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While QR codes can be useful in some circumstances, I'd never felt like they would be much use in my smart home. It took one automation to make me realize how useful they could be.

If you've ever converted a video or ripped audio, there is a good chance you've used FFmpeg without ever realizing it. However, it can do so much more if you learn a few extra commands.

DisplayPort has taken over as the superior choice for connecting a PC to a display. This is largely because DisplayPort was designed with PCs in mind, and that shows in how it behaves in real-world setups. For instance, my monitor would often default to 144Hz instead of its full 240Hz despite using HDMI 2.1, an issue that was quickly resolved by switching to a DisplayPort 1.4 cable.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you wear glasses.

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 8, 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: Work buddy

• Green: Pleasing to the eye

• Blue: Barriers

• Purple: Found at LensCrafters

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Cohort member

• Green: Aesthetic

• Blue: Kinds of bar apparatuses

• Purple: Eyewear in the singular

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 #1032 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Cohort member: ASSOCIATE, COLLEAGUE, FELLOW, PEER

• Aesthetic: DESIGN, LOOK, SCHEME, STYLE

• Kinds of bar apparatuses: MONKEY, PARALLEL, PULL-UP, UNEVER

• Eyewear in the singular: CONTACT, GOGGLE, SHADE, SPECTACLE

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 8, 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 love to stay in bed.

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 8, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: We're going under cover

The words are related to comfort.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe bed toppings.

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 Bed Clothes.

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NYT Strands word list for April 8

• Afghan

• Throw

• Blanket

• Bed Clothes

• Spread

• Comforter

• Quilt

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 love being by the water.

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 8, 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 8, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A bay.

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...

INLET

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.

You may have noticed that you can unlock your Android phone with your face, but things like mobile payments require a PIN or fingerprint. Unlike the iPhone, most Android phones don’t have secure enough face recognition—here are the ones that do.

The beauty of Linux is that it gives you a minimal base on top of which you can build a customized system exactly how you like. However, that also means going through the painstakingly long process of installing all your apps and packages one at a time. Thankfully, there's a better way—a few actually—that allows you to install everything you need in a single shot.

The Moon is in its waning phase. This means that each night until the New Moon, it will appear smaller and smaller. This is because of where we are in the lunar cycle, a cycle of roughly 29.5 days as the Moon orbits Earth and the portion illuminated by the Sun gradually changes from our point of view. Keep reading to see where we are in that cycle tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, April 8, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 68% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There's plenty for you to see on the surface of the Moon tonight, even if you don't have any visual aids. Just looking up with your eyes, you should be able to see the Mare Imbrium, Tycho Crater, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Gassendi Crater, Grimaldi Basin, and Clavius Crater. Finally, if you have a telescope, expect to see features like the Apollo 12 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to circle Earth, moving through eight unique phases along the way. Although we always see the same side from Earth, different amounts of its surface are lit by the Sun as it orbits, causing it to appear fully illuminated, partially lit, or as a thin crescent. These changing views are called the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A lot of people use Claude because it's a powerful coding tool. Claude Opus 4.6 is one of the best coding models currently available, but Claude isn't just useful for programmers. Here's how I use it in my day-to-day life.

SAVE $30: As of April 8, the Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) is down to $99 at Amazon, a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Warmer months are on the horizon, and that means more time to spend outside enjoying the sunshine. If you're looking for a portable speaker that you can bring along on spring and summer adventures, the good news is some nice models are on sale right now at Amazon. This includes the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), which is down to $99 for a limited time.

Overall, this saves you $30 off the original list price of $129, but it also marks a return to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. What better time to grab it? Not to mention, every color is on sale at this price, so you can find your favorite at a discount.

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The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is a pretty special pick in our eyes. It earned the spot as the best Bose speaker in our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, as it's the "ideal choice for travelers and urbanites who want top-tier sound in a palm-sized package." This model offers "Improvements to audio architecture, battery life, and design" that "place the second-gen SoundLink Micro among category elites."

Not to mention, it has a durable design that's dust, shock, and rust resistant, and waterproof rated for IP67. So, no matter if you take it on a camping trip this year, to the beach, or just out into your backyard, it's built to handle the journey.

It's currently marked as a limited-time deal, so don't wait too long to take advantage of this great offer on the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) at Amazon.

SAVE OVER $30: As of April 8, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are on sale for $169.95 at Amazon. That's $30.04 off their list price of $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Fit $169.95 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $30.04   Get Deal

With the weather getting a bit warmer, now is the perfect time to take your workouts outside. If you've been searching for some new earbuds that can join you on outdoor routines, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are worth a look. That's especially true right now, as Amazon's dropped their price to $169.95 for a limited time.

Not only is this a solid discount of $30.04 from the Beats Powerbeats Fit's usual list price of $199.99, but it also marks their lowest-ever price at Amazon, which is a great bonus. Plus, every color is on sale at this price, so you can pick out your favorite. Since they're currently marked as a limited-time deal, this price may not stay live for long.

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Sound is always an important element when it comes to finding a good pair of workout earbuds, but so is fit. The Beats Powerbeats Fit feature secure-fit wingtips that help keep each bud in place as you move through your workout routine. They also feature great sound quality and Active Noise Cancelling to block outside sounds, alongside supporting Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.

With the help of the charging case, they also offer up to 30 hours of battery life. In terms of where they fall behind, our review from Alex Bracetti found that they, "simply lack modernization. I’m shocked as to why they operate on Apple’s H1 processor. This limits their upgradability, meaning you won’t get the latest Apple listening modes (e.g., Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness) or many other upcoming features via software update."

However, Bracetti noted that, "Strong noise cancellation blends beautifully with resonant sound. Small touches to the design help optimize fit and portability. The increase in playtime is appreciated as well." If the Beats Powerbeats Fit have caught your eye, this is a great time to grab them and save at Amazon.

As I've gotten older, I've realized time is one of the most valuable assets. I'm always searching for more time, especially when it comes to streaming. I fall a week behind on television, and my anxiety grows by the second, knowing that if I wait any longer, it will be difficult to catch up. I just want to sit down for an afternoon and finish a show by the time I go to sleep. Luckily, Paramount+ has several shows that can be binged in one sitting.

Excel formulas shouldn't feel like deciphering the Enigma code. If yours are just confusing strings of letters and numbers, you're doing it the hard way. Structured references turn those formulas into readable, resilient instructions that stay synced as your data moves or grows.

The story goes like this: Anthropic creates Claude Mythos, an AI model that's great at identifying security flaws in software. Due to security issues within Anthropic's own content management system software, details about Mythos leak to the public ahead of time. After some thinking, Anthropic decides not to release Mythos to the public over concerns that hackers might use it for nefarious purposes.

Yeah, that was probably the right decision.

On Tuesday, Anthropic announced Claude Mythos Preview, a yet-unreleased AI model that could "reshape cybersecurity." According to the company, it has already found "thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities, including some in every major operating system and web browser." While this is a good thing, Anthropic also said that bad actors might use Mythos for evil, with potentially "severe" consequences for "economies, public safety, and national security."

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So, instead of just launching Mythos like it would other models, Anthropic decided to only give access to a small number of select companies: Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Palo Alto Networks. Anthropic calls this "Project Glasswing," an initiative to strengthen critical software infrastructure with the help of AI. The company also extended access to a group of over 40 additional organizations that "build or maintain critical software infrastructure."

SEE ALSO: Claude subscribers will now have to pay extra to use OpenClaw

In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Dianne Penn, Anthropic’s head of research product management, said that the move came after a lot of "internal deliberation," and that it was about giving "a lot of cyber defenders a head start."

Meanwhile on X, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a post, "Rather than release Mythos Preview to general availability, we’re giving defenders early controlled access in order to find and patch vulnerabilities before Mythos-class models proliferate across the ecosystem."

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"The dangers of getting this wrong are obvious, but if we get it right, there is a real opportunity to create a fundamentally more secure internet and world than we had before the advent of AI-powered cyber capabilities," he added.

While Claude Mythos Preview is particularly good at finding cybersecurity flaws, it's actually a general purpose model. But the company does not currently plan to make it broadly available; instead, it will try to figure out how it can safely deploy Mythos-class models to everyone.

Featured Video For You Moltbook's real risk isn't AI. It's your data

TL;DR: Stream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF, FranceTV, or RaiPlay. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Hardcore cyclists really love to suffer, for some reason. We're not exactly sure what's so appealing about taking on a steep incline, but there must be something that keeps this dedicated group coming back for more torture.

What's easier to understand is the appeal of watching the best cyclists in the world do battle over one of the most challenging routes imaginable. That's what's on offer from Paris-Roubaix.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is Paris-Roubaix?

Paris–Roubaix is a single-day professional bicycle road race in northern France, starting just north of Paris and finishing in Roubaix. The race is nicknamed the "Hell of the North," and it's clear to see why. The route is 259.9 kilometres long with 29 cobblestone road sections totalling 55.7 kilometres.

Mathieu van der Poel won the 2025 Paris-Roubaix.

When is the 2026 Paris-Roubaix?

The 2026 Paris-Roubaix takes place on April 12.

Can you livestream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free?

The 2026 Paris-Roubaix is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — SBS On Demand

• Belgium — RTBF

• France — France TV

• Italy — RaiPlay

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations, meaning you can access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix 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 Australia, Belgium, France, or Italy

4. Visit SBS on Demand, RTBF, FranceTV, or RaiPlay

5. Stream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free streaming sites without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Paris-Roubaix before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Paris-Roubaix?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free streaming sites to watch sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Presence detection is one of the most useful features you can use in your smart home. Though there are plenty of modern options for detecting presence in Home Assistant, Wi-Fi can be a reliable old fallback that works a treat in detecting specific devices in your home.

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 will have been tough to handle for dedicated fans of the sport, but that wait 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.

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.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S., but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock this free live stream from anywhere in the world.

Access free Masters live streams 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 U.S.

4. Visit Masters.com

5. Live stream the 2026 Masters Tournament for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Masters before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 the 2026 Masters Tournament for free with ExpressVPN.

Most people, by default, rely on cloud storage for wireless transfers between computers. However, there is a better, faster way to transfer files wirelessly (as long as they're connected to the same local network.) Instead of uploading files to the cloud just to access them on a different device, you can use FileZilla. FileZilla is a free and open-source app that lets you wirelessly drag-and-drop files between devices. It's much faster than the cloud route, especially for large file transfers.

We're always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We've also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

You can find a live hub for those deals right here.