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A growing number of medical professionals and consumers alike are now leaning on AI to manage health in new ways, and tech companies are competing to meet the demand.

AI health products can generate patient visit notes for physicians and help consumers learn insights about their health at home. Even with all the possible upsides, experts recommend caution, particularly for consumers who share sensitive medical and personal information with an AI-powered device or chatbot, or buy into AI health offerings that haven't yet been proven as effective or safe.

With the January launch of ChatGPT Health, a sister experience to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the public has a new option for seeking medical guidance. ChatGPT Health, like Claude for Healthcare and Microsoft Copilot Health, allows users to upload medical records and data from wellness apps to AI assistants, ostensibly providing more accurate guidance.

The fact that ChatGPT Health is free (for now) may prove enticing to some of the 25 million uninsured Americans or those worried about medical debt — Americans currently owe over $220 billion to healthcare providers.

And many are already turning to AI-powered sources. A KFF health tracking poll released this month found that a third of U.S. adults used AI for information or advice about their physical health in the last year. Those numbers are on par with those seeking health advice from social media, according to KFF.

Health AI: Reducing costs, growing access

Health-centered AI may be a good option for those anxious about healthcare expenses because it has the potential to reduce costs through early diagnosis, according to Harvard's School of Public Health.

While the majority of people polled by KFF said they turned to AI because it provided quick, immediate answers, about a fifth cited not having access to a provider or being unable to afford an appointment as motivations. Health-trained chatbots could help patients better understand their bodies and provide helpful insight before they visit their doctor, according to companies like Amazon, which recently launched its Amazon Health AI.

Carri Chan is Faculty Director, Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program at Columbia Business School, and also leads Columbia's AI+Healthcare initiative. Chan has many reservations about patients substituting human-centered care for AI. Still, she believes that AI tools, including a correctly executed, specially trained AI chatbot, could help reduce costs and increase access to care.

"The fact that [tech companies] are curating and at least training a model specifically for [health], thank goodness," Chan says. "That's what we really need. We don't want something that's been trained on all the data on the internet where we know there's a lot of misinformation and just, like, garbage information." In other words, the data needs to be high-quality and validated.

Chan generally sees the greatest promise coming from AI tools specifically designed to improve healthcare delivery.

KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust (Feb. 24-Mar. 2, 2026) Credit: KFF

A new Mashable series, AI + Health, will examine how artificial intelligence is changing the medical and health landscape. We'll explore how to keep your health data safe, using AI to decipher your blood work, prompting chatbots effectively when it comes to health questions, how two women are using AI to detect a dangerous form of heart disease, and more.

AI privacy, hallucination concerns in healthcare

Many health industry experts advise proceeding with caution when using health-centered AI, especially if you’re uploading medical documents or private health information. Privacy watchdogs are particularly worried about chatbot products entering the world of healthcare without federal regulation, Mashable learned.

Aside from privacy concerns, there is the possibility that AI hallucinations could steer patients down rabbit holes of misinformation, or that AI could further reinforce medical biases. Recent studies on health-related AI queries showed that chatbots sometimes dispense unreliable information, with ChatGPT Health under-triaging slightly more than half of the cases presented to it.

AI health tools: Proceeding — with caution

Experts suggest that anyone using health-related AI products test the models with known inaccuracies first, frame questions carefully, and check where chatbots get their answers, ensuring they come from reliable sources like medical organizations — not Reddit.

While there is much to be skeptical about when it comes to AI’s role in health, experts including Dr. Robert Wachter, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, are optimistic about the role health-centered AI can play in bettering people's lives. Wachter views products like ChatGPT Health as a significant improvement over a Google search when it comes to investigating symptoms or deciphering medical jargon.

And Wachter thinks the chatbots will only get better and more accurate with time. For now, Wachter stresses prompting the AI as clearly as possible, fact-checking the responses, and then taking that information to a human medical professional — and skipping right over AI and heading to a hospital when experiencing a potentially life-threatening emergency like severe chest pain.

"You put something into [Chat]GPT or Gemini, and what you get back is better than what you would have gotten back in Google," Wachter says. "The downside is the tools are imperfect and can do everything from giving you really smart answers to answers that are just downright wrong."

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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

Step aside, WebMD — health advice has become the most common way people use ChatGPT.

The chatbot's parent company, OpenAI, reported that 40 million people query ChatGPT daily to decode convoluted medical bills, appeal unfair insurance claims, or manage their own treatment. According to a February Gallup poll, nearly 16 percent of U.S. adults already use AI or social media to find medical information.

SEE ALSO: Experts: AI chatbots unsafe for teen mental health

Meanwhile, Americans owe over $220 billion in medical debt, according to 2024 figures. The country's health workforce currently faces widespread shortages, with high turnover rates for first-year nurses and a need for 114,000 more physicians by 2028 to meet demand. Around half of Americans reported struggling to afford healthcare last year, as the federal government narrowed Affordable Care Act subsidies.

In the eyes of many, the healthcare system has broken.

Meanwhile, widespread AI adoption has been touted as a solution for an overburdened medical system. Narrowly-designed, clinical-grade AI, trained for specific tasks, could potentially revolutionize imaging, patient charting, and insurance processing. But AI developers aren't stopping there — they want AI in the patient's hands, too.

In January, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, the company's free, consumer-facing solution for those seeking health guidance — and anyone willing to upload their medical histories for the chatbot to digest.

Digital doctor or privacy nightmare?

ChatGPT Health, which incentivizes users to upload their personal medical records for tailored medical assistance, was announced on Jan. 7, promising to "securely" link your health information with ChatGPT’s brain. In the months since, other tech companies have followed suit, including the recently announced Amazon Health AI assistant and Microsoft Copilot Health.

Not everyone sees Health GPTs and other AI-related health tools as a net positive.

"Generative AI chatbot products starting to spin off into these healthcare-adjacent submarkets is deeply concerning," Melodi Dinçer, senior staff attorney for the Tech Justice Law Project, told Mashable.

In the hours following ChatGPT Health's launch, Dinçer published a scathing statement characterizing OpenAI's release as a strategic business move to access more personal data while jeopardizing the privacy of struggling Americans. The Tech Justice Law Project is currently representing individuals suing OpenAI over mental health concerns with ChatGPT. 

You're creating a larger ecosystem in this non-HIPAA covered space. - Andrew Crawford, Center for Democracy and Technology

Other privacy watchdogs said their alarm bells went off, too.

"We don't have a comprehensive federal privacy law in the United States," explained Andrew Crawford, senior policy counsel for the Center for Democracy and Technology's Data and Privacy Project. At least, he said, none that puts real limits on how companies handle consumer data, especially sensitive data sets.

Tech companies, including Meta and OpenAI, have lobbied to keep robust privacy laws off the books, and government officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio have pushed for less regulation of American tech companies.

In the absence of federal regulation on data, Americans are provided a patchwork of state-level laws and industry-specific regulations, including protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA.

A new Mashable series, AI + Health, will examine how artificial intelligence is changing the medical and health landscape. We'll explore how to use AI to decipher your blood work, effectively prompting chatbots when it comes to health questions, and learn how two women are using AI to detect a dangerous form of heart disease, and much more.

Passed in 1996, HIPAA established a federal standard for protecting patient medical data and related identifying information in cases where data is shared with or without patient consent. Its Privacy Rule has also become a benchmark for assessing a medical product's privacy standards.

HIPAA, however, isn't a failsafe. Its protections aren't attached to data itself, explained Crawford, but to the institutions that process and store it. Consumer data is shielded only when it's in the hands of an institution bound by HIPAA laws, not when it exists in other marketplaces or is stored elsewhere online. 

Institutions bound by HIPAA laws are known as covered entities. This includes health insurance companies, HMOs, company health plans, and other coverage providers like Medicaid and Medicare; most (but not all) care providers like doctors, dentists, psychologists, nursing homes, and even chiropractors; and, finally, clearinghouses, or businesses that process and transmit health data. Anyone that does business with one of those entities, like a lawyer or billing company, is also under HIPAA's oversight. 

Oura, Apple, Strava: Personal wellness apps and ChatGPT Health 

Most popular health apps are not covered by HIPAA, according to the HIPAA Journal. Not your Oura ring, Apple Health app, or running buddy Strava. When you share your data with something like ChatGPT Health, even if you use it to inform your conversations with a covered entity later, that information is not legally bound by anything outside of the company's privacy policy.

But many, like OpenAI, promise that data is being treated carefully.

We are buying into this idea that something so complex as health can be reduced to numbers on a screen. - Melodi Dinçer, Tech Justice Law Project

Covered entities are blocked by law from using your data for things like targeted advertising or user behavioral profiles, without authorization. But any other companies that get a hold of your medical information can do whatever they please, in accordance with their own privacy policies, Crawford says.

Lily Li, a data privacy and AI risk management attorney and founder of Metaverse Law, explained company privacy policies often include reasonable security protocols and opt-out features, but aren't required to include HIPAA oversights like specific authorization, time limitations on storing data, or disclosure obligations.

Take the case of DNA processing site 23andMe, which, upon filing for bankruptcy, announced it would be selling itself and its library of DNA samples to a company that users hadn't consented to consult with. Medical information, Dinçer explained, is one of the most valuable markets for data brokers online.

Many AI companies have erected walls between versions of their product that are compliant with laws like HIPAA and those that aren't, including the "enterprise level" products touted by OpenAI and its competitors. These aren't the same products being marketed for use by the general public. For example, OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Healthcare, a HIPAA compliant version for health professionals not to be confused with ChatGPT Health, one day later. That same week, Anthropic announced HIPAA-compliant Claude for Healthcare.

Much like ChatGPT Health, Microsoft's Copilot Health is not HIPAA compliant but guided by internal privacy policies. The company explains, "data in Copilot Health is protected with industry leading safeguards, including encryption at rest and in transit, strict access controls, and the ability to manage and delete your information when you choose."

Amazon Health AI, on the other hand, is automatically looped into HIPAA compliance as an offering underneath Amazon One Medical.

The situation starts to get real confusing, real fast for the average consumer.

This muddled privacy grey area is where fitness and wellness apps have thrived, hinging their marketplace clearance on the distinction between a product that seeks to provide treatment versus one that operates merely as a health "assistant." It's why you will almost always see a note emblazoned across the app: Consult with your doctor.

Now enter LLM products, which not only gather data from users' chats, but also emphatically encourage uploading your personal medical records and linking third-party apps — like MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, or Apple Health and its wearables — to get the "best" results from your chatbot. Many of these fitness apps have previously come under fire for tracking users without consent and illegally collecting data. 

Copilot Health, for example, is compatible with more than 50 wearable wellness devices, Microsoft says, including Oura rings and Fitbit watches. Amazon initially incentivized Amazon One Medical users to upload their personal medical information by offering early Health AI access to those who consented. "You do not have to allow One Medical to access your health records to use Health AI. However, to ensure the best experience, we are prioritizing early access to Health AI to those who do," wrote Amazon in early versions of the product's FAQ.

"You're creating a larger ecosystem in this non-HIPAA covered space, where health data is being shared and used by lots of companies," Crawford said. "That's going to create large troves of sensitive health data that all these companies will be in possession of."

Opting Out vs. Opting in

Dinçer also flagged that ChatGPT Health isn't being piloted to people in the European Union or the UK — places with more robust consumer data privacy laws and, specifically, requirements that data collection is opt-in.

Most U.S. law is an opt-out system, Dinçer explained, which places the onus on users to be aware of privacy laws and pay attention to the minutiae of a non-HIPAA product's terms of service. Often U.S. consumers are up against intentionally deceptive design, like confusing language and complicated interfaces referred to as dark patterns, that make rules on data storage difficult to parse. 

"We see these endemic, horrible practices around actually safeguarding our personal information when in the hands of these kinds of companies," Dinçer said. "There's no indication to me that that's suddenly going to change just because the technology looks a little different or you're disclosing it to something that feels like an intelligent conversation partner."

Over the years, state laws have started to catch up, Li said. California recently expanded its Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), outlining unlawful uses of sensitive data and requiring a patient's written authorization to disclose medical information. Washington state passed the My Health My Data Act in 2023, considered one of the strongest consumer data privacy laws in the country.

Even so, there are exceptions across state and federal laws. 

One day before ChatGPT Health launched, the FDA announced it would be limiting its regulation of wearable technology and associated software designed to foster "healthy lifestyles." These technologies and others like fitness trackers are considered "low-risk non-medical devices," and as long as they don't make any diagnoses or treatment claims, they fall out of the FDA's strict oversight. 

Two weeks after the ChatGPT Health announcement, OpenAI announced it was in the early design stages of its first AI wearable device. 

Medical "partners" in the era of AI

A recent report by healthcare research nonprofit ECRI argued that AI chatbots are the "most significant health technology hazard" heading into 2026, citing risks of AI models perpetuating bias and exacerbating existing health disparities.

Similarly, many experts warn that LLMs aren't yet robust enough to effectively curb misinformation. A recent Guardian investigation found that Google's AI overviews often spat out inaccurate, gender-biased medical answers and could pose a public health risk. A study published in Nature Medicine in February found that ChatGPT Health failed to effectively triage medical emergencies and make appropriate care recommendations when compared to real-world physicians.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT is changing the abortion landscape

And the expansion of tech companies into the medical sphere poses additional concerns about the law. Will companies like OpenAI be subject to further inquiry from law enforcement requesting personal health or chat log data? What would that mean for people with stigmatized health conditions or precarious legal statuses, including people seeking reproductive healthcare, abortions, and gender-affirming care?

"We're already conditioned to think it's OK or normal to go to the internet with our health inquiries, sharing really intimate information online and with commercial products," Dinçer said. "We are buying into this idea that something so complex as health can be reduced to numbers on a screen."

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health propeovider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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

Australian startup Sonorus is developing an AI algorithm that can identify signs of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) within minutes, simply by analysing heart sounds. Showcased at the recent SXSW Sydney Tech and Innovation Showcase, Sonorus' AI is trained on cardiovascular audio to pick up signs of heart disease that might otherwise go undetected.

"It's a low cost, portable mass screening and triaging tool, where, rather than waiting for someone to develop signs that they have something wrong with their heart, we use it as a preventative check for susceptible communities that may be at risk of it," Sonorus CTO Leah Martínez told Mashable. "We screen them early, catch it early, and get them the treatment they need before they even need to potentially think about getting an echocardiogram."

The goal is to make RHD easily detectable via a simple, routine check — one that's quick, accessible, affordable, and may not even require a doctor.

Starting Sonorus Credit: Zooey Liao / Masahble / Getty Images / Sonorus

Sonorus began as an idea from Martínez's friend and co-founder, CEO Dr. Julie Dao, in 2022. The two had been in university at the time, with Dao completing her PhD in cardiovascular health while Martínez studied engineering. Having previously worked on a separate project together, Dao approached Martínez to contribute her technical expertise to her new "crazy idea."

"Her background is that she's from Vietnam, and so rheumatic heart disease is something that's really rampant over there," said Martínez. "It was just the two of us inside my two bedroom apartment, in the study, just figuring out how to make a circuit work…. When we started this project at that time, I was in the middle of my engineering degree, and I was still learning and picking up new things. And we built a very, very simple proof of concept, just enough to say that you can record heart sounds with some simple, low cost technology."

SEE ALSO: Using ChatGPT Health? Read this first.

Martínez is now nearing the end of her engineering degree, as well as holding down a day job and working at Sonorus. Boosted by accelerator programs from supporters such as Monash University, Sonorus now has a fully working prototype, and is taking steps to collect further heart audio data internationally as it continues to develop its AI algorithm.

"We want to develop the world's largest data set of clinically viable heart sounds," said Martínez. "We're going beyond that idea that heart sounds are just what we are able to hear and perceive as humans, and actually look at it from a [perspective of], What more new information can we extract that no one's looked at before?"

What is rheumatic heart disease?

RHD is permanent damage to the heart valves caused by inflammation, which can cause blood to flow in the wrong direction. The disease starts from a Strep A infection, which develops into acute rheumatic fever (ARF), according to John Hopkins Medicine. This fever then causes inflammation which damages the heart valves.

Affecting around 55 million people worldwide, RHD kills approximately 360,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organization. It is most prevalent in lower socioeconomic communities where healthcare is more difficult to access, disproportionately impacting Indigenous populations in the U.S. and Australia, as well as people in countries across Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia, and Oceania.

RHD currently can't be completely cured, however it can be managed with shots of penicillin every three to four weeks. Unfortunately, patients are unlikely to seek a diagnosis until after they're already experiencing symptoms, which may include chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Left untreated, RHD can significantly impact a patient's quality of life, increase their risk of stroke, and lead to heart failure.

As such, Sonorus hopes its AI will catch RHD before major damage to the valve occurs, allowing swift intervention to prevent further degradation. Early detection can significantly reduce the treatment required, costs involved, and impact on the patient.

"The risk [posed by RHD] grows exponentially the longer you leave it," said Martínez. "You can treat it with a $5 shot of penicillin [if you catch it early enough], but if you catch it too late, you're looking at open heart surgery."

Using AI to diagnose heart disease Credit: Zooey Liao / Masahble / Getty Images / Sonorus

Echocardiograms are the current gold standard for detecting and diagnosing RHD, using ultrasound to create images of the heart that doctors can examine. However, while echocardiograms are an undeniably useful diagnostic tool, they do have limitations.

By the time a patient is sent for an echocardiogram, issues with their heart are typically already apparent, with damage severe enough that a doctor can detect it with a stethoscope. Sonorus aims to detect RHD before it gets to that point, utilising AI to identify characteristics in heart audio that may indicate issues but aren't identifiable to the human ear.

"[If you do] an ultrasound, you can see physically where the damage is," Martínez explained. "But what we found is there's a couple of precursory markers before you even get to that point, just by listening to the heart and listening to how it operates after you've caught that disease."

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A new Mashable series, AI + Health, will examine how artificial intelligence is changing the medical and health landscape. We'll explore how to keep your health data safe, using AI to decipher your blood work, prompting chatbots effectively when it comes to health questions, and much more. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Echocardiograms are also expensive, time-consuming tests which require specialist training to administer, making them unideal for screenings of large groups of people. Sonorus' founders claim that their portable device can carry out such screenings instead, helping to identify patients most in need of further examination.

"When you're thinking about the cost of an ultrasound machine just by itself, it's about maybe 10 to 20 grand, then you have to think about the cost of an operator, cardiologist, technicians, admin staff, that sort of thing," said Martínez. "And it just runs you up really fast."

Ensuring that Sonorus' devices are cost effective is one of the company's primary aspirations. While they're still a long way from going to market, Martínez speculates that their devices may ultimately cost under $AU1000 (around $700), or perhaps even half this amount.

"We want it so that it's so affordable that it can be scaled and deployed out as fast as possible to so many different people," said Martínez.

Sonorus' AI aims to assist doctors, not replace them Credit: Zooey Liao / Masahble / Getty Images / Sonorus

Sonorus isn't the only organisation working to detect heart disease via AI sound analysis. Studies on AI-enabled stethoscopes have found that such tools could significantly improve doctors' ability to detect heart issues, more than doubling identification of some conditions when compared to analogue tools. 

However, Sonorus distinguishes itself by being designed for use by the public rather than healthcare professionals. As such, ease of use is a high priority in Sonorus' development process to enable widespread deployment. Still, Sonorus is intended to be an assistive tool and first step toward diagnosis, not a replacement for a doctor's professional assessment.

"We're not creating a crutch for doctors and saying, 'this is the new way to diagnose it, and you have to take this as the Bible, and now you don't have to do any of your due diligence,'" said Martínez. "What we're actually doing instead is a [screening] process... so [doctors] can focus on the cases that they actually need to get to."

Challenges: Collecting data, consulting with communities Credit: Zooey Liao / Masahble / Getty Images / Sonorus

For Martínez, gathering the data necessary to train Sonorus' algorithm has been their biggest hurdle so far. While Sonorus did use open source data in a preliminary validation of its algorithm, Martínez explained that it wasn't of the quality they wanted. The company is now working to gather its own data, and hopes to have a database containing hundreds of thousands of data points within the next few years.

"Everyone that works in AI, they always say that your algorithm is only as good as your data is," said Martínez. "We're trying to collect data straight from the [the communities Sonorus is designed to serve], and making sure that it's high quality and what we need."

Sonorus is building its systems in consultation with leaders in the communities it seeks to serve, so that its targeted users are involved in the development process. By doing this, it aims to ensure that the types of solutions it offers are ones that the community will trust, find simple to operate, and want to use. For example, Martínez noted that autonomy regarding health is important to Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander communities. Including them in Sonorus' development helps to address this need, building understanding and integration into the community.

"We don't want to just be like, 'here, we're going to design a solution, here you go, go ahead and use it,'" said Martínez. "Because we know a lot of the time that healthcare is partly about the solution, but it's also partly about the care in the relationship that you build with the people that are going to use it."

The future of cardiovascular diagnosis? Credit: Zooey Liao / Masahble / Getty Images / Sonorus

Martínez believes that the untapped potential for medical use is one of the biggest blind spots regarding audio and AI research right now.

"A lot of AI [concerning sound] right now is really used for audio processing, speech to text generation, but no one's really using it for clinical applications, and so we're filling in that gap," Martínez said.

Though Sonorus is currently developing its AI solely to detect RHD, Martínez believes the technology could be applied to other medical conditions as well. The hope is that, in the future, Sonorus will be able to screen for multiple different cardiovascular conditions with just one simple test.

"Honestly, that would be the goal," Martínez said. "We're starting with rheumatic heart disease, so we want to make sure that we get this one right, and make sure that the solution works. And then from there, because AI algorithms are so easily scalable and applicable to different things... we want to move to other valvular diseases as well."

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health propeovider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Masters Tournament for free on Masters.com. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The wait for the first major golf championship of the year is over.

The Masters is here to deliver top-quality action from the Augusta National Golf Club. Expect the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Rory McIlroy to be battling it out for the green jacket at the end of the weekend. It's always a special occasion with a number of incredible storylines to follow.

If you want to watch the 2026 Masters Tournament for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Masters?

The Masters is one of the four men's major championships in professional golf. The tournament takes place in the first full week in April, making the Masters the first major golf tournament of the year.

The Masters is always held at the Augusta National Golf Club, a private course in the city of Augusta, Georgia.

When is the 2026 Masters Tournament?

The 2026 Masters Tournament will take place from April 9-12. Practice rounds began on April 6.

How to watch the 2026 Masters Tournament for free

The 2026 Masters Tournament is available to live stream for free on Masters.com.

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TL;DR: TCGplayer has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection (Mega Gardevoir) listed from $119.76 with shipping included. That puts it $0.20 below TCGplayer’s current $119.96 market price, while also undercutting Amazon’s $130.43 listing.

Where to buy the Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection (Mega Gardevoir): Best TCGplayer deal Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection (Mega Gardevoir) $119.76 at TCGplayer Shop Now Best Amazon Deal Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection (Mega Gardevoir) $134.95 at Amazon Shop Now

Ascended Heroes has surged back as the hottest expansion from the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution set — causing prices on boosters, blisters, ETBs, and booster boxes to shoot back up. With that in mind, this new price on one of the poster collections is the best way to get booster packs at market price and get its included promo card and poster as a bonus. 

As of April 9, TCGplayer has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection (Mega Gardevoir) listed from $119.76 with shipping included. That lands just under the site’s current $119.96 market price, while also sitting below its $121.63 listed median. TCGplayer’s pricing data also shows the product has cooled off notably from the sharper swings it saw over the past three months, making this a much easier buy than when listings were climbing much higher earlier in the expansion’s release window.

Over on Amazon, the main listing is still sitting at $130.43, which leaves TCGplayer ahead by $10.67. Amazon does show some lower marketplace offers, but even those are still not as appealing as TCGplayer’s best shipped price right now. Still, if TCGplayer runs out of stock, or you’re wary of buying on the dedicated trading card selling platform, Amazon is a fine backup. 

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Inside the box, you are getting 10 Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes booster packs, one foil promo card featuring Mega Gardevoir ex, one double-sided poster, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. 

You can also buy the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box for under $80. As for rarer expansions, you can grab the Pokémon TCG Prismastic Evolutions Booster Bundle near market price at Walmart.

TL;DR: TCGplayer has the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle listed from $39.81 with shipping included. That puts it just $0.15 above TCGplayer’s current $39.66 market price, while also undercutting Amazon’s record-low $42.95 listing.

Where to buy Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Bundles: Best Amazon Deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $42.95 at Amazon Shop Now Best TCGplayer Deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $39.81 at TCGplayer Shop Now

Perfect Order Booster Bundle pricing has kept sliding since its March 27 release, but this is the first time we’ve seen a Pokémon TCG expansion’s booster bundle drop to below $40 so soon after release.

As of April 9, TCGplayer has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle listed from $39.81 with shipping included. Amazon has the same bundle priced at $42.95.

That price works out to about $6.64 per booster pack for a bundle that includes six Perfect Order packs. If you prefer buying from Amazon over the dedicated trading card selling platform, $42.95 is the lowest price that the online retailer has offered for the booster bundle so far — confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

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With six booster packs per box (with 10 cards per pack), the bundle is a straightforward way to start building out your collection of the Perfect Order’s lineup of over 120 cards. Special Illustration Rares of Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex, and Meowth ex are fantastic chase cards that make for beautiful pulls.

To get even more booster packs from the expansion, with exclusive extras, the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box is now under $80. As for other expansions, the Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle is near market price at Walmart. 

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: 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 all expected to sit around and wait for the next batch of new products to drop? Absolutely not — we're supposed to find 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 More plan and trading in an eligible phone. T-Mobile will charge taxes on these free deals and a $35 device connection fee. That's mildly irritating, but that's how it often goes with this kind of deal.

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

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." That's enough for us to consider upgrading.

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

With Schitt's Creek, Dan Levy and Eugene Levy crafted the sweet story of the ridiculously lovable Rose family, who begin the series at their lowest point — freshly broke and awful to everyone around them — before embarking on the road to redemption.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' Season 3 review: It should be great. Instead, it's gross.

In his newest project, Big Mistakes, Dan Levy and co-creator Rachel Sennott turn the tables on that redemptive arc, delivering a much darker tale of a family that's just beginning its own downward spiral.

What's Big Mistakes about? Taylor Ortega and Dan Levy in "Big Mistakes." Credit: Spencer Pazer / Netflix

The family in question is the New Jersey-based Morellis. Mother and hardware store owner Linda (Laurie Metcalf) is preparing to run for mayor of their small town, with the help of her peppy, annoyingly put-together daughter Natalie (Abby Quinn). Her other two children are... messier. Pastor Nicky (Levy) is hiding his boyfriend Tareq (Jacob Gutierrez) from his congregation, and school teacher Morgan (Taylor Ortega) has grown tired of her long-term relationship with high school sweetheart Max (Jack Innanen).

SEE ALSO: 'The Testaments' review: 'The Handmaid's Tale' sequel finds new power in its YA perspective

Their romantic lives are about to be the least of their concerns, though. When Morgan steals a necklace for their dying nonna (Judith Roberts), she lands the pair in the service of a local crime lord. Soon, Nicky and Morgan are running illicit errands for a criminal syndicate. Do they have any criminal bona fides or any desire to do this job? Absolutely not. But do their positions as a pastor and teacher provide the perfect cover? Unfortunately for Nicky and Morgan, they do.

Dan Levy and Taylor Ortega are a hysterical duo in Big Mistakes. Dan Levy, Ilia Volok, and Taylor Ortega in "Big Mistakes." Credit: Netflix

I've never really been a fan of stories where people are drawn into the criminal underworld against their will. Yet Big Mistakes won me over thanks to the dynamic between Nicky and Morgan, especially their blatant reluctance in the face of every task they're given.

Take the first episode, which ends with the pair in the back of gangster Yusuf's (Boran Kuzum) truck.

"It's fully giving kidnap homicide," Morgan moans as she climbs in.

"Those are your last words?" Nicky retorts, with a gun at his back.

That contrast between sibling bickering and the threat of bodily harm fuels the dark comedy of Big Mistakes. No matter where Nicky and Morgan wind up, be it a cattle auction or a Miami yacht, they're always complaining. The nonstop sniping can occasionally carry shades of David and Alexis Rose, but the show's grittier thriller tone, as well as a stress-inducing score from Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum and Peaches, helps distance Big Mistakes from Schitt's Creek.

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Levy and Ortega also establish themselves as a stellar comedy duo, feeding on each other's frenetic energy to turn each illegal deal into a tour de force of cringe comedy. Big Mistakes' broader ensemble is also a joy to watch, especially Metcalf as the beleaguered Linda. When we first meet her and her children, they're bracing for a family tragedy: the death of Nonna Morelli. We learn her decline has gone on long enough that her family's grief has morphed into the kind of pained resignation in which everyone is making her illness about them. For Nicky and Morgan, it's an inconvenience. For Natalie, it's an opportunity to performatively out-grieve her imperfect siblings. And for Linda, who's doing her best to keep her ailing mother under control, it's a hindrance to her campaign announcement.

"Make my mother's death easy on me," Linda asks her children. The line is proof of how pitch-black Big Mistakes is willing to get, and the kind of self-absorption we'll be dealing with from all the Morellis as the series spirals further into criminal chaos.

Big Mistakes leans into the anxiety of Nicky and Morgan's double lives closing in around them. But it also finds wholesomeness amidst the sordid schemes, with Nicky and Morgan growing closer thanks to their new endeavors. Here, Levy and Ortega showcase a vulnerability that's not on display in their earlier, more abrasive arguments together, and the result is heartwarming. (Even if these moments of reconciliation often come at the worst possible moments.) It's proof of Levy and Ortega's chemistry, and it also helps set up what could be one of TV's next most compelling sibling duos.

Big Mistakes is now streaming on Netflix.

You can integrate AI into your workplace without sacrificing human connection—but only if you manage it deliberately. As adoption grows, you need systems that protect collaboration, trust, and well-being.  Monitor the social impact. Regularly measure team cohesion and employee loneliness as AI use increases. Combine surveys with interviews and group discussions to understand how people are […]

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This winter, Heated Rivalry helped audiences get hot and bothered at home. But with cherry blossom season upon us, dare to embrace a romance set under the Tuscan sun. If you need some sunshine, yearning, and romance, go see You, Me & Tuscany, the latest gem from director Kat Coiro.

In 2022, Coiro showed her sincere appreciation for classic romantic comedy with the sublimely satisfying Marry Me, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in a Notting Hill-like narrative about an average bookish man who woos an international famous woman. Now, Coiro's back to help us fall in love again with another story that pulls heavily from '90s rom-com inspiration. This time, her leading lovers are The Little Mermaid's Halle Bailey and Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page, who are surrounded by a gaggle of charming, colorful characters.

What's not to love?

You, Me & Tuscany is basically While You Were Sleeping in Italy. Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, and Lorenzo de Moor in "You, Me & Tuscany." Credit: Universal Pictures

Bear with me. Screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage, Beast) and his wife, Kristin Engle, are credited with the story for You, Me & Tuscany, with the former credited as its sole screenwriter. You, Me & Tuscany's credits do not cite the 1995 Sandra Bullock rom-com written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow as an inspiration. But if you look past the superficial, the comparison between While You Were Sleeping and You, Me & Tuscany is undeniable.

Each film begins with a lonely young woman who dreams of a bigger life. Chicago transit worker Lucy (Bullock), who has no family, dreams of the dashing stranger in the tailored suit who comes to her station every morning and brightens her day by just existing. Aspiring chef Anna (Bailey) once dreamed of traveling to Italy and starting a restaurant with her mom. But the unexpected death of her mother derailed her culinary school education, leaving her scraping by on housesitting gigs in Manhattan. That is, until she meets a "spicy white boy" (as her bestie Claire calls him) named Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor).

Over a sexy night together, Anna learns that Lorenzo owns a Tuscan villa that is "just sitting there." And look, when she decides to use the last of her savings to finally see Tuscany, it's not with the plan of squatting in his abandoned villa. But much like Lucy never imagined her meet-cute with her crush would be on the tracks of a subway as the train came barreling in, life (in rom-coms) comes at you fast. Just go with it.

Luca Setaccioli, Stella Pecollo, Agazio Olanda, Tommaso Cassissa, Beatrice Skyler Rigel, Giacomo Giacopini, and Halle Bailey in "You, Me & Tuscany." Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Naturally, Anna finds a diamond ring in the house, tries it on, and as fate would have, she can't get it off before Matteo's family finds her in his house. So, much like Lucy, she is at the center of a marital misunderstanding: the family of the absent (or comatose) man believes this charming, lonely girl is his fiancée. But the similarities don't stop there! I could run you through the whole plot of both films, to point to how clearly the Engles pulled from Sullivan and Lebow's framework. But crucial to the plot is the brother complication.

In While You Were Sleeping, the comatose crush played by Peter Gallagher begins as the dream, but Lucy soon falls for his slightly cranky, blue-collar brother (Bill Pullman), creating an unusual love triangle. Because how can she be with the man she's actually falling for when he and all his family believes she's engaged to his brother?! Anna ends up in this same tricky predicament, falling for Matteo's "brother/cousin" Michael (Page). The specifics of that relationship will be explained by the pair's TMI-obsessed sister Francesca (a splendidly funny Stella Pecollo). But the key problem is the same: The rom-com heroine's interest shifts from the white-collar, vaguely fuckboy-esque brother to the more gruff and rugged brother with a heart of gold.

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It's a terrific plot that, while seemingly stolen, is gussied up with gorgeous Italian settings of rolling vineyards, rapturous close-ups of delicious local food, and elements of Black culture shared between the leading onscreen lovers. Awe-striking establishing shots of Tuscany prove a perfect backdrop for these beguiling performers to paint their romance, scored by swoony R&B tracks like Mario's "Let Me Love You" and Ari Lennox's "Soft Girl Era."

Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page lead a divine ensemble. Regé-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in "You, Me & Tuscany." Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Universal Pictures

Bailey is bubbly and pitch-perfect as a rom-com heroine, exuding the kind of chaotic gumption that could be disastrous in the real world, but is an unlikely path to adventure in this tender genre. In the opening sequence, she's able to strut like a confident fashion icon, only to stumble into physical comedy when the rug of a seemingly perfect life is pulled out from under her by another rom-com diva, My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Nia Vardalos.

For his part, Page cozies back into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had Bridgerton fans going mad. As "handsome winemaker" Michael, he is initially brusque and distrustful of the outspoken American, who assumes they have commonality because of their skin color. After a bumpy beginning though, Michael learns they do have a lot in common, like heartache, ambition, and a love of good wine and yearning R&B. Naturally, Anna gushes to her bestie (Aziza Scott) back in New York about this, texting, "Spicy White has a brother that's a BROTHA with a six-pack!"

From a distance, Claire tries to be the real-talking voice of reason, and Scott is lively fun in this small part. In Italy, Anna first befriends a garrulous taxi driver named Lorenzo (Marco Calvani), who, beyond offering good advice, is also always ready with a gourmet Italian sandwich. (Squad goals.) De Moor smoothly shoulders the role of the sexy Italian who could be only a plot device by bringing a spicy mischievousness to Matteo. And the rest of the family are a joy, much like in While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Matteo and Michael not only have their bawdy, chatty sister, but a chipper cousin (Emanuele Pacca) who loves opera, a hovering mother (Isabella Ferrari), a stern father (Paolo Sassanelli), a pair of serenading uncles, a duo of excitable nieces, and a glaring nonna (Stefania Casini). While each is a sketch of a character, they all bring verve and joy to this mirthful medley.

Marco Calvani and Halle Bailey in "You, Me & Tuscany." Credit: Universal Pictures

Coiro's rom-com doesn't just satisfy on the swoon. Sure, she knows how to dress the heroine in chic, fantasy fashion fits, and how to shoot Page for maximum sexual appeal (slo-mo, wet, and shirtless). But beyond that, she fills every role with a dynamic performer who adds flavor to her Italian feast of yearning and love. For instance, Cora (Cocoa Brown) and Prisilla (Vanessa Fraction), a pair of Black friends on a vineyard tour, prove spectacular comic relief in an emotional moment as they riff about edge maintenance and Michael's level of sexiness. Coiro herself gets in on this fun too, offering a cameo where she's a silly tourist absolutely flushed by the undeniable sexual chemistry between Anna and Michael. And, fair.

Which is all to say, You, Me & Tuscany will be loved by rom-com fans for its sincere appreciation of the subgenre. From a familiar framework and a traditionally romantic Tuscan setting, Engle creates a vivid world of love and family that is absolutely enchanting. Coiro brings this fantasy romance to life with a crackling cast and a keen eye for both whimsy and comedy. And Bailey and Page are a sensational match, spinning an enemies-to-lovers tale with passion and panache.

All this makes You, Me & Tuscany a marvelous movie, so beautiful and fun that it demands to be seen in theaters. But hey, sneak in a sandwich, a fancy Italian one if you can. It'll make a perfect pairing.

You, Me & Tuscany opens in theaters April 10.

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 throw.

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

PITCH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

The start of spring.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 9, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MARCH

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Well done.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 9, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRAVO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Jewelry measurement.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CARAT

Final Hurdle hint

It keeps on turning.

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

WHEEL

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 in the dumps.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 9, 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: Dreary

• Green: Provides relief

• Blue: Astrological signs

• Purple: Fit

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Gloomy

• Green: Ointment

• Blue: Zodiac symbols

• Purple: Muscular, minus "Ed" sound

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 #1033 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Gloomy: BLUE, DARK, DOWN, LOW

• Ointment: BALM, CREAM, PASTE, RUB

• Zodiac symbols: ARCHER, FISH, GOAT, RAM

• Muscular, minus "Ed" sound: JACK, RIP, SHRED, YOKE

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 9, 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 an artist.

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 9, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In the paint

The words are related to art.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe art forms.

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 Medium.

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NYT Strands word list for April 9

• Fresco

• Enamel

• Pastel

• Medium

• Watercolor

• Acrylic

• Tempera

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 stuffed.

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 9, 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 9, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Loaded.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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 I.

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...

LADEN

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.

Dyson announced its first portable handheld fan Wednesday, and its price is unexpected. The new HushJet Mini Cool launches this Thursday, April 9, at 11 a.m. ET for only $99. It's the cheapest Dyson gadget ever and an unusually approachable offering from a company known for its luxe floorcare, haircare, and air treatment tools. (...Recession indicator?)

Perhaps most impressively, the HushJet is even more affordable than the Shark ChillPill, a new portable fan released earlier this spring by one of Dyson's biggest rivals.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson HushJet Mini Cool $99 at Dyson.com
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The HushJet weighs only 7.5 ounces, or just under half a pound, and measures 38 millimeters (1.5 inches) in diameter — making it just as big around as Dyson's skinny Supersonic hair dryer and PencilVac stick vacuum. The fan offers five airflow speeds and a "Boost" mode for an extra blast of air. It lasts up to six hours on the lowest speed setting and charges to full battery in about three hours.

SEE ALSO: The rise of portable fans is cute, convenient, and a bit of a bummer

The HushJet's brushless DC motor spins at up to 65,000 revolutions per minute (RPM), producing airflow speeds of up to a whopping 80 feet per second or 55 miles per hour. For reference, other portable fans vetted by Mashable staff peak at 3,000 to 7,500 RPM. The HushJet is compact yet super powerful.

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool is compact yet powerful. Credit: Dyson

In its press release about the HushJet, Dyson stated that "Acoustics are as important as power." The company said it designed the fan's nozzle so that it doesn't whine or make a high-pitched whir. Its spec sheet notes that it runs at 52dBA (A-weighted decibels) on the first speed setting, or about as loud as the hum of a fridge, and maxes out at 72.5dBA in Boost mode. At that highest setting, it's slightly quieter than the 77dBA Supersonic hair dryer.

SEE ALSO: I found 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are almost as good as the real thing

Chief Engineer Jake Dyson said the company has been "obsessed with airflow" since 2009, the year it launched its first bladeless fan. "The HushJet Mini Cool fan is the culmination of that journey," he explained in a statement: "powerful airflow, engineered for life on the move by bringing elite cooling technology from every home to your hand."

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool comes with a lanyard. Credit: Dyson

The HushJet also tees up a new chapter in the Dyson vs. Shark rivalry. Shark's stick vacuums and hair tools are regarded as some of the best affordable alternatives to Dyson's expensive counterparts.

Shark launched a 3-in-1 bladeless portable fan called the ChillPill in March. It's 64 percent heavier than the HushJet and can only move up to 25 feet of airflow per second, but it has a longer battery life, 10 speed settings, and interchangeable heads with misting and cooling functions. It's priced at $149.99.

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool will be available in stone/blush (right) at launch. Carnelian/sky (left) and ink/colbalt (middle) finishes are coming soon. Credit: Dyson

For its part, the $99 HushJet will come with a charging stand, a USB-C charging cable, a travel pouch, and a lanyard for wearing around one's neck. Dyson said it will drop additional sold-separately HushJet accessories this summer, including a universal mount that attaches it to strollers and other items.

The HushJet will be available in one mother-of-pearl-inspired stone/blush finish at launch this week. Additional carnelian/sky and ink/cobalt colorways will arrive in May and June, respectively, just in time for the start of wedding and music festival season.

TL;DR: Get an ASUS Chromebook — an affordable computer that’s part laptop, part tablet — for just $149.99 (reg. $369.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: 203 Trading LLC ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) Detachable Touchscreen 8GB RAM 128GB eMMC (Refurbished) $149.99
$369.99 Save $220   Get Deal

Trying to keep multiple devices powered up can feel like a full-time job. If you’re looking for a device that can pull double duty while still going easy on your wallet, it’s time to check out the ASUS Chromebook. This 2-in-1 device serves as a tablet and laptop, and it can be yours for just $149.99 (reg. $369.99).

If you’re tired of juggling a laptop and a tablet, let the ASUS Chromebook be your new go-to device. This versatile Chromebook can handle the demands of today’s busy lives — allowing you to swap between laid-back tablet mode and work-time laptop mode.

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A MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor enables major multitasking, and 8GB of RAM and 128 GB eMMC storage ensure you have space to store files locally and run your favorite apps. There are also dual 5MP cameras on the front and rear for snapping photos or video chatting.

This ASUS Chromebook runs on Chrome OS, so you’ll have access to your favorite cloud-based apps. A 10.5-inch WUXGA touchscreen provides crisp visuals, but if you get tired of using your finger, a built-in push-pop garaged stylus is handy when you need it.

The keyboard detaches thanks to a magnetic stand, so it’s simple to swap from laptop to tablet. You don’t have to go easy on the ASUS Chromebook, since it’s made from a super durable, military-grade aluminum chassis. And a 12-hour battery life means you don’t have to power up mid-day.

You’re saving $220 on this device due to its Grade A refurb status, which means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition, with minimal to zero scuffing, while you secure a deep discount.

This ASUS Chromebook gives you the perks of a tablet and laptop in one, and right now you can get one for $149.99 (reg. $369.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: 1min.AI is on sale for $99.99 (reg. $540), offering a lifetime subscription that combines multiple AI models and tools for writing, image generation, document processing, and more in one platform.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $99.99
$540 Save $440.01   Get Deal

Using AI efficiently often means using more than one tool, which is where things can start to feel a bit counterproductive. 1min.AI takes a more streamlined approach by combining those functions into a single platform. For a limited time, its lifetime plan is on sale for $99.99 (reg. $540).

1min.AI brings together multiple AI models like GPT, Claude, Gemini, MistralAI, and more into one workspace, so you can handle different tasks without switching between apps. Whether you’re writing, brainstorming, generating visuals, or analyzing documents, it’s designed to keep everything in one place.

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Instead of focusing on just one function, the platform covers a wide range of everyday use cases.

For writing and content tasks, it can generate blog posts, rewrite drafts, expand or shorten content, and help with keyword research and SEO. It also includes tools for paraphrasing, summarizing, and even adapting content for platforms like LinkedIn or X, which can be useful if you’re managing multiple channels. On the visual side, it offers image generation and editing tools, including background removal, object editing, and upscaling. You can also generate images from prompts or sketches, adding a layer of flexibility to creative projects.

For document-heavy work, it supports summarizing, translating, and interacting with files like PDFs and presentations. You can ask questions about documents or extract key information without manually digging through them. It also extends into audio and video, with features like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, voice tools, and basic video generation or editing, making it useful if your workflow includes multimedia content.

Of course, like most AI tools, it works best as an assistant rather than a replacement. Outputs can speed things up, but they still benefit from human review and editing.

With this plan, you get 4 million credits per month, plus the ability to generate additional credits depending on usage. In practical terms, that can translate to over a million words, thousands of SEO keywords, and a large volume of generated images. You also get access to an unlimited prompt library, storage, and brand voice tools.

The subscription can be shared with up to 20 users, which makes it a more viable option for teams. There are built-in collaboration features and member management tools to support that setup.

The platform is also updated regularly, with new features added through its public roadmap and weekly updates. Formerly $540, you can get lifetime access to 1.minAI for $99.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Streaming video service recommendations still tend to be simplistic unless you're using platform-specific tools like Google's Gemini for TV, but that's finally changing. Tubi has launched ChatGPT's first-ever native streaming service app, making it easier to find movies and shows on Fox's free-to-watch service using more natural-sounding requests.

MINI has always leaned into the idea that no two of its cars should be exactly alike. From the factory, you can usually pick your roof color, mirror caps, and hood stripes. But for one longtime MINI enthusiast here in the United States, the standard online configuration tool wasn't going to cut it.