Mashable

Tesla is in a pickle.

Company CEO Elon Musk has been promising fully autonomous driving via Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) package for years. However, in January, it turned out that older Teslas — those with HW3 hardware, as opposed to newer, HW4 hardware inside — don't really support it, and never will.

This wouldn't be such a big deal if numerous HW3 Tesla owners hadn't already purchased the FSD package, which cost thousands of dollars (the price changed a lot over the years).

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk says Tesla's Cybercab has started production

To appease these owners, Tesla previously promised a stripped-down version of the software, called FSD V14 Lite, that will run on Teslas with HW3 hardware, but only in the U.S. On Wednesday, the company expanded that globally, but with caveats. Many, many caveats.

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"Following future rollout of FSD V14 Lite for HW3 vehicles in the US, we plan on expanding V14 Lite to additional international markets. This update ensures that HW3 vehicle owners will continue to benefit from ongoing software updates," the company wrote in a tweet. "Since international rollout is subject to several factors (completion of technical verification, regional adaptation & relevant regulatory approvals), we can't provide definitive dates at the moment, but will provide updates on a rolling basis."

The news coincides with recent approval of FSD in the Netherlands, which will likely open the door to the software being allowed in the rest of the European Union. Tesla has been running supervised FSD tests across Europe; having tried it out in Croatia, I can say that it works reasonably well. But HW3 owners who have purchased FSD aren't particularly happy to be left behind; some have already banded together and launched a claims site, asking for their money back.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

Tesla's FSD Lite is likely a way to appease HW3 owners. It's worth pointing out, however, that FSD and FSD Lite are not the same, and in some ways, they aren't even close. FSD should ultimately provide a truly autonomous driving experience, while FSD Lite gets some FSD features but will likely always remain just a driving assistance package. And no, true FSD is never coming to HW3 vehicles; during Tesla's Q1 2026 earnings call, Musk said that "Hardware 3 simply does not have the capability to achieve unsupervised FSD," due to memory bandwidth, lower camera resolution, and processing power constraints.

Now, about those caveats. We don't really know much about FSD V14 Lite, except, as Tesla's VP of AI Ashok Elluswamy said during the call, it's a "distilled version of the same V14 software that we released for Hardware 4." Furthermore, he said FSD V14 Lite would be coming to the U.S. by "end of June." International rollout will start sometime after that, and is subject to regulatory approvals, technical verification, and regional adaptation. Add to that Musk's propensity to set unrealistic timelines, and it could be a long wait for HW3 Tesla owners in Europe and elsewhere.

During that same earnings call, Musk also said Tesla will at some point be offering the ability to retrofit an older car with HW4 hardware, but it's unclear when that will start, who will be eligible, or whether it would incur additional costs to owners.

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

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

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

How to get the most out of hookup apps

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

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

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

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

Recent updates to this guide

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

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

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

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

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

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

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

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

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

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

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

For years, content creator Amira Virgil longed for an online space that could offer support for other Black female creators. So she decided to make one. 

In 2021, the Brooklyn-based Twitch streamer launched Noir Network.

“The more I learned about the business side of being a creator, the more I realized that this was information that my peers needed to know as well,” Virgil says.

In the first six months of Noir Network, the community was able to bring in more than $50K in brand deals for its members.

“I think community and having people to talk to, relate to, learn from, and collaborate with is very important," says Virgil. "I hope that Noir will continue to inspire others to create, whether they're creating collectives or collaborating in smaller creator groups.” 

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator

Better known online to her thousands of followers as Xmiramira, the 32-year-old has consistently pushed for inclusion and representation within the gaming community.

Beyond Noir Network, Virgil is the founder of The Black Simmer, a digital community for Black Sims players, is the creator behind the Melanin Pack for The Sims 4, and serves as a consultant for various gaming publishers. (Also worth noting is that Virgil was featured on the Mash101 in 2025 — Mashable's list of the top content creators who are helping to shape our digital spaces.)

We caught up with Virgil to learn more about the gear she relies on when it comes to making content, which games she can’t live without, and what her goals are for the future.

What are your content creation essentials?

Sony A6400 mirrorless camera

Sony A6400 mirrorless camera $818 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $181.99   See It at Amazon

Virgil: It has been my primary camera for YEARS. I love the quality and ease of use. Once I discovered that you can use mirrorless cameras in OBS (streaming program), I never looked back. I will always recommend that creators get a mirrorless camera if it's in their budget.

Shure SM7B Microphone

Shure SM7B Microphone $395 at Amazon
$439 Save $44   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart

Virgil: The quality [of this microphone] is unmatched. I will say though, it takes some additional setup based on your environment — things like a Cloudlifter and a nice rug in your office space — to minimize noise. So, keep that in mind. 

Sabrent 5 Bay Docking Station

Sabrent 5 Bay Docking Station $236.99 at Amazon
$279.95 Save $42.96   Shop Now at Amazon

Virgil: It helps me store and organize files and assets for streams, YouTube videos, and gaming mods.

The Hohem iSteady X3 Gimbal stabilizer

The Hohem iSteady X3 Gimbal stabilizer $236.99 at Amazon
$279.95 Save $42.96   Shop Now at Amazon

Virgil: I'm currently making the transition from long-form content to short-form and it has been SO good for Instagram stories. It has really good battery life and it fits perfectly on my desk and vanity. Later this year, I'm starting reels and this will be the main tool I use.

The Neewer ring light

The Neewer ring light $112.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Virgil: When you're a creator, lighting is super important! It helps to keep my quality on point. It's easy to set up and get straight to work. I love the different color panels that allow you to change the tone of the lighting. 

Sigma 16mm lens

Sigma 16mm lens $449 at B&H Photo Video
  Shop Now at B&H Photo Video

Virgil: It gives my content a look that I LOVE, and captures my room really well. If you're taking the dive into DSLR cameras, be sure to look up the different types of lenses that are out there. The default lens (if you have one) may not be your thing. 

Wireless Lavalier Microphone

Wireless Lavalier Microphone $449 at B&H Photo Video
  Shop Now at B&H Photo Video

Virgil: Other than being super cute, it has great sound quality, it's really good with noise cancelling, and it is a nice, affordable starter microphone for creators looking to dip their toe into short-form content. 

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Chainway/Sony/NEEWER/KLSMYHOKI/HOHEM How about your favorite gaming gear and accessories? Logitech G715 Wireless Tactile Mechanical Keyboard With Palm Rest $159 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $60.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy

Virgil: Logitech G705 mouse, and my G715 keyboard — or any Logitech products really. One thing about me, I'm always going to have a Logitech mouse and keyboard in my office.

Sony Earbuds

Sony Deep Bass Wired Earphones with Smartphone Control and Mic - Metallic Black $24.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Virgil: I love a nice pair of Sony earbuds. Oftentimes I wear big hair, so me and headsets don't typically get along. This is where earbuds come in. My current earbuds are the Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbud Headphones.

What are your top five desert island video games?

1. The Sims 2: TS2 was a game truly made with love. From the little things. Even with minimal mods, I can very easily get immersed.

2. World Of Warcraft: A lot of people don't know that I had a WoW binge in high school. It was bad lol.

3. Dynasty Warriors: Any of them really. The most recent title is SO good.

4. Assassin's Creed 2: I still remember the feeling I had when my brother introduced me to that franchise.

5. Diner Dash: Any games in that genre really. If you know, you know. 

What do you love about what you do?

Virgil: The thing I love most about what I do is how unconventional it is and how unpredictable it can be. This line of work has given me experiences that I never thought I would have. 

Who is your ideal audience?

Virgil: My ideal audience consists of people who love FUN. People who know how to have a good time and find the whimsy in life. The world is not in a good place right now for a lot of people, and the state of the internet really reflects that. I think that it's important to try your best as an entertainer to bring the good vibes and to make people happy. 

What goals do you have for your digital footprint?

Virgil: I have a few actually. For over a decade, I created content and I never made archiving a priority. Last year, I decided to change that.

I have had so many different experiences that are gone forever because I didn't make the proper efforts to archive them either locally or on YouTube. So, the goal is to play everything I've ever played (again), alongside new titles, and make sure ALL of them are available on my YouTube channels.

But my general goal is to inspire the young women and girls who come after me and for them to know that they can do whatever they put their mind to, even when things may not be in their favor. 

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

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.

As a U.S. satellite monitored the sun for hazardous space weather this week, something unexpected slipped into view.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-19 orbits about 22,300 miles above Earth and carries instruments that can track solar activity. Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field shield people from the worst health effects of radiation during geomagnetic storms, but these events can still disrupt power grids and navigation systems.

“But sometimes, other activity comes into view that, while not space weather, is still fascinating!” the agency wrote Monday on X.

That activity was Comet C/2025 R3, which recently made its closest approach to both Earth and the sun. In footage posted by NOAA, the giant space snowball suddenly darts across the solar camera's field of view. You can watch it in the X post below.

SEE ALSO: New space images reveal an enormous halo around this famed galaxy

The satellite's coronagraph was able to capture the images because of how the instrument works. It blocks the sun's blinding face to create an artificial eclipse — similar to using your hand to shield your eyes from a bright light. That lets forecasters watch solar storms erupt from the sun's outer atmosphere, events that would otherwise be lost in the glare.

Coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, and solar flares are both enormous explosions on the sun and sometimes occur together. Through specialized telescopes, flares appear as flashes, while ejections look like fans of gas blasting into space, according to NASA. Plasma from a CME can travel more than 1 million mph and usually reaches Earth within about three days.

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Watch the video of Comet R3 from the above X post.

Astronomers discovered Comet R3 in September 2025. The first reports came from Pan-STARRS2, one of two 1.8-meter reflector telescopes at Haleakala on Maui in Hawaii. The observatory scans the sky for near-Earth objects and has been especially successful at finding new comets.

R3 quickly drew attention because many astronomers had predicted it could be the brightest comet to enter the inner solar system this year. Though it may not have been visible to the naked eye, some astronomers expected it to be bright enough for small binoculars.

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The comet made its closest pass by Earth on Sunday, April 26, coming within 45.5 million miles of the planet — roughly half the distance between Earth and the sun. As of Tuesday, it was flying through the constellation Cetus.

Comets formed in the outer solar system about 4.6 billion years ago, during the earliest days of planet formation. Made of ice, dust, and rock, they orbit the sun and may have delivered water and organic compounds — the chemical precursors of biology — to early Earth.

As a comet nears the sun, its ice changes directly from solid to gas, releasing material that forms its glowing tail. Unlike meteors, which streak briefly as shooting stars, comets can trail millions of miles of vaporized ice, dust, and carbon dioxide.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Giro d’Italia for free on SBS on Demand. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There is something incredibly special about watching the best cyclists in the world compete in the Grand Tours. The scenery is amazing, the fans are always passionate, and the racing can become incredibly intense. You quickly become aware that you're watching something otherwordly. These athletes are not normal, and we're blessed to be able to watch these stars compete over three weeks of gruelling competition.

The Giro d'Italia is the first Grand Tour of 2026. This year's event includes the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Giulio Pellizzari, and Adam Yates. There are a number of talented riders very much in the running for the pink jersey this year.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Giro d'Italia for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Giro d’Italia?

The Giro d'Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy. The Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's most prestigious three-week-long Grand Tours (alongside the Tour de France and Vuelta a España).

When is the 2026 Giro d’Italia?

The 2026 Giro d'Italia is the 109th edition of the famous race. This year's race will start on May 8 in Bulgaria and will finish on May 31 in Rome.

How to watch the 2026 Giro d’Italia for free

The 2026 Giro d'Italia is available to live stream for free on SBS on Demand.

SBS on Demand is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can unblock this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access SBS on Demand from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Giro d'Italia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit SBS on Demand

5. Watch the 2026 Giro d’Italia for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Giro d’Italia before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for SBS on Demand?

ExpressVPN is the best service for live streaming top sporting events from around the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 connection speeds

• 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 2026 Giro d’Italia for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Build a Lego Star Wars N-1 Starfighter and take it home with you for free on May 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free N-1 Starfighter for Star Wars Day   Learn More

Lego regularly runs make and take events, providing an opportunity for participants to walk away with an exclusive build for free. We've made noise about a number of these free giveaways over the years, but nothing gets the people going like free Star Wars Lego.

Lego is once again celebrating Star Wars Day by offering an exclusive mini build for free. Visitors to select Lego Stores around the world can build and bring home a model Star Wars N-1 Starfighter for free. This event is intended for participants aged 10+ years, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations, while supplies last. Warning: These free models are going to go quickly.

In the U.S. and Canada, this free giveaway will take place from 12-2 p.m. on May 3. You can then admire your free model on Star Wars Day.

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The free model depicts the Mandalorian’s second ship with Grogu. You're obviously not getting the same level of detail as the new 1,809-piece Lego Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter, but it's a seriously fun collectible that money cannot buy. What's not to love?

The only catch is that you are limited to one build per participant. You can't just turn up and stock up, but that feels fair.

Celebrate Star Wars Day in style with a free N-1 Starfighter from Lego.

TL;DR: Turn your Apple device into a scanning machine with the iScanner App, now $25.97 (reg. $199.90) until May 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $25.97
$199.90 Save $173.93   Get Deal

It’s nice to put pen to paper these days, but when it comes time to get things done, almost everything needs to be digitized. The iScanner App makes that process a lot more straightforward — turning your iPhone or iPad into an on-demand scanner.

Right now, you can score a lifetime subscription to this helpful tool for just $25.97 until May 3.

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Scanning doesn’t have to feel old-fashioned. If you’re immediately picturing the clunky scanner-printer hybrids of yesteryear, it’s time to get iScanner. This app lets you scan anything, anywhere, turning your Apple device into a scanner that digitizes forms, handwritten notes, or important documents in seconds.

Just point your iPhone or iPad camera at the page you need scanned, then iScanner takes over. It is equipped with AI-powered features that detect and adjust the document’s borders, leaving you with a high-quality scan. Then use the tools in the app for color correction and noise removal, if needed.

Pick your preferred file format from PDF, JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, or TXT. If you choose PDF, you can also sign, add text, and auto-fill files right within the app, as iScanner doubles as a PDF editor.

The iScanner technology doesn’t stop at scanning — it can also help with measuring, translating text, counting objects, and more. The app also works as a document manager, organizing your scans as you go. If you are working with sensitive information, you can also add a PIN to files to keep them safe.

Get a lifetime subscription to the iScanner App for $25.97 through May 3.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: If you’re looking for an all-in-one AI toolbox for your daily life, try this three-year subscription to the ChatOn AI Assistant Premium Plan, on sale now for $59.50 (reg. $119.99) with code CHAT30.

Opens in a new window Credit: AIBY ChatOn AI Assistant Premium Plan (3 Year Subscription) $59.48
$119.99 Save $60.51   Get Deal

Between dozens of models and various tools, it can be intimidating to figure out your own AI workflow. That’s where ChatOn shines, serving as your all-in-one AI toolbox ready to tackle your everyday tasks with some help from ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and more.

Right now, a three-year subscription to this service can be yours for only $59.50 (reg. $119.99) — less than $20 a year — with code CHAT30.

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If you want to simplify your AI workflow, it’s time to meet ChatOn. It’s one of the most popular AI chatbots on the market, with 100 million downloads on iOS and Android, so you can join the millions who already use it.

Equipped with ChatGPT, Claude, Sonar, Gemini, and other models, ChatOn can help you research, write, plan, organize, and tackle nearly everything on your to-do list within one app. You don’t have to pay for multiple subscriptions or hop between tabs; just stick with this platform.

A smart prompt library is available with over 100 ready-made prompts to save you time, or you can use the voice option to ask questions without lifting a finger. It’s ready to help generate images, process documents, or extract and analyze text from images with OCR technology.

Handle everything within a single chat — from web searches to answering with questions. It can help you get answers and make decisions. If you don’t feel like using the app, you can also use it on a browser.

See why ChatOn has won a Lovie Award for Best User Experience in the Apps, Platforms, and Software category. A three-year subscription can be yours now for just $59.50 with code CHAT30.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $100: As of April 29, the Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $329 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 $329 at Amazon
$429 Save $100   Get Deal

The Apple Watch Series 11 has dropped in price by $100 at Amazon, so if you've been eyeing up the latest edition of Apple's smartwatch, it's a good time to buy. As of April 29, it is priced at $329 (down from $429). This deal is available across four colors: rose gold, jet black, silver, and space gray.

The Series 11 is a lifestyle watch and fitness tracker in one. You'll get several advanced health tracking tools such as ECG readings, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep scoring, and notifications for irregular heart rhythms or potential signs of high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

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It also excels for tracking any workout or sport, giving you detailed workout metrics, heart rate zones, training load insights, and features like Pacer and Workout Buddy to help guide your activity.

It's designed to last you all day, with a battery life that lasts up to 24 hours. It also has fast charging, so you can get several hours of use in just a few minutes of charge. Alongside the many health features, it also has safety tools like fall detection, crash detection, and Check In. Whenever it detects these incidents, it can help connect you to emergency services or contact one of your loved ones.

This Apple Watch deal is available at Amazon now.

SAVE $110: As of April 29, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is on sale for $489.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 18% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 965 $489.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $110   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a new fitness tracker, you'll be pleased to know the Garmin Forerunner 965 has dropped in price once again. As of April 29, this watch is over $100 off, bringing the price down from $599 to $489.

Garmin's Forerunner range is the perfect companion for runners, providing you with stats across many performance metrics as well as guided training tools. There are models for all budgets and capabilities within the range, and with this new discount the 965 sits somewhere in the middle.

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Display-wise, this watch offers you a bright AMOLED touchscreen with button controls. It has a lightweight titanium bezel for durability, but it's not bulky. You'll get up to 23 days of battery life in smartwatch mode or around 31 hours with GPS, so it's a reliable option for long training events or races.

And training tools are seriously advanced. Enjoy stats like a training readiness score based on sleep, recovery, HRV status, and recent activity as well as personalized daily workouts that adapt after each activity. You'll also get a training status insight which shows whether you’re progressing, peaking, or overreaching.

Get this Garmin deal at Amazon now.

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 29, 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 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 29 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Less than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 29 Pips

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

Less than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 28 Pips

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

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

Less than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 06-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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: Going the distance

• Green: Philly

• Blue: High draft picks

• Purple: First?

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Distances, in Horse Racing

• Green: Associated with Philadelphia Sports

• Blue: First-Round Picks in This Year's NFL Draft

• Purple: First____

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 #583 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Distances, in Horse Racing:  FURLONG, LENGTH, MILE, NOSE

• Associated with Philadelphia Sports:  GRITTY, PHANATIC, TRUST THE PROCESS, TUSH PUSH

• First-Round Picks in This Year's NFL Draft:  BANKS, LEMON, PRICE, STYLES

• First____: BASE, DOWN, PLACE, TAKE

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 the latest 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 admire.

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

ADORE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Heavy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 29, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HEFTY

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Two-legged.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BIPED

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Hefty.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HEAVY

Final Hurdle hint

Pointy.

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

SHARP

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

It may appear full, but the Moon isn't actually at 100% illumination yet. In fact, we're still a couple of days away. But it's still big and bright enough to do some moon gazing, so keep reading to find out what features you might be able to see tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, April 29, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. Tonight, 94% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mares Vaproum, Tranquillitatis, and Imbrium. With binoculars, you'll see the Mare Frigoris, Clavius Crater, and the Alphonsus Crater. And, finally, with a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love a good storm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 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: A stage

• Green: Accompanied by lightning

• Blue: Sesame Street

• Purple: Upright

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Step in a process

• Green: Sound like thunder

• Blue: Kinds of puppets

• Purple: Standing ___

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 #1053 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Step in a process: LEVEL, PHASE, ROUND, STAGE

• Sound like thunder: BOOM, CLAP, ROLL, RUMBLE

• Kinds of puppets: HAND, SHADOW, SOCK, STRING

• Standing ___: JOKE, ORDERS, OVATION, ROOM

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 29, 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 the latest Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love a good catch.

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 29, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fish or cut bait

The words are related to the outdoors.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe going fishing.

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 Tackle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 29

• Reel

• Hook

• Bobber

• Weight

• Tackle

• Lure

• Swivel

• Cooler

• Pliers

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 the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not a fan of big cities.

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 29, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Countryside.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

RURAL

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 the latest Wordle.

TL;DR: Upgrade your kitchen tools with this Seido Japanese Master Chef’s 8-Piece knife set, complete with a gift box, on sale now for just $109.97 (reg. $429) through May 10.

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Barely know how to boil water? Do you consider yourself more of a takeout connoisseur than a cook? You don’t have to cook like a master chef to own these kitchen tools. This Seido Japanese Master Chef’s 8-Piece knife set gives you an expertly curated collection of knives so you can slice, dice, and chop like a top chef.

This set gives you eight high-quality Japanese knives, all for less than what a single knife would cost from a big brand.

Curious what sets these knives apart? Japanese knives are equipped with an acute 15-degree edge angle, creating a noticeably sharper cutting surface than the 25-degree angle of Western-style knives. They also prioritize comfort, with a sloped bolster that gradually extends onto the blade so you get better control, more balance, and an improved grip.

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Lock in savings on the Seido Japanese Master Chef’s 8-Piece knife set and get it for just $109.97 today.

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Last year, DJI's Mic Mini was one of our favorite microphones for content creators. It just got a sequel — though you may have to wait to see it.

The miniature microphone array is back in the form of DJI Mic Mini 2, first spotted by The Verge. It's available now in most markets around the world, with pricing starting at €59 for a bundle that has a charging case, a wireless receiver, and a mic transmitter.

You can also get some more expensive bundles, such as a €99 version with a bigger receiver, a couple of transmitters, and a larger charging case.

Look at what you can't have, America. Credit: DJI UK

You may have noticed the lack of a U.S. dollar sign there. That's because this product, like some other DJI products, is not available in the U.S. right now, and we don't know if it will be any time soon.

All DJI products are facing long delays when it comes to launching in the U.S. — here's why.

SEE ALSO: DJI reveals Osmo Pocket 4, upgrading its popular gimbal camera. But there's a big catch.

U.S. users can take heart with the fact that none of the improvements in the Mic Mini 2 seem that big of a deal. The major upgrade is a series of magnetic, swappable mic covers that come in different colors, which could be useful for making the mics either blend in with something or stand out, depending on what you want.

There are also new voice presets, which could be handy for some content creators.

It's a good thing those sweaters exactly match the colors of the mic covers. Credit: DJI

Last year, Mashable found that the original Mic Mini made for a great option for anyone who wanted to record audio in a portable fashion and without breaking the bank. The audio quality was solid and they interface with a mobile app for easy settings adjustment.

Unfortunately, U.S. customers will have to get more than a little creative if they want to get their hands on the new version.

South Africa's ambitions to become a continental leader in artificial intelligence have run into a deeply awkward obstacle: the country's draft national AI policy had to be withdrawn after it was found to contain fictitious, apparently AI-generated citations.

Reuters reported that the document was nearing finalization in parliament when fabricated references were discovered in its source list. Solly Malatsi, South Africa's Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, announced the withdrawal in a statement posted to X on April 26, calling the lapse a direct compromise of the policy's integrity.

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"This failure is not a mere technical issue but has compromised the integrity and credibility of the draft policy," Malatsi wrote. "The most plausible explanation is that AI-generated citations were included without proper verification. This should not have happened. In fact, this unacceptable lapse proves why vigilant human oversight over the use of artificial intelligence is critical."

AI hallucinations remain a stubborn and largely intractable problem with language models, as Mashable has reported repeatedly.

Phony citations have been a particular problem in legal documents, and a growing number of U.S. lawyers have been busted and reprimanded for submitting AI-generated legal briefs riddled with hallucinations. An online legal hallucination database maintained by lawyer and data scientist Damien Charlotin has found more than 900 such cases in the United States alone (and four in South Africa, not including the latest debacle).

The withdrawn policy had outlined the establishment of a national AI commission, an ethics board, and a regulatory body, alongside tax incentives, grants, and subsidies to stimulate private-sector investment. South Africa's stated goal, per Reuters, was to position itself as Africa's leading hub for AI innovation.

Malatsi's statement did not indicate a timeline for when a revised draft will be produced.