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

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

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

When is Lakers vs. Rockets?

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

How to watch Lakers vs. Rockets for free

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

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

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit YouTube

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Stop wasting time on job applications and outsource this tedious task with a lifetime subscription to FirstResume, an AI job hunting automator that is on sale now for $39.99 (reg. $899).

Opens in a new window Credit: FirstResume FirstResume - AI Job Hunting Automator: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$899 Save $859.01   Get Deal

Sick of spending hours applying to jobs and never hearing back? If you want to save some time and actually get noticed, FirstResume can help. This AI job hunting automator makes applying for jobs a whole lot easier, while simultaneously maximizing your success rate.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to this handy tool for only $39.99 (reg. $899).

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Hunting for a job is particularly tough these days. You spend hours perfecting your resume and drafting cover letters, only to send them out hopefully and never hear from a soul. That’s where FirstResume comes in, offering job-hunting help built for Gen Z but suitable for anyone.

FirstResume uses the power of AI to create tailored ATS-friendly resumes and effective cover letters that help you get noticed. It can even write outreach emails so you can really stand out in a sea of potential candidates — all without you writing a word.

Give FirstResume your resume and watch the advanced AI give it a human-level analysis, providing feedback you can actually use. It can catch gaps and help sharpen your story, serving as your very own career coach.

When you find jobs you’d like to apply for, there’s no more wasted time. Paste it into FirstResume, then enjoy an ATS-optimized resume, perfectly tailored to the position, with just one click. It will have the most relevant experiences at the forefront, and you can also use this tool to build a cover letter and an outreach email for the same gig.

You’ll receive 5,000 credits per month with this lifetime subscription, along with unlimited job tracking, unlimited resume storage, early access to new features, and priority customer support.

Save time and get noticed with a lifetime subscription to FirstResume for $39.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Save time while still delivering killer presentations with this lifetime subscription to PowerPresent, on sale now for $39.99 (reg. $80).

Opens in a new window Credit: PowerPresent AI PowerPresent - AI Presentation Generator: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$80 Save $40.01   Get Deal

It’s 2026, are you still building your own presentations? If the answer is yes, it’s time to get PowerPresent. This AI-powered presentation generator can create a full presentation based on just a single prompt, document, link, or rough outline.

Now, you can get help with presentations forever with this lifetime subscription for just $39.99.

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From spending hours perfecting decks to phoning in an underwhelming slideshow, it often seems like you just can’t get a presentation quite right. PowerPresent aims to change that, allowing you to show off a professional, well-written presentation that doesn’t take all day to craft.

With PowerPresent, you provide a prompt, a PDF or DOCX file, a link, or an outline, then sit back and relax as the AI gets to work. It won’t just dump your notes into slides and call it a day — you’ll be left with a polished, meeting-ready final result with organized information in a logical presentation structure.

There are more than 100 designer-built templates available, so your final presentation will look visually engaging with professionally drafted content attached.

If you want to put your own touch on things, don’t worry. Everything is editable — from the fonts and copy to the themes and layouts. Once it’s done, you can download it as a PowerPoint file or present it right from the platform.

This subscription includes lifetime access to create 40 free presentations. You can edit the presentation you make an unlimited number of times, or take advantage of categories like education, marketing, and more, which you can create in minutes.

Get help presenting for life with this lifetime subscription to PowerPresent for just $39.99 (reg. $80).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The online world is full of content restrictions and blockades. It might not always seem like that, but look around. More and more restrictions on your movement are coming into force.

Porn naturally comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XNXX from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that with a quick and easy hack.

If you want to unblock porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock XNXX for free

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

Unblock porn sites like XNXX by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to XNXX

4. Visit XNXX

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

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like XNXX without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like XNXX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% 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).

Unblock XNXX for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,049 at Amazon. That's over $500 off the list price of $1,599.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,049 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $550   Get Deal

What's in store for the drone market in 2026? We're honestly not sure. Legislative pressure is mounting on DJI imports, but we expected stock to be dipping already. That's clearly not the case, because stock is readily available on Amazon and some of the most popular drones are heavily discounted for a limited time.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to $1,049 at Amazon. That's over $500 off a beginner-friendly drone that offers professional specs without the hassle of FAA paperwork.

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Lightweight drones like this have historically had to compromise on quality, but that's not the case here. The Mini 5 Pro offers a massive 1-inch CMOS sensor, so whether you’re shooting 50MP stills or 4K/120fps slow-motion, the dynamic range is staggering.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro also makes use of forward-facing LiDAR that powers the new Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing, allowing the drone to dodge branches, power lines, and buildings even when you can’t see them on your screen. The last thing you want to do is crash your brand new $1,099 drone. This helps avoid that haunting scenario.

You're also getting 42GB of internal storage with this discounted drone. That means you can actually capture a full afternoon of 4K footage without needing an external card at all. It's a simple feature that makes a huge difference for users.

Save over $500 on the DJI Mini 5 Pro this week.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you open a new line and transfer your existing phone number from a competitor.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for $0   Get Deal

Are you the stubborn type who rocks a cracked screen and dying battery until your phone is essentially unusable? This is probably not the first time you've heard this, but it's time to upgrade. You don't need to live like this.

And upgrading has never been easier thanks to T-Mobile. The popular carrier is offering the Apple iPhone 17 for free for new switchers. The $0 price tag is obviously appealing, but there are some finer details to point out before you go ahead and cancel your current plan.

T-Mobile is offering up to $830 off the iPhone 17 series via 24 monthly bill credits. Since the standard iPhone 17 starts at $799, this covers the entire cost of the device plus a little wiggle room for taxes or a storage upgrade.

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To qualify for this promotion, you must bring your phone number over from a competitor and sign up for a premium plan like Go5G Plus or the newer Experience More. These plans aren't cheap, but they do include serious perks like Netflix and Apple TV+. You're not contracted to stick around for 24 months, but if you do try to leave T-Mobile before the 24 months are up, you’ll owe the remaining balance of the phone immediately.

We liked the iPhone 17 when we reviewed it. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said "Apple's iPhone 17 is an excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." With this T-Mobile offer, it becomes even more tempting to make the jump to Apple's latest model.

Score the Apple iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile.

Like it or not, AI is everywhere. 

It was only a matter of time before the technology began showing up in the literary world. The novel Shy Girl was picked up by a major publisher last year, only to be canceled after allegations of AI-generated passages. 

Now, AI voices are getting into the mix. Libby users are discovering that AI has also infiltrated the service's audiobooks.

As pointed out by user @ems.book.shelff on TikTok, AI audiobooks have arrived on Libby, the app that connects public library card holders with their library's e-book and audiobook collections.

This isn't the first instance of AI and Libby crossing over. On Nov. 20, 2025, Libby posted an article launching its 'Inspire Me' feature, which uses large-language-model generative artificial intelligence to recommend and suggest books to users.

The 'Inspire Me' feature is easy enough to avoid, but an underlying issue on Libby is the presence of audiobooks that are narrated by AI. For dedicated audiobook listeners, losing the human touch of a real person's narration is devastating. So if you want to steer clear of AI, here's how to spot AI audiobooks in Libby.

How to spot AI audiobooks and Libby

After sharing the news that AI content is available on Libby, TikToker @ems.book.shelff also shared how to spot it within Libby. Which AI audiobooks are available will vary from library to library, so rather than provide an extensive list of AI audiobooks, you'll need to do some searching.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Libby app

Step 1: Search for AI voices

In the Libby app, go to the search bar and look at two specific terms: Digital Voice and Synthesized Voice. This will display all the titles that feature AI voice narration, which is commonly referred to as either a digital or synthesized voice.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 2: Browse through results

Once you've searched, click into individual book listings. In each book's details, the narrator will be listed. Any books that use AI will have the narrator listed as either a 'synthesized voice' or 'digital voice.' If you're looking to avoid AI, don't borrow these books.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 21, 2026:

AcrossLike the name Phil Quickley, for a speedy crossword solver?

• The answer is Apt.

What connects these names: Al Green, Betty White, Rose Byrne

• The answer is Color.

Star ___ (plant with a pointy pod)

• The answer is Anise.

What connects these names: Tennessee Williams, Georgia O'Keeffe, Denzel Washington

• The answer is State.

Teslas and Rivians, for short

• The answer is EVs.

DownAssumed name

• The answer is Alias.

Washington paper

• The answer is Post.

What connects these names: Chris Pine, Zach Cherry, Willow Smith

• The answer is Tree.

Detective's assignment

• The answer is Case.

Currently broadcasted

• The answer is On TV.

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

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

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

TL;DR: Get a free iPhone 17e when signing up for a T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required. You can also get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when signing up for an Experience More plan and trading in an eligible device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Get Deal

In the mobile carrier world, "free" is a word that usually comes with a whole lot of catches. Free deals usually force you into a premium plan and demand you trade in a pristine flagship phone to qualify for the discount. However, T-Mobile’s latest offer for the iPhone 17e is surprisingly straightforward.

For a limited time, you can score the newly-released iPhone 17e for free by simply opening a new line with T-Mobile. The standout feature of this deal? You don't need a trade-in. T-Mobile is covering the full $599 retail price of the iPhone 17e via 24 monthly bill credits.

Want something with a little more power? You can also pick up the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when signing on for 24 months of an Experience More plan and trading in an eligible phone. This deal gets you unthrottled 5G data, 4K streaming, and heaps of international roaming, but it's does fall into that standard trade-in/premium plan category of free deal.

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

You might not need to upgrade to the iPhone 17, because the iPhone 17e packs a serious punch. It utilizes the same A19 chip found in the standard iPhone 17, meaning it’s fully compatible with the latest Apple Intelligence features. As Mashable’s Stan Schroeder notes in his first-hand look: "The combination of having Apple's latest chip and a decent amount of storage means this phone will be relevant for at least four to five years." So it sounds like you've covered for the forseeable future with this budget-friendly handset.

We should point out that you still need to pay taxes on the full retail price upfront, plus a $35 device connection fee. And, of course, you’re locked into a data plan for two years. But you've got a shiny new iPhone 17, so you're still winning.

Score an iPhone 17e for free at T-Mobile.

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

To carry.

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

BRING

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To transport.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CARRY

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Possessive.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

THEIR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To delay.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

DEFER

Final Hurdle hint

A yellow fruit.

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

LEMON

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

As we hit day four of the lunar cycle, the Moon is starting to appear more illuminated. Keep reading to find out what you can spot tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, April 21, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 20% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

If you're looking at the Moon with just your naked eye, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you have either binoculars or a telescope, you'll see these as well as the Endymion Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

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

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites from Australia is ExpressVPN.

The world of porn continues to be impacted by age-verification laws. Back in early 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub hit back by blocking users from those locations. A similar situation took place France and the UK, and now Australians are facing the same set of challenges.

The porn blocks arrived just days before new online safety codes came into effect, requiring organisations to verify the ages of users. It's the same story we've seen before, with the same straightforward workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Australia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment. The situation may have changed before the free-trial period comes to an end.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 21, 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 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 21 Pips

Number (17): Everything in this purple space must add up to 17. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this red space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

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

Less Than (6): The domino half in this yellow space must have less than 6 pips. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 21 Pips

Equal (2): Every domino half in this purple space must have 2 pips. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this red space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally; and 0-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): The domino half in this light blue space must have less than 2 pips. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): The domino half in this dark blue space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 21 Pips

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

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

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

Does Not Equal: Every domino half in this yellow space must have a different number of pips. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; and 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (6): The domino half in this dark blue space must have 6 pips. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): The domino half in this green space must have 0 pips. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this purple space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

Number (12): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 3-6, 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 a tough one. At least, it was for us!

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

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Draft day

• Green: Track and field gear

• Blue: First words...

• Purple: Fill in the blank

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: People Involved in Making a Draft Pick

• Green: Pole Vault Equipment

• Blue: First Words of Baseball Positions

• Purple: T.J. ____

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 #575 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• People Involved in Making a Draft Pick — COACH, GM, OWNER, SCOUT

• Pole Vault Equipment — CROSSBAR, MAT, POLE, SPIKES

• First Words of Baseball Positions — CENTER, DESIGNATED, FIRST, THIRD

• T.J. ____ — FORD, HOCKENSON, HOUSHMANDZADEH, WATT

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

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

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

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

BookCon 2026 returned for the first time in six years, and fans returned in droves, selling out the event fast. We were on the ground at the event, covering panels and chatting with authors and BookTok creators. But just like the attendees, we also hit the exhibition floor to explore all the gadgets on display. With the popularity of e-readers, we expected to see a ton of devices on the floor, but there was a surprising lack thereof, and the enthusiasm focused on physical books.

But we looked at what BookCon attendees had on hand, too, including the tech they used to capture the event and the essentials for navigating the chaos of BookCon. Here are all the bookish tech and products we spotted at BookCon 2026.

Rakuten Kobo Rakuten's Kobo e-readers were the only e-readers on display at BookCon 2026. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

On the show floor, while Kindle cases were a popular item to score, Kindle devices were noticeably absent. Instead, Rakuten Kobo was the only e-reader making an appearance. We've tested both brands at Mashable and love Kobo's color e-readers, including the Kobo Clara and Kobo Libra, both of which were on display at BookCon. Plus, the Kobo Remote was on display at Rakuten's booth, as the brand is the first to launch its own e-reader remote.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Clara $139.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Remote $33.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Author Clock Tell time through literary quotes with the Author Clock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Also on the floor at BookCon was the Author Clock, a digital device that shows you the time with a literary twist. For every single minute, the clock displays a literary quote that features the time. It's perfect for literary enthusiasts — whether that be you or a friend. The brand recently launched a new device for weather forecasts, too. The Author Forecast connects to WiFi to detect your local weather and then reflect it with a literary passage on the device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Author Clock Author Clock $209 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Author Clock Author Forecast $209 at Uncrate
  Shop Now DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Mic Mini

While they weren't on display, DJI products were in the hands of attendees on the show floor. We spotted the DJI Osmo camera everywhere, similar to what we experienced at VidCon. Fans were using it to capture the event, so we're expecting to see lots of BookCon vlogs on BookTok soon. Plus, we also saw attendees using the DJI Mic Mini, which could easily be clipped on to wear around the event.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 $499 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Handheld fans

At this point, personal fans are a staple at conventions. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, when just VIP and the press were admitted to the exhibition floor, things were already steamy, and people had broken out their handheld fans. While we didn't spot Shark's new ChillPill or Dyson's new HushJet at BookCon, the cheap handheld fans you can score on Amazon are still the most popular choice.

Opens in a new window Credit: TriPole TriPole Handheld Fan $11.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Collapsible stools

It was evident that BookCon fans come prepared. I saw dozens of attendees with colorful disks strapped crossbody throughout the event, and when I asked one person what it was, my jaw dropped as they revealed a collapsible stool — a genius way to have a seat with you while waiting in long lines.

Opens in a new window Credit: Boreeman Boreeman Folding Stool $25.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $4   Get Deal Macopro folding utility cart

The name of the game at BookCon was free books. Publishers and authors were doling out free advanced copies of books. Attendees came prepared to take home all the free things with folding utility carts. By far, the MacoPro folding utility cart was the most popular option. Plus, with its flat top, it's basically a portable chair, too.

Opens in a new window Credit: Macopro Macopro Folding Utility Cart $64.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $15   Get Deal

SAVE $90: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale at Amazon for $209, down from the list price of $299. That's a 30% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K $209 at Amazon
$299 Save $90   Get Deal

You might have heard that DJI faced an FCC ban back in December. However, you can still score DJI drones in the U.S., just not directly from DJI. So long as you keep a close eye on the reputation of a third-party seller, you have access to tons of DJI drone models and this particular mini option happens to be a on a great sale today.

As of April 20, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale at Amazon for $209, marked down from the normal price of $299. That's a 30% discount that saves drone pilots $90. It's also the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

DJI is well known as one of the best creator-friendly brands. There's the social-media famous DJI Mic Mini and the vlogger paradise DJI Osmo Pocket 3. But of course, the brand is excellent at creating drones. The DJI Mini 4K is a perfect model if you're looking for a compact and functional drone that's also beginner friendly.

Whether you're a content creator, in the real estate business, or simply curious about the areas you explore, the DJI Mini 4K would like an invitation to tag along. Weighing under 249 grams, the drone doesn't require a license to operate and it's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Today's sale price applies to the DJI Mini 4K with one battery which will get you just a bit over 30 minutes of flight time. There's also the benefit of 10-kilometer video transmission (about six miles), and an auto return-to-home function.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C300 DC power bank station is under $170 at Amazon — save $80

The DJI Mini 4K has a wind-resistance of level 5, or a bit over 23 miles per hour. DJI also offers beginner tutorials and easy editing of footage.

Before this sale price disappears, snatch up this $209 deal on the DJI Mini 4K drone. A solid model for both experienced and beginner drone pilots, now's a great time to upgrade.

The iPhone Fold (or is it the iPhone Ultra?) won't be arriving until at least September, but early leaks of Apple's foldable show a wider design than typical foldable phones.

The global smartphone market is already adapting to offer similar designs, and Samsung is rumored to be releasing a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide model in July to compete with the foldable iPhone. However, Chinese smartphone brand Huawei has beaten them both to the punch with the April 20 launch of the Huawei Pura X Max, which officially ushered in the era of the wide foldable.

Now, YouTuber Vincent Zhong has posted an unboxing video showing an up-close look at the new Huawei foldable. The video is titled "HUAWEI Pura X Max hands on: the foldable iPhone will look just like this!"

The iPhone Fold is rumored to have a roughly 7.8-inch internal, foldable OLED display and a 5.5-inch outer OLED display, making it noticeably wider than most foldable phones. The Huawei Pura X Max has a 7.7-inch internal display and a 5.4-inch external display, as well as the rounded edges seen in alleged iPhone Fold leaks.

As a result, the smartphone in Zhong's video should closely resemble the first-ever Apple foldable, if the leaks prove true.

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"It can't really be called 'thin and light,' after all, it is a relatively large-screen foldable," Zhong says in the video, according to YouTube's translation of the video transcript.

"But the in-hand feel is excellent. You can see here, my thumb can reach from the second app on the left all the way to the top. Its width is designed so that when the large screen is opened, it's similar to — it can be similar to an iPad mini, forming a small vertical tablet."

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Vincent Zhong / YouTube

SAVE $1,602: As of April 20, the Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV is on sale for just $1,897.99 at Amazon. That's over 45% off its original list price and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV $1,897.99 at Amazon
$3,499.99 Save $1,602.00   Get Deal

If you prioritize picture quality above all else in your TV buying journey, the Samsung S90F OLED 4K TV is tough to beat — especially when you find it on sale.

As of April 20, Amazon slashed the cost of the 77-inch model down to just $1,897.99. According to the original listing on Samsung's website, it's actually a $3,499.99 TV. So technically, you're saving $1,602 (not $600, as the Amazon listing shows) and it's even more on sale than Amazon is letting on. At over 45% off, it's the cheapest we've ever seen this particular model.

Mashable's sister site CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested the Samsung S90F and dubbed it the "best OLED TV for most users" as well as "the holy grail for gamers." With its deep black levels and rich colors, the OLED panel is stellar for watching movies. Even if you're having a marathon of old lower-resolution films or TV shows, an AI processor will upscale the content to look the best it can. It offers support for 144Hz VRR, which means there's minimal lag time and no screen tearing when you're playing your favorite games or watching sports.

It lacks a few of the upgraded specs from the more expensive S95F, like a glare-free coating and Dolby Vision HDR, but its price to picture quality ratio makes up for it. At full cost, it's out of most people's price range, but with a $1,602 price cut, this is one of the best big screen TVs you can buy. Grab the Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV for just under $1,900 while you can.

TL;DR: AI can simplify your nutrition and workouts — and NutriAI gives you lifetime access to do it all for a one-time $39.99 (reg. $499).

Opens in a new window Credit: NutriAI NutriAI Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$499 Save $459.01   Get Deal

AI might raise a few eyebrows, but when it comes to everyday habits — like eating better and staying active — it can actually be a game changer.

NutriAI takes the parts of fitness that tend to feel overwhelming (planning meals, tracking macros, figuring out workouts) and turns them into something structured, simple, and surprisingly manageable. And lifetime access is on sale for a one-time $39.99 (reg. $499).

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Instead of juggling multiple apps or guessing your way through routines, NutriAI brings everything into one place. It builds personalized meal plans based on your goals, helps you track calories and macros without overthinking it, and creates workout programs that adapt as you progress.

It’s less about perfection and more about consistency — something most people actually need.

The platform also connects the dots between planning and execution. Think built-in grocery lists that match your meals, progress tracking that shows what’s working, and analytics that help you stay on track over time.

Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle gain, or just maintaining a healthier routine, it gives you a clear path forward without making it feel like a full-time job.

It offers a low-commitment way to see how AI can support your health goals — no subscriptions, no complicated setup, just an easier way to approach your routine.

Get lifetime access to NutriAI while it’s just $39.99 (reg. $499) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: If you’re looking for true internet privacy, you need this three-year subscription to VP.NET VPN, on sale now for $129.99 (reg. $199.95).

Opens in a new window Credit: VP.NET VP.NET VPN (3-Year Subscription) $129.99
$199.95 Save $69.96   Get Deal

When it comes to taking your online privacy seriously, VPNs are an easy option. But how do you know they’re actually doing the job? VP.NET VPN gives you privacy you can verify, so you don’t have to just blindly trust that your information is safe.

Right now, you can secure a three-year subscription for just $129.99 (reg. $199.95).

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VP.NET VPN is not your average VPN service. It’s the world’s first “zero-knowledge” VPN that makes your online privacy truly enforceable, using secure enclave technology to prevent anyone from checking out or logging your online activity.

Not even the company itself can see your activity. And if you ever have any doubts, there’s a way you can confirm it anytime with built-in verification.

While it offers true security, VP.NET also provides industry-standard encryption, so your data is protected no matter where you sign online, even on public Wi-Fi.

If your connection is ever interrupted, you don’t need to panic. A kill switch will automatically cut your internet connection. You’ll also enjoy IP masking and leak protection, and unlimited bandwidth that lets you stream freely. Speaking of streaming, the global access lets you watch content from around the world and bypass any censorship.

You can use this VPN on up to five devices, so you can enjoy the security over multiple devices. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Take this as your sign to upgrade your online security with this three-year subscription to VP.NET VPN, on sale now for $129.99 (reg. $199.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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