Blogroll

TL;DR: Get a free iPhone 17e when signing up for a T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required. Alternatively, get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when signing up for an Experience More plan and trading in an eligible device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Get Deal

Last month was absolutely huge for Apple. We got new iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads, but what now? Are we just expected to sit around and wait for the next batch of new products? Absolutely not — we're supposed to score the best deals on this fresh lineup.

For those interested in investing in the new iPhone 17, we recommend checking out T-Mobile. The popular carrier is offering another "free iPhone" deal this week.

You can switch to almost any T-Mobile plan and get a free iPhone 17e with no trade in required. Alternatively, you can score the iPhone 17 for free when signing on for 24 months of an Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone. T-Mobile will charge taxes on these free deals and a $35 device connection fee.

SEE ALSO: Boost Infinite is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — upgrade to the latest model every year

There are always some strings attached to these sort of deals, and we should note that the Experience More plan is designed for power users who want 4K streaming, massive hotspot data, and the best international roaming. It therefore comes with a higher monthly bill than more limited plans. The Experience More plan does include perks like Apple TV+ and Netflix, which helps offset some of that cost.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter."

Score an iPhone 17 for free this week with T-Mobile.

There are lots of computer monitors available, unless you own a Mac and want one perfectly scaled to Apple’s ideal retina resolution. In that case, there are only a couple of options, including the new BenQ MA270S 5K 27-inch monitor. The question is whether it’s better than Apple’s Studio display.

On Tuesday, Google shared for the first time details about how its AI chatbot Gemini is designed not to act like a companion or claim to be human when interacting with minors.

The information, published by the company in a blog post, was announced among changes to better support the mental health of users engaging with Gemini.

Child safety and mental health experts have long worried that companion-like chatbots are too dangerous for teens to use. Last year, the advocacy group Common Sense Media rated the teen and under-13 versions of Gemini as "high risk" after its researchers determined that the chatbot exposed kids to inappropriate content, including sex, drugs, alcohol, and unsafe mental health "advice."

SEE ALSO: How teens really feel about AI and their future

The group recommended that no one under 18 turn to an AI chatbot for companionship or mental health support.

Google said that Gemini has "persona protections" when engaging with under-18 users. The longstanding constraints are designed to prevent emotional dependence and avoid "language that simulates intimacy or expresses needs," according to Google. Other safeguards should help discourage the chatbot from bullying and other types of harassment.

"Our safety efforts continue to evolve and reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a healthy and positive digital environment where young people can explore and learn with confidence," Google said in the company's blog post.

Google also announced that it updated Gemini to streamline resources for users who may seek or need mental health resources. A new "one-touch" interface will offer varied connections to crisis hotline resources, including via chat, call, and text.

That interface will appear throughout a conversation with Gemini once it's activated. Google said that it is trying to prioritize helping users receive human support. Additionally, Gemini's responses are supposed to encourage help-seeking instead of validating harmful behaviors and confirming false beliefs.

SEE ALSO: Explaining the phenomenon known as 'AI psychosis'

In March, Google and its parent company Alphabet, were sued by the family of an adult man who allege he killed himself at Gemini's urging.

"Gemini is designed not to encourage real-world violence or suggest self-harm," Google said in a statement at the time. "Our models generally perform well in these types of challenging conversations and we devote significant resources to this, but unfortunately AI models are not perfect."

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

I think we can all agree that headphone prices have gotten out of hand. Even if the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are worth their price tags, the average person can't spend $400 to $500 on a pair of headphones. Affordable noise-cancelling headphones are widely available, but are they any good? Previously, we've loved the JLab Lux headphones, but what about Soundcore's lineup?

Soundcore's Space One and Space One Pro offer affordable and midrange options to the headphone game. And both are wildly popular: the Soundcore headphones have over 14,000 reviews on Amazon, and I see them everywhere. As a product reviewer, I'm always eyeing what people are wearing at the gym or coffee shop, and quickly, I noticed how many folks were wearing the Space One and Space One Pro headphones.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space One Headphones $99.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space One Pro Headphones $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro price and specs The biggest difference between the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones is their prices. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Soundcore's Space One and Space One Pro headphones are similar to Bose's headphone tiers, with the Bose QuietComfort and QuietComfort Ultra. While that means they exist at two different price points, it also means the headphones are similar with a few key differences.

The Soundcore Space One headphones are priced at $99.99 with the following features:

• Noise cancellation: Adaptive active noise cancellation

• Sound: Hi-Res

• Battery life: 40 hours with ANC or 55 hours without ANC

• Fast charging: 5 minutes of charging for 4 hours of playback

• Mics: 3 Mics

• Weight: 265 grams

• Colors: Cloud pink, latte cream, sky blue, and abyss black

The Soundcore Space One Pro headphones are priced at $199.99 with the following features:

• Noise cancellation: Adaptive active noise cancellation 3.0

• Sound: Hi-Res with lossless audio support

• Battery life: 40 hours with ANC or 60 hours without ANC

• Fast charging: 5 minutes of charging for 8 hours of playback

• Mics: 4 Mics

• Weight: 286.2 grams

• Colors: Cream white and jet black

The Soundcore Space One looks like Beats and Bose had a baby The Soundcore logo resembles the Beats logo, no? Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro both have a great look, especially for budget headphones. When I first spotted them out in the wild, I thought they were a pair of Beats because they looked like the Studio Pros. Turns out, the Soundcore and Beats logos just look remarkably similar.

The Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones stand on their own, with sleek, shiny design elements and rounded features. Both are made from lightweight plastic, so while they look expensive, they do feel noticeably cheaper than higher-end brands. The Space One Pros have a little more heft, so they feel more expensive, earning their higher price tag.

The controls are the exact same. On the left ear cup is the power button and a button to control noise cancellation. On the right ear cup is the play/pause button and the volume controls. All the buttons work great, and I prefer them far more than the touch controls of higher-end headphones.

One pair is surprising more comfortable than the other Both the Space One and Space One Pro headphones have intuitive button controls. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

One odd design choice separating the Space One and Space One Pro is that the ear cups on the Space Ones have a slight eight-degree tilt for an adjustable fit.

Generally, the Space One headphones weren't as snug a fit as the Space One Pros. That being said, I preferred the comfort of the Space One headphones. I wear glasses and earrings daily, and while wearing the Space Ones, I was always comfortable with no pinching on my ears.

The Space One Pros have a tighter fit, which, on the one hand, means better passive noise cancellation. On the other hand, it is harder to get comfortable with the Space One Pro headphones. The tight fit on the headphones meant I was constantly adjusting to get them comfortable, and wearing them for an hour started to give me a headache.

So, on comfort alone, I prefer the Space Ones.

Middling audio quality and noise cancellation

I wasn't blown away by either the Soundcore Space One or Space One pro headphones — both were good but not great. On specs alone, the Space One and Space One Pro are incredibly similar, both with active noise cancellation and hi-res sound. Where the Pros have a leg up is a more advanced version of ANC and lossless audio. In my experience, the sound is virtually the same.

What it ultimately came down to was the headphones' fit. Since the Space One Pro headphones have a tighter fit, it created more passive noise cancellation. When I wore both out at a coffee shop to work, the Space One Pros were better at blocking out the cafe's buzz.

Battery life to last for days

Despite the $100 price difference between the two pairs of headphones, their battery life is fairly similar. The Space One headphones have 40 hours of battery life with ANC and 55 hours without, while the Space One Pro headphones have the same battery life with ANC but 60 hours without.

In my time testing the two pairs of headphones, I found similar results. When using the headphones for a couple of hours a day, I could go about two weeks before needing to recharge them — and that's with active noise cancellation on.

Unless you don't plan to use active noise cancellation on the headphones, the Pros aren't worth it given the battery life.

Go for the cheaper pair: The Soundcore Space One Having tested both, we prefer the Soundcore Space One headphones over the Pros. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Testing the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones side by side, the biggest difference is their price tags. Since that's the case, I say go for the cheaper option, the Soundcore Space One. The battery life is essentially the same as the Pros, plus, they're the more comfortable pair of headphones.

If you want to splurge and prioritize noise cancellation, go for the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones. They have a tighter fit, resulting in better noise cancellation. However, we're big fans of saving money where you can, and in this case, the cheaper Soundcore Space One are our preferred headphones.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space One Headphones $99.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space One Pro Headphones $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

TL;DR: Building and growing websites has never been easier with this 1-year subscription to Hostinger Business Web Hosting for Managed WordPress, now just $19.99 (reg. $227.88).

Opens in a new window Credit: Hostinger Hostinger Web Hosting for Managed WordPress: (Business/ 1 Year Subscription) $19.99
$227.88 Save $207.89   Get Deal

If you’ve ever tried to launch a website, you know the process isn’t a walk in the park. If you’re looking for help building, managing, and growing your WordPress website, it’s time to check out Hostinger. Their managed WordPress hosting can help you launch up to 50 websites with no coding or technical experience required.

Right now, you can lock in a one-year subscription to Hostinger Business Web Hosting for Managed WordPress for just $19.99 (reg. $227.88).

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!

$20 to launch up to 50 websites? It may sound too good to be true, but this Hostinger deal is real. Hostinger’s managed WordPress hosting gives you everything you need to create and foster a website — from a free domain and SSL to email hosting, seamless migration, and backups.

Hostinger offers LiteSpeed servers with built-in caching and optimization, so your website runs faster. A 99.9% uptime guarantee ensures it’s always online. Your users will appreciate the smooth browsing and quick load times, while you can rest easy knowing you have excellent overall site performance.

Need a professional email account to handle correspondence? This Hostinger deal even includes email hosting. You’ll also enjoy free migration, so you can move sites without disruptions, and automatic backups to keep your data safe.

If you need help, Hostinger provides 24/7 support from WordPress specialists. It also offers automatic updates, so your WordPress environment stays up to date. Your one-year Business Plan also includes 50GB SSD or NVMe storage, so you can save your website files, media, and data.

Join over 4 million website owners entrusting Hostinger with running their sites. Get a 1-year subscription to Hostinger Business Web Hosting for Managed WordPress for only $19.99 (reg. $227.88) now.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Saving can be a breeze with this one-year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal, just $20 through May 2 (reg. $60).

Opens in a new window Credit: J's Wholesale Club 1-Year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® $20
$60 Save $40   Get Deal

If gas prices are draining your wallet, you’re probably looking for any room you can free up in your budget. BJ’s makes saving easy by helping cut costs on everything from your groceries and household supplies to furniture and clothes.

Right now, you can join this members-only club with a one-year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal for a third of the usual price — just $20 (reg. $60) — through May 2.

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!

Keep more funds in your wallet for fun stuff with some help from BJ’s. A 1-year BJ’s Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal helps you save time and money, giving you access to a one-stop shop that shrinks your errand list and lets you grab everyday essentials like food and cleaning supplies, and even gas for the drive home.

There are over 7 million members already saving money with a BJ’s membership across 244 clubs in the eastern U.S. Customers are saving up to 25% on their grocery bill with BJ’s. Once you’re done grabbing things for dinner, you can stroll the aisles and grab some fun stuff like clothes, seasonal decorations, or tech products.

Since you’re buying in bulk, you’ll be able to cut back on trips to the store. BJ’s also accepts manufacturers’ coupons, which you can even combine with BJ’s coupons for more savings.

Want to save even more time? BJ’s offers same-day delivery, curbside pickup, and BJ’s ExpressPay, which lets you skip the line and scan your items as you shop and pay later in the app.

Regularly $60, you can score a one-year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal for just $20 now through May 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next round of Champions League fixtures includes some really huge matchups. That's what you'd expect from the quarter finals, but Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich is still something special. Fans are getting to see some of the best players in the world battle it out over two legs. That's what the Champions League is all about.

Expect the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior to battle it out with Harry Kane and Michael Olise for supremacy in this first leg contest.

If you want to watch Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich?

Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 7. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Bernabeu.

How to watch Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich for free

Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Sporting CP vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free on Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is reaching its dramatic conclusion, with only four teams left in contention for the top prize.

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal is one of the four quarter-final matchups. Arsenal will be expected to progress into the next round, but they've shown some inconsistent form of late. They'll need to improve after losing to Southampton in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Sporting needed a stunning turnaround to progress past Bodø/Glimt in the last round. They'll need to produce another strong display in the first leg of this round if they want to move into the semi finals. It's going to be an interesting clash between two attacking sides, and you can follow all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Sporting CP vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sporting CP vs. Arsenal?

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 7. This fixture takes place at the Estádio José Alvalade.

How to watch Sporting CP vs. Arsenal for free

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal is available to live stream for free on Prime Video (30-day free trial).

This free stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock Prime Video to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sporting CP vs. Arsenal for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Prime Video

5. Watch Sporting CP vs. Arsenal for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Sporting CP vs. Arsenal without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Sporting CP vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

I'm not saying that you can expect every robot vacuum that mops to scrub your kitchen grout with the same tenacity as you could by hand with a toothbrush. But the best robot vacuum and mop combos have gotten much closer to true deep cleaning versus the ol' wet light dusting of the cheap mopping robot vacuums of the early 2020s.

Many have smart mopping settings that unleash deeper scrubbing on specified spills or stains, and some even use AI sensors to assess whether a mess has been sufficiently cleaned. The mopping mechanisms themselves are also just more physically able to do a better job — from downward-pressing dual rotating mops that can actually get close to the wall or sturdy roller mops that rinse themselves as they go, automated mopping involves more elbow grease and brainpower than you may be expecting.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it?

You can also set your robot vacuum to take multiple passes over dirty floors in the app's settings — one of my go-to tips for making your vacuum work better.

The self-emptying docks of 2-in-1 robot vacuums are far more advanced than they were a few years ago. The best robot mop combos will also self-dispense detergent, automatically wash and dry their mopping pads, and then refill themselves with clean water. In theory, mopping pad maintenance should be nearly as automated as the cleaning itself.

Recent changes to this guide

• March 2026: I replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 as my pick for the best budget robot vacuum mop combo. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and its suction power, mopping skills, and small obstacle avoidance simply can't keep up with the C28 — especially when their price difference is less than $100.

• February 2025: The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete takes over as the best robot vacuum in 2026 so far, and the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow replaces the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best roller mop robot vacuum. Due to the X60 Max Ultra Complete's meticulous corner cleaning and market-leading suction power, the Roborock Saros 10R has been removed from the list.

• November 2025: The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra has been named the best robot vacuum mop combo under $1,000, a mark that it hits when on sale. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni got a similar update: It's now named the best robot vacuum mop combo under $500, which refers to a sale price it hits quite often.

• October 2025: The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller has been added as the best roller mop robot vacuum. Previously our top pick as the best robot vacuum and mop, I've now named the Roborock Saros 10R as the best corner mopping robot vacuum.

If you've chatted with any single friend lately or scrolled through social media, you know the general consensus: People are exhausted by online dating. App fatigue is real, it's excruciating, and it makes finding a genuine connection online feel impossible. As someone who's been testing and reviewing dating apps for years, I get asked one question constantly: Which dating apps work?

My answer is always the same: The only "hack" is choosing the right app for what you actually want. Someone on eharmony is looking for a ring, while users on hookup apps like Tinder are... well, you know what they're looking for.

"Dating apps can feel overwhelming because there are so many of them, but the truth is the platform matters a lot less than the mindset you bring to it," Davide De Pierro, author of The Letters I Never Sent, tells Mashable. "You can download all of them if you want, but eventually you still have to show up as yourself, which is the scary part, but also the freeing part. Because once you do that, you don’t have to keep track of which version of yourself you’re pretending to be. If you’re honest about who you are and what you want, the right connection can happen anywhere."

I always follow up this advice with one more piece of wisdom: Don't give up! Despite burnout, the best dating apps remain among the most reliable ways to meet a partner. A 2025 SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus found that 65 percent of people aged 18 to 29 have used a dating app, and a 2023 Pew Research Center report found that one in five young people met their significant other on one.

You just need the right tool. That's why I've put in the hours, the swipes, and the subscription fees to find the best dating app for every kind of single person. To help you find your match, these are all of the top dating apps worth downloading in 2026.

If you need even more personalized advice, check out our guides to the best dating apps for men, women, and the LGBTQ community.

The dating apps I'd skip (and why)

You'll probably notice a few popular apps are missing from my list. That’s intentional. Part of my job is to filter out the platforms that aren't worth your time, money, or sanity. An app doesn't get my recommendation just because it's well-known — it has to be effective and safe.

Here are a few popular dating apps I'd skip:

• Plenty of Fish (POF): I know this one shows up on a lot of lists, but in my opinion, it's a dating app ghost town. POF launched as a dating site back in 2003, and it shows. In my experience (and based on widespread user feedback), the platform is filled with bots and scams, and the odds of finding a quality connection are stacked against you. Unless you enjoy sifting through fake profiles, I think your time is better spent elsewhere.

• Raya: Raya is basically the Soho House of dating apps. It's exclusive, expensive, and not for the average person. You have to fill out an application to use it, and the vetting process can take anywhere from a few days to a few years. While it might be great for networking or bagging an influencer, it's just not a practical recommendation for most people who are simply looking for a date. (See also: The League.)

• Niche "hookup" sites (like BeNaughty, Fling, etc.): There's a chance you've seen ads for sites like these, which promise quick, no-strings-attached fun. Based on my research and countless user reviews, I'd advise you to steer clear. These platforms are notorious for being overrun with bots and having questionable billing practices, with users reporting unexpected and hard-to-cancel subscription charges.

Stephen Colbert has reacted to President Donald Trump's threats to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges. Posting to Truth Social on Easter Sunday, Trump announced that the U.S. would attack Iran on Tuesday, stating that "There will be nothing like it!!!" As Colbert noted, Trump going "100 percent cage-free crazy on the internet" didn't make for a very festive Easter atmosphere.

"Open the Fuckin' Strait [of Hormuz], you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH!" Trump wrote (emphasis original). "Praise be to Allah."

"You know, it is not often that a network has to bleep the words of a sitting president," Colbert quipped. "Hasn't happened since [President Harry S.] Truman put that famous sign on his desk: The bleep stops bleep."

SEE ALSO: Watch a jar of Nutella make space history alongside Artemis II astronauts

Quickly running through Trump's recent history regarding his messaging on Iran, Colbert noted that just last week the president said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was not an issue the U.S. was interested in being involved in. Despite this, The U.S. president has since issued multiple deadlines for Iran to reopen the strait, threatening military strikes on the country's power plants if they do not comply. Thus far, Trump has moved these deadlines back each time they've arrived.

"At this point he's tried every tactic except passive aggressive parental guilt trip," joked Colbert. "'Well, I guess you won't open the Strait of Hormuz before I die. But that's fine. I mean, who needs oil when I'm clearly never going to have grandchildren? I don't need them. I have canasta, which would be a beautiful name for a girl.'"

Colbert also continued to follow NASA's historic Artemis II mission to the moon, which began experiencing various problems with its onboard toilet not long after launch.

"Luckily, the astronauts have trained extensively on NASA's broken toilet simulator: a Greyhound bus," Colbert quipped. "Apparently the problem was caused by a frozen waste plug in the toilet pipeline, which the crew solved by rotating the spacecraft so sunlight could warm the frozen pipe. Turns out the solution to their problem was to point it where the sun do shine."

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 7, 2026:

AcrossInformative commercial, for short

• The answer is PSA.

Something you trace to draw a Thanksgiving turkey

• The answer is Hand.

___ Johnson, former Prime Minister of the U.K.

• The answer is Boris.

Crosses (out)

• The answer is XES.

DownCity with the Notre-Dame Cathedral

• The answer is Paris.

Bad mood

• The answer is Snit.

About eight minutes of the average half-hour sitcom

• The answer is Ads.

Remote worker's office, perhaps

• The answer is Home.

Word that can follow each group of circled letters (and hints at its shape)

• The answer is Box.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Jimmy Kimmel has returned from a one-week break, diving straight back into our ongoing hellscape by addressing President Donald Trump's behaviour during the Easter holiday. On Easter Sunday, Trump published a post on Truth Social threatening a large-scale attack on Iran's power plants and bridges this Tuesday. He subsequently followed it up with a post that simply read, "Tuesday, 8 P.M. Eastern Time!"

"He's the only president who teases a bombing the same way ABC promotes new episodes of Will Trent," quipped Kimmel.

Trump was also his usual verbose self at the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll. In a moment Kimmel considered among the "most preposterous" in the event's history, Trump gave a speech about the U.S.' war with Iran while standing next to a person in an Easter Bunny costume. The president then griped about former president Joe Biden to a group of literal children.

"I want to assure you the words you are about to hear coming out of the president's mouth were not altered," said Kimmel. "We did not script this. This is not AI or a Donald Trump impersonator."

Specifically, Trump complained to the children about Joe Biden's use of an autopen, a machine that can sign documents on an individual's behalf. Though it is legal for presidents to sign bills with an autopen, last March Trump cited its use as justification for voiding pardons that Biden had issued. Under the U.S. Constitution, a pardon does not need to be written or signed to be effective.

"It's hard to believe it was only a week off," said Kimmel. "It seems like we've been gone for a year. So much stuff happened while we were off."

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 7, 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 7, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 7 Pips

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 7 Pips

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this orange space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 7 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

As a leader, you’re probably too focused on how your team’s work gets done and not focused enough on when it gets done. If you assign work without considering when people are naturally at their best, you risk friction, missed potential, and unnecessary mistakes. Here’s how to lead according to your team’s circadian rhythm.  Map when people work best. Identify each team member’s peak energy periods. […]

257257

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who have played golf.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: 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: Points in golf

• Green: Teams from hockey's birthplace

• Blue: How's the weather?

• Purple: Food-related baseball entertainment

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Golf Scoring Teams

• Green: Canadian NHL Teams

• Blue: Weather-Themed Teams

• Purple: Things That Race at MLB Games

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 #561 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Golf Scoring Teams - BIRDIE, BOGEY, RAGLE, PAR

• Canadian NHL Teams - CANADIENS, CANUCKS, OILERS, SENATORS

• Weather-Themed Teams - HURRICANES, LIGHTNING, STORM, THUNDER

• Things That Race at MLB Games - PIEROGIS, PRESIDENTS, SAUSAGES, THE FREEZE

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.

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

To grieve.

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

MOURN

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A pulling device.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WINCH

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An arm joint.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ELBOW

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Fresh and cool.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

MINTY

Final Hurdle hint

Sweet treats.

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

CANDY

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're down for whatever.

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 7, 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: Rivalry

• Green: Committed

• Blue: Unsure

• Purple: Part of the cycle

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Competition

• Green: On board

• Blue: Words for unspecified choices

• Purple: ___ Life

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 #1031 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Competition: BATTLE, CLASH, CONTEST, MATCH

• On board: DOWN, GAME, IN, WILLING

• Words for unspecified choices: ANOTHER, EITHER, NEITHER, ONE

• ___ Life: AFTER, LOW, NIGHT, WILD

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 7, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're used to being out at sea.

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 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Taking the helm

The words are related to the sea

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe boat rides.

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 Smooth Sailing.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 7

• Bearing

• Course

• Smooth Sailing

• Waypoint

• Fathom

• Knot

• Mark

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're slow-witted.

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 7, 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 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Thick.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E 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 D.

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...

DENSE

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 yesterday's Wordle.