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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

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

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 29 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 29 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 28 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Going the distance

• Green: Philly

• Blue: High draft picks

• Purple: First?

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Distances, in Horse Racing

• Green: Associated with Philadelphia Sports

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

• Purple: First____

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #583 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

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

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

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

• First____: BASE, DOWN, PLACE, TAKE

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

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

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

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

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To admire.

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

ADORE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Heavy.

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

HEFTY

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Two-legged.

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

BIPED

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Hefty.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HEAVY

Final Hurdle hint

Pointy.

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

SHARP

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

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

What is today’s Moon phase?

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

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

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: A stage

• Green: Accompanied by lightning

• Blue: Sesame Street

• Purple: Upright

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Step in a process

• Green: Sound like thunder

• Blue: Kinds of puppets

• Purple: Standing ___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1053 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

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

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

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

• Standing ___: JOKE, ORDERS, OVATION, ROOM

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 29, 2026

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

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

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

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

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 29, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fish or cut bait

The words are related to the outdoors.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe going fishing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Tackle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 29

• Reel

• Hook

• Bobber

• Weight

• Tackle

• Lure

• Swivel

• Cooler

• Pliers

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Countryside.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

RURAL

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

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

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

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

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

Opens in a new window Credit: Seido Knives Seido™ Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set w Gift Box $109.97
$429 Save $319.03   Get Deal

Want to feel like a real master chef? Then it’s probably time to upgrade your tools. The Seido Japanese Master Chef’s 8-Piece Knife Set gives you a thoughtfully selected lineup that delivers precision and control — fit for top chefs without a top-tier price.

Right now, you can score this set, which includes a gift box, for $109.97 until May 10.

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

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

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

Made of high-carbon stainless steel, these Seido knives have been crafted by expert blacksmiths. This material offers long-lasting durability and razor-sharp edge retention, allowing you to cut through any ingredient.

This collection includes an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, an 8-inch Slicing Knife, an 8-inch Bread Knife, a 7-inch Cleaver, a 7-inch Santoku Knife, a 5-inch Santoku Knife, a 6-inch Boning Knife, and a 3.5-inch Paring Knife. A gift box is also included, which serves as a great storage option.

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We’re calling on you — the Mashable audience — to help shape our yearly list of the digital creators shaping the internet today.

Launched in 2025 and back again in its second year, The Mashable 101 is our essential guide to the creators who are making the internet interesting.

New for 2026 is the launch of The Mashable 101 Fan Fave — a chance for our readers to determine who they think should be on the list.

We posted the callout and the nominees poured in, ranging from YouTube personalities and Substack writers, to TikTok creators, Twitch streamers, and much more. 

Learn about all the nominees and then cast your vote. 

Fans and followers (creators, too!), share this widely, and rally around your favorite digital personalities while you can. Voting is open now. 

Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, or your social platform of choice, and check back at Mashable.com for the announcement of our winner later this year.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, meet last year's Mashable 101 to discover 2025’s most exciting voices, and tell us about your favorite creators today.

UPDATE: Apr. 28, 2026, 4:40 p.m. EDT As of mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the Weather app outage has been resolved, according to Apple's status website.

In the U.S., at least, iPhone users are experiencing problems accessing the Apple iOS Weather app Tuesday.

Checking the standard Apple Weather app may be part of the daily routine of millions of users, but the app is not loading for all of them. On X and Reddit, confused and frustrated iPhone owners are reporting issues with Weather. Some say they can't recall the app ever going down previously.

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Multiple Mashable employees in the U.S. were unable to access the app. One of our editors was able to access it, though it took about 10 seconds to load in that case. As of this writing, the Apple online support page shows an active outage with the Weather app.

Mashable reached out to Apple for comment, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

DownDetector, the platform where users can report errors with popular websites and apps, does not have a page for the Weather app. However, DownDetector does show sudden spikes in both The Weather Channel app and Apple Support.

Internet outages have become a common occurrence over the past year, but major outages within the Apple ecosystem remain rare.

(Disclosure: DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

If you haven't been a big fan of Nintendo's recent foray into major motion pictures, then the company may have a chance to redeem itself.

Following the recent release of the poorly reviewed but extremely financially lucrative The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it looks like Nintendo's partnership with the animation studio Illumination is set to continue in a couple of years.

Universal Pictures Spain uploaded a release schedule for the next few years to its website (courtesy of Kotaku) and, lo and behold, one of the upcoming movies is called "UNTITLED ILLUMINATION/NINTENDO EVENT FILM."

That's...probably not what it will actually be called, but with a tentative release date of April 12, 2028, they've got time to figure that part out.

Editor's note: Spoilers for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are ahead.

SEE ALSO: 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' review: Death is coming for us all Well, would you look at that? Credit: Screenshot: Universal Pictures Spain

Naturally, the internet is slightly abuzz with speculation about what this movie could be. Given that it's only two years after the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it's reasonable to assume this is something else, though we should leave some space open for the possibility that this is just another Chris Pratt vehicle. (The Pratt-lead Super Mario Bros. movie came out in 2023, followed by Super Mario Galaxy in 2026, and a third is expected in 2029.)

For Nintendo fans, the most likely candidate is some kind of Donkey Kong animated feature starring Seth Rogen, who voiced the tie-wearing ape in The Super Mario Bros. Movie but was conspicuously absent from Galaxy. I'm not bringing this idea up out of nowhere, as there is already a copyright for an untitled Donkey Kong movie swirling around out there. Given that we just got a big Donkey Kong game for Switch 2, this would make a ton of sense.

Another less likely (but still worth mentioning) candidate is Star Fox.

The beloved but somewhat dormant Nintendo space dogfighting franchise just got a shot in the arm with the inclusion of protagonist Fox McCloud as a major character in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, voiced by Glen Powell.

Some recent reporting suggests Nintendo is looking to revive Star Fox through a new game, so maybe a spin-off movie for Powell could happen in a couple of years. Still, Donkey Kong feels more likely at this point in time.

Finally, we have to consider the possibility that the "UNTITLED ILLUMINATION/NINTENDO EVENT FILM" is a mistake, a re-release, or something similarly anticlimactic.

One thing we can rule out is the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, which just wrapped production. That's already set for a 2027 release, and obviously, as a live-action movie, it wouldn't be done by Illumination. In fact, it's not even a Universal release, as Sony is handling that one.

Hopefully, whatever this ends up being is better than the first two animated Mario movies.

SAVE $620: As of April 28, the 75-inch TCL QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for $679.99 at Best Buy, saving you $620 or around 48%.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $679.99 at Best Buy
$1,299.99 Save $620   Get Deal

My household switched to the TCL QM6K as our living room TV in the fall, and I've been recommending it to everyone since — at full price, too. But as of April 28, you can snag the best budget mini-LED TV for nearly 50% off at Best Buy: The 75-inch TCL QM6K is down to $679.99 from its usual $1,299.99, saving you $620.

$679.99 sounds like even more of a steal when you compare it to the 65-inch version, which is on sale for $649.99 — you'd be getting 10 more inches of diagonal screen for just $30 extra. For comparison, there's a $200 price difference between the 55-inch and 65-inch QM6K models right now.

SEE ALSO: Looksmaxxing my bedroom TV with the Hisense Déco: The chic, small, budget QLED TV that blends in with my decor

$679.99 matches its lowest price ever according to price tracker camelcamelcamel and beats the sale price at TCL's own website, where the 75-inch model is going for $899.99.

The TCL QM6K is lit by a panel of thousands of tiny LED bulbs that can brighten and dim independently of other zones of bulbs in the screen. This inch-by-inch precision provides deeper blacks and starker contrast than a regular LED TV or non-mini-LED QLED TV. Shadowy parts of dark scenes stay dark yet legible (not just gray) in dark rooms, while muting the annoying hazy glow that typically hovers around bright objects.

"The Long Night" is a famously dark and hard-to-see episode without the right TV. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

One of my most notable QM6K experiences has been rewatching Game of Thrones. I can actually see the intricacies of important interactions and facial expressions in night scenes lit by just a candle or a torch — groundbreaking. The third season of House of the Dragon will be my first HOTD experience with a nice TV, so you can imagine I'm counting down the days until June 21.

Alternatively, a mini-LED QLED TV is an excellent TV choice for watching sports, especially in the daytime. If you're a big FIFA person, the QM6K will be your best friend during the World Cup.

The best Canon camera deals at a glance: Canon PowerShot V1 $848.95 (save $180.05) Get Deal Canon EOS R50 V $569 (save $150.99) Get Deal

So you want to graduate to a real camera. Sure, your iPhone's camera is beyond suitable for everyday snaps and videos, but there's something to be said about a physical camera that isn't also a handheld computer.

If you're looking for a capable camera separate from your phone, Canon is one of the top names in the business. And as of April 28, two entry-level models built for vloggers and content creators (the PowerShot V1 and EOS R50 V) are on sale for up to $180 off. Both options are solid picks for shooting videos and photos on the go, but they differ in what they excel in. Either way, you'll get a great deal if you shop now at Amazon.

Best for portability: Canon PowerShot V1 Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon PowerShot V1 $848.95 at Amazon
$1,029 Save $180.05   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a compact point-and-shoot camera, the Canon PowerShot V1 is the way to go. On sale for only $848.95, it's just $49 shy of its lowest price ever. The PowerShot V1 is equipped with an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that includes dual optical and digital stabilization for handheld recording. The built-in mic captures clear audio, while a built-in fan keeps it cool during continuous shooting at 4K60P. Whether you're capturing unboxing videos, makeup tutorials, or travel vlogs, it's a convenient companion that fits in your jacket pocket. Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested this camera and called it a "solid choice for vloggers and videographers seeking a compact camera, thanks to its stabilized 4K recording, fun color profiles, and three-capsule microphone."

Best for versatility: Canon EOS R50 V Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon EOS R50 V $569 at Amazon
$719.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal Why we like it

For those who want more creative control, the Canon EOS R50 V is a reasonably priced mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. In other words, it's more versatile than the fixed-lens PowerShot V1, though it's not quite as convenient for portability. Our pals at PCMag dubbed it the best entry-level option for vlogging and awarded it an Editors' Choice badge of honor. "The reasonably priced EOS R50 V vlogging camera records crisp 4K30 video and sound, includes dual mounting points for widescreen and vertical video, and works with Canon's range of RF mirrorless lenses," PCMag's camera expert writes. As of April 28, it's down to just $569 instead of $719.99 at Amazon — its best price ever. Just keep in mind you'll have to buy lenses separately.

SAVE $200.99: As of April 28, get the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni for $799 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni $799 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal

Feel like you spend all your time cleaning? In 2026, we're offloading some of those tasks to robots, especially since they're much more capable than they used to be. If you're ready to pick up a robot vacuum to pick up some of the slack, now's the time to do it, especially since we've found a great discount you'll want to jump on.

As of April 28, get the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni for $799 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's $200.99 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete Robot Vacuum and Mop is sitting at an all-time low price

This robot vacuum and mop is a feature-rich option that can handle just about anything you throw at it. It boasts 19,500a of blast suction to power through dirt and debris, whether it's ground into your carpet or simply continues accumulating in the form of crumbs by your table. Plus, thanks to its self-cleaning system it can scrub, wash, and clean in real-time and switch seamlessly between vacuuming and mopping.

It uses a triple lift system to automatically lift its brushes and switch over to mop-only mode when it detects liquids. That means you don't have to waste time manually swapping between mop and vacuum, so the bot can handle everything on its own. It also uses side brushes to cover all the areas that its roller can't.

If you're ready to have a cleaner home without having to stress about all the extra time you'll need to handle it, this is a robot vacuum and mop that can handle all of that for you. Jump in and claim yours while it's available for a significant discount.

SAVE $110: The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are on sale at Amazon for $99.99, down from the standard price $209.99. That's a 52% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skullcandy Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones $99.99 at Amazon
$209.99 Save $110.00   Get Deal

Your headphones are important. We use them for hours everyday while listening to podcasts, audiobooks, playlists, and tuning into our favorite YouTube channels. Having a pair that's uncomfortable when wearing for hours is not acceptable anymore. If you have a pair that isn't worthy of your listening hours, check out this deal at Amazon on a pair that focuses on comfort.

As of April 28, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are on sale at Amazon for $99.99 in select colorways, marked down from the usual price $209.99. That's a 52% discount that takes a major $110 off the price. It matches the record low at Amazon.

Getting up to 40 hours of battery life before needing a recharge, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones could be great if your current headphones need replacing. At the low sale price of under $100, they could also make for a great backup pair to keep in your work bag or stashed in the glove box.

SEE ALSO: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are $50 off at Amazon — buy now for under $300

Skullcandy designed the Crusher Evo headphones to fit with an over-the-ear design, rather than sitting on the ears. This makes them a comfortable option for longer wear like while traveling. More travel-worthy features come in the form of the foldable and collapsible cup design.

Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry reviewed the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones back in 2020 and noted they're a solid option for those who don't want to spend big bucks on over-the-ear headphones but still want solid sound quality.

If you're in need of affordable and comfortable headphones that come with excellent battery life, consider today's sale price on the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones. They're on sale for under $100 at Amazon for a limited time.

OpenAI is apparently not content with just running the most talked-about AI chatbot on the planet. The company now wants to be in your pocket, too.

Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published findings this weekend revealing that OpenAI is developing a smartphone built around AI agents rather than traditional apps. According to Kuo, the device is being built in partnership with MediaTek and Qualcomm on the processor side, with Luxshare serving as the exclusive manufacturing partner.

Mass production isn't expected until 2028, with specs and suppliers likely locked in by late 2026 or early 2027.

SEE ALSO: Florida investigates OpenAI over deadly mass shooting

The core pitch, per Kuo, is a fundamental rethinking of the way our phones work.

Instead of juggling a pile of apps, users would simply tell their phone what they want to do, and the AI agent would accomplish that task. OpenAI is reportedly building an agentic AI operating system from the ground up around that premise.

Kuo notes that OpenAI has several advantages in this space, including an established consumer brand, years of accumulated user data, and frontier AI models. The phone would reportedly combine on-device AI for continuous context awareness with cloud AI handling heavier computational tasks.

This is a separate venture from OpenAI's previously announced hardware ambitions. The company has been working alongside former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive on a small, screenless AI companion device.

SEE ALSO: Leak reveals what Sam Altman and Jony Ive are cooking up: 100 million AI 'companion' devices

As Mashable reported last October, that project has hit significant development headwinds, including software architecture challenges, infrastructure hurdles, and the thorny question of how to build an "always-on" AI personality that feels helpful rather than creepy.

One source close to the project told the Financial Times that OpenAI is already stretched thin just keeping ChatGPT running, which reportedly costs between $3 and $4 billion annually. A release that was once eyed for 2026 could slip to 2027.

Whether OpenAI can actually deliver on any of its hardware ambitions is the real question. Several "revolutionary" AI devices have already gone to the tech graveyard. The Rabbit R1 promised similar things. So did the Humane Pin, which was discontinued less than a year after launch. OpenAI is betting that it's not like the others.

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

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.

SAVE $600: The Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale at Amazon for $899, down from the list price of $1,499. That's a 40% discount that matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mova Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete Robot Vacuum and Mop $899 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $600   Get Deal

Unless vacuuming is your favorite household chore, there's an easy way to assign the task to someone else. No, you don't need to bother the kids with the task. Instead, you can offload it to a powerful robot vacuum that also mops. If you've been meaning to find a new robot vacuum, check out today's Amazon sale.

As of April 28, the Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale at Amazon for $899, marked down from the usual price of $1,499. That works out to a 40% discount or a savings of $600. This sale price also matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

The Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete takes cleaning floors seriously. It comes with an impressive 28,000Pa suction power which is approaching the strongest available on the market. It's also ideal for homes that have tall thresholds since it can lift itself 3.15 inches.

SEE ALSO: It's never been this cheap to snag the Eufy E15 robot lawn mower — save $850 at Amazon

Sticky spills should be no issue for the Mova Z60 since it uses hot-water mopping that can reach up to 176 degrees to help get rid of tough stains. However, there's no worry about the carpet getting wet because the Mova Z60 has a built-in auto shield to block any moisture for getting on the carpet or leaking onto a rug.

Mova also thought of pet owners when designing the Z60 Ultra Roller Complete. It contains two compartments for different cleaning solitons, and one is designed to tackle pet area that might need extra attention, especially when it comes to getting rid of odors.

Since the Mova Z60 is back at a record-low price, upgrade your home's cleaning routine. It's a powerful model that'll help out with one of the most time-consuming chores at home.

Attention PC gamers: The controller of your dreams might be here soon.

Valve's new Steam Controller is set to launch imminently, and early reviews are out now to give us an idea of what to expect. This is a fully customizable gamepad that's meant to work with every (or at least almost every) game in your Steam library. It was initially revealed alongside the upcoming Steam Machine and VR headset Valve is producing, but the controller is coming first because, well, it hasn't fallen victim to the global memory shortage like the console and VR headset have.

With all of that being said, here is how to get your hands on a Steam Controller, as well as what some critics are saying about it.

How to get a Steam Controller Credit: Valve

The process of getting a Steam Controller seems relatively straightforward, though I can't personally guarantee success when the time comes.

Orders open on May 4 at 1 p.m. ET, when they will be available for purchase through the official Valve Steam Controller store page. Will there be enough stock for everyone to get one? Given that this isn't subject to the RAM shortage, there may very well be.

Steam Controller review roundup

As for what critics are saying about it, pretty much every major outlet's review is much more positive than negative. That's especially in comparison to the original 2015 Steam Controller, which had two mouse-replicating touchpads in place of analog sticks. It was...divisive, to say the least.

The new Steam controller has two regular analog sticks, a normal array of face and shoulder buttons, some optional back buttons for good measure, and two trackpads like the Steam Deck for any mouse inputs you might need to do.

Our friend Will Greenwald at PCMag says he hated the original Steam Controller, but adores the way the new one feels in his hands.

"The new Steam Controller is much more solid, comparable with an Xbox gamepad in heft and grip curve. It’s still mostly plain, matte black plastic, but textured to be more secure and less slippery than its half-glossy predecessor," Greenwald wrote. "The touchpads have a smooth, satiny finish that's so much nicer under the thumb, the triggers have smooth tension that doesn't feel remotely spongy, and the permanently attached rear buttons are nice and clicky. It feels better to hold in all regards."

While the Steam Controller is mostly just a game controller with some additional inputs, it does have a unique charging puck that snaps onto the bottom of the controller. You can plug a USB cable into the puck and connect it to your PC, allowing for easy charging while you play. Jessica Conditt of Engadget had high praise for this little addition, but also noted that other forms of connectivity work just fine, too.

"The puck snaps onto the belly of the controller for charging, and when you hover the gamepad’s connection point over it, it jumps up and latches on like a cute little sucker fish. I don’t know if this behavior is an intentional selling point, but it certainly is for me," Conditt wrote. "The Steam Controller also connects to devices via Bluetooth or with a cable, and in all configurations it’s performed without issue for me."

Credit: Valve

On top of that, everyone agreed that battery life isn't an issue here. Valve promises more than 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, and with the charging puck, you never have to stop playing for a power up.

Generally speaking, critics agree that playing games with the Steam Controller is a quality experience, though it's worth noting that not everyone loved that aspect of the device in all contexts. Multiple reviews noted that the controller is only compatible with Steam games, so if you want to play Xbox Game Pass games with it, you're out of luck. Beyond that, some critics, like IGN's Bo Moore, noted that playing conventionally mouse-controlled games with the touchpads is not a great experience.

"For the sake of testing, I tried playing Crusader Kings 3 and Against the Storm with the Steam Controller, neither of which have built-in controller support," Moore wrote. "In both cases, the games were playable, but it’s not a very efficient or enjoyable experience, and I gave up in frustration after a few minutes, even when employing one of the community profiles already built for the Steam Deck."

Even with those particular limitations, it sounds like the Steam Controller is kind of a dream gamepad for anyone with a massive Steam library and a desire to play games from their couch every now and then.