn’t shy away from sexual content. But free members are missing out on a lot more than they might realize. With a premium membership, for example, you gain access to better quality photos, videos, and streams, so those tiny thumbnails and grainy, low-res webcam feeds — you know, the ones that look like they’re being downloaded straight from the ‘90s — will suddenly come to life in stunning HD. 

But more than that, Gold members can also view and comment on nude photos and videos on profiles that the uploader has restricted to paying members. And while standard members are allowed to watch member webcams, they can only watch one at a time. Gold members, meanwhile, can open multiple streams at once. 

Finally, Gold members can access AdultFriendFinder’s Sex Academy, a massive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex and sexual health — not to mention discover new techniques and become more skilled in the bedroom. Topics range from the basics — such as how to correctly put on a condom — to more advanced skills, such as oral sex techniques. Everything's covered in a way that's easy to follow and — in the case of practical sex skills — easy to replicate IRL.

Refine your search for the perfect match

We know that free members can’t really interact with their searches anyway, but we still have to admit that it's frustrating to discover how limited the basic search function is, especially when you consider how much information that users voluntarily provide about themselves.

Of course, it's no surprise that paid members get a far better experience. Signing up for a membership unlocks a more refined search that includes not just basics like gender, sexual orientation, and an age and distance range (Straight, Bisexual, Bicurious, Gay, and Prefer Not To Say are all options), but also marital status, ethnicity, and body type (Average, Slim/Petite, Athletic, Ample, A Little Extra Padding, and BBW/BBM are the options here).

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Snapchat: Which is better for sexting?

Paid members can get super specific in AFF's My Kinks section, which is exactly what it sounds. Fill this out to let people know exactly what you're into — there's no shaming or judgment here. This will help to attract like-minded people and give you the ability to search through other users who share the same kinks. The list is pretty exhaustive and extremely kink-friendly.

Paid members can also build up a friends list, helping to track their favorite people and chat partners. That makes it easy to slip back into a steamy conversations or keep up with a particular streamer’s schedule. 

If you’re after a naughtier online dating experience, something that prioritises kinky fun and taboo-busting chats that other sites keep hidden behind innuendo and self-censorship, AdultFriendFinder’s paid membership experience is very much worth exploring. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for May 23, 2026

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 06:00

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

Handled.

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

DEALT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

3D.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CUBIC

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Household task.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CHORE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Colorful flower.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

PANSY

Final Hurdle hint

One of the five senses.

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

TASTE

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on May 23

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 06:00

Tonight marks the First Quarter Moon, when roughly half of the Moon’s visible face is illuminated.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, May 23, the Moon phase is First Quarter. Tonight, 48% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

Tonight, with just your naked eye you'll be able to spot the Mares Crisium, Tranquillitatis, and Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Endymion and Posidonius Craters, and finally, a telescope will reveal the Apollo 11, 16, and 17 landing spots.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth completely, passing through eight phases during that time. While the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the way sunlight hits its surface changes throughout its orbit, creating the familiar full, half, and crescent appearances we see in the night sky. Altogether, the lunar cycle consists of eight main 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best sex and dating apps for hooking up

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 06:00

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

It's 2026 and times are good for low-effort consumers. Yes, you can get pretty much anything you want by just tapping and swiping of your smartphone: Your shopping, your favourite takeaway, your high-ticket tech, even — our personal favourite — a hot date. And why shouldn't you? Online dating is nothing new. Apps and websites have dominated the dating world for the best part of 20 years. In fact, some sites go all the way back to the mid-1990s. But things are constantly evolving in the world of app-based dating.

According to our favourite sex-perts at Lovehoney — the progressive sex toy brand that sells everything from lingerie to lubricants and dildos — we're living in horny-but-wholesome times. Lovehoney has named 2026 "The Year of Pleasure."

That doesn’t mean quick-and-easy pleasure from one-night stands and flings. It may come as some surprise, but research says that one-night stands are on the out. Would-be daters are now cruising for "purposeful pleasure" and "meaningful connections." That means hookups with substance — flings that mean something. Yes, we're still hooking up, but we're getting more selective about who we hookup with and why. So, it's important to get the right dating app because each app offers something a little different. And you need the right tools to find the right date.

To help you get started, we’ve looked at the top apps and taken advice from sex and relationship experts.

What to know before you swipe

Before you start downloading apps, it’s good know just how to approach online dating. Our advice is to be 100 percent honest about who and what you’re up for. And maybe give a pass to the mainstream dating apps that are more about romance and happily ever afters (the likes of eharmony, in other words). The best hookup apps make chatting quick and easy (messaging, video calls, all that good stuff), and even the best free options will have features like profile verification to keep you safe.

Our main advice though is to stick to apps which are purpose-built for hookups, casual fun, and satisfying your kink (whatever that kink might be). It can be freeing, not to mention productive, to be open about specific desires. The ways in which we understand sex and relationships are changing all the time — just looking at fast-growing "heteroflexible" sexuality — and hookup apps allow you to explore curiosities with no judgement or social anxiety.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, whether it's the chance to explore a new sexual frontier, a friends-with-benefits situation on the reg, or an old school one-night stand (the one-night stand might be going out of fashion, but it’s still hella fun as long as it’s safe and on your terms).

Whatever your desire, we’re here to help make it happen. This guide to the best hookups apps is based on Mashable’s own real-world testing, expert input, and general experience. We’ve broken down each of the best hookup apps available right now, with an option for every type of dater and every dating desire.

These are the best hookup apps for 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23, 2026

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 04:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a Sci-Fi fan.

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.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 23, 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: Salon styles

  • Green: Available

  • Blue: Comics

  • Purple: Sci-Fi films

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Hairdos

  • Green: More readily

  • Blue: Marvel characters

  • Purple: Words after "The" in "Star Wars" 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 #1077 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Hairdos: BEEHIVE, BOUFFANT, CHIGNON, POMPADOUR

  • More readily: FIRST, PREFERABLY, RATHER, SOONER

  • Marvel characters: DAREDEVIL, HAWKEYE, NIGHTCRAWLER, WOLVERINE

  • Words after "The" in "Star Wars" movie titles: EMPIRE, FORCE, LAST, PHANTOM

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 May 23, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 23, 2026

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 04:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you can get by in the wild.

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 May 23, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Staying alive

The words are related to tools.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe outdoor necessities.

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 Survivalist.

NYT Strands word list for May 23

  • Machete

  • Flint

  • Paracord

  • Hatchet

  • Survivalist

  • Tarp

  • Shovel

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23, 2026

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a strong arm.

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 May 23, 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 May 23, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To throw.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

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...

CHUCK

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stay productive all summer long and beyond with this $30 Microsoft Office license

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Lock in major savings on a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now just $29.97 (reg. $219.99) until May 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $29.97
$219.99 Save $190.02   Get Deal

Summer is almost here, which means longer days and even shorter attention spans. If you’re looking for tools to help you get things done despite all the distractions, this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows gives you not just one, but eight.

Right now, you can secure this license for just $29.97 — less than $4 an app — until May 31.

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If you’ve been living without Microsoft Office, now is the perfect time to reintroduce yourself to these staples. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license equips your PC with eight powerful apps to help you get things done — with no subscription fees required.

This license includes both the old staples and new favorites. You’ll have Word for document creation, Excel for spreadsheet creation, PowerPoint for presentations, and Outlook for email management.

OneNote is included to help you upgrade your note-taking. There’s also Teams for staying connected, Publisher for designing professional documents, and Access for managing large databases.

You can download these apps right to your computer, so you don’t have to worry about cloud connectivity. You can also work offline in peace as needed.

Don’t be worried about the year of this edition — all the apps have been redesigned. A ribbon-based user interface even makes it easier to access features, tools, and customizations.

Make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before purchasing.

Score major savings on this lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now only $29.97 through May 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Are AdultFriendFinder’s messaging tools actually safe for swapping nudes?

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 00:00

There are few sites that bring together more horny adults than AdultFriendFinder. The site is so kinky, so permissive of nudity, and so kink-friendly that it refuses to create an app for the Apple App Store, because that would force it to tone down its wild side to conform with Apple's app regulations. 

But with a major data breach in its past and a growing culture of online scams and sexploitation plaguing the internet, it's worth asking: is it safe to share nudes on AdultFriendFinder? And how does it compare to alternative sexting platforms like Snapchat and Confide? 

We took an honest look at AdultFriendFinder's pros and cons as a platform for exchanging nudes. Here's what you need to know:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Is AdultFriendFinder a safe site for exchanging nudes?Verified memberships help

While it's true that anyone can create an account on AdultFriendFinder in mere minutes, there is an added layer of security that helps build trust between strangers: profile verification. AFF uses a service called ConfirmID, which grants those who pass the process a verification checkmark, helping alert others that they are who they say they are.

To proceed, you'll need to upload a piece of government-issued identification (think a driver's license, passport or healthcare card) and then undergo a face scan using your webcam to confirm that you are the person in the ID card.

Where are the disappearing messages?

From Snapchat to the late, great Confide, disappearing messages (messages that self-delete after a set amount of time, not only from the chat logs but from the servers) have become a privacy staple. Unfortunately, AFF doesn't offer them, even as an optional feature.

That isn't entirely a bad thing, since the entire site is structured around helping you make connections or meet like-minded people, even if only virtually, and it's nice to have a record of your conversations to come back to, especially if you happen to be talking to multiple people (and trust us, you will be talking to multiple people). 

Private photo albums

One way AdultFriendFinder provides enhanced privacy features is through a tiered security system. Your public-facing profile is mostly hidden from non-paying members, for example, so even a bad actor will still have to pay the site money to be able to read your list of kinks or click through your profile photos. But there's another privacy layer AFF leverages: private photo albums.

The default photo album every account begins with is the "Profile Photos" album, but once you've populated that, you can opt to create a new album entirely, this time with distinct privacy settings. Your options include Everyone (another public-facing album), Friends (visible only to people who are your mutual friends on the site), and Only Me (self-explanatory). 

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Tinder: Which subscription tier is right for you?

If you want to restrict access to your more naughty photos to only people you know or trust, take advantage of the Friends privacy setting and be very selective about who you share your albums with. 

Screenshot protection is lacking

One definite con of using AdultFriendFinder to exchange nudes is that there is no way to control what the other person does with them once you've sent or uploaded one. The site has no screenshot protection or blocking software; in fact, it's trivially easy to save photos from profiles or private albums. 

On the one hand, this creates privacy concerns, but on the other hand, it also forces users to be more selective about what they show and under what conditions. There's lots of nudity in profile photos and albums, for example, but it's almost always anonymous, collar-bone down stuff, and when you do come across someone on the site showing off their nudes and their face, the odds are good they're a professional webcam model. 

The final verdict

First, we have to acknowledge an important truth about the nature of the internet: there is no such thing as 100% safety. You can take every precaution you like, use only the safest and most trusted sites, but the simple fact remains that if you send a nude photo of yourself, you are taking a risk. There are software workarounds for screenshot shields and even the toughest, most up-to-date cybersecurity has a vulnerability that will, eventually, be exposed.

In other words, the safest way to protect yourself is not to send nudes at all, and the next safest option is to omit your face or any identifiable marks (tattoos, birthmarks) from your photos. 

However, if you are committed to taking the risk, and especially if taking the risk is part of the fun, AdultFriendFinder offers a reasonably safe platform for you to exchange nudes with a stranger, especially if you commit yourself to following a few simple rules.

  • Only interact with other verified accounts. AdultFriendFinder's ConfirmID system isn't 100% foolproof, but it adds an extra layer of security that will deter 99% of casual scammers.

  • Never send nudes with your face in them. There's nothing wrong with focusing on a body part, or framing the shot in such a way that nobody can see or recognize your face, and doing so gives you plausible deniability in the event that your nudes are leaked. 

  • Keep identifying information off your profile. Don't tell people where you went to school or when you graduated; don't mention your place of employment or your favorite local restaurant or bowling alley. AdultFriendFinder affords its users more anonymity than regular dating sites, so take advantage of that fact. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Mexico vs. Ghana online for free

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free on Canal 5 Televisa. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching.

This is the last chance for competing sides to sharpen up ahead of the main event, so fans can look forward to a string of high-profile friendlies over the next couple of weeks. That includes Mexico vs. Ghana, a tough game to call involving the World Cup co-hosts and a team with aspirations of making it through to the knockout rounds. This is going to be a valuable insight into what we can expect in a few weeks time.

If you want to watch Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mexico vs. Ghana?

Mexico vs. Ghana kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on May 22. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

How to watch Mexico vs. Ghana for free

Mexico vs. Ghana is available to live stream for free on Canal 5 Televisa.

Canal 5 Televisa is geo-restricted to Mexico, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can access free live streams on Canal 5 Televisa from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Mexico vs. Ghana 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 Mexico

  4. Visit Canal 5 Televisa

  5. Stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) 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 watch Mexico vs. Ghana without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Canal 5 Televisa?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Canal 5 Televisa, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Mexico

  • 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 eight 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 Mexico vs. Ghana for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 hookup apps and sites deemed legit by users

Sat, 05/23/2026 - 00:00

When it comes to hookup sites and apps, reputation is everything. A company can buy all the advertising it wants, but if it doesn't deliver the goods, then word of mouth alone can spell the end for it. 

In the dating app world, lots of contenders have come and gone. Just a handful have stood the test of time, and those that have survived have done so because the word got out that they work. In other words, they deliver on the promise of a hookup and possibly a little more. 

If you're new to the world of online dating, or don't know which app to trust, here's a rundown of five hookup platforms that are extremely popular among their own users, along with a quick guide on what makes them so special:

Tinder

Tinder is obviously super popular. With some 75 million monthly users across 190 countries, Tinder is still the go-to app for swiping your way to a fun connection.

It's also well worth a premium subscription, since that unlocks unlimited likes, profile boosting, and the ability to swipe through singles across the world, which makes planning your future vacation or spring break fling that much easier.

SEE ALSO: Adult Friend Finder vs. Tinder: How they compare as hookup apps

And if you're one of the many people complaining that Tinder isn't working for you, do us all a favor: Spend some time and energy taking quality photos of yourself, in good lighting, rather than mirror selfies or grainy, low-res photos pulled from Facebook. That goes a long way to making Tinder "work" again. 

Grindr

The largest gay dating app in the world continues to improve, having recently achieved the milestone of 15 million active users. If you're in the LGBTQ community and looking for some short-term fun, Grindr should be your first foray into the world of app-based hookups.

Standout features for fun-seekers include a grid-based location system, which shows you exactly how far or close your potential hookup is, as well as the ability to drop a geo-tagged pin in the chat, sharing your location with your would-be fling. We're also a big fan of the Taps feature, which enables some suggestive, non-verbal flirting and makes breaking the ice easier than ever.

AdultFriendFinder

AFF has been around forever — 30 years to be precise — and there's power in longevity. It's arguably the horniest hookup site with mainstream appeal — all you have to do is spend a few minutes browsing the homepage, replete with naked photos and live webcam shows, to understand what we mean. 

Sure, it isn't perfect. You have to wade through a lot of inactive or fake profiles, for example, and some of the best features are locked behind a paywall, but if you spend some time exploring the site's free public areas, from the webcam shows to the discussion boards, you'll quickly see why it's endured for three decades.

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder features exclusive to paid users

As of 2026, it boasts about two million weekly active users, most of whom fall into the 30-38 age category, so if you're feeling a bit too old for Tinder but too young for SilverSingles — or you're just very horny right now — give AFF a try. 

Pure

If you haven't heard of Pure, you're not alone: The app is a darling of the younger crowd, having recently become the most-used app among Gen Z, and it's easily the most unconventional app on this list. 

Designed specifically for hookups, Pure features enhanced safety features, including both age and photo verification, as well as something they call Safety Signal, a feature that enables users to share the place and time of their meetup with a trusted third party, helping everyone involved feel more secure.  

When it comes to matchmaking, Pure users get three photos and a 350-word bio, as well as a dedicated Turn-Ons section, where you can list your kinks, including everything from types of communication to wax play. And if you really want to take a gamble on a fun time, you can test your luck with their Devil's Bones feature, which randomly connects you with another Pure user in a voice chat. 

Feeld

Feeld is beloved by its users for offering a safe space for queer, polyamorous, and kink-based dating and hookups. It's been around for over a decade, having been established in 2014, but it's undergone explosive growth in the last few years, as more people discover its charms every day. 

If you're looking for a nonjudgmental space to explore your kinks, and perhaps especially if you and a significant other are testing out ethical non-monogamy and want to find partners with similar interests, Feeld should be at the top of your list. Its Constellation feature, for example, links your profile with up to five other member profiles, allowing people to see your profile when they search for couples or groups.

And while Feeld does employ a carousel-style swiping system, the left and right swipes don't automatically like or dislike a profile. In fact, unless you actively hit the like or dislike button, the same profiles will continue to show up in your search, encouraging you to spend more than a few seconds evaluating prospective matches. It's a refreshing change from the usual mechanism that can lead to swipe fatigue.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla recalls thousands of Model Y SUVs over missing sticker

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 20:34

As far as the many, many Tesla product recalls go, this is one of the more innocuous ones.

Reuters reported that the U.S. ​National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall for 14,575 Tesla Model Y SUVs in the country due to the lack of proper signage on the vehicles. Specifically, there is supposed to be a sticker labeling how much weight a Model Y can safely carry, but the SUVs somehow made it to the streets without one. Tesla will take back the recalled Model Y vehicles and install those weight certification labels, per Reuters.

SEE ALSO: Someone drove a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test 'Wade Mode.' It didn't end well.

The justification here, obviously, is that people could potentially load up their Model Ys with too much stuff, leading to accidents. It should be noted, however, that there were no reported incidents directly attributable to the stickers' absence before this recall. It seems to have been merely a precautionary measure.

Tesla has been the subject of several product recalls several times in the past. Earlier this month, the NHTSA recalled more than 200,000 Tesla vehicles due to a glitch with their rearview cameras. A separate recall, also this month, affected Cybertrucks due to faulty construction with wheel rotors. Teslas have a bit of a reputation among gearheads for not always being the most tightly constructed vehicles, and stories like this probably don't help that reputation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple iOS 27 could leave iPhone 11 users behind

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 18:50

Every big iOS update from Apple inevitably phases out support for some older iPhone model. It sounds like the iPhone 11 might be next.

That's not 100 percent confirmed yet, but a leak from tech tipster Instant Digital on Weibo suggests it might be the case, according to 9to5mac. Instant Digital published a list of every iPhone model that will support iOS 27 when it launches later this year, and four models stood out for their absence:

  • iPhone 11

  • iPhone 11 Pro

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone SE (second generation)

SEE ALSO: Apple TV to live broadcast MLS match shot entirely on iPhone 17 Pro

That means if you have any of those iPhones, you might not be able to keep current when iOS 27 launches, presumably alongside the iPhone 18. That doesn't mean your iPhone 11 will be totally useless or anything; Apple continues to support older OS revisions with minor security updates and whatnot. But if you want all the newest iOS features, you'll probably need a newer iPhone.

The good news is that Apple very recently launched the budget-minded iPhone 17e, which will stay current with software updates for years to come without breaking the bank. If you don't feel like upgrading to a flagship phone, that might be the way to go.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Watch: CNETs Patrick Holland tests the Trump Phone and answers your questions live

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 18:19

CNET’s Patrick Holland takes a closer look at Trump Mobile’s flagship phone during a live Q&A session. The discussion covers the device’s features, design, and overall experience while answering audience questions in real time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Waymo reportedly pauses robotaxi service in 4 cities as cars drive into floods

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:20

Waymo's autonomous ride-share vehicles are becoming increasingly common across the United States, but they just became much less common in four southern U.S. cities.

Waymo has temporarily suspended service in Atlanta, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas due to the risk of inclement weather, after at least one Waymo vehicle was spotted driving headfirst into a flooded street in Atlanta, according to TechCrunch. A photo of the incident circulated on social media, drawing attention to the issue that may have prompted the decision to suspend service as the company figures out how to fix it.

SEE ALSO: Can Waymo and Waze fix cities' potholes?

“Safety is Waymo’s top priority, both for our riders and everyone we share the road with. During a period of intense rain yesterday in Atlanta, an unoccupied Waymo vehicle encountered a flooded road and stopped,” Waymo said in a statement, per TechCrunch.

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

Waymo had actually issued a software update to its fleet (numbering nearly 4,000) last week to address this issue. Still, the photo of the vehicle rushing into flooded waters was taken after that. A local news report stated that the car had been stuck in the water for about an hour before being removed. Waymo is still working on a final fix to the problem, but until then, people in those four southern cities will need to find another way to get around that doesn't involve robot cars.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Memorial Day power station deals: We found powerful deals on Jackery, Anker, DJI, and more

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:14
The best Memorial Day portable power station deals at a glance: Best overall deal Anker Solix C1000 $449.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best waterproof portable power station Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $899.10 (save $99.90) Get Deal Best power station deal for creators DJI Power 1000 V2 $386.10 (save $42.90) Get Deal

If you go by the calendar, the official start of summer is June 21. But we won't hear anything of the sort. We prefer to celebrate the unofficial start, aka Memorial Day weekend. And as the season turns to outdoor activities and adventures, now's the time to think about upgrading any relevant tech and devices — the kinds of things to get the fun going all summer long.

If you've yet to jump on the portable power station bandwagon, this is the moment to do it. Camping season is very nearly here, so it's worth snagging a powerful model to stay fully charged. It'll keep your phone juiced up, along with Bluetooth speakers, laptops, and anything else you might need on that camping trip. You can also use the electric air pump for the inflatables before hitting the beach or pool.

The great news is that Memorial Day not only marks the unofficial start of summer, it also means a whole bunch of deals and discounts as retailers jump aboard the festivities with sales. We've rounded up all the best discounts we could find on power stations below.

Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 $449.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix C1000 here.

For weekends at the campground, it's impossible to go wrong with the Anker Solix C1000. It has 1,056Wh of capacity for keeping your phones charged up and for plugging in the string lights. If you're feeling like more of a glamping experience, pack along the coffee maker and air fryer for comforts from home and easy camping meals. Unlike plenty of models, the Anker Solix C1000 has a built-in LED light which is excellent for both visibility for getting your devices plugged into the ports but also for illuminating the campsite.

Best waterproof portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $899.10 at Amazon
$999 Save $99.90   Get Deal Why we like it

If your summer camping trips might involve wet weather, head out with the waterproof Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra. Rare for portable power stations, it comes with an IP65 waterproof and dust-proof rating. That means it'll hold up to light splashes or sitting near a pile of sawdust in the work shed.

Best portable power station deal for creators Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 $386.10 at Amazon
$429 Save $42.90   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the DJI Power 1000 V2 here.

We're all familiar with DJI cameras, drones, and mics, but the brand has been building its lineup of portable power stations in the recent years. The DJI Power 1000 V2 comes with great features for creators, especially those who use DJI drones. The quick-charging SDC ports means super quick recharging of drone batteries.

Even if you're not a creator, the sale price of $386.10 is excellent for a portable power station that offers 1,024Wh of capacity. It also focuses on quiet operation which is great if you'll be using this at home during an outage in a bedroom at night.

More Memorial Day power station deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The new MacBook Air M5 is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save over $100 this weekend

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:13

TL;DR: The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $949 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale. That's $150 off the list price and the record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air M5 (13-Inch $999 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $100   Get Deal

We're doing our best to keep tabs on all the new Memorial Day deals dropping this weekend. It's a tough ask, because there are a lot. Between the deals on TVs, power stations, mattresses, and everything in-between, we can barely keep up.

But what we can always make time for is a deal on the latest MacBook Air, especially when that deal drops the price down to a record low.

The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $949 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale. That's $150 off the list price and the record-low price for this popular model. We can't guarantee anything at this point, but we don't expect this price to stick around for long. With Prime Day fast approaching, we wouldn't be surprised to see Amazon bump the price up to $999 (or more).

The MacBook Air M5 is a super portable laptop that delivers power in abundance. In Mashable's review of this popular machine, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth said the new MacBook Air "takes everything good about the MacBook Air and adds the faster M5 chip." Werth adds that it's "incredible" but wishes it was "$200 cheaper."

This is where a deal comes in handy. This Memorial Day discount brings it down to a level that's hard to ignore.

Pick up the MacBook Air M5 for its best-ever price at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Spider-Noir review: Nicolas Cage rules in a Spider-Man story unlike any youve seen before

Fri, 05/22/2026 - 16:00

What's black and white and fun all over? Spider-Noir, a new superhero series led by Nicolas Cage.

The show has its roots in 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, in which Cage voiced the Spider-Man variant known as Spider-Man Noir. Appearing in black and white and always accompanied by a rain-scented wind, Spider-Man Noir managed to steal scenes in a film already overflowing with goodness. A large part of that comes down to the casting of Cage, who commits wholeheartedly to Spider-Man Noir's over-the-top slangy dialogue. ("You gonna fight or you just bumping gums, you hard-boiled turtle-slapper?") That Cage's work is much-memed adds an extra layer of hilarity to the role, a wink to the audience that yes, the film got the Nicolas Cage to channel old-timey film detectives.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now

As much of a scene stealer as he is, Spider-Man Noir is only onscreen for about five and a half minutes of Into the Spider-Verse. With Spider-Noir, Cage gets to take this Spider-Man variant to new heights in a technically dazzling thrill ride. Sure, it's familiar — it's a Spider-Man story, and we've seen plenty of those! — but Spider-Noir manages to find a new lease on spidey life with its loving embrace of film noir.

What's Spider-Noir about? Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Prime

The superhero we meet in Spider-Noir is not the same one from Into the Spider-Verse. Cage plays Ben Reilly, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who once moonlighted as New York City's only hero, the Spider.

Like the Spider-Verse films, Spider-Noir knows we've seen enough Spider-Man origin stories to fill hundreds of comic books, so it wisely motors through the beats we're familiar with. In the first of the show's many stylish flairs, it overlays scenes from Ben's life on windows of a New York City skyscraper he's climbed, catching us up to speed on all things Spider. That includes him meeting, then losing, the love of his life, Ruby. Following her death, Ben hung up his mask and goggles for good.

SEE ALSO: 'The Boroughs' review: Stop what you're doing and watch retirees fight monsters in this fantastic sci-fi series

However, just because Ben's retired the Spider doesn't mean he won't wind up trapped in dangerous webs of others' making. And Spider-Noir presents a fascinating web indeed, one involving crime lord Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), lounge singer Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), and a rogue's gallery of superpowered men, including well-known Spider-Man villains like Flint Marko (Jack Huston), aka Sandman, and Lonnie Lincoln (Abraham Popoola), aka Tombstone.

Spider-Noir is a gorgeous love letter to film noir. Li Jun Li in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Prime

The way these threads converge isn't necessarily ground-breaking. Obviously, Ben will put on the mask and seek redemption, even if he doesn't think it's worth it. And obviously, the origins of these superpowered villains have ties to Ben's own genetic mutation. But the show's carefully calibrated style manages to make each familiar plot point feel like a new discovery.

Recent superhero shows have tried to set themselves apart by dabbling in genres beyond just "superhero." That's how you get gangster dramas like The Penguin, or a legal comedy like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. But not since WandaVision has a show so thoroughly immersed itself in a different genre. Unlike WandaVision, Spider-Noir holds fast to its genre trappings throughout, and that steadfastness elevates it over every other superhero show's genre dabbling.

SEE ALSO: 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' review: The power of Tatiana Maslany makes this thriller a must-watch

The visuals are the key here, starting with the show's unique presentation. Prime Video offers viewers the choice of watching in both black and white and color. While I recommend checking out the color version at least once to take in all the details on the show's costumes and set pieces, black and white is certainly the way to go here. Spider-Noir thrives in the contrast between light and dark, casting bold, inky shadows across city streets in pointed tribute to the film noir genre that inspired it. In a world where so many TV shows are underlit or visually flat, it's a joy to see a series take full advantage of lighting as a key way to build mood and atmosphere.

Elsewhere, Spider-Noir has a ball with stylistic staples of the film noir genre, from Dutch angles to a moody score, courtesy of Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons. Don't think of Spider-Noir as being focused on style over substance, though. It's more style as substance, as the series engages seriously with film noir's thematic tropes. Ben is a classic world-weary antihero, while Li's enigmatic Cat falls squarely into the femme fatale archetype, going from crooner to double-crosser at the drop of a fedora.

Nicolas Cage was meant for Spider-Noir. Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Aaron Epstein / Prime

Film noir — and '30s-era films in general — are key to Spider-Noir because they're key to Ben as well. As he reveals to Cat, in the wake of his mutation, he was overcome with arachnid instincts. He had to go to the movies to relearn how to be human from the actors.

That gives Cage free reign to channel film noir's leading men, and he does it with gusto. In Ben's scenes with his closest confidants, like his secretary Janet (Karen Rodriguez) or his reporter friend Robbie (Lamorne Morris), he carries himself more naturally, with a tinge of grumpiness. Once he's out in the field, though, he dials up the hard-boiled detective to a solid 11. He slings quips like they're webs, alternating between charming and brooding his way out of danger.

Ben's bag of tricks also includes disguising himself. He poses as everything from a plumber to a doctor in his efforts to crack his case, and Cage embraces a new outlandish persona in each role. Viewers may be tempted to add these moments to their "Nicolas Cage losing his shit"-style compilations, but these moments, on top of being extra fun, do remain motivated by the needs of the show. Rarely does Spider-Noir unleash a Cage crash out for memes' sake. (Although the show does play up the meme-iness a little bit, like when Morris unleashes a surprisingly solid Cage impression in the perfect context.)

Cage's dedication to a role as strange as "film noir detective Spider-Man" especially shines through when Ben succumbs to his spider instincts. His physicality is both mesmerizing and bizarre, whether he's contorting himself in strange ways or just lying, twitching, on his bed. While his voice acting in Into the Spider-Verse is delightful, it's moments like this, where you see Cage embodying Ben's uncanny physical experience, that made me truly understand why this show exists.

Between Cage's performance and distinct styling, Spider-Noir proves that there's still ways to freshen up superhero shows. The key is just commitment.

All episodes of Spider-Noir premiere May 27 on Prime Video.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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