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The Boys Season 5 is the most exhausting TV viewing experience I've ever had.

While the show began as a savvy skewering of superhero stories, it soon devolved into a punishing political satire with all the sharpness of a baseball bat. Season 5 continues that trend with The Boys' darkest, most dour season yet — one that plays at commenting on our fractured America, but only offers shock value as opposed to real substance.

SEE ALSO: 'The Testaments' review: 'The Handmaid's Tale' sequel finds new power in its YA perspective In The Boys Season 5, Homelander is in control. Antony Starr in "The Boys." Credit: Jasper Savage / Prime Video

The Boys Season 5 picks up a year after the events of Season 4, when Homelander (Antony Starr) took control of the U.S. government. Since then, he's continued to shore up his volatile base and imprison any detractors in so-called freedom camps. There, detainees like the Boys' Hughie (Jack Quaid), Mother's Milk (Laz Alonso), and Frenchie (Tomer Capone) are subjected to a non-stop deluge of Vought propaganda. Oh, and they're routinely tortured by sadistic Supe guards, including Love Sausage (Derek Johns), whose extendable penis gets extensive screen time as a tool for keeping prisoners in check.

The penis whip of it all is emblematic of The Boys' decline: Take something that was initially fun and shocking, then beat the enjoyment and surprise out of it until all you're left with is a resigned feeling of, "Oh, we're doing this again."

SEE ALSO: 'Bait' review: Riz Ahmed's comedy series has us shaken, stirred, the whole lot

The biggest offender here is the show's relentless focus on Homelander, whose megalomania reaches new heights in Season 5. However, while his ambitions keep growing, everything else about him has plateaued. After Homelander faced no consequences for killing a civilian in plain sight in the Season 3 finale, the show has escalated the atrocities he commits to prove over and over that he can get away with murder and still have the United States in the palm of his hand. It's bleak to the point of numbing.

The Boys' political satire lacks depth. Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Laz Alonso, Erin Moriarty, and Jack Quaid in "The Boys." Credit: Jasper Savage / Prime Video

Adding to that numbness is the fact that America's current reality is more upsetting than anything The Boys tries to conjure up.

Showrunner Eric Kripke has revealed that Season 5 was written before the 2024 election, and that the writers were envisioning a cautionary tale of what a new authoritarian America would have looked like should Donald Trump win. Of course, what they wanted to caution against is exactly what happened, leading to some eerie parallels between Season 5 and the real world. Coordinated police efforts to round up Starlight (Erin Moriarty) supporters recall ICE raids, while Homelander remains an explicit stand-in for Trump. However, the show's satire is unprepared to meet the real world's political moment.

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Like in past seasons, The Boys Season 5 seems to believe that simply name-dropping buzzwords is satire enough. Every episode feels like the show is running down a hot-button topic checklist, crossing off talking points like immigration, trans rights, and DEI initiatives without actually saying anything new or specific. If Trump had lost the 2024 election, perhaps we'd be able to look at these scenes and laugh a little about the the nightmarish alternate history we might have lived through. Instead, these moments bludgeon us with our reality and even feel dated by this point, enough to make you wish for truly any course correction and deeper introspection on the show's part concerning the second Trump presidency.

Even most of the non-overtly political elements of the season are slogs, from uninspired pop culture references (a Nicole Kidman AMC parody in 2026? Really?) to some of the most heinous insults you're ever heard. I get it, The Boys revels in its own rancidness. But five seasons in, the effects are stifling, and the lack of catharsis turns even the most ridiculous of fight scenes into joyless affairs.

There are still standout moments this season. Notably, they involve little to no Homelander. Personal conflicts within the Boys offer up rich character moments for the whole team, including a tense, paranoia-fueled sequence. Elsewhere, the Deep's (Chace Crawford) misadventures provide The Boys' most consistent dose of silliness, even if his manosphere podcast once again skews too far into checklist territory.

But on the whole, The Boys Season 5 is nowhere near a powerful swan song for what was once a refreshing superhero takedown. Instead, it's an agonized limp to the finish.

The first two episodes of The Boys Season 5 premiere April 8 on Prime Video, with a new episode every Wednesday.

SAVE 40%: As of April 6, you can snag the Eufy E25 robot vacuum-mop combo for $599.99, down from $999.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $400 price cut.

Eufy E25 $599.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $400   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're tired of spending your weekends cleaning (especially if you have messy pets running around and leaving surprises), you need to jump on this deal. The Eufy brand is a regular on our best robot vacuum roundups, and one of its top-rated models just hit a new record-low price.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 30+ robot vacuum and mop combos, including CES 2026 models. Here are the top 6 to buy.

You can snag the Eufy E25 robot vacuum-mop combo for $599.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $400 price cut. This is the lowest we've seen this model go for to date, and a pretty solid deal for a fully loaded combo unit.

The Eufy E25 is an all-in-one floor-cleaning system that delivers 20,000 Pa of suction. It uses DuoSpiral anti-tangle brushes that are designed to suck up pet hair without clogging the machine (something I've had to deal with a lot with my Roomba and my stick vacuum). It's also totally hands-free: it automatically empties the dustbin, washes the roller mop, dries it at 122 degrees Fahrenheit, and refills the water tank all by itself. Basically, you can set it, forget it, and come home to spotless floors without ever getting your hands dirty.

With more than 53,000 reviews and a 4.3-star rating, this is definitely an upgrade worth making.

SAVE $50.01: The Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $58.99, down from the standard price of $109. That's a 46% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds $58.99 at Amazon
$109 Save $50.01   Get Deal

If you've ever left home without your earbuds, you recognize their importance. They're with us all the time these days. On the commute to work, at the gym, on the afternoon walk, and even when we're trying to fall asleep. If you're looking for a fresh pair but don't want to spend big money, check out this deal.

As of April 6, the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $58.99, marked down from the standard price of $109. That works out to a 46% discount, matching the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. Today's limited-time discount shaves $50.01 off the normal price.

If you don't yet own something from Nothing, get ready to be wowed. The British tech company is quietly making incredible products that are shockingly affordable. The Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds fall into this category of Nothing products that should cost way more.

SEE ALSO: Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro: I can't believe how much I loved this $99 smartwatch

For starters, there's the 42.5 hour listening time with the included case. Yes, that's nearly two days of non-stop listening before you'll need to plug them in. On top of this, the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds have excellent sound quality and noise cancellation.

You can also be connected to two devices at once with the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds and if you have a Nothing phone, you can get ChatGPT right in your ears.

Amazon has the $58.99 sale price listed as a limited-time offer, with a countdown timer indicating this deal expires at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight. So if you're in the market for affordable and shockingly impressive earbuds, hop on this deal to get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, meet The Mashable 101 to discover the internet’s most exciting voices, and tell us about your favorite creators today

SAVE $100: As of April 6, the Sonos Ace noise-cancelling headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $299. That's $100 or 25% off their list price, but you'll have to act fast.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

While last month's Amazon Big Spring Sale offered the best savings on headphones we've seen since Black Friday, most of our favorite deals up and disappeared once the event ended on March 31. But not all of them. If you act fast, you can still grab the Sonos Ace noise-cancelling headphones for $100 off.

As of April 6, the Sonos Ace are just $299 at Amazon. That's 25% off their list price of $399 and just $20 away from their best price on record, according to our favorite price-tracking tool. You'll have to add them to your cart quickly, though, as the deal clock is ticking down (at the time of writing, you have about 13 hours to secure the discount).

These are the brand's first foray into headphones and Sonos basically aced it. Released in spring 2024 after three years in the making, the Sonos Ace headphones are a sight for sore eyes. Beyond looks, though, they offer incredible sound quality, great spatial audio, and an impressive 30-hour battery life with noise cancellation turned on. Mashable's tester Miller Kern also noted, "No exaggeration, these are the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve personally tried."

Kern's biggest complaints about the headphones were the ear cup seal (it could be tighter) and the steep price, which originally was $449. The brand knocked the list price down to $399 last summer, making them a little more palatable. Now with an extra $100 savings, they're actually a solid deal.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has not been especially well received by critics, but it is serving one important purpose: introducing new people to the two excellent games it was named after. And for a limited time, you can get in on the fun with a discount.

Nintendo announced a temporary promotion from April 12 to May 9: anyone who buys a Nintendo Switch 2 console alongside Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (the official name of a package containing both games) will get $20 off. This offer works with either the physical or digital version of the Galaxy games, but only if you get a Switch 2 at the same time. You also need to buy them from a participating retailer, which includes Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop.

SEE ALSO: Is it worth buying a Nintendo Switch 2 for 'Pokémon Pokopia'? Buy now and save. Credit: Nintendo

If my math is right, participating in this promotion would cost a total of $500 between the Switch 2 and the games, down from a total of $520 before taxes. It's not a huge discount, in other words, but considering how infrequently Nintendo discounts any of its products, especially the Switch 2, this might be a decent excuse for someone to pull the trigger on a Switch 2. Especially if they have kids who loved the Galaxy movie — or if you've been dying to get in on the Pokémon Pokopia craze.

While the movie seems like it's not great, I can personally confirm that both Galaxy games are fantastic and look exceptional running in 4K on a Switch 2.

They're some of the best modern Super Mario adventures and are absolutely worth the time of anyone even remotely curious about them. Head to a retailer near you starting on April 12 to experience greatness.

For more information, you can read the fine print at the Nintendo retail offers page.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nitendo Switch 2 + Super Mario Galaxy bundle $518 at Amazon
Promotion starts April 12 Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 $69 at Amazon
Promotion starts April 12 Shop Now

SAVE $149: As of April 6, the new Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is cheaper than it was during the Amazon Big Spring Sale in both the 13-inch and 15-inch models. Get the 13-inch for $949.99 (reg. $1,099) and the 15-inch for $1,149.99 (reg. $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949.99
$1,099 Save $149.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,149.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $149.01   Get Deal

Just shy of a month old, the new Apple MacBook Air officially has its biggest discount to date. Yes, it's now even cheaper than it was during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, which just wrapped up last week.

As of April 6, both the 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Airs are $149.01 off their list prices of $1,099 and $1,299, bringing the starting prices down to just $949.99 or $1,149.99. That's $100 cheaper than both models were during the Spring Sale. Not to mention, both base models are already technically $100 cheaper than their predecessors, making this an even better value. Both base models feature 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

TBH, the M5 MacBook Air isn't a whole lot different than the M4 Air, but that's not a bad thing. Both laptops are incredibly powerful and competitively priced. Besides the M5 chip being a step up from the M4, they now start with more base storage, are configurable with up to 4TB (up from 2TB), and feature Apple's N1 wireless chip for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. Otherwise, the specs are largely comparable to the previous generation. The M5 Air still packs a 60Hz Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage webcam, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 18-hour battery life.

If you already own an M4 Air, there's not a huge incentive here to upgrade. But if you're rocking an older MacBook, I highly recommend grabbing the M5 model in either size while it's $149 cheaper. This deal turns an already solid value laptop into a spectacular one, shrinking the gap between the Air and Apple's budget Neo laptop to just $350.

PRIME MEMBERS SAVE 20¢ PER GALLON: Instead of the standard 10¢ per gallon discount, Prime members can take advantage of Fuel Up Friday to save 20¢ per gallon when pumping gas every Friday through May. Locations include bp, Amoco, and participating ampm and Thorntons locations.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime / Earnify Prime members save 20¢ per gallon when fueling up on Fridays valid once every Friday through May 29 Get Deal

Fuel prices are up. How high will they go? No one knows, but Amazon is giving a bit of respite to Prime members who fill up the tank on Fridays until the end of May. Here's how to cash in on the savings.

Prime members are eligible to save 20¢ per gallon when refueling on every Friday through May 29. You'll need to swing by any bp, Amoco, or a participating ampm or Thorntons to get the savings. First, you'll need to link your Amazon Prime account in the Earnify app and enter your phone number. After that, you'll be able to use the app to save 20¢ per gallon once every Friday. If you need to refuel any other day of the week, you'll get 10¢ off per gallon as a Prime member.

A Prime membership comes with plenty of perks. Throughout the year, members get special access to sales, discounts, free books, two-day shipping, streaming privileges on Prime Video, and more. Added to the list is now saving save 20¢ per gallon when filling up the gas tank on Fridays until the end of May.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is reportedly moving its annual Prime Day sale this year

Keep in mind this is valid only for U.S. Prime members and you can only use the discount once every Friday, so you won't be able to fuel up vehicles for the entire family. Amazon mentions 7,500 gas stations are participating in this deal, so there should be one fairly nearby your home.

Since this deal is valid through May 29, you still have eight Fridays to refuel with while saving 20¢ per gallon. If you're already a Prime member, there's good reason to take advantage of this savings.

TL;DR: This lifetime subscription to the PDFToolKit Unlimited Plan handles all your PDF needs for life, and now it’s just $79 (reg. $619).

Opens in a new window Credit: YaseenAI, Inc. PDFToolKit - Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription $79
$619 Save $540   Get Deal

Tired of PDFs slowing you down? If you’d like to make peace with this pesky file format for good, the AI-powered PDFToolkit is ready to help. This browser-based tool lets you edit, convert, and sign PDFs easily, while keeping your information secure.

Right now, you can snag a lifetime subscription to PDFToolkit’s Unlimited Plan for only $79 (reg. $619).

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Interacting with PDF files doesn’t have to be a slog. PDFToolkit handles all your PDF needs while running right in your browser, so you don’t even have to download anything. And since everything is processed locally, your files stay private and secure.

PDFToolkit simplifies the PDF process for good, with a full suite of AI-powered tools. Modify texts and images, merge and split files, add e-signatures, or convert them into another format. This tool lets you easily convert them into Word, PowerPoint, JPG, and PNG files, while keeping the original layout intact.

If you need to work with multiple files at once, it’s not a problem. Batch processing makes it speedy. PDFToolkit also offers password protection and a simple way to redact sensitive information on your documents, so you can rest easy when you’re working with important files.

Since this is a browser-based tool, you won’t have to worry about compatibility. You can access it from any modern web browser, anywhere. It was also designed for speed, saving you time, as most operations are completed in a matter of seconds.

Finally make peace with PDF files thanks to this lifetime subscription to the PDFToolkit Unlimited Plan, on sale now for just $79 (reg. $619).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: From phones to laptops, this lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan blocks ads across your devices for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through April 12.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

You shouldn’t have to be on defense when you’re browsing the web. Between pop-ups and video ads, spending time online is no longer a peaceful experience. That’s where AdGuard comes in, stopping ads in their tracks and allowing you to enjoy the internet as it was intended.

Right now, you can snag a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) until April 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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If you’re done dealing with ads on your smartphone, laptop, and tablet, AdGuard is ready to take care of them for you. This intuitive ad blocker offers three handy features — an advanced ad-blocking module, a privacy protection tool, and parental controls for the little ones in your life.

AdGuard kicks all types of ads — from banners and pop-ups to video ads — to the curb. It also keeps you safer online by hiding your data from hackers and blocking trackers. AdGuard can even stop malware, phishing websites, and cyberattacks in their tracks.

An AdGuard Family Plan lets you share the love, with the option to protect up to 9 devices. And it works on Android and iOS so you can keep all your phones, tablets, and laptops secure.

If you have kids in the house, parental control features are available to restrict access to inappropriate or adult content.

This lifetime subscription lets you pay once and enjoy AdGuard’s benefits forever, including future updates and new features.

Regularly $169.99, you can secure your lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan for just $15.97 now through April 12.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Theater kids can get a bad wrap for being too much and generally annoying. But speaking as a theater kid, a lot of that energy comes from an urgent desire to be known — not just seen but truly known. 

Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton understand that yearning and channel that earnestness and openness into the teen drama Their Town. Pulling inspiration from Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, Duplass scripts a deceptively simple story about two high schoolers who connect one long night after play rehearsal. Aselton directs, weaving the story across a small Maine town, turning everyday locations into sacred spaces of sharing. And in the lead roles, this husband-and-wife team chose one established young actor, IT's Chosen Jacobs, and one newcomer, their daughter, Ora Duplass.

Together, they create a hangout movie that is patient, poignant, and powerful. 

Their Town captures the frail and frightening freedom of youth. 

Beginning at play rehearsal after school, Their Town swiftly establishes Abby (Duplass) and Matt (Jacobs) through their positions on stage. She is the lead, opposite her moody boyfriend Tyler (William Atticus Parker). But when he abruptly bails on the production, Abby looks to the wings for a possible substitute, and spots shy Matt (Jacobs). There's just one problem; Matt signed up to do stage crew, not go on stage. 

With some fussy encouragement from their drama teacher, Mr. Elliot (Jeffery Self, nailing the small town determination of such an artist), the pair decide to get to know each other after rehearsal to see how things shake out. The first stop is Abby's house, where her mom and boyfriend are flabbergasted to see her arrive with Matt. A harsh mother-daughter squabble follows, propelling Abby to pull Matt anywhere else. That ends up being Matt's big, empty house, where his dads (Daveed Diggs and Leonardo Nam) will check in on him via video call. 

It's an intense thing to see a classmate's home for the first time. Both Matt and Abby are faced with a situation they didn't expect, leading to some awkward conversations about preconceived notions but also humane laughs. From here, they will wander about their town from a beloved taco truck to a locked-up playground, reclaiming old haunts with fresh eyes. 

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Watching them wander, eat, flirt, and fumble, I was riveted, in part because I could see a reflection of my own youth in their journey. After play rehearsal, hanging out with the theater kids was where I finally found community. There, my nights were rich with possibilities and the feeling of the infinite. I made friends there that decades later still know me and still shape me. Watching Their Town felt like time-traveling back to my own youth, my own hometown, sitting on a forgotten swing set in a dark night, where the only sound was our shared laughter.

Chosen Jacobs and Ora Duplass are magic together. 

Don't write off Ora Duplass as a nepo baby, lest you reveal yourself to be a fool. Though she only has a couple of shorts to her credit, it's easy to see why her parents entrusted her with the role of Abby. Ora has a natural presence on camera. Like her mother, she shines when she smiles, and she crackles when in conflict. But it's in scenes where Abby's pose of confidence falters that this ingenue reveals her depths. 

At 24, Jacobs has six years on 18-year-old Ora, and all of that (and more) working in movies and shows, including IT, Hawaii Five-O, Castle Rock, Darby and the Dead, and The Hunting Wives. Yet they prove perfect scene partners in Their Town. Their chemistry is natural and delicate. Abby and Matt don't pop onto screen as an inevitable coupling, but rather as two strangers with an undeniable connection. Her default mode is cheerful, a butterfly eager to please. He's more reserved, but not cold. For instance, when Abby chatters away in Spanish to the taco truck vendor, Jacobs' eyes reflect curiosity and nervousness, wondering what's being said and if it could be about him. 

As the night goes on, the bond between them grows through conversations about their lives, loves, and struggles. Duplass' script is too smart to fall into cliches. So even when discussing peer pressure to be perfect, anxiety, or suicidal ideation, there's an aching specificity and nuance to the dialogue. Through these two incredible young actors, it doesn't feel like a script, but like a real conversation, the kind shared across a dashboard on a starry night, or whispered across a phone line after bedtime. 

Aselton's cinematographer Sarah Whelden bolsters this sense of intimacy through a handheld camera that gently moves, reflecting the slow breath in and out of growing serenity — or, in other moments, panic. Deceptively simple framing gives her heroes space to breathe and test their boundaries. And in each moment, we are invited to be there with them. As the film finds its low point with some deeply high school theatrics, it'll wind back to resolution that embraces the magic of being a theater kid on a stage. Here's your chance to be seen. Will you take it? And moreover, will you give your partner that same gift? 

In the end, Their Town is a sublime hangout movie that brilliantly captures those nights that felt infinite, those conversations that broke our brains for the better, and those relationships that molded our souls. Aselton, who's previously helmed the racy sex romp The Freebie, the tense thriller Black Rock, and the zippy comedy Mack & Rita, completely changes gears here. Their Town is not mumblecore or a Linklater homage. It's a thoughtful teen drama that rejects the urge to talk down to young people, instead embracing their complexity and confusion. There's constant empathy for Abby and Matt, as the film follows them not doggedly, but in admiration for their bravery and growth in the face of so much possibility and fear. 

Their Town is a quietly brilliant coming-of-age drama you absolutely shouldn't miss. 

Their Town was reviewed out of the 2026 SXSW Film Festival. It does not currently have a release date.

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 6 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 6 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this orange space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who like college football on New Year's.

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

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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.

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

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

• Yellow: Out in LA

• Green: CFP games

• Blue: Hoopers named Chris

• Purple: Low-seeded conference champs

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A Los Angeles Athlete

• Green: College Football Bowl Games

• Blue: Basketball Chrises

• Purple: Men's NCAA Tournament 16-Seeds

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #560 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A Los Angeles Athlete - CLIPPER, KING, RAM, SPARK

• College Football Bowl Games - FIESTA, ORANGE, ROSE, SUGAR

• Basketball Chrises - BOSH, MULLIN, PAUL, WEBBER

• Men's NCAA Tournament 16-Seeds - HOWARDS, LONG ISLAND, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M, SIENA

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

To hang on.

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

CLING

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To gain knowledge.

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

LEARN

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

An infection.

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

VIRUS

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To stir up.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

STOKE

Final Hurdle hint

A popular dressing.

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

RANCH

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theatre kid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 6, 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: It's party time!

• Green: Intrigue

• Blue: A popular kids' game

• Purple: Broadway classics

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Events with dancing

• Green: Interest

• Blue: Components of Whack-a-Mole

• Purple: Musical with last letter changed

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 #1030 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Events with dancing: BALL, HOEDOWN, HOP, RAVE

• Interest: CLAIM, CONCERN, SHARE, STAKE

• Components of Whack-a-Mole: HOLES, MALLET, MOLE, TIMER

• Musical with last letter changed: CAROUSER, EVITE, OLIVES, WICKET

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 6, 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 never cross the line.

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 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fringe group

The words are related to boundaries

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being out the outskirts.

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 Outer Limits.

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NYT Strands word list for April 6

• Verge

• Boundary

• Margin

• Edge

• Brink

• Extremity

• Outer Limits

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 don't break your promises.

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 6, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Promised.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SWORN

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.

TL;DR: Get the full Microsoft Office suite on your Mac for a one-time $49.97 — no other fees, no renewals, just lifetime access.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
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Free productivity apps sounded like a good idea until you hit the roadblocks. Formatting breaks, missing features, and compatibility issues tend to show up right when you need things to work smoothly. That’s why a full version of Microsoft Office still stands out — especially when it’s available as a one-time purchase instead of another monthly bill.

For a limited time, you can get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for just $49.97 (reg. $219). It’s a straightforward upgrade that gives you the tools you probably already know — just without the ongoing cost.

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• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote: the core apps for writing, data, presentations, email, and collaboration

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If you’ve been piecing together your workflow with free tools, this is a simple way to upgrade without overthinking it.

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Finding love isn't for the weak. Dating app exhaustion is realer than ever, and while people want to branch out and meet in person, they're finding it difficult. 

One reason is that dating apps are a legitimate way to find a partner, and not just a short-term one. Nearly 44 percent of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term partner rather than just casual dating or hookups, according to the Pew Research Center. One in 10 partnered adults met their current partner through a dating app, and for younger adults and LGBTQ people, that number rises even higher. 

SEE ALSO: The best 9 dating apps for men who are tired of being alone

Dating apps aren't going away, despite fatigue. And it is possible to make them work for you if you want to find your special someone.

Are dating apps worth it?

Even using the "right" app for you may still bring moments of uncertainty and frustration (you're dating, after all), but finding the app with features that most closely align with your dating style and the type of partnership you're looking for can still make online dating worth it.

If you've been using apps for a while and are experiencing serious burnout, it's always fair to take some time off and come back to them when you feel ready. Our guide will be here for you! Even the best app can feel exceptionally tedious when you simply don't have the energy.

Which dating app is best for serious relationships?

There are so many dating apps, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to finding a serious, committed relationship.

Some free dating apps are better suited for casual flings or hookups (e.g., Tinder, Grindr, etc.), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specifically designed to help users find meaningful connections (e.g., eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).

The good news is that we've done the research (and hands-on testing) to figure out which apps work best for long-term relationships, and Match Group isn't the only player in the game. Plus, all of these platforms are available via Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone won't limit your options. Some old-school dating sites still maintain desktop versions.

To find your match, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2026:

As a lesbian, you probably know all about dating apps. Lesbian Americans (along with bisexual and gay Americans) are far more likely to have ever used dating apps than straight Americans: 51 percent to 28 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.

There are a few reasons why LGBTQ people might turn to online dating quicker than straight folks. For one, you might live in an area without a thriving LGBTQ community, and in-person dating may be hard. If you don't know other lesbians to begin with, how can you meet more IRL to date? (Sometimes, lesbian spaces can also be co-opted by The Straights.) And, unfortunately, in-person dating may also be less safe depending on where you live. 

Thankfully, we live in a time where we can find people like us with a few swipes. Lesbians are welcome on major dating apps, and there are also niche ones specifically for lesbians and other queer women and people. But which one to choose?

How to find the best dating apps for lesbians Niche lesbian dating apps aren't your only option for finding love. Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable

In Mashable's recommendations below, you'll find both general dating apps and apps specifically for queer people. As the former appeals to the general population, you'll find more users in these spaces. The caveat, however, is that when you swipe on other women, you might find those coupled with men who are looking for another woman to have a threesome with (aka unicorn hunters). No judgment here, but that's probably not what you're looking for. Then again, people of all types are on dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. You never know who you may come across.

Then there are apps specifically for the community, like HER and Lex. If you yearn for a smaller dating scene, head for these apps. While there's no "Grindr for lesbians" — we go into why in the FAQ section — these apps are more so like stepping into your neighborhood lesbian bar than an app like Bumble. 

You can also try multiple dating apps, as each one below has a free version. You can filter by the gender you identify with and are looking for, and sometimes, as with OkCupid, there are many options to choose from.

Diving into the dating pool isn't easy, but the water's fine. Check out our guide below for the full rundown of our recommendations and dating app reviews.

Claude users will now have to pay more to use third-party tools like the viral AI assistant OpenClaw, Anthropic announced.

The news came via email from Anthropic to Claude subscription holders. It was posted on Hacker News and states that as of April 4 at 12 p.m. PT, subscribers will "no longer be able to use your Claude subscription limits for third-party harnesses [tools] including OpenClaw. You can still use them with your Claude account, but they will require extra usage, a pay-as-you-go option billed separately from your subscription."

SEE ALSO: Anthropic makes the case for anthropomorphizing AI in ‘unsettling’ research paper

Head of Claude Code, Boris Cherny, said the same on X on Friday, and mentioned these tools can also be used with an API key. He shared an explanation for the change: "We've been working hard to meet the increase in demand for Claude, and our subscriptions weren't built for the usage patterns of these third-party tools. Capacity is a resource we manage thoughtfully and we are prioritizing our customers using our products and API."

In February, OpenClaw developer Peter Steinberger joined OpenAI after the tool became widely known online. On Friday, Steinberger posted on X that he and OpenClaw board member Dave Morin "tried to talk sense into Anthropic, best we managed was delaying this for a week."

He continued, "Funny how timings match up, first they copy some popular features into their closed harness, then they lock out open source."

Cherny responded to this (though not to Steinberger directly), stating that the Claude team is "big fans of open source," and that this is more about engineering constraints. "Our systems are highly optimized for one kind of workload, and to serve as many people as possible with the most intelligent models, we are continuing to optimize that," he said.

Cherny also added, however, that if users want to cancel subscriptions, Anthropic is giving full refunds.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging that it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.