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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, April 1, 2026:

AcrossY Y Y Y Y Y Y

• The answer is Wise.

Back half of an old cassette tape

• The answer is Side B.

Perform lines that aren't in the script

• The answer is Ad lib.

G G G G G G G

• The answer is Geez.

Butt, to Brits

• The answer is Arse.

DownOpposite of narrower

• The answer is Wider.

Keeps the engine on while parked

• The answer is Idles.

C C C C C C C

• The answer is Seize.

___ and flow (tidal opposites)

• The answer is Ebb.

Long, epic tale

• The answer is Saga.

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

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

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

Kids are consuming a lot of AI slop.

And child safety advocates are getting worried. In a letter sent to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neil Mohan, a coalition of national organizations and child development experts is demanding a change to YouTube policies to cut down on AI slop, including an outright ban on "Made for Kids" content generated by AI.

"Given the absence of evidence that AI slop is safe for children and the potential for these videos to mesmerize and harm kids, Google must take swift action to protect children on its platforms," the letter reads. Two weeks ago, YouTube announced a partnership with generative AI studio Animaj, which specializes in AI children's content and boasts billions of views across several YouTube channels aimed at infants and babies.

SEE ALSO: We didn't grow up on social media. We grew up on digital nicotine.

The letter, led by child safety nonprofit Fairplay, is signed by organizations like the American Federation of Teachers, the National Black Child Development Association, and Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), as well as experts like Jonathan Haidt, author of the highly cited book The Anxious Generation. The group cites growing concern that exposure to AI content can distort children's perception of reality, cause cognitive overload, and displace real world activities necessary for development.

"First YouTube introduced Shorts with Made For Kids content without wondering what impact it would have on young viewers, and then — no surprise — AI slop started competing for kids’ attention on those very feeds. It’s time for platforms to start respecting the attention and minds of young children, not just treat them as a resource to be extracted," said Jenny Radesky, a developmental behavioral pediatrician and media researcher who also signed onto the letter.

The group also announced a public petition demanding YouTube implement several new safety policies addressing the proliferation of AI slop directed toward children, including:

• Clearly labeling all AI-generated content on YouTube

• Barring AI-generated content from YouTube Kids

• Prohibiting child-focused videos (“Made for Kids”) on YouTube that are AI-generated

• Prohibiting algorithmic recommendations of AI-generated content to users under age 18

• Implementing a toggle switch in parental controls so that parents can turn off AI-generated content even if children search for it

• Stopping all investment in the creation of AI-generated videos for children

The letter comes one week after a precedent-defining verdict in a recent case against Meta and YouTube parent company Google, which sided in favor of a 19-year-old user who claimed the companies knew their platforms could be "dangerously addictive" and ignored warnings about user mental health. The Los Angeles jury found that both Meta and YouTube were negligent in addressing internal safety warnings and went forward with platform features that exacerbated expert concerns.

"In some cases, seemingly benign animations can turn out to be sexual or violent in nature," said Sebastian Mahal, co-chair of youth-led lobby coalition Design It For Us. "Young people don’t want to be targeted with this type of experience by YouTube’s algorithm. After a California jury found YouTube liable for failing to protect young people on its platform, one would think YouTube would finally take its responsibility to its young users seriously."

In addition to claims that Instagram's algorithms exacerbated the youth mental health crisis, particularly among teen girls, child safety advocates have long warned that YouTube is a dangerous site for young children.

Rachel Franz, director of Fairplay’s Young Children Thrive Offline program, told Mashable in a March interview: "If 'managing AI slop' was really YouTube's top priority this year, they would have already taken down the millions of AI-generated 'Made for Kids' videos that are designed to entrance young children, leading to more screen time and displacing the activities they need to thrive offline."

YouTube is the most popular video platform for young child viewers, especially among low-income households. Despite efforts to address AI-generated content, YouTube has yet to fully rein in the problem, and AI-generated content aimed at children has become a lucrative business.

A New York Times report found thousands of low-quality AI videos in YouTube's algorithm, including ones that violated child safety policies. Currently, animated videos generated by AI do not require AI labels, and AI labels do not appear consistently on YouTube Kids. YouTube only requires labeling for synthetic media made to mimic "realistic" settings or people.

In response to the new letter, Franz added, "YouTube’s algorithm makes it impossible for kids to avoid AI slop. YouTube must stop shoving AI slop onto children now, before it further damages an entire generation of kids.”

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.

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I spend a lot of time trawling through the depths of the online world to find deals that are genuinely worth your time and money. And no, I'm not talking about those heavily discounted products that have actually been stuck at that "low price" for months. I'm talking about limited-time discounts on the products that I'd actually recommend to a friend.

That's the aim of the game for Mashable's team of shopping experts. We're constantly scanning leading retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy to bring you new opportunities to save your precious cash. But we're not satisfied with the current state of affairs. We don't want you to miss a thing, and that's why we landed on the Mashable Deals text group.

Become a subscriber of the Mashable Deals text group and I'll send you the very best deals directly to your phone. You don't need to pay anything to get access to these deals. Simply sign up above and you'll be the first to know about huge savings on MacBooks, limited-time discounts on AirPods, price cuts on items under $50, and all of those other deals that drop throughout the week.

I'll send a Deal of the Day most days. During major shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday, we may bump this up to a couple of sends per day. But that's only if we come across multiple offers that are truly worth the send. If we track down a bunch of impressively low prices during a busy shopping event, we'll drop those in a single text.

We're not going to spam you. The daily deals that we send to the Mashable Deals text group will have been researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

Signing up for the Mashable Deals text group is quick, safe, and totally free. You can also opt out anytime you like. I hope you give it a try.

SAVE OVER $250: As of April 1, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum has dropped to $269.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $280 off its list price of $549.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum $269.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $280   Get Deal

The Big Spring Sale at Amazon may officially be over, but lucky shoppers can still find some nice discounts hanging around. For those who were hoping to grab a robot vacuum at a steep discount, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for over 50% off.

As of April 1, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is marked down to $269.99 at Amazon. Usually it's listed for $549.99, so this saves you 51% overall, or a whopping $280. That's a very nice deal to take advantage of after the Big Spring Sale, and one that may not last much longer since it's marked as a limited time deal. Be quick to grab it at this low price.

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If you're just looking for a regular robot vacuum to help you with cleaning this spring — rather than one of the fancier mop/vacuum combo models — the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra offers powerful suction and Matrix Clean Navigation to get the job done. The latter pushes the vacuum to move in a matrix grid that cleans in multiple passes over your floors to make sure every little bit of dust, debris, crumbs, and more that's scattered on your floor gets cleaned up.

That's not all, though. It can also map out your home and avoid obstacles with the help of 360° LiDAR vision, so there's no need to worry about it bumping into anything. It even features a bagless, self-emptying base that can be filled up over the course of 30 days. That means you don't even have to think about it while it cleans for a whole month.

Again, it's currently marked as a limited-time deal, so act fast to save on the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum at Amazon.

SAVE OVER $130: As of April 1, the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) is on sale for $466.60 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $466.60 at Amazon
$599 Save $132.40   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale came to an end after March 31, but that doesn't mean all the discounts did.

Apple products saw incredible deals over the week-long sale, and as of April 1, the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) is still on sale for $466.60. The 256GB device in the color blue is not only reduced by over $130, but according to camelcamelcamel, it has dropped to its lowest-ever price.

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The 11-inch iPad benefits from the A16 chip, which makes it fast and better at doing tasks like streaming, gaming, and editing. For the display, you’ll get a Liquid Retina screen with True Tone. This helps the it feel more comfortable on your eyes, especially in different lighting.

It runs on iPadOS, so it makes multitasking fast and easy, as well as having support for accessories including the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. For cameras, it has a 12MP front-facing camera with Center Stage for video calls, and a 12MP rear camera for photos and video. This camera can also be used to scan documents.

You can find this iPad deal at Amazon right now. It's listed as a limited-time offer, so you might need to act fast to save.

It's not often that comedies actually make you laugh out loud, but Last One Laughing UK — despite being a show that revolves around people not laughing — manages it with ease.

Back on Prime Video for a second season with a whole new cast, the Jimmy Carr-hosted game show/reality TV challenge sees 10 comedians trapped together in a room for six hours.

The only rule? If you laugh twice, you're out. Last person standing wins.

SEE ALSO: The best comedies on Prime Video for when you need a good laugh What's Last One Laughing UK about?

The rules may be fairly straightforward, but there are twists aplenty.

The comedians — Season 2 features David Mitchell, Mel Giedroyc, Alan Carr, Romesh Ranganathan, Amy Gledhill, Maisie Adam, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Sam Campbell, Diane Morgan, and Bob Mortimer — spend the six hours together in a large set with a kitchen, sitting area and a stage. They aren't just left to their own devices, though. Watching from the control room, Carr and co-host Roisin Conaty can choose to phone in and request that any cast member plays their "joker" card at any time. This is essentially a miniature standup set, with the cast member in question taking to the stage to perform a short (and often very bizarre) routine while the others are forced to gather round on the sofas and watch.

Behold, here's Diane Morgan giving a very deadpan reading of Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night":

Alongside the jokers, the show is peppered with other little tasks, challenges, and surprises along the way. The result feels like a fast-moving variety show where everyone involved is constantly bordering on hysterics.

Last One Laughing UK is one for Taskmaster fans

If you've seen the show Taskmaster, you'll already have a flavour for what Last One Laughing UK is about.

The challenges set for the contestants aren't quite as random as those on Alex Horne's show, but they have a similarly silly and surreal flavor. Season 2 sees Bob Mortimer arm wrestling David Mitchell, Maisie Adam facing off with Romesh Ranganathan over their biggest regrets, and Sam Campbell and David Mitchell shouting for as long as possible while slowly walking towards each other.

The fact that nobody is allowed to laugh infuses every moment with a kind of frantic energy. There's a constant, giggly tension that's heightened each time the camera cuts to a reaction shot of someone doing their best to hold in a snort.

Featured Video For You Taskmasters (Little) Alex Horne and Greg Davies reveal which iconic tasks they would never do Last One Laughing UK Season 2 has some brilliant surprise guests

Season 1 featured improv acting with Danny Dyer, presenter Alison Hammond popping out of a fridge, and a psychic reading from Ted Lasso actor and comedian Nick Mohammed. A tough lineup to beat, in other words, but Season 2 is already have a good go at it.

In the clip below famous British presenter Richard Madeley pops up, calling the cast up on the stage one-by-one for some deadpan interview questions that are very difficult to sit through without breaking.

The bad news? Last One Laughing UK Season 2 is only six 30-minute episodes, each of which go by far too quickly. The good news? Five episodes have been released so far and the finale drops on Thursday, so there's plenty of time for a catch-up binge before the winner of Season 2 is crowned.

Last One Laughing UK Season 2 is streaming now on Prime Video, with the final episode dropping on Thursday.

TL;DR: Turn your phone into a powerful document scanner with iScanner — now just $25.97 (reg. $199.90) through April 12.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $25.97
$199.90 Save $173.93   Get Deal

Tax season has a way of turning every drawer, bag, and random countertop into a paper explosion. Receipts, forms, notes — you know the drill. If you’re trying to get everything organized without losing your mind (or your paperwork), iScanner might be the easiest upgrade you make this year.

You can currently grab a lifetime subscription for just $25.97 (reg. $199.90) through April 12 — and it essentially turns your phone into a full-on document scanner and editor.

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With iScanner, you can scan just about anything — tax forms, receipts, IDs, handwritten notes — and instantly convert them into clean, shareable files like PDFs or JPGs. The app automatically detects edges, straightens pages, and even recognizes text in 20+ languages, so you’re not stuck manually fixing every scan.

But it goes beyond scanning. You can sign documents, edit PDFs, merge files, organize everything into folders, and even lock sensitive files with a PIN. It’s especially useful if you’re juggling multiple documents and need everything in one place, fast.

Whether you’re filing taxes, running a small business, or just trying to stay organized, iScanner keeps things simple — and way less paper-heavy.

Another underrated perk? It helps you stay ahead instead of scrambling at the last minute. When everything is already digitized and easy to find, pulling documents for taxes, reimbursements, or audits becomes a quick search instead of a full-on scavenger hunt. It’s the kind of small upgrade that saves you time (and stress) long after tax season is over.

Get lifetime access to iScanner while it’s on sale for just $25.97 (reg. $199.90) through April 12.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microlearning app Headway Premium turns self improvement into an easy hobby, and now a lifetime subscription can be yours for $59.99 (reg. $299.95).

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$299.95 Save $239.96   Get Deal

Trying to find a self growth habit that will actually stick? Headway Premium gives you key concepts from nonfiction books in only 15 minutes, so it’s easy to sneak into even the busiest day. You can learn about health on your lunch break or business strategies on your morning commute.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to this innovative microlearning app can be yours for just $59.99 (reg. $299.95).

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When was the last time you finished a book? You probably don’t have time to read “The 80/20 Principle” cover to cover, but we bet you have 15 minutes to digest a written or professionally narrated audio summary to learn the key ideas. Headway Premium serves up just that: an easy way to learn new things that works with your busy lifestyle.

Join over 15 million people using Headway Premium to learn new concepts. While the app doesn’t replace reading the whole book, it’s a great jumping off point for discovering new topics you may want to explore further.

There are over 2,000 summaries available on books ranging from business strategies and personal development to health and wellness. New ones are added every week, so you’ll never run out of options, and features like personalized recommendations help you discover other nonfiction books you might enjoy.

Headway Premium employs a gamified learning process that makes it fun to stick with. Track your progress and test your skills with quizzes and trivia, which helps you realize how much you’re retaining from the summaries.

Secure a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just $59.99 (reg. $299.95) now.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE OVER $70: As of April 1, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale for $188.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $188.99 at Amazon
$259 Save $70.01   Get Deal

The Big Spring Sale may be over, but the discounts on portable power stations are still going strong. As of April 1, there are still great deals to be found on models like the Jackery Explorer 300. In fact, this unit is down to its lowest-ever price, with the price dropping from $259 to $188.99 for a limited time.

This portable power station is a great choice if you want something compact, yet still capable. It has a 293Wh capacity and 300W output, with two pure sine wave AC outlets alongside multiple other ports, including a 60W USB-C input/output, USB-A, and a DC car port.

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Recharging is fast, getting to about 80% in two hours when using a wall outlet and USB-C simultaneously. There are also additional upgrade options for car charging or with solar panels. It weighs just 7.1 pounds, so if you'd like to take it camping or on the road with you, it’s designed for easy transport. It even has a useful handle to help you lug it around.

This unit comes with the power station, an AC adapter, a car charging cable, and a user guide. Find this Jackery deal at Amazon right now.

SAVE $30: As of April 1, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are on sale for $139.95 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 $139.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $40   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale officially came to an end after March 31, but if you're looking for a deal on running earbuds, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are still heavily reduced. As of April 1, they are $40 off, down from their list price of $179.95 to $139.95. All colors are at this low price, so you can choose between black, blue, orange, and silver.

According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the best price for these earbuds in 2026.

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These Shokz open-ear headphones use bone conduction and air conduction technology. The open-ear design is famed for keeping you aware of your surroundings while minimising sound leakage. So, as the name might suggest, these are ideal for running (but also cycling and any outdoor activity).

They're built with a lightweight, secure frame and ergonomic ear hooks to help them stay in place during exercise. And let's not forget the actual sound quality, which is truly impressive thanks to the AI noise reduction algorithm which blocks out annoying background sounds.

You can find this deal available at Amazon right now.

SAVE OVER $100: As of April 1, the Insignia 55-inch Class F50 TV is on sale for $179.98 at Amazon. That's a 49% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 55-inch Class F50 TV $179.98 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $170.01   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale officially came to an end on April 1, but if you're lucky, you might still find some discounts lingering.

We've checked out everything still live, and this deal on the Insignia 55-inch Class F50 TV is worth a close look. As of April 1, this TV is down to its best-ever price of $179.98 — almost half off (49% off to be exact).

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This TV offers impressive quality, with 4K Ultra HD streaming, 2160p resolution, and HDR10 support. This is true of the audio quality, with the DTS Virtual:X creating a more immersive sound experience. It also has HDMI eARC support for higher-quality audio output. Not bad for under $180.

On the inside, you'll be getting Fire TV, so access to streaming apps including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and more is nice and easy. You'll also get free, ad-supported channels and Alexa built-in. Use this to browse through multiple platform catalogs at once, look things up online, or even control other smart home devices.

Finally, this TV includes multiple connectivity options such as three HDMI ports, USB, Ethernet, and WiFi. It's a really solid all-rounder at a low price.

With Amazon's Big Spring Sale officially over, this deal could expire at any point. If you're interested, act fast to save.

The good news? Riz Ahmed is hosting SNL UK this weekend. The bad? He's apparently very, very method.

In the promo skit above, cast members Ayoade Bamgboye and George Fouracres enter the Bait star and creator's dressing room to find him dancing to music while holding a small chest of sweets. But the tone abruptly shifts when Fouracres asks him about his performance in Aneil Karia's 2025 version of Hamlet, prompting Ahmed's smile to vanish.

"I wasn't playing Hamlet, I went full method," says Ahmed. "I became Hamlet."

"What, you went on a real life murderous rampage to avenge the death of your father?" asks Fouracres.

Ahmed's response is to lift a finger to his lips, whisper "no" and then break into a slightly unnerving grin.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

TL;DR: Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free or the iPhone 17 Pro for under $100 from T-Mobile with no trade-in required when switching to an Experience Beyond plan. These deals are live until April 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free or iPhone 17 Pro for under $100   Get Deal

This has been such a big month for Apple. We got new iPhones, game-changing MacBooks, and upgraded iPads. And now the Amazon Big Spring Sale is delivering deals on just about everything from the brand.

Of course, not all the best mobile deals are live at Amazon. In fact, T-Mobile is leading the way right now with limited-time offers running until April 1.

You can switch to T-Mobile and get the new iPhone 17 for free or the iPhone 17 Pro for under $100 with no trade-in required. To claim these offers, you must port in an eligible number from a competitor like Verizon or AT&T and sign up for a premium Experience Beyond or Better Value plan. The savings are delivered via 24 monthly bill credits, which cover up to $1,000 of the device's retail price. Alternatively, you can score the iPhone 17e for free when signing up for 24 months of most T-Mobile plans.

It's worth noting that T-Mobile will charge taxes on these "free" deals and a $35 device connection fee.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Spring Sale is surprisingly good this year: We found 100+ deals on Apple, Kindle, Bose, and Ninja

The Apple iPhone 17 is powered by the advanced A19 chip, ensuring seamless performance and full support for the latest Apple Intelligence features. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the iPhone 17 and said, "Apple's iPhone 17 is an excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter."

You don't get much for free these days, so this free iPhone 17 from T-Mobile offer is worth considering if you're looking to upgrade right now. If you're not impressed, check out our roundup of the best unlocked phone deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale. There's something for everyone in that breakdown, including more free giveaways from other carriers.

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 1, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 1 Pips

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

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 1 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 1 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who love skateboarding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Midwest universities

• Green: Sick tricks

• Blue: Hoop films

• Purple: Jims

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Big Ten Teams

• Green: Skateboarding Terms

• Blue: Basketball Movies

• Purple: Jim___

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #555 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Big Ten Teams - CORNHUSKERS, HOOSIERS, SCARLET KNIGHTS, TERRAPINS

• Skateboarding Terms - FAKIE, KICKFLIP, LIPSLIDE, OLLIE

• Basketball Movies - AIR, BLUE CHIPS, HUSTLE, SEMI-PRO

• Jim___ - CALHOUN, NANTZ, THOME, THORPE

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

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

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

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

Everyone on your team wants to feel that their work matters. That drive doesn’t come from ego but from a need to know their contributions are seen and valued. Leading with love means meeting that need. Here’s how to do it. Give your people a “loved it/loathed it” exercise. Twice a year, ask your team […]

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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.

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

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

A common prize.

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

MEDAL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Rigid.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STIFF

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Damp.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MOIST

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Vigor.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GUSTO

Final Hurdle hint

An arm muscle.

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

BICEP

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 a rocker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 1, 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: Crack open a cold one

• Green: Iconic groups

• Blue: Classic films

• Purple: American towns

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Beer brands

• Green: Rock bands

• Blue: Movies

• Purple: U.S. city nicknames

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 #1024 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Beer brands: BLUE MOON, DOS EQUIS, MILLER HIGH LIFE, RED STRIPE

• Rock bands: GREEN DAY, PINK FLOYD, THREE DOORS DOWN, U2

• Movies: BACK TO THE FUTURE, BLUE VELVET, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, TOP GUN

• U.S. city nicknames: BIG APPLE, BIG EASY, MILE HIGH CITY, SECOND CITY

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 1, 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 as quiet as a mouse.

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 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Don't make a peep

The words are related to a noise.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe tranquility.

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 Shhhhhhhhhhhh.

NYT Strands word list for April 1

• Inaudible

• Quiet

• Noiseless

• Shhhhhhhhhhhh

• Silent

• Hushed

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.