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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Updated: 12 min 23 sec ago

Skip the coffee shop — score the best-ever price on the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series espresso machine

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:55

SAVE $150.99: As of June 16, get the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series espresso machine for $599, down from its usual price of $749.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series $599 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal

Making your own coffee at home can end up saving you a significant amount of money in the long run. Whether you love an espresso or you like to make creamy, milk-centric shakes, it's a good idea to invest in at least some sort of coffee maker if you're spending a lot of cash at Starbucks. If you're looking to grab a machine ahead of Prime Day, we've found one that's well worth the price, especially at this discount.

As of June 16, get the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Series espresso machine for $599, down from its usual price of $749.99. That's $150.99 off and the best-ever price.

SEE ALSO: 6 early Prime Day deals under $50 worth shopping before the sale begins

This machine has the ability of four in one. It can brew coffee, cold brew, espresso, and more, with the touch of a button. It has its own independent hot water system with five espresso styles and two cold brew styles as well as varying sizes of drinks should you want a little more or a little less each day.

Its goal is to make getting coffee into the real world and into your digestive system as easily as possible, and it does that with weight-based dosing, customized grind-size recommendations, and active brew adjustments so you don't have to do any of the guesswork. Plus, it has hands-free frothing so all you have to worry about is drinking the finished product.

It's an investment to be sure, but well worth the cash if you want to get the most out of your mornings without spending an arm and a leg.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Libro.fms huge BOGO sale is live — how to score a free audiobook

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:40

GET A FREE AUDIOBOOK: From June 12 to 22, shop Libro.fm's BOGO sale. Get a two audiobooks for the price of one with a Libro.fm membership.

Opens in a new window Credit: Libro.fm BOGO audiobook sale at Libro.fm Get two audiobooks for the price of one during Libro.fm's BOGO sale. Get Deal

We're not here to settle the debate on if audiobooks count as reading (it totally does,) but we are here to get you a good deal on audiobooks. Libro.fm is like the Bookshop.org of audiobooks. With a monthly membership, get up to two credits a month to redeem audiobooks. Plus your membership directly supports an indepedent bookstore of your choice.

But this month, your credits stretch further. During Libro.fm's BOGO sale, you get two books for just one monthly credit — aka a free audiobook to add to your library.

How to get a free audiobook during Libro.fm's BOGO sale

To get your free audiobook, you need to be a Libro.fm member. So first, make sure you sign-up for as low as $14.99 a month. Once you have your membership, you need to redeem your monthly credits.

To get a free audiobook, you must redeem the deal on the Libro.fm's BOGO sale page. The deal is available on a selection of audiobooks. Titles include Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and All Systems Red by Martha Wells.

Make your selections then hit checkout where you'll be prompted to use one credit for the two audiobooks. And just like that, you have two audiobooks for the price of one and your library is stocked with two new summer reads.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OnlyFans managers take advantage of creators, BBC finds

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:38

OnlyFans isn't doing enough to protect creators from exploitation, according to an investigation from the BBC, which includes interviews from 60 UK OnlyFans creators, human rights experts, and lawyers.

The report focused on OnlyFans "agents," "managers," or "OFMs" (OnlyFans management) who allegedly take control of creators' accounts and earnings. It's also subject to a BBC Three documentary, OnlyFans: Inside the Machine.

SEE ALSO: The connection between Kim K and OnlyFans, according to new book

OFMs claim to help creators become more successful and gain an audience and subscribers, but experts say they actually take advantage of creators.

OFM contracts shown to the BBC show that management takes up to 70 percent of creators' earnings, while the platform itself takes 20 percent. Several creators who spoke to the BBC said their managers lied about earnings in order to get more money themselves, with a couple claiming their managers changed the password to their OnlyFans account and bank account details, respectively.

Managers have also threatened creators with bodily harm, with one creator believing a physical attack was connected to her manager.

An OnlyFans spokesperson told the BBC that, "The allegation we 'turn a blind eye' [to these issues] is unfounded."

The spokesperson continued, "OnlyFans' relationship is with our creators and fans and we are not connected with, and do not endorse, any third parties including management agencies."

OnlyFans takes user safety "incredibly seriously," and invests in protection measures and meets its duties under the UK's Online Safety Act, the spokesperson said. "Unfortunately, we cannot review or influence any contractual relationships creators choose to enter into outside the platform as we are not party to them.

"If anyone raises a concern about a Creator's account, we will immediately restrict the account, conduct an investigation and take action to ensure the Creator is in control of their OnlyFans account," an OnlyFans spokesperson told Mashable.
 
"Despite repeated requests, the BBC refused to share account details of any OnlyFans users or the agencies that they claimed formed the basis of their reporting," the spokesperson added.

UK's anti-slavery commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, told the BBC that the cases of exploitation that have been reported but not properly acted on "raises serious concerns about whether OnlyFans is meeting its legal duties to protect users." She is engaging with the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, which also stated that the BBC's findings were "deeply concerning."

Last year, a lawsuit against OnlyFans claimed that subscribers believed they were direct messaging with creators, but were actually scammed by management pretending to be them. The lawsuit was dismissed in Dec. 2025.

UPDATE: Jun. 16, 2026, 12:48 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with a statement from OnlyFans to Mashable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Craving pizza? Prime members can grab $5 large pizzas from Little Caesars every day through Prime Day.

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:37

SCORE A $5 PIZZA: Through the end of Prime Day on June 26, Amazon Prime members can get a $5 large pizza (pepperoni or cheese) from Little Caesars once per day (up to five times) with the Prime Day pizza promo.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Little Caesars Little Caesars: $5 Large Pizza (Prime members only) Get Deal

Amazon is really breaking boundaries this Prime Day. Beyond early deals on tech like TVs, headphones, and MacBooks, it's also offering digital deals on streaming services and subscriptions, a sweepstakes for free groceries for a year, early access to see Spider Man: Brand New Day, and $5 pizza. Yes, Amazon now has a Prime Day pizza promotion and it's live through June 26.

As of June 16, Prime members can nab a large pizza for just $5 at Little Caesars once per day until the end of Prime Day on June 26. The offer is limited exclusively to online orders only from Prime members in the U.S. and an Amazon code is required. If you're not already a Prime member, now's a great time to sign up. Not only can you unlock this pizza deal, but plenty of other early Prime Day offers.

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Head to the pizza promo page and click on "claim code "in the black box. You'll be redirected to the Little Caesars website to place your order. A large classic pepperoni pizza will automatically be added to your order, but feel free to change it to a large classic cheese if you want. You can add any sides or extras to complete your meal, then head to checkout. That's it — if you followed the steps correctly, the unique promo code will automatically be applied to your order at checkout.

The rules are you can only get one $5 pizza per day and you can only claim five pizzas total. Still, that's a lot of pizza. Just remember to return to the Prime Day Little Caesars offer page each time to claim a new code.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop the best Nintendo Switch deals ahead of Prime Day 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:36
The best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch Deal Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle $499 Get Deal Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch game deal Star Fox $49.94 (Save $10.04) Get Deal Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch accessory deal 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller $59.92 (Save $10.07) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is almost here once more, and the retailer has started the savings early for anyone with a Nintendo Switch on their wishlist. Several of our favorite Switch and Switch 2 games and accessories are already discounted ahead of the main event, and you can shop them right now.

The four-day sale doesn't officially begin until June 23, but early deals are live as of June 16. The console itself is the exception, though. The Switch 2 turns one this month and is set for a price increase to $499.99 on September 1 rather than a cut. The real savings you'll find right now are on games and accessories.

If you'd rather not wait, these are some of the best Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals here worth grabbing now. We'll keep this guide updated as the sale gets closer, but for the moment, the best Switch and Switch 2 discounts so far are below.

Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle $499 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

While technically not a "deal" in the sense that you'll save money for Prime Day, this bundle is a good way to pick up both a Nintendo Switch 2 and the game of your choice out of a decent selection. You get the console itself, Joy-Con controllers, and games like Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Kart World, and Donkey Kong Bananza with the bundle, so you can get started playing right away. With a 7.9-inch LCD touch screen, three play modes, and backwards compatibility with most Nintendo Switch titles, it's well worth picking up, especially given the price hike coming in September.

Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Star Fox $49.94 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10.05   Get Deal Why we like it

This upcoming remake of the classic Nintendo title is out next week, and you can go ahead and save on it before Prime Day ever arrives. Hurtle through space on a fast and furious adventure with Fox, Slippy, Peppy, and Falco as you experience this new take on the Star Fox 64 story. It has new fully-voiced dialogue, a new orchestral soundtrack, and completely new graphics for a whole new generation. You can also invite a second player to join you on your adventures.

Best early Prime Day Nintendo Switch accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller $59.92 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.07   Get Deal Why we like it

This excellent Pro Controller alternative is much cheaper at the moment, and it'll get the job done with style and panache. It has special joysticks with better precision, higher sensitivity, and improved durability so no matter what game you're into, you know it'll feel great to play. It also features an integrated charging dock so you can always stay charged up, no matter what kind of schedule you keep. Plus, it has a slew of customizable features you can change up for different games, offering a much more bombastic experience than a Joy-Con controller.

More Nintendo Switch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

15+ streaming services you can get for 99 cents, plus more early Prime Day streaming deals

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:26
The best early Prime Day streaming deals at a glance: Best overall Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months (save $26) Get Deal Best music streaming deal Amazon Music Unlimited free for 4 months (save $47.96) Get Deal Best premium Prime Video add-on deal Apple TV $5.99/month for 2 months (save $14) Get Deal Best audiobook streaming deal Audible Standard free for 3 months (save $26.97) Get Deal Best slept-on streaming deal AMC+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $20) Get Deal

Last year, Amazon surprised us by dropping a boatload of Prime Day streaming deals for the first time. In 2026, it's basically rinse and repeat. And that's not a bad thing.

Prime Day isn't just for deals on TVs and headphones anymore — it's also a great time to load up your digital libraries with streaming subscriptions, so long as you're a Prime member. (Not yet a member? Sign up here.) One of the biggest perks of having a Prime account is gaining access to Prime Video, Amazon's own streaming service. While Prime Video itself isn't on sale, tons of subscription add-ons are, including premium options like Apple TV, AMC+, and Paramount+.

We can almost guarantee that more streaming services will toss their hats in the ring to compete as we inch closer to the official Prime Day kickoff on June 23. Don't worry; we'll be keeping an eye out for you and updating this list with the latest and greatest streaming deals that drop. While we're not expecting Black Friday-level discounts, we are sure to get some diamonds in the rough.

Best early Prime Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months (save $13/month) Get Deal Why we like it

Like clockwork, we can always count on Paramount+ to dish out one of the best streaming deals during major shopping events. The streamer has resurrected the exact same streaming deal from last Prime Day for 2026, only this time it's technically a better offer since Paramount+ raised its prices earlier this year. Typically $13.99 per month for a Premium subscription (that's the ad-free tier with Showtime), you'll get two months for just 99 cents a piece. That saves you $26 total.

The Paramount+ library is surprisingly robust. Premium subscribers can enjoy Paramount+ Originals like Landman and RuPaul Drag Race All Stars, Showtime series like Dexter Resurrection and Yellowjackets, CBS shows like Survivor and Big Brother live, UFC fights, and nostalgic shows from Nickelodeon and MTV. That's not even counting the massive movie lineup (including Paramount Pictures movies straight from the theater).

The discount is only valid through the end of Prime Day on June 26, so be sure to sign up before then. You can grab the deal directly through Paramount+ itself or as a subscription add-on via Prime Video or Roku.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $13/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium (Roku add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $13/month Get Deal Best Prime Day music streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Music Unlimited Amazon Music Unlimited free for 4 months (save $11.99/month) Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not committed to a music streamer, now's a good time to check out Amazon Music Unlimited without spending a cent. Through June 29, new subscribers can secure four free months. Typically $11.99 per month for Prime members, that's a total of $47.96 in savings. Amazon Music Unlimited unlocks a massive music catalog that you can listen to on-demand, ad-free, and in the highest quality possible. Beyond music itself, Unlimited subscriptions also include "the most ad-free podcasts" of any of the major music apps, as well as one free audiobook per month via Audible. Even if you do already subscribe to another music streaming service, it's worth it to take a pause from payments for four months and lock in this deal.

More early Prime Day streaming deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

6 early Prime Day deals under $50 worth shopping before the sale begins

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 17:18
Best early Prime Day deals under $50 Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 (save $35) Get Deal Best headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC $49.95 (save $30.03) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $48.98 (save $21.01) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket (42221) $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Classic Series Insulated Portable Cooler (52 quarts) $37.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best beauty deal Renpho Eyeris 1 Smart Eye Massager $49.82 (save $10.17) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is set to kick off on June 23, running though June 26 this year. It'll be a great time to save on tech, home appliances, and back to school gear. But like all Amazon sales, you might not have to wait for the official start day to cash in on major savings. In fact, sometimes it's better to shop early and avoid potential shipping delays.

Amazon has already dropped prices on plenty of great items like noise-cancelling headphones, Apple Watches, and portable power stations. But if you're sticking to a budget this summer or you're shopping for an affordable gift, the early sale has a great selection of options that cost under $50.

We'll continue to update this list as we get closer to the official sale. For now, these are the best early Prime Day deals that cost under $50.

Best Amazon Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal Why we like it

When it comes to sorting out the best Amazon Echo device, the Echo Spot wins as the best model that serves as an alarm clock. While spending about $80 on a smart speaker combo alarm clock might feel steep, today's sale price of $44.99 brings it down to a much more comfortable level.

The Echo Spot is easy to set up straight out of the box and it has customizable faces and sounds. Plus, it's the perfect compact size for your nightstand.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC $49.95 at Amazon
$79.98 Save $30.03   Get Deal Why we like it

If the price alone doesn't convince you, consider the awards the JLab JBuds Lux ANC have won at Mashable. They're our top pick for best budget headphones this year, the best noise-cancelling budget pick for flying, and the top budget headphones option for students.

In addition to having decent ANC, they have great battery life, getting up to 70 hours of total playtime or about 40 hours with ANC turned on. We're also pretty smitten with the colorway options.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $48.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Ninja makes a variety of exceptional kitchen appliances, but if you're short on counter space, the Ninja Fit compact personal blender might be the best option. Use it to whip up a daily smoothie, a weekend frozen margarita, or a dessert chocolate milkshake. The Ninja blender comes with the 700W motor base as well as two 16-ounce Ninja cups and lids that are perfect for taking your blend on-the-go.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Fitbit trackers and Garmin smartwatches are down to their lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:53
Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deals Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 (Save $60) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Epix Pro (47mm) $499.99 (Save $500) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal Best Samsung Galaxy deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) $289.99 (Save $90) Get Deal

Prime Day deals can be totally overwhelming with the sheer volume of products on sale, but the smartest way to shop is to go for what you really need. If you've been in the market for a new fitness tracker, just in time to hit your summer fitness goals, Prime Day is the best time to buy.

Right now there are a wealth of fitness trackers and smartwatches on sale. Find Fitbits, Garmin smartwatches, and Apple Watches all on sale for their lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day. That's some stellar savings a week before Prime Day has even kicked off.

Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   Get Deal

Fitbits are one of the OG fitness trackers, helping people get on their feet and stay active. The Charge 6 displays your daily steps and heart rate. It automatically detects activity and can even link to compatible exercise machines to display your heart rate. And right now, the Fitbit Charge 6 is 38% off ahead of Prime Day.

Grab it for just $99.95 and save $60 off its $159.95 list price. This early Prime Day deal also brings the Charge 6 down to its lowest price ever.

More fitness tracker dealsBest early Prime Day smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Epix Pro (47mm) $499.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $500   Get Deal

Garmin smartwatches are a staple among runners who want elite GPS tracking alongside health monitoring. The Garmin Epix Pro is usually a big investment at $999.99, but ahead of Prime Day, it's been cut in half, down to just $499.99, saving you $500.

It has 1.3-inch always on AMOLED display with a built-in LED flashlight. It's for true endurance athletes, providing a hill score for big climbs and endurance scores as you train. For a complete picture of your health, it'll monitor your health 24/7, providing pulse ox and HRV status.

Grab it now ahead of Prime Day for its lowest price ever.

More smartwatch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

macOS 27 beta seemingly confirms touchscreen MacBook is on its way

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:48

In 2007, Apple introduced a lot of folks to the idea of a cell phone with a touchscreen. Since then, a ton of laptops have shipped with touch support, but Apple has avoided doing the same with MacBooks. It seems like that trend will end soon.

Bloomberg's resident Apple guru Mark Gurman did some analysis of the latest batch of Apple software betas and found evidence of touchscreen support coming to at least one future MacBook model. Specifically, the developer beta for macOS 27 Golden Gate features things like support for pull-to-refresh (like how you refresh social media feeds on an iPhone), as well as a pill-shaped Siri interface that looks a lot like the iPhone's Dynamic Island feature.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iOS 27 will have three more unannounced features, report claims

These are small things, but they're part of a longer trend of evidence piling up for a touchscreen MacBook.

A recent leak out of China, for example, said it was definitely happening, while Gurman has also previously reported on the topic. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of specific info about this laptop, such as price, release date, or any other unique features it might have. But Gurman did call it a MacBook Pro in a previous report, so it might not be one of the cheaper models. (Remember: Apple is also rumored to be working on a high-end MacBook Ultra.)

Currently, the MacBook line includes the new MacBook Neo, the Air, and the Pro.

Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ trading card deals to shop before Prime Day — save on Pokémon TCG, Magic, One Piece, and more

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:39

Amazon’s Prime Day sale is fast approaching, with deals on popular trading cards like MTG and Pokémon already live.

Mashable regularly tracks the best deals from Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon, plus other collectable cards like One Piece and KPop Demon Hunters. And this sale season is no different — we’re expecting more deals to go live as we get closer to Prime Day’s official launch date of June 23.

These are the best early Prime Day trading card deals we’ve found.

Best trading card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box $73.70 at Amazon
$91.99 Save $18.29 Get Deal Why we like it

After becoming one of our highlighted deals earlier this week, Amazon's dropping Magic: The Gathering’s 24-pack Avatar: The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box to only $73.70 (20% off its standard $91.86). It's still the very best trading card deal ahead of Amazon’s Prime Day sale today. 

Dropped to its lowest price ever on Amazon, confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel, this deal has been selling incredibly fast (68% claimed at the time of writing), but is still very much worth grabbing while you still can. 

Even going lower than the Avatar Jumpstart Box’s market price and listings on TCGplayer, this $18.16 saving means you’re only paying $3.07 per pack. With that, this is one of the most budget-friendly ways to enter into either this expansion or Magic: The Gathering altogether.

After all, the Jumpstart format makes Magic incredibly accessible and simple to start — having you ready to play just by opening two packs and shuffling them together. 

At the time of writing, any buyer can get delivery by Sunday, June 21, but Prime members can get theirs delivered as soon as tomorrow, June 17.

More early Prime Day trading card dealsMagic: The GatheringPokémon TCGOne PieceKPop Demon Hunters
Categories: IT General, Technology

Canopy introduces Sound Machine + Aroma, and its already helping me sleep better

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:34

Canopy is best known for its stylish small home gadgets, including its iconic humidifiers. On June 16, the brand announced a new product offering: The Sound Machine + Aroma. It's a 3-in-1 sleep device that combines sleep sounds, a night light, and aromatherapy diffusion.

The Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma retails for $69 and comes in white, moonstruck, cream, lavender, and jade.

Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma specs and settings

  • Sleep sounds: 15, including white noise, brown noise, ocean waves, and rain

  • Volume levels: 10

  • Battery life: 15 hours

  • Night light colors: Red, white

  • Aroma levels: 2

  • Timers: 30, 60, 90 minutes

Choose red or white light to wind down for bed or keep the monsters away. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma first impressions

I live in New York City, so you'd think my sleep is interrupted by loud noises all night, but I actually have the opposite problem. My street is incredibly quiet overnight, which means any time there is a noise — like my upstairs neighbors' creaking floorboards — I'm super aware of it. I can't sleep in dead quiet, so I've used different sound machines for years (my Echo Spot, and more recently the Babelio sound machine).

I've only used the Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma for four nights, but I can already tell it's going to earn a permanent spot on my nightstand. I prefer brown noise to white noise, and the Canopy's brown noise setting is perfect. Some of the programmed sounds are definitely geared toward babies, like shushing and lullabies, and I don't see myself ever using those. But there are enough white noise and nature soundscapes that I will use to justify the device's price.

I have a Vitruvi essential oil diffuser, which I love, but it's not the quietest while running. So I've been enjoying the absolutely silent aromatherapy from Canopy. I just squeeze a few drops of my lavender and peppermint oils, and the scents are diffused throughout the night.

The front of the device houses controls for power, light, aroma diffusion, timer, settings lock, sound selection, and volume. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Open the back of the device to access the aromatherapy diffuser. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

I'm not a night light gal, but I do like to wind down the evening with soft, dim lighting. The red and white built-in lights are soothing and not at all too bright. You are able to adjust the brightness as well.

The 15-hour battery life means I get two nights' worth of use out of the Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma before having to recharge. I can also leave it on the charger overnight to avoid a lapse in my precious brown noise.

It's only been a few nights, but so far, I'm impressed. The Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma is stylish, portable, and packed with great sleep tools. I would absolutely spend my own money on this.

Opens in a new window Credit: Canopy Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma $69 at Canopy
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Categories: IT General, Technology

Kitchen deals live at Amazon ahead of Prime Day: Save on air fryers, ice cream makers, espresso machines

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:12
A quick look at the best Amazon kitchen deals ahead of Prime Day Best air fryer deal Oster Dual Air Fryer Oven (11-quart) $99.99 at Amazon (save $99.88) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal

Warm weather has a way of inspiring us in the kitchen. Whether we're trying to recreate a delicious dish from vacation or recreate the vibes of an outdoor happy hour at home, summer is a great time to upgrade your kitchen gadget lineup. And Prime Day is a great time to buy the kitchen gadget you've been eyeing on sale.

SEE ALSO: Why did Amazon Prime Day shift to June? Here's what the company has said (and not said).

Prime Day 2026 will officially run from June 23 to 26, but kitchen deals from Ninja, Instant Pot, Nespresso, and more are already popping up at Amazon. We've gathered the best early deals on air fryers, blenders, coffee makers and more below, many of which match record-low pricing that we haven't seen since Amazon's spring sale.

Best Amazon kitchen deal overall Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $90   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

We're pro Ninja frozen treat makers here at Mashable, but we're also pro dupes when we can find them. At its record-low price of $129.99, Black+Decker's ice cream maker is a solid Ninja Creami dupe to consider. It operates very similarly: Once liquid base ingredients have been mixed and frozen for 24 hours, the ice cream maker whips them into the perfect fluffy texture — regular ice cream, yogurt ice cream, and sorbet are all options. Follow the recipes in the included book or customize your own unique flavors around dietary restrictions or fun mix-ins.

More kitchen deals at AmazonDeals on frozen drink and ice cream makersDeals on blendersDeals on air fryers and pizza ovensDeals on multi-cookersDeals on coffee makersDeals on cookwareDeals on cleaning products
Categories: IT General, Technology

Threads now has 500 million monthly users

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:04

When Elon Musk bought Twitter back in 2022, rebranded it to X, fired most of the staff, and significantly loosened moderation (leading to a reported increase in hate speech on the platform), it opened the door for new Twitter-like services, and Meta was one of the first to take it seriously with Threads.

The gamble appears to have paid off. On Tuesday, Meta announced that Threads now has 500 million monthly active users.

SEE ALSO: Threads is adding a Grok-like AI search feature

For context, X doesn't officially report the number of monthly active users it has, but estimates put it at around 560 million.

According to the company, one of the biggest growth drivers on Threads were Communities, which are groups of people engaging in conversations around certain topics. To celebrate the occasion, Meta said it's "graduating" Communities out of beta and launching several new features.

The new features include a Communities Hub, which resides in the app's main menu and makes it easier to find new communities, as well as switch between them. Communities have also gotten distinct icons, which makes them easier to recognize. Community Progress is a visual cue on how a certain topic is close to becoming a Community (topics need to reach a certain critical mass in popularity and engagement to become Communities).

This topic is close to becoming a Community. Credit: Meta

Also, more people who frequently contribute to communities are getting the community champion status. Finally, Meta is launching local Communities, starting with native language tags in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Meta also launched another new feature, called Your Algo, allowing you to (privately) control which conversations you see in your feed. It's a complement to Dear Algo, which tells Threads what you want to see more or less of, but a little more granular, as you can choose whether you want this request to last one, three, or seven days (there's no permanent option, so you'll have to keep tuning this every now and then if you want it to stick).

Notably, Meta recently introduced similar algorithm controls in Instagram.

Your Algo is rolling out today in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Pokémon deals to grab before Prime Day — Chaos Rising booster bundles hit all-time low price

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 15:47

Amazon’s latest Prime Day sale is almost here, steadily building up to several days of huge deals on appliances, gadgets, and, of course, offers on Pokémon cards, games, gifts, and more. 

While the actual four-day Prime Day sale doesn’t kick off until June 23, Amazon is doing its usual thing and revealing plenty of deals early on to start ramping up the anticipation. Whether you're shopping for booster packs on the latest trading card game expansion or hit games on Nintendo Switch, Mashable has scoured the site and cherry-picked the best deals live right now. 

Here are the best early Prime Day deals you can find on all things Pokémon.

Best Pokémon deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $44.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15   Get Deal Why we like it

The Chaos Rising expansion has proved to be an exceptionally popular member of the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution set. The Chaos Rising Booster Bundle has just dropped to its lowest price yet ahead of Prime Day — now only $44.99 after a 25% price cut from its standard $59.99 list price. 

The Chaos Rising Booster Bundle usually falls to around $48-$49 at best Now, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price we’ve seen yet. 

At $44.99, this six-pack Booster Bundle means you’ll only be paying $7.49 per booster. What’s more, this is even lower than TCGplayer’s own market price of $45.29 — undercutting its best listing price of $45.98. It even beats Walmart’s price of $46.95. 

Amazon’s $44.98 Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is being sold by third-party seller Collectors Expedition, but Amazon itself is handling the shipping. Although the option for returns isn’t available, this is still the best price we’ve seen on this six-pack chance to pull valuable single Chaos Rising chase cards, like SIR Mega Greninja ex, Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalge ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex. 

More early Prime Day Pokémon dealsPokémon TCGClothingDVDsFunko Pop! figuresGiftsVideo games
Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft unveils new Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 with Snapdragon X2 chips

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 15:00

Microsoft has formally announced the new Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 with Qualcomm's fresh Snapdragon X2 chips, as promised. They're available today starting at $1,599.99 and $1,499.99, respectively.

In a blog post, Microsoft said its next-gen Copilot+ PCs for consumers offer up to 58 percent and 53 percent better graphics performance than their predecessors from 2024, which ran on the original Snapdragon X series chips. Aiming to entice creative professionals, both devices will ship with the graphic design app Affinity pre-installed and pinned to their Start menus.

Shop Microsoft's new Surface devices: Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,599.99 (includes free Surface Arc Mouse through June 30) Shop Now Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,699.99 (includes free Surface Arc Mouse through June 30) Shop Now Microsoft Surface Pro 12, 13-inch with LCD display (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,499.99 (includes free Surface Pro 13-inch Keyboard through June 30) Shop Now Microsoft Surface Pro 12, 13-inch with OLED display (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,799.99 (includes free Surface Pro 13-inch Keyboard through June 30) Shop Now

Speaking to Mashable, Andrew Hill, Microsoft's corporate VP of Surface, said the company's biggest priority in developing its new devices was "making sure the fundamentals are great."

"We are spending a lot of time and energy across Surface and Windows right now on fundamentals, and we should make sure that you have a bunch of that collateral, for lack of a better word, for how those investments are laddering up for reliability, responsiveness, battery life, just across the board," Hill said. "So we spent a ton of energy on those pieces."

Shoppers who purchase a Snapdragon X2-powered Surface Laptop 8 directly through Microsoft now through June 30 will receive a free Surface Arc Mouse ($89.99), and those who buy a Surface Pro 12 this month will receive a free Surface Pro 13-inch Keyboard ($169.99). If you miss the boat, you'll have to buy those accessories separately.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Windows laptops for 2026

The new Surface devices cost roughly the same as their predecessors, which recently saw late-in-life price hikes due to the global RAM shortage. Some 2026 configurations cost $50 to $100 more than the price-adjusted 2024 versions, but others cost $50 to $100 less.

This is the second generation of Surface devices where Microsoft has earmarked Snapdragon models for consumers, despite lingering ARM compatibility issues. (The company announced Intel-powered counterparts for businesses last month.) According to Hill, this is because "We find with Qualcomm, the performance per watt and battery life is of high value."

Microsoft Surface Laptop 8: What's new (and what's not) The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 comes in a fun new "Jade" finish. Credit: Microsoft

The clamshell-style Surface Laptop 8 comes in 13.8- and 15-inch sizes like usual, and the smaller one will be available in a new Jade finish. Other options include Microsoft's standard Dune, Black, and Platinum finishes. Sorry, no more Sapphire.

Contrary to what the rumor mill has been saying, these new Windows laptops won't have OLED displays. However, the 15-inch model's 120Hz LCD touchscreen has been bumped from a 2,496 x 1,664 resolution (201 pixels per inch) to a 3,270 x 2,180 resolution (262 ppi). It's "the sharpest ever [display] on a Surface Laptop," Microsoft said. For reference, it's even crisper than the Apple MacBook Pro's Liquid Retina display.

SEE ALSO: Thank the AI industry for tech price increases: See the full list

The new Surface Laptops' haptic trackpad has added support for Windows 11's new haptic signals feature, which adds subtle vibrations to certain on-screen actions. They also have a new 1080p webcam that's been certified by a camera benchmarking site called DXOMARK as "the #1 ranked laptop camera," Microsoft said.

Configuration options for both sizes are:

  • CPU: Snapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite processor

  • Memory: 16GB to 64GB of RAM

  • Storage: 512GB to 2TB

Battery life will be the same or slightly worse in this generation. The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 is rated for up to 20 hours of local video playback, while the 15-inch model is rated for up to 19 hours. Their predecessors notched ratings of up to 20 and 22 hours, respectively.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review: 23 hours of battery life? MacBooks are in trouble

Both models still have a backlit keyboard, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and their usual ports. The 13.8-inch model has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack; the 15-inch model adds a MicroSDXC Express card reader.

Both 2026 Surface Laptops have the same footprints as the 2024 versions, though the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 is the smallest bit heavier. It's now three pounds on the dot, up from 2.96 pounds.

Microsoft Surface Pro 12: What's new (and not) That keyboard is an extra purchase unless you buy the Surface Pro 12 sometime this month. Credit: Microsoft

The convertible Surface Pro 12 is available in Platinum, Black, and Dune finishes. No more Sapphire here, either.

You can still choose from LCD or OLED displays, like in the previous generation. The type you pick still determines your CPU, RAM, and storage configuration options. However, the OLED model now maxes out with 64GB of RAM (up from 32GB in the Surface Pro 11):

  • CPU: Snapdragon X2 Plus on the LCD model; Snapdragon X2 Elite on the OLED model

  • Memory: 16GB RAM on the LCD model; 16GB to 64GB of RAM on the OLED model

  • Storage: 256GB to 512GB on the LCD model; 512GB to 1TB on the OLED model

There should be a small gen-over-gen battery life boost. The Surface Pro 11 was rated for up to 14 hours of local video playback, but this new model should tap out around 15.5 hours.

Finally, the Surface Pro 12 has the exact same weighs and measurements as its predecessor. Plus, you still get WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, a Surface Connect port, and a Surface Pro Keyboard port.

The state of Microsoft Surface Microsoft revealed the Surface Ultra at Computex, and it launched later this year at a probably-crazy price. Credit: Microsoft

It's been a busy spring for Microsoft. In mid-April, the company raised prices on its 2024 Surface devices by up to $500, citing "recent increases in memory and component costs."

In mid-May, Microsoft unveiled new Surface for Business devices with Intel chips. (It teased the consumer-oriented Snapdragon X2 models as part of that announcement.) The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 for Business has an optional integrated privacy screen, similar to the Privacy Display on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, but the two lines' designs are otherwise identical.

Their prices are not. The flagship Surface for Business devices will start at $1,949.99 when they arrive on July 14. A more portable Surface Laptop for Business 13-inch is now available starting at $1,499.99. A lesser variant with 8GB of RAM will debut later this year, starting at $1,299.99.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Ultra is a portable AI supercomputer powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark chip

At Computex in early June, Microsoft debuted the all-new Surface Ultra laptop and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box desktop PC, both with Nvidia's new RTX Spark "superchip." They're set for release sometime later this year; stay tuned for pricing, which is probably going to be bonkers.

The new Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 aren't cheap themselves, but they're the most affordable options in the Surface lineup for now. Microsoft has yet to announce updated Snapdragon X2 versions of the 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro, which it launched last year as cheaper, more compact alternatives to its flagship devices. That said, they arrived nearly 11 months after the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 12 dropped, so it's probably just a matter of time before their replacements arrive.

UPDATE: Jun. 16, 2026, 10:09 a.m. EDT Spec sheets that Microsoft shared with Mashable ahead of the announcement contained inaccuracies. This story has been updated to note that both sizes of the new Surface Laptop 8 start with 512GB of storage, and to reflect that the Surface Pro 12's configuration options differ by display type.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Disney+ deals and bundles in June 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 14:17
The best Disney+ deals and bundles in June 2026: Best Hulu Bundle Deal Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Get 6 months for $11.99/month Get Deal Best HBO Max Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best ESPN Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $35.99/month Get Deal

Whether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you.

Home to Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and more, Disney+ offers a library that's stuffed full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained. With Disney+, you can watch Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord, the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, Pixar's new movie Hoppers, and much more.

If you've had this streaming service on your radar but you're unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals. Right now, the streamer is offering six months of its ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle for only $11.99 per month (which renews at $12.99 per month after six months), or six months of its ad-free plan at $17.99 per month (which will return to $19.99 per month after the six-month promotional period).

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about Marvel's 'VisionQuest'

There's also the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max package, which is a great investment for those who already watch the other two streaming services but want to cut down on costs. We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.

Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Get 6 months of Disney+ and Hulu (With Ads) for $11.99/month, then $12.99/month Get Deal Why we like it

For those interested in the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, the streamer is offering deals on both its ad-supported and ad-free plans. For the plan with ads, new and eligible returning subscribers can lock in for six months and enjoy it for $11.99 per month before it returns to $12.99 per month. And if you're interested in going ad-free, the Premium plan is down to $17.99 per month for six months before returning to $19.99 per month.

Best HBO Max bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand. The $19.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $32.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 42% with the ad-supported plan and 41% with the ad-free plan.

Best ESPN bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $35.99/month Get Deal

If you're a sports fan looking to add ESPN to your bundles, you're in luck: Disney offers bundles with both ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+."

The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is available for $35.99 per month. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $44.99 per month.

Best Disney+ monthly plans

Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ ad-supported plan comes to $11.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $18.99 per month or $189.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.

Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:

  • Disney+ (With Ads) — $6.99 per month

  • Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month

  • Disney+, Hulu Bundle — $7.99 per month

  • Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $10.99 per month

  • Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $11.99 per month

  • Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $14.99 per month

There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Roblox launches accounts for kids and teens globally

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 14:00

The gaming platform Roblox rolled out Kids and Select accounts globally, the company said in a blog post Tuesday.

The account types, which Roblox previously launched in Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, provide parents with a range of content protections depending on a user's age.

What are Roblox Kids and Select accounts?

Kids accounts are designed for five to eight-year-olds while Select accounts are for users ages nine to 15.

The platform's youngest users can only access games that Roblox has labeled as "minimal" or "mild" for their maturity, and they cannot chat by default.

SEE ALSO: Child safety organizations accuse Roblox of violating FTC rules

Select accounts can play games rated up to moderate, which may include some violence, crude humor, and fear, as well as "light realistic blood" and "unplayable" gambling content. The chat settings for these accounts vary based on the user's age and region.

Roblox automatically places users into a specific account type based on the age-check process. Users are then automatically moved into new accounts as they grow older. Once a teen turns 16, based on Roblox's understanding of their age, they're able to access a standard Roblox account. In January, Roblox began requiring users to verify their age to unlock chat features.

"With Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, we're creating age-based protections designed to support younger users at different stages, while giving parents tools to personalize the experience for their family," Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox, said in the company's announcement.

In addition to its existing parental controls, Roblox is expanding game blocking and chat management features to parents of teens as old as 15. Parents will also be able to approve specific games not included in their child's default account settings.

Why is Roblox being investigated and sued?

The expected development comes as Roblox remains under intense legal pressure and scrutiny. Roblox faces more than 160 cases filed by plaintiffs who say they were sexually exploited as children as a result of the platform's inadequate child safety practices. Roblox, along with the messaging platform Discord, recently requested that those claims be moved out of court into closed-door arbitration, according to Bloomberg.

In April, Roblox paid $23 million to Alabama and West Virginia to settle investigations into the company's handling of child safety. West Virginia's investigation gathered evidence that young Roblox users had been exposed to sexual and violent content, grooming, and predators, according to Reuters.

Last month, child safety organizations accused Roblox of violating Federal Trade Commission regulations that prohibit false advertising, unfair conduct, and deceptive practices, and called for an investigation into Roblox. The company disputed those claims in a statement to Mashable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 16, 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 13:47

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always in awe.

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 June 16, 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 June 16, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To wow.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter A appears twice.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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...

AMAZE

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 16, 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 13:47

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a healthy eater.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 16, 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: Healthy toppings

  • Green: Posse

  • Blue: One in a million

  • Purple: Rings

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Creamy salad dressings

  • Green: Attendants

  • Blue: Rare things, idiomatically

  • Purple: What "Hoops' might refer to

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 #1101 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Creamy salad dressings: BLUE CHEESE, CAESAR, GREEN GODDESS, RANCH

  • Attendants: COURT, ENTOURAGE, RETINUE, SUITE

  • Rare things, idiomatically: BLACK SWAN, BLUE MOON, PERFECT STORM, UNICORN

  • What "Hoops' might refer to: BASKETBALL, EARRINGS, RED TAPE, RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS GEAR

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 June 16, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 16, 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 13:47

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you can't wait for break time.

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 June 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: For here or to go?

The words are related to food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe midday meals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Whats for Lunch.

NYT Strands word list for June 16

  • Sandwich

  • Ramen

  • Gyro

  • Whats for Lunch

  • Salad

  • Wrap

  • Soup

  • Tacos

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

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