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SAVE $100: The Nutri Ninja Personal & Countertop Blender is on sale at Amazon for $149.99, down from the normal price of $249.99. That's a 40% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Nutri Ninja Personal & Countertop Blender (BL642) $149.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $100 Get Deal

We never thought a blender would become a major character in one of this year's most anticipated shows, but add it to the list of things we didn't see coming in 2025. The White Lotus featured a blender in almost every episode of the third season, and if it's been making you consider that your home blender could use an upgrade, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of April 8, the Nutri Ninja Personal & Countertop Blender is on sale for $149.99, marked down from the normal price of $249.99. That's a savings of $100 thanks to the 40% discount.

Serving as a full-size countertop blender and a personal smoothie maker, the Nutri Ninja is a versatile appliance that deserved space in your kitchen. The large pitcher holds an impressive 72 ounces which is perfect for blending up a batch of piña colada for the whole family.

But this model also includes personal to-go cups that fit on the blender base, so you'll be able to make your own drink in a single cup without using the main pitcher. The to-go cups measure 18, 24, and 32 ounces, so you have some options for making your smoothie ready to head out the door.

SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3's Sam Nivola explains why Lochlan didn't clean out the blender

The 1200W motor base comes with all the functions you're looking for in a blender. Frozen drinks/smoothies, puree, blend, and ultra blend are the pre-set blender functions, but you'll also get pulse, low, medium, and high buttons. Many of these functions come equipped with Ninja's Auto-iQ technology which takes over the timing guesswork, so you can walk away from the blender and it'll reach the desired texture and turn off all on its own.

The to-go cup, the large pitcher, and the included lids are all dishwasher-safe, so there's no need to spend time handwashing.

From protein shakes during the day to piña coladas by night, the Nutri Ninja Personal & Countertop Blender is there to provide. Today's discount that saves you $100, making it a more affordable option. Someone tell the Ratliff's about this sale.

SAVE 50%: The Blink Mini 2 home security camera is just $19.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $39.99. That's a savings of $20 and a sale price that matches the lowest we've ever seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Mini 2 home security camera $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Now that the work-from-home era seems to be ending (sob), keeping an eye on your home while you're away feels more attractive than ever. Between wondering if the dog is eating the couch to hoping the delivered package isn't getting drenched in the rain, adding some security cameras to your home is wise. Even smarter is grabbing them with this deal at Amazon.

As of April 8, the new Blink Mini 2 home security camera is just $19.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $39.99. That's a 50% discount that shaves $20 off the list price. Today's sale price also matches the lowest we've ever spotted.

SEE ALSO: The Google Nest Cam is down to its lowest price of 2025

For under $20, the Blink Mini 2 packs in the features. For starters, it's designed to use indoors or outside. The materials are weatherproof, so there's no need for concern about a summer rain squall. But it's also great for adding inside to keep an eye on pets. You can also place it in the nursery to have immediate access to see if the baby is still napping.

The Blink Mini 2 comes with motion detection so you can get real-time notifications on your phone about what the camera is picking up. The 1080p resolution is nice, as is the night view in color. If you're using this model outside, the built-in spotlight is fantastic and there's two-way audio.

Set-up is simple, but keep in mind the Blink Mini 2 is wired, so you'll need to use it near a power source. If you're opting to place it outside, you'll want to grab the weather-resistant power adapter. The camera and outdoor-worthy plug are available as a bundle that's currently on sale for $29.98. Otherwise, the Blink Mini 2 deal comes with the camera, a mounting kit, stand, USB cable, and power adapter.

If you're ready to ramp up your home's security, it doesn't get much better than a camera for under $20. Since the Blink Mini 2 is 50% off, it's smart to jump on it sooner rather than later, since there's no telling when it'll go back to full price.

SAVE $62.80: As of April 8, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ for $157.19 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $219.99. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ $157.19 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $62.80 Get Deal

When you're shopping for a new tablet, you've got a wide variety of options to choose from. While you can't go wrong with an iPad, Samsung has a selection of reliable tablets to choose from as well. There are some mid-tier options that you can get for a great price that can help you get things done without breaking the bank as well, evidenced by this deal from Amazon today.

As of April 8, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ for $157.19 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $219.99. That's $62.80 off, or a discount of 29%.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets in 2025

This 11-inch tablet boasts a 1920 x 1200 screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, 480 nits of brightness, and quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos. That means you get a crisp display with great sound, with 4GM of RAM, up to 1TB of expandable storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 69 processor under the hood. All that adds up to a powerful, lightweight tablet that can do whatever you need for under $200.

Multitasking is made easy with the Galaxy Tab A9+'s snappy performance, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies and play all the games you want or get work done on the go without having to wait for your tablet to get with the program. It's also easy to send files to and from thanks to its Quick Share functionality.

If you're looking for a new tablet for yourself or even for a younger member of your family, this is a fantastic pick that likely won't last long at this price, so be sure to snap one up while you can.

EARN DOUBLE POINTS: On April 8, enjoy double rewards on all Kindle book purchases. Shop deals and new releases to spend while you save.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Earn double Kindle Rewards points on every store Get 6 points for ever $1 spent. Get Deal

Kindle offers lots of ways to read at a discount whether that be its Libby compatibility, Amazon First Reads, or Kindle Unlimited. But if you do like to buy your books, you can save there too.

As of April 8, receive double points on all Kindle purchases with the Kindle Rewards loyalty program. Typically, you earn three points for every dollar spent, but on April 8, you earn double points on every purchase. That means you earn six points per dollar. Those points add up, and for every 300 points earned, get $3 back to use on your next purchase in the Kindle store.

Start shopping the Kindle Store now and start earning double points. Want even extra savings? Earn double points while shopping Kindle's e-book deals.

Kindle e-book deals

• Here After by Amy Lin — $1.99 $14.99 (save $13)

• The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore — $1.99 $18.99 (save $17)

• Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre — $1.99 $20 (save $18.01)

• A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson — $2.99 $24 (save $21.01)

• Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)

• Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky — $2.99 $19.99 (save $17)

• Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See — $2.99 $18.99 (save $16)

• The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave — $2.99 $9.99 (save $7)

• Shark Heart by Emily Habeck — $2.99 $13.99 (save $11)

• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin — $2.99 $13.99 (save $11)

• The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware — $2.99 $18.99 (save $16)

• In Pieces by Sally Field — $3.99 $17.99 (save $14)

• A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko — $3.99 $34 (save $30.01)

• Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez — $11.99 $17.99 (save $6)

GET $40 OFF: As of April 4, the Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive is on sale for $89.99 for a savings of 31%, or $40 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Western Digital Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

What's the recipe for pulling off a busy time of travel and work? For many people, a portable SSD is of utmost importance. Whether you'll be using it to back up programs that are far too large for your travel laptop, or holding onto it as an extra layer of defense in case the laptop gets swiped from your hotel table, a lightweight SSD can have your back.

Right now, the Western Digital 1TB Passport SSD is on sale for $89.99, down from, $129.99, saving you $40. That's 31% off.

SEE ALSO: Game time — this Asus TUF Gaming Laptop is $400 off and it's got a Radeon RX7700S

The Western Digital My Passport SSD is available with data storage space between 500GB and 4TB. It delivers speeds up to 1050MB/s. Built to travel, it is shock and vibration resistant and has security built in, with password protections and 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

Whether you're planning to take work from home on the road, or you want a small SSD to hide somewhere secure, this portable option is a deal.

Compared to other appliances, the journey to buy a new TV is arguably one of the most elusive.

Unboxing them (and returning them, if you really need to) will have you sweating significantly more than, say, a robot vacuum would, and the tech involved gets far more in the weeds than, say, whether a refrigerator can reliably keep food cold. Of course, you can totally go to the store to try to assess things like brightness or color volume in person. But seeing 15 TVs playing the same exact thing is often less of a helpful real-life simulation and more of a disorienting house of mirrors.

SEE ALSO: It's officially baseball season: Here's how to watch every MLB game in 2025

There are two ways you could go about your TV hunt next: Falling into a Reddit rabbit hole of QLED vs. OLED or just seeing what an expert has to say.

How do I choose my new TV?

TV specs are notoriously confusing to people who don't test them for a living. Luckily, we happen to know someone who actually does test TVs for a living. Ty Pendlebury is a tech journalist who tests a ton of top TVs for CNET, which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis. Pendlebury has been honing his craft for almost 20 years at CNET, where there's a dedicated lab for testing TVs.

SEE ALSO: 25 best movies on Netflix to stream right now

With Pendlebury's expertise in mind, we've pulled the best QLED and OLED TVs you can buy as of April 2025. It's a much more consolidated list than most others you'll find online — but that might be a relief if you're overwhelmed with the options. We've dubbed 65 inches as the sweet spot for most people, though these curated picks would also shine if you go an even bigger route. All options included come in 75 or 77 inches, with most also expanding to 83 or 85 inches. One even hits over 100 inches.

If it makes your investment feel less intimidating, just know that most of our picks are on sale right now — April is one of the best months to buy a TV on sale, thanks to new 2025 TVs flooding the market come springtime. Best Buy TV deals happen to cover the smart TVs we'd be recommending even at full price, spanning the best TV brands like LG, Samsung, Hisense, and TCL.

Best QLED TV for most people Opens in a new window Credit: TCL Our pick: TCL 65-inch QM8 Mini LED 4K TV $899.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

The QLED TV market is a more saturated one than OLED, so pinpointing a singular model as the best QLED TV with no further questions asked is a little bit rockier. For most people, the best QLED TV for your buck will be the TCL QM8.

It's consistently regarded as one of the absolute brightest TVs on the market, and we're impressed that it's not in a higher price range given its punchy mini LED panel. Pendlebury says: "In my comparison tests, it continues to stand out with superior brightness and impact while still maintaining excellent contrast: a combination no other TV could match at this price."

While this intensity of brightness makes the QM8 a solid choice for viewing or playing in daylight, its more-precise-than-usual backlights keep details crisp in a dark room. This flexibility, plus VRR compatibility and 4K support up to 144Hz, make it a solid contender for gamers who want a screen bigger than a 55-inch, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars. But for a story dedicated to the best big TVs, it is worth noting that the QM8 offers serious attention to the 65-inch+ side of things: It has two sizes that exceed the traditional 85-inch max. Those ones are definitely a few thousand dollars, though.

TCL debuted a QM8 sibling, the QM6K Mini LED, at CES. It wasn't out yet during the original writing of this story in February 2025, but it's out and already on sale as of early April. Pendlebury already took it for a test drive, noting that the QM6K's detailed shadows during darker movies palpably stood out compared to the similarly-priced Roku Pro.

But at the end of the day, Pendlebury asserted that the QM8 is still ultimately the better pick, especially in terms of brightness and dimming zone variety. Nonetheless, the QM6K is still a stellar mini LED TV for the low-to-mid-tier price range — the 65-inch QM6K being on sale for $749.99 definitely ups its value, too.

What are the other sizes?

The TCL QM8 comes in 65, 75, 85, 98, and 115 inches.

Another pick worth considering

If you'd prefer to scoot a little further away from the $1,000 mark, the Hisense U6N is an excellent cheap QLED TV. Best Buy frequently has the 65-inch model on sale for $499.99, and its color volume and contrast are seriously punchy for a TV just over $500. It's not as impressive in the motion zippiness or gaming features department, though, so it'd be better suited for more casual TV watchers who care more about a big screen value.

The Hisense U6N also comes in 55, 75, and 85 inches.

Best OLED TV for most people Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG 65-inch C4 OLED 4K TV $1,399.99 at Best Buy
$1,699.99 Save $300 Get Deal Why we like it

LG's C-Series OLEDs are the darling of the TV-obsessed corner of the internet. The 2024 C4 model builds on the beloved 2023 C3 with better peak brightness and support for 144Hz versus the C3's 120Hz. CNET's Pendlebury loves a lot about the C4: "Its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast, and superb off-angle viewing kept it a notch above the mini-LED models in my comparison tests, and while its overall brightness isn't quite as impressive, it's still an incredible performer in all kinds of room lighting." This list of pros gave it better picture quality than any non-OLED TVs that Pendlebury has tested — without being "outrageously expensive."

Much of this impeccable quality is effortless on your part, too, thanks to the addition of Filmmaker Mode, in which the TV tweaks its own settings to preserve the director's intended aspect ratio, colors, and frame rates (rather than you doing the adjusting by hand). On top of screen-related specs, the C4 earns high marks from gamers with its 144Hz refresh rate.

What are the other sizes?

The LG C4 comes in 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches.

Another pick worth considering

The Samsung S95D is a rare OLED-specific model with a matte finish, stopping reflections in their tracks better than, well, pretty much any other TV. According to CNET's Pendlebury, "That matte finish really works, reducing windows and other glare to dimmer blobs instead of super-bright, mirror-like distractions. Between its versatile matte screen and awesome picture overall, the Samsung S95D delivers the best image quality of any TV we've tested."

The only caveat? The price. The 65-inch S95D retails for $3,099.99 and goes on sale at Best Buy for as low as $1,999.99 — still several hundred dollars more than the 65-inch C4. The Samsung S95D also comes in 55 and 77 inches.

Bonus: Best outdoor TV Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung 65-inch The Terrace Partial Sun Outdoor QLED 4K TV $4,999.99 at Samsung
Get Deal Why we like it

Most of the top TV brands still haven't branched out into the outdoor TV market (outdoor meaning waterproof). But we're OK with that, because Samsung's The Terrace is the only pick you'll need.

The 2024 version of The Terrace is the only Terrace with Neo QLED lighting, which is just Samsung's term of endearment for mini LEDs. This makes it the brightest Terrace yet, and brightness is the top factor determining how clear a TV screen's details are when watching in broad daylight — though the anti-glare screen helps, too. The Terrace's AI upscaling methods have even been optimized specifically for watching in a shaded outdoor space, regardless of the season. As for the waterproofness, the newest Terrace TV has an IP56 rating versus the older models' IP55.

What are the other sizes?

The 2024 Samsung Terrance (Partial Sun) comes in 55, 65, and 75 inches.

When will 2025 TV models be released?

The typical TV release cycle starts in January, when most TV brands announce their new models for the year at CES. New models tend to release to the public in March and April — the TCL QM6K and LG C5 and G5 adhered to this schedule exactly.

The winter-unveiling-to-spring-release timeline isn't guaranteed, though. Brands don't necessarily have to announce all of their upcoming TV drops at the very beginning of the year, especially if they're not CES frequenters. Other flagship TVs don't get their upgrades at CES at all, like the newest version of The Terrace that came out in September 2024.

Season 6 of the heartbreakingly human documentary series VICE TV’s Dark Side of the Ring continues with a headfirst dive into the seismic, singular life of Leon Allen White — better known to the world (and the ring) as Big Van Vader.

In an exclusive clip from the latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring, we see the early rumblings of Vader’s transformation from a pro football player to a full-blown wrestling legend. It’s narrated by WWE and AEW star Chris Jericho with raw, firsthand insight from Vader’s son Jesse, wrestling historian Jim Cornette, and fellow pro wrestler Stan Hansen.

SEE ALSO: Dump Matsumoto and the Crush Gals: The real-life icons behind Netflix's 'The Queen of Villains'

Vader wasn’t just big. He was Japan’s kaiju come to life — a super heavyweight who moved like he was light on his feet but hit like a falling building. His time in Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) redefined what it meant to be terrifying in spandex. There’s a reason his name still echoes. There’s a reason fans still say it a little breathlessly: Vader was the GOAT.

If you’ve never watched Vader then please carve out an evening to check out Dark Side of the Ring. You’ll see what we mean. He was brutal. He was beautiful. He was real. Though Leon Allen White died in 2018 at the age of 63, his legacy as Vader, like his presence in the ring, remains outsized — not just for what he did but also for how unforgettable he made it look.

You can watch the full episode "Big Van Vader" on VICE TV on April 8, 10:00-11:00 PM ET or on Hulu. New episodes air weekly.

SAVE $60: As of April 8, the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch7 smartwatch is on sale at Best Buy for $239.99, 20% off its list price of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung - Galaxy Watch7 Aluminum Smartwatch 40mm BT - Cream $239.99 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $60 Get Deal

The arrival of spring is great news for those who love to spend time outdoors in the warm weather. If you've been looking for a smartwatch to help you keep up with your activities as you move outside, the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is worth a look. What's even better is it's currently discounted right now at Best Buy.

The 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch7 has received a $60 discount at Best Buy that's dropped its price from $299.99 to $239.99. Two different color variations are marked down to this price as well, so you can choose between the cream colored smartwatch or the green one.

SEE ALSO: The Sony WF-C700N earbuds have returned to their lowest-ever price at Amazon for a limited time

The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 offers a variety of health and fitness features that are great for helping you hit your goals. These include heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, and an Energy Score that shows how ready you are to take on the day based on stats from the previous day. It also offers Wellness Tips that can help keep you on track towards your goals.

With the weather getting warmer, there's no better time than now to pick up a smartwatch for your outdoor adventures. Don't miss out on $60 off the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 at Best Buy.

In the spirit of spring, Best Buy has some more deals that are worth checking out right now as well. One of our favorites at the moment is a big $300 discount on the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum. If you're looking for a little spring cleaning help this year, this deal is worth taking advantage of as well.

The White Lotus Season 3 finale dealt out plenty of death, but there was one character who got very lucky to escape it: Lochlan (Sam Nivola), who almost died from poison fruit seeds after he failed to clean out the blender that Timothy had nearly used to murder his family the night before.

Appearing on The Tonight Show in the clip above, Jimmy Fallon asks Nivola the question that everyone is asking: Why does Lochlan cheerfully make himself a protein shake without at least rinsing out the dregs first?

"So it's been about 12 hours and I've gotten this question probably 1,000 times already," says Nivola. "Here's my answer: I was expecting that Saxon had made a protein shake in it. I thought it was just leftover protein, so I thought you know what, a little extra protein never hurt anybody."

OK, that makes more sense.

SAVE $70: As of April 8, the Beats Solo 4 headphones are on sale at Amazon for $129.95, 35% off their list price of $199.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70 Get Deal

If you're planning to spend some more time outside in the springtime sunshine, it feels good to have a reliable pair of headphones you can take out with you. If you've been on the hunt for a new pair or are just looking for an upgrade, Amazon's offering some great deals at the moment. One of our favorites we've spotted is a deal on the Beats Solo 4 headphones.

The Beats Solo 4 have received a 35% discount at Amazon, dropping their price from $199.95 to $129.95. This price matches what they were during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, so now is a good time to grab them if they've been on your radar. This offer applies to multiple colors as well, so you can choose between the matte black, black & gold, cloud pink, and slate blue headphones.

SEE ALSO: The Sony ULT Field 1 portable speaker is just $98 at Amazon for a limited time

If you love to be absorbed in the latest album releases or get lost in an exciting audiobook, the Beats Solo 4 offer a comfortable fit and up to 50 hours of battery life so you can listen for longer. On top of great sound quality, they also offer Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking that surrounds you with sound as you listen. With this you can feel even more immersed in what you're listening to.

Amazon has the Beats Solo 4 listed as a limited time deal, so if they've caught your eye you'll want to act fast to secure them at this price.

If you're on the hunt for more headphone and earbud deals, we've found a couple of the latter that are worth a look right now. At Amazon, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds have returned to their lowest-ever price and the Beats Fit Pro are still at their reduced Big Spring Sale price there as well.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 8 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Out of this world

The words are titles.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are movies that share an 'out of this world' genre.

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 ScienceFiction.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 8

• Gravity

• Arrival

• Dune

• Alien

• Megalopolis

• ScienceFiction

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for April 8 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's The Mini crossword answers for April 7, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An extra.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SPARE.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 8

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 8 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: To puncture

• Green: Heard on a walkie talkie

• Blue: Seen in the Bible

• Purple: Spelled differently than their pronunciation

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Prick

• Green: Radio lingo

• Blue: Old Testament books

• Purple: Words pronounced "Sh" without an "Sh"

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 #665 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Prick: JAB, PIERCE, POKE, STICK

• Radio lingo: COPY, NEGATIVE, OVER, ROGER

• Old Testament books: DANIEL, JOB, JUDGES, NUMBERS

• Words pronounced "Sh" without an "Sh:" SEAN, SIOBHAN, SUGAR, SURE

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 8

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.

With stock prices cratering following Trump's tariff trade war, Jon Stewart has turned his attention to the economy.

In the Daily Show monologue above, the host breaks down everything from Trump disappearing to play a golf tournament while the economy burned down to Trump's shouty "ONLY THE WEAK WILL FAIL!" reaction on TruthSocial.

"What are you doing? Your economic policy has the same tagline as Season 3 of Squid Game," says Stewart. "That's supposed to make us feel better?"

Ultimately, Stewart makes a comparison to the crash seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. "And this time, there's no controversy over how it all started."

Teens on Instagram won't be able to broadcast Live to their friends without getting parental permission first, as Meta amps up youth safety features for its Teen Accounts across all its platforms.

In addition to stronger restrictions on going Live for youth under the age of 16, the platform now requires teens get parental consent to turn off content moderation filters that blur images containing suspected nudity in direct messages — adding to a suite of safety features announced last year.

And it's not just for Instagram now: The parent company will also begin rolling out Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger today (April 8). Parental supervision for Teen Accounts can be accessed on Meta's Family Center.

SEE ALSO: Five years of remote work changed workplace accessibility. Employees with disabilities will feel its loss.

Teen Accounts have quickly become Meta's flagship youth product, said Tara Hopkins, global director of public policy at Instagram. "Everything our youth teams are building is being built under our Best Interests of the Child Framework. Then it goes through a multi-framework youth review, and finally it's looked at through Teen Accounts," Hopkins explained to Mashable. "We're going to be increasingly using Teen Accounts as an umbrella, moving all of our [youth safety] settings into it. Anything that parents are adjacent to, that we think parents are going to be worried about or have questions about will be moved under Teen Accounts."

Parents can now supervise Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger. Credit: Meta Parents and teens will be notified of settings changes. Credit: Meta

According to Meta, more than 54 million teens have been moved into a restricted Teen Account since the initial rollout, with 97 percent of users under the age of 16 keeping the platform's default security settings. Teens 13-15 have stronger restrictions, including requiring parental permission to make any adjustments to the platform's youth accounts. Meta users aged 16 years and older have more flexibility to change their settings at will.

Meta is cleaning up its youth safety image

The company launched Teen Accounts for Instagram in September, part of an app-wide overhaul of its teen safety offerings that centralized security and content restrictions under one platform banner. Teen Accounts are automatically set to private, have limited messaging capabilities, and built-in screen time controls — Instagram also limits (but doesn't ban) ad targeting for teen users. New users are now placed into a Teen Account by default, while existing teen users are still in the process of being transferred over.

Meta said finding and transitioning existing accounts remains difficult. The company has previously stated it is developing an in-house, AI-powered technology to help detect teen accounts that have bypassed the automatic rollout or that have incorrect birthdays, in addition to current age verification processes. The effort, Hopkins explained, is part of a "more precautionary principle" taken up by the company in recent years, in order to "take off the pressure" from parents who have had to remain more vigilant in the past.

Stronger content restrictions have become a hot topic for Meta, with ongoing concerns about children being exposed to harmful or explicit content. Meta has spent years reconciling demands to curb widespread misinformation and harassment across its platforms.

But while Meta cracks down on youth endangerment, the company has reversed course on content moderation and safety generally, including slashing its third-party fact-checking team, cutting DEI programs, and gutting its hateful conduct policy.

SAVE $15: As of April 8, the Kindle Essentials Bundle - which comes with a 2024 matcha colored Kindle, a matcha colored fabric cover, and a power adapter - is on sale for $146.97. This is 9% off its listed price of $161.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Essentials Bundle including Kindle (2024 release) - Matcha, Fabric Cover - Matcha, and Power Adapter $146.97 at Amazon
$161.97 Save $15 Get Deal

If you're an avid reader, a Kindle can be a great investment to work through some exciting new books. I picked up the standard Kindle last year and have really enjoyed getting stuck in fun new stories ever since. If you've been hoping to grab one, we've got good news: you can save on the Kindle Essentials Bundle right now at Amazon.

The Kindle Essentials Bundle comes with a matcha colored Kindle (the latest release), a matcha colored fabric cover, and a power adapter for $146.97. This is $15 off its listed price of $161.97, which is how much it would cost you to buy each of those items separately. It's a nice little deal to take advantage of, setting you up with everything you need to start your reading adventure.

SEE ALSO: The JBL Clip 5 is back down to its lowest price this year

If you're frequently on the go, this Kindle is the perfect size to come with you. No matter where I'm going I've been able to fit it perfectly into a purse or backpack. It boasts a six-inch, glare-free screen and an extra-long battery life that can last you up to six weeks. It also has 16GB of storage so you can stock up on a huge variety of books to fill up your digital library.

With the weather getting warmer, now's a great time to pick up a Kindle and spend some time reading outside. Don't miss out on this deal on the Kindle Essentials Bundle to get everything you need all at once.

There are a few more deals on Amazon devices that are worth checking out right now as well. In particular, you can also score a great discount at the moment on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K if you're looking to upgrade your streaming setup.

SAVE $50: As of April 8, ASUS ROG Falchion NX Wireless Gaming Keyboard is available for $99.99 at Amazon. That’s 33% off its regular price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Falchion NX Wireless Gaming Keyboard $99.96 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.03 Get Deal

If I ever disappear into the mechanical keyboard subreddit and don’t come back, just know it all started with ASUS ROG Falchion NX. It’s a wireless 65% mechanical keyboard that somehow manages to cram arrow keys, nav keys, and a weirdly addictive touch panel into a compact frame — and right now, it’s $50 off at Amazon.

This thing is selling for $99.99 instead of its usual $149.99, which feels like a setup. As in, I'm being tempted by my own typing preferences. The model on sale uses ASUS’s NX Red linear switches, which are smooth, fast, and feel exactly like you'd expect from a keyboard that looks like it costs rent. (In this case, it costs significantly less than rent, and I’m not mad about it.)

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

The interactive touch panel on the side is the kind of gimmick I’d normally ignore, except it’s actually good. You can slide your finger to adjust volume, flip through apps, or just fidget with it while pretending you’re doing something productive. There's also per-key RGB lighting, because it’s 2025 and we’ve all accepted that our peripherals should glow like rave flyers.

It connects wirelessly over 2.4GHz RF or via USB, with up to 450 hours of battery life if you’re cool with turning the lights off. I’m not, but still — that’s an absurd number. You also get doubleshot PBT keycaps and a carrying case that doubles as a keyboard protector. It’s almost like ASUS knew I’d be tempted to toss this in a bag for no good reason.

• Price: $99.99 $149.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Color Options: Black

• Keyboard Layout: 65% compact (68 keys)

• Switch Type: ROG NX Red linear mechanical switches

• Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT

• Connectivity: USB wired and 2.4GHz wireless

• Battery Life: Up to 450 hours (with RGB off)

• Features: Interactive touch panel, per-key RGB with Wireless Aura Sync

• Extras: Includes keyboard cover case for travel/protection

I think this is one of the better sub-$100 mechanical keyboard deals I’ve seen in a while. It’s flashy without being ridiculous, compact without sacrificing function, and durable enough to handle rage-typing during a sweaty Apex match.

SAVE $25: As of April 8, ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Gaming Mouse is available for $124.99 at Amazon. That’s 17% off its regular price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Gaming Mouse $124.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

I’ll admit it: I used to think “more buttons” on a mouse was just a flex for MMORPG players who assign macros like their life depends on it. Then I claw gripped an ASUS ROG Spatha X, and now I’m a convert. With 12 programmable buttons, a 19,000 DPI sensor, and a ridiculously slick magnetic charging stand, this mouse isn’t just overkill — it’s the kind of overkill I crave.

Right now, it’s 17 percent off at Amazon, bringing the price down to $124.99. Still a premium mouse, yes, but considering what’s packed into it, I think it’s a fair price for something that basically moonlights as a spaceship.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

Let’s start with the basics. It works wired or wireless, and the 2.4GHz RF connection doesn’t make me rage about lag. It’s responsive, fast, and precise. The optical sensor can crank up to 19,000 DPI, which is more than I’ll probably ever need, but I do enjoy the power trip. Plus, you can adjust DPI on the fly with a scroll-wheel toggle. No software menus. No nonsense.

I’m also a fan of how it charges. You get a magnetic dock that feels like it belongs on a sci-fi movie set. And the battery life? Sixty-seven hours on a full charge. Or just plug it in for 15 minutes and you’ve got 12 hours of juice. I have houseplants with a more demanding care routine.

• Price: $124.99 $149.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Color Options: Black

• Connectivity: Dual-mode (USB-C and 2.4GHz wireless)

• DPI Sensor: 19,000 DPI optical sensor

• Buttons: 12 programmable buttons

• Switches: ROG Micro Switches with hot-swap sockets

• Charging: Magnetic charging stand and USB-C cable

• Battery Life: Up to 67 hours on full charge; 12 hours with 15-minute quick charge

• Special Features: On-the-fly DPI adjustment, Aura RGB lighting

The button layout is honestly ideal if you’re into MOBAs or just hate reaching for hotkeys. And the hot-swap switch sockets mean you can swap out the mouse switches without breaking out the soldering iron. I haven’t done it yet, but knowing I could if I wanted to? Love that for me.

All that plus customizable Aura RGB lighting, because of course. If your mouse isn’t glowing like a nightclub, are you even gaming?

SAVE $20: As of April 8, ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless Gaming Headphones are available for $79.99 at Amazon. That’s 20% off their regular $99.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless Gaming Headphones $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20 Get Deal

A solid pair of gaming earbuds with real features for under $80? I think I just found the unicorn of wireless audio. ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless Gaming Headphones are currently 20 percent off at Amazon, knocking the price down to $79.99 from the usual $99.99. For earbuds that look sleek, sound sharp, and somehow cater to both casual listeners and sweaty-thumbed gamers, this feels like a rare moment of capitalist kindness.

What I like most is that these earbuds aren’t trying too hard. They just do the thing. Gaming mode gives you low-latency audio so your Fortnite jump scares sync up with the chaos on screen. No audio delay to ruin your perfectly-timed shotgun blast. And the hybrid active noise cancelation actually works, so I can block out my neighbor’s dog (who has apparently discovered barking as a new lifestyle).

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

Then there’s the battery life. ASUS claims up to 27 hours total with the case, which is either a tech miracle or a subtle reminder that I need to stop binge-watching Twitch streams. The wireless charging case is also a win — I’ve reached the point where plugging things in feels like too much effort, and this setup respects that.

These earbuds are compatible with everything from the PlayStation 5 to your phone, so I don’t have to commit to one ecosystem. I can rage-quit a game on my Switch, pick up a call on my iPhone, then watch YouTube on my laptop without switching gear. That’s the kind of chaos I aspire to.

• Price: $79.99 $99.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Color Options: White, Black

• Form Factor: In-ear

• Connectivity: Bluetooth with low-latency gaming mode

• Battery Life: Up to 27 hours with charging case

• Charging: Supports wireless and USB-C charging

• Noise Cancelation: Hybrid active noise cancelation (ANC)

• Water Resistance: IPX4-rated (splash-resistant)

• Compatibility: PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, mobile devices

And in case you’re wondering: yes, they’re also water-resistant. IPX4 won’t save you if you drop them in a lake, but it’ll handle a drizzle or some gym sweat without issue. Not that I’ve been to a gym in months, but it’s nice to pretend.

For $79.99, I don’t think you’ll find another pair of gaming earbuds this feature-packed. Unless you count the knockoff ones that sound like they were tuned inside a tin can. I say skip the drama and snag the ROG Cetras while they’re marked down.

SAVE $200 : As of April 8, the Google Pixel 9 is on sale for $699.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 $649.75 at Amazon
$799 Save $149.25 Get Deal

Amazon's Daily Deals is the perfect place for discounts and deals. You'll find lots of great bargains on anything from TVs to smartphones. But we really love this latest deal on the Google Pixel 9. It's a great all-rounder — just check out our review to see what we thought.

As of April 8, you can find this model at Amazon for 22% off, now just $699.99. This deal is for the 256GB option is available across all colorways.

This smartphone includes a 6.3-inch OLED display with vibrant colors as well as the latest Google Tensor chip for fast, non-laggy performance. It has dual rear cameras to take incredible pictures, both in bright and low light.

This model also features Gemini, Google's next-generation AI technology. It offers assistance with tools including advanced photo editing such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur, enhanced voice recognition for dictation, and Google Assistant capabilities. It also uses real-time translation to allow for seamless language support in messaging or live conversations, and it even powers predictive text.

Head to Amazon to upgrade now.