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Tech products can be expensive, so when you see what appears to be a great deal, it can be hard to resist. The trouble is that when a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Linux is a great operating system, but I just can't use it as my main desktop. I've tried in the past, and there are a few things that hold me back from switching over. I would if I could, but I just simply can't.

Whether you're commuting to work or heading on a cross-country road trip, your car's infotainment system is vital. For years, I settled for the average Android Auto experience that's often laggy, cluttered, and tethered to a USB cable, but not anymore. I recently made several changes and now have the ultimate Android Auto setup, and here's how.

Paying for multiple apps when I don't even use them to the fullest seemed like a waste. Each one served different purposes but had one common goal: managing and organizing my files. Individually, each app made sense. Together, they felt like overkill.

While Netflix prices seem to keep rising in the United States, the streaming giant may have to reverse that trend in Italy.

On Friday, a Rome court ruled that Netflix's price increases over the last seven years were unlawful, and that the streamer must refund its Italian customers, Reuters reported. Netflix apparently violated Italy's Consumer Code by changing the subscription price without a valid reason. Specifically, the ruling states that Netflix breached this code in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024, according to Euro News.

SEE ALSO: Victim of Jeffrey Epstein files class-action lawsuit against Google

Each subscriber will be entitled to a reduction in their current subscription price and reimbursement of applicable past charges. Some customers could even get further compensation, Reuters reported.

Netflix told Reuters it will appeal the decision, and "We take consumer rights very seriously and believe our terms have always ​complied with Italian laws and practice."

The lawsuit was originally filed by consumer group Movimento Consumatori, or Consumer Movement. In a press release on Saturday, the group responded to Netflix's statement.

"If Netflix intends to put the rights of its subscribers and consumers before all other interests, it should respect the Rome Court ruling and provide refunds, thus saving itself from massive class-action and individual litigation that will last years, damaging its reputation and resulting trust," said Movimento Consumatori president Alessandro Mostaccio in a translated statement.

According to Mostaccio, over 25,000 Italian Netflix consumers have contacted Movimento Consumatori about the price hikes.

Movimento Consumatori's lawyers for the case, Paolo Fiorio and Corrado Pinna, stated, "It is surprising that Netflix defends its actions as compliant not only with the law but also with Italian market practices," in a translated statement. "In Europe and in Italy, market practices cannot derogate from the law, which, as the Court found, were violated by Netflix, which implemented unlawful price increases."

Sensors are some of the most useful devices you can add to your smart home. If you want true automation rather than simply control, sensors can give you the signals you need. Smart home sensors can be relatively expensive, but you can make your own using an ESP32 board for just a few dollars.

With the age of streaming, audiences have greater access to television from across the globe. From simultaneous global releases of the latest hits to classics and lesser-known gems, streaming viewers can access the latest hits at the touch of their fingertips. However, even with this greater availability, it hasn't stopped studios from reimagining existing series from a new cultural perspective.

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

Released in August 2025, the 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 onto 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 for 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 5, 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 5, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 5 Pips

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

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

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 5 Pips

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 5 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically; 3-1, 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.

I think Pixel devices have attractive hardware, but personally, it’s the software that turns me off. Google has gone all-in on Gemini and AI, introducing it in an ever-growing number of ways. Fortunately, that turning off can go both ways. If you also think “No, thanks” every time Gemini rears its head, here are various ways you can take back your phone.—

Another week, another Saturday Night Live that isn't afraid to punch up at President Donald Trump over the Epstein files and whatever else happened in the last few days.

This time, Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che aimed at now-former Attorney General Pam Bondi and how Trump reportedly fired her over the Epstein files, "because the only person Trump has ever trusted to handle the Epstein situation is a prison guard with the cameras off," Jost said. Cue groans from the audience.

Jost didn't stop there; he joked that he actually understood Trump because he'd also be mad if someone "took a Sharpie and drew all over favorite memories," referring to the heavy redactions of the files.

Of course, the anchors didn't hesitate to also bring up the scandal regarding former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's husband and his photos wearing fake breasts as a part of a "bimbofication" fetish. Che mentioned that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quoted an airman saying the only thing they need in Iran is "bigger bombs."

"Got you covered," said Che. "How about Kristi Noem's husband?"

It doesn't feel that long ago that one of the first things I did with a new WIndows installation was get some antivirus software on there. At first, I used free software like Avast, but eventually I ponied up for paid software, especially after my computer was connected to the internet and I had more to worry about than an infected USB drive.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who watch NFL football.

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. 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: 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: Sideline

• Green: Feathery mascots

• Blue: QBs

• Purple: Misspelled NBA teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Things on an NFL Sideline

• Green: NFL Teams with Bird Nicknames

• Blue: NFC Quarterbacks

• Purple: Anagrams of NBA Teams

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 #559 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Things on an NFL Sideline - BENCHES, CHAINS, COACHES, MEDICAL TENT

• NFL Teams with Bird Nicknames - CARDINALS, EAGLES, RAVENS, SEAHAWKS

• NFC Quarterbacks - HURTS, LOVE, PURDY, YOUNG

• Anagrams of NBA Teams - HATE, PARROTS, SCRAPE, THRONES

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 yesterday's Connections.

Turn your MacBook into your all-in-one workstation—and save while you're doing so.

Not only is the Raspberry Pi a cheap and good purchase, but it can even help you save even more money in the long run if you use it correctly. Here are some ways your Raspberry Pi can be helpful in keeping money in your bank account.

It’s one of those "out of sight, out of mind" maintenance items on our cars. Most of us don't think about our brakes until they start squeaking or the pedal feels a bit mushy or strange under our foot. We change our oil religiously and rotate our tires when it's time, but brake fluid is often the most neglected fluid in the entire vehicle.

For years, Pi-hole occupied a comfortable place in the self-hosting stack. It was the thing I recommended to friends who wanted "network-wide ad blocking" without understanding DNS. It ran on a Raspberry Pi, required minimal maintenance, and gave me that quiet satisfaction of watching ad domains get blackholed at the network edge.

When you’re consumed by a hobby, it’s normal to want to spend some money on it. But what if you’re spending your money on the wrong thing? And what if you bought something else that both kickstarts a new hobby and augments your existing pastimes?

TL;DR: Bring home a tiny, but mighty MacBook Air for just $199.97 (reg. $999) now through April 19, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

The MacBook Air may be tiny, but it’s still mighty. You shouldn’t underestimate Apple’s lightest laptop — it still packs plenty of power and a whole lot of storage in its sleek and portable frame. Right now, you can bring one home for a surprisingly light price — just $199.97 (reg. $999) — now through April 19.

Don’t sleep on the MacBook Air. This Apple device may be easy to take anywhere, weighing in at just 2.96 pounds, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on power. A 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM let you tackle even the lengthiest to-do lists, and the 13.3-inch widescreen display is equipped with Intel HD Graphics 6000, allowing you to see everything in high-quality images with smooth streaming capabilities.

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If you like to store files locally, you’ll have plenty of space thanks to 128GB of flash storage, along with room to download your favorite apps, too. You’ll enjoy easy connectivity thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, letting you go online and transfer files. And you won’t be hunting for an electrical outlet mid-day — this MacBook Air has an impressive 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Wondering how you’re saving $800 on this Apple laptop? It comes with a Grade A/B refurbished rating, which means it may arrive with light scuffing on the bevel or case, or light scratches or dents on the body, but there will be no dents, cracks, or missing parts.

Regularly $999, get this quality refurbished MacBook Air for only $199.97 (reg. $999) now through April 19.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: See what a brand new operating system can do with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, on sale now for $12.97 (reg. $199) through May 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

Working more efficiently doesn’t always mean changing up your workflow. Sometimes, you just need some new tools — like a sparkling new operating system. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro can seriously upgrade your daily routine, as it was created with the modern professional in mind. Right now, you can give your old PC this refresh for just $12.97 (reg. $199) until May 3.

If you haven’t invested in a new computer in a while, we have a great hack for you that costs less than your lunch. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro can rejuvenate your old PC with new tools and features, and right now, you can get it for just $13.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro was made for today’s professional, with tools that help streamline your workflow. Take advantage of a powerful search experience, easy redocking, snap layouts, and a seamless, easy-to-use interface.

Aside from giving you new features, Windows 11 Pro also includes helpful apps like Teams, to help you stay connected with coworkers, friends, and family. You’ll also get access to Copilot — Microsoft’s very own AI-powered assistant — right on your desktop. Ask questions, get help with tasks, change settings, summarize web pages, or even let Copilot open your apps.

If you haven’t been taking your cybersecurity as seriously as you should, don’t worry. Windows 11 Pro takes matters into its own hands, giving it a boost with a biometric login, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection.

Normally $199, you can now upgrade your PC with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for only $12.97 through May 3.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

A spigot.

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

SPOUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A leg exercise.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LUNGE

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Fire.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FLAME

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To smash into.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CRASH

Final Hurdle hint

Gleam

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

SHINE

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