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It's a new lunar phase tonight, and the end of the current lunar cycle. Keep reading to find out what this means.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, May 16, the Moon phase is New Moon. Tonight, 1% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There isn’t enough light or visibility tonight to make out any features on the Moon’s surface.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, moving through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight as it orbits creates the familiar full, half, and crescent shapes. In total, the lunar cycle is made up of eight main phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a good ear.

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 Pips hints, answers for May 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: Drinkware

• Green: To fool around

• Blue: Musical terms

• Purple: Now

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Glassware

• Green: Mess around (with)

• Blue: Music performance directions

• Purple: Ending in synonyms for "ASAP"

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 #1070 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Glassware: COUPE, FLUTE, STEIN, TUMBLER

• Mess around (with): FIDDLE, MESS, PLAY, TINKER

• Music performance directions: ALLEGRO, FORTE, LARGO, PIANO

• Ending in synonyms for "ASAP": BASSOON, BELFAST, NESQUICK, THERMOSTAT

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 May 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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you have a sweet tooth.

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 May 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Bon appétit!

The words are related to sweets.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pastries.

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 French Bakery.

NYT Strands word list for May 16

• French Bakery

• Macaron

• Meringue

• Croissant

• Eclair

• Mousse

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always on the go.

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

A belief.

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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 M.

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...

MOVER

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

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

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

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

TL;DR: Pok Pok’s lifetime subscription is on sale for $59.99 (reg. $250) and offers Montessori-inspired educational games and activities for kids ages 2 to 8.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$250 Save $190.01   Get Deal

Not all kids’ apps are created equal. Some are loud, flooded with ads, and designed to keep kids tapping endlessly. Pok Pok is different due to its calmer approach and even offers open-ended educational games inspired by Montessori principles.

You can get a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok for $59.99, discounted from $250.

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Designed for kids ages 2 to 8, Pok Pok is all about learning through play. There are no points, timers, pop-up ads, or “win/lose” mechanics. Instead, kids can freely explore activities focused on numbers, shapes, problem-solving, STEM, language, creativity, and cause-and-effect at their own pace. Child-led learning, where exploration, independence, and hands-on discovery are the focus, rather than competition or rigid instruction.

The app offers a growing collection of interactive digital toys and games with themes such as outer space, dinosaurs, puzzles, music, dress-up, islands, and more. Because everything is open-ended, kids can naturally experiment and discover.

One of the more distinctive parts of Pok Pok is its lower-stimulation design. The app uses soft hand-drawn visuals, gentle sound effects, and calming music to create a quieter experience that may feel less overwhelming than many traditional kids’ games. It also works offline and is COPPA-certified, meaning it follows privacy standards designed to protect children online.

Pok Pok was developed with early childhood experts and designed by parents who wanted healthier tech experiences for little ones. The interface is simple enough for most kids to use on their own, but parents are welcome to join in as well!

All of this makes Pok Pok a great pick for parents who want a more thoughtful screen-time option, whether it’s for travel, quiet time, rainy afternoons, or long car rides. It’s especially nice for younger kids who get overstimulated by fast-paced or overly competitive games.

If you’ve been searching for educational screen time that feels calmer and more creative, the lifetime subscription for Pok Pok is currently available for $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Weeks after guru Mel Robbins received backlash for telling women to upload their banking statements to AI (specifically in an ad for Microsoft Copilot), OpenAI today announced a "personal finance experience" within ChatGPT.

The company is releasing a preview of the experience for Pro users in the United States, who can connect their financial accounts to the platform via the fintech software Plaid. Once their accounts are linked, ChatGPT can reason with actual monetary numbers and the user's shared priorities to help them spot patterns and plan for the future, OpenAI stated in its blog post introducing the product.

Users will be able to see a dashboard of their portfolio, spending, and upcoming payments. OpenAI's suggested use cases include financial goal planning, travel spend analysis, investment risk analysis, and subscription review.

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Credit: OpenAI SEE ALSO: OpenAI may sue Apple over ChatGPT integration

Pro users in the U.S. can start connecting their accounts today on a web browser or iOS, with support from thousands of financial institutions. OpenAI didn't list the institutions, but screenshots of the experience show American Express, Bank of America, Charles Schwab, and Robinhood as examples.

Integration with financial software company Intuit, which runs TurboTax, Credit Karma, and QuickBooks, is coming soon, OpenAI says.

In its announcement, OpenAI claims that 200 million people already use ChatGPT each month for budgeting, investment questions, and financial planning.

In this new financial mode, ChatGPT can't see full account numbers, but it can assess bank balances, transactions, and liabilities. Users can disconnect their financial accounts at any time, delete financial memories (used specifically for these conversations), or use temporary chats that won't appear in users' history.

How to get started with ChatGPT Finance Total Time

• 2 minutes

What You Need

• ChatGPT Pro in the U.S.

Step 1: Open Finances from ChatGPT's sidebar

Step 2: Select "Get started"

Step 3: OR, type "@Finances, connect my accounts" into ChatGPT

Step 4: Sync financial accounts with Plaid

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

Emoji-obsessed Android users, get ready for Noto 3D emojis to take over your text messages, posts, and more. 

This week, Google announced a design overhaul to the nearly 4,000 unique emojis, which will soon be available on Android devices running the yet-to-be-released Android 17. According to Google, the previous emoji designs "often fall flat" when trying to express emotions online.

So, Google has introduced the new Noto 3D, its new line of 3D emojis. 

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"From our beloved innocent blob emoji of the 2010s to Noto 3D, the new emoji collection we announced today, emoji are the universal language of our digital lives and they’ve never felt more alive," Google said in a post.

The company also previewed what some of the 3D emojis look like in a short video animation, offering a comparison to the 2D designs that they're replacing.

Use the slider in the image to compare the 2D and 3D versions of the emoji:

Left: The new 2D emoji designs for Android. Credit: Google Right: The new 3D emoji designs. Credit: Google

The 3D emojis do have some pop to them, with more detail than the flat 2D designs that they are replacing.

According to Google, the new 3D emojis will first launch on Pixel phones later this year. Following the Pixel rollout, other Android devices will receive the 3D emoji update at a later date.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Sony’s Project Ace robot has become the first to defeat an elite human table tennis player. Using nine cameras and real-time spin tracking, the system reacts with incredible speed and precision. Here’s how Sony is pushing robotics and AI-driven motion systems forward.

Alienware just dropped the cheapest OLED gaming monitor we’ve seen, but are the savings worth it? Here's our opinion of the 27 240Hz QD-OLED.

Certain Xfinity customers can now claim their portion of a $117.5 million class action lawsuit settled by communications giant Comcast.

Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 19, 2023, a third party accessed personally identifiable information for more than 35.8 million Xfinity customers, exposing usernames, passwords, contact information, and, in some instances, partial social security numbers. Multiple lawsuits against the company were consolidated into a class action case in 2024, alleging Comcast "failed to properly protect personal information" and had "inadequate data security" that led to the criminal cyberattack.

SEE ALSO: Meta AI Incognito Chat makes user conversations private, Zuckerberg says

The company officially settled the lawsuit in April, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for July 7.

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Settlement email: Is it real?

Comcast notified Xfinity customers impacted by the breach via email on December 18, 2023. Anyone who received an email notification at that time is eligible to file a claim (which means not all Xfinity customers can claim the cash).

Affected customers may have received additional notification emails from Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, the court-approved claims administrator. These emails, referencing both reference KSA and the Hasson v. Comcast Cable Communications case, will include individual class member IDs necessary to submit claims on the official settlement page.

If you've received notice via email or mail, but are unsure if its legitimate, call the settlement customer service line at (833) 319-2401 to confirm your eligibility.

How to claim your money

Settlement members have until September 14 to submit a claim online or via mail.

Individuals can receive a $50 fixed payout or request reimbursement for any "documented out-of-pocket losses and lost time, the cost of Identity Defense Services and Restoration Services, and court-approved attorneys’ fees and expenses" up to $10,000, according to the settlement website.

Members have until July 1 to exclude themselves or object to the settlement.