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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

You can get almost anything your heart desires these days with the simple tap and swipe of your smartphone: Movies, songs, fast food, all the treasures of Amazon via next-day delivery. Yes, this is the age of on-demand apps and instant gratification. So why shouldn't you get a hot date in the same way? It's nothing new for the lovelorn. Apps and websites have dominated the dating world for the best part of 20 years. But things are always changing within the ever complex world of online dating.

According to the sex-perts at Lovehoney — everyone’s favourite progressively-minded sex toy brand — we're living in horny-but-wholesome times. Lovehoney has named 2026 "The Year of Pleasure."

That doesn’t mean one-night stands and flippant flings. In fact, research days that one-night stands are on the decline. Would-be daters are now cruising for "purposeful pleasure" and "meaningful connections." That means hookups with actual substance. We're still hooking up, but we're getting more selective about whom we hookup with. That’s why using the right dating app is so important. Every dating app has something slightly different on the table, and you need the right tools to find the right date. To help you get started, we’ve looked at the top apps and taken advice from sex and relationship experts.

What to know before you swipe

Before you start downloading apps, it’s good know just how to approach online dating. Our advice is to be 100 percent honest about who and what you’re looking for. And maybe give a pass to the mainstream dating apps that are more about romance and happily ever afters (that means you, eharmony). The best hookup apps make chatting quick and easy (messaging, video calls, all that good stuff), and even the free ones should have features like profile verification to help keep you safe.

Our main advice though is to stick to apps which are purpose-built for hookups, casual fun, and satisfying your kink (whatever that might be). It can be freeing, not to mention productive, to be open about specific desires. The ways in which we understand sex and relationships are changing all the time — just looking at fast-growing "heteroflexible" sexuality — and hookup apps allow you to explore curiosities with no judgement or social anxiety.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, whether it's the chance to explore a new sexual frontier, a friends-with-benefits situation on the reg, or an old school one-night stand (the one-night stand might be going out of fashion, but it’s still hella fun as long as it’s safe and on your terms). Whatever your desire, we’ve got your back. This guide to the best hookups apps is based on Mashable’s own real-world testing, expert input, and general experience. We’ve broken down each of the best hookup apps, with an option for every type of dater and every dating desire.

These are the best hookup apps for 2026.

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

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 14, 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 14, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 14 Pips

Equal (2): Every domino half in this purple space must have 2 pips. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): The domino half in this red space must have less than 2 pips. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Every domino half in this yellow space must have 6 pips. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 3 pips. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to be more than 5. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 14 Pips

Equal (1): Every domino half in this purple space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; and 1-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): The domino half in this red space must have less than 2 pips. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this light blue space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Every domino half in this yellow space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 2 pips. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically; and 2-0, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this green space must have 3 pips. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 14 Pips

Less Than (4): The domino half in this purple space must have less than 4 pips. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (4): The domino half in this light blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this yellow space must have 3 pips. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 6 pips. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically; and 6-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this green space must have 2 pips. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; and 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): The domino half in this red space must have 3 pips. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Every domino half in this purple space must have 0 pips. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically; and 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): The domino half in this light blue space must have 3 pips. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

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 will test your knowledge of multiple sports. Spoiler alert: Soccer isn't one of them.

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. The sports 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 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 before 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: In the ring

• Green: Pitch perfect

• Blue: Joe and Logan could also go here

• Purple: Mispellings

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Boxing Gear

• Green: Baseball Pitching Arm Slots

• Blue: ____ Ryan

• Purple: NBA Teams, With the Last Letter Changed

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 #566 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Boxing Gear — GLOVES, MOUTHGUARD, SHORTS, SPEED BAG

• Baseball Pitching Arm Slots — OVERHAND, SIDEARM, SUBMARINE, THREE-QUARTERS

• ____ Ryan — BUDDY, MATT, NOLAN, REX

• NBA Teams, With the Last Letter Mispelled — BUCKY, HEAP, SPURT, SUNG

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you put up a good fight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 14, 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: Chrome info

• Green: In the ring

• Blue: Angle

• Purple: Liberated

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things stored by a browser

• Green: Boxing terms

• Blue: Tilt

• Purple: Free___

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 #1038 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things stored by a browser: BOOKMARK, CACHE, COOKIE, HISTORY

• Boxing terms: BELL, GLOVES, RING, ROUNG

• Tilt: LEAN, LIST, PITCH, TIP

• Free___: LANCE, MASON, STYLE, WAY

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 14, 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 have blurred vision.

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 14, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a little unclear

The words are related to obscurity.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe fuzziness.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Out of Focus.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 14

• Soft

• Bedimmed

• Hazy

• Out of Focus

• Blurry

• Faded

• Muted

• Cloudy

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 to bike.

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 14, 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 14, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A pattern.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CYCLE

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.

Uber is expanding its robotaxi empire for the second time in as many weeks. The ridesharing giant has started taxi test rides for employees in the San Francisco Bay Area, using Lucid Gravity SUVs upgraded with Nuro's autonomous car technology.

Meta is reportedly planning to integrate facial recognition tech into its smart glasses, but not everyone is content to idly sit by and let it happen.

Per Wired, a cavalcade of more than 70 organizations such as the ACLU and Fight for the Future have signed a letter urging Meta to "immediately halt and publicly disavow" its plans to bring facial recognition tech to its growing lineup of smart glasses. In March, a separate group of organizations wrote to Congress to express the same concerns.

These groups agree that Meta cannot be trusted to safely incorporate the technology into its glasses at all, and thus they say that the best course of action is for Meta to eliminate its plans altogether.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

We, the undersigned 75 local, state, and national organizations that advocate for domestic violence survivors, worker rights, bodily autonomy, consumer privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, write to urge Meta to immediately halt and publicly disavow its plans to deploy facial recognition features on its Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses, including the feature reportedly known internally as 'Name Tag.'

The letter also calls on Meta to "Stop opposing privacy legislation that would require Meta to obtain explicit user consent before collecting or processing biometric data." As Mashable has reported previously, facial recognition features could violate some state privacy laws, which prohibit companies from collecting biometric data without affirmative consent.

Mashable reached out to Meta for comment and will update this story if necessary.

SEE ALSO: Apple is testing four smart glasses designs to compete with Meta, report says

The worry here, of course, is that Meta glasses with face recognition would give predators and other ne'er-do-wells more power to inflict harm. Civil liberties organizations have also warned that widespread facial recognition could lead to a surveillance state.

The letter puts forward a fairly comprehensive case for its argument:

"Facial recognition technology built into inconspicuous consumer eyewear represents a serious threat to privacy and civil liberties for every member of our society, and particularly for historically marginalized and vulnerable groups including domestic violence survivors, targets of stalkers and sexual harassers, religious minorities, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and women and children, among others. These concerns cannot be resolved through product design changes, opt-out mechanisms, or incremental safeguards — few of which Meta seems to have meaningfully considered. Our concerns reflect the fundamental danger of the technology itself."

Meta's internal name for facial recognition tech is reportedly Name Tag, and it's rumored to launch as soon as this year.

According to Engadget, it works in one of two ways: Name Tag can either recognize people who are actively connected to a Meta platform in that moment, or it can recognize people who simply have an account on a service like Instagram. In other words, it can't identify you if you don't have a Meta account, at least, not yet.

These potential harms would also coexist with ongoing issues, such as the invasiveness of recordings from smart glasses.

If Meta wants to avoid the fate that befell Google Glass, it's going to need to iron out some of these problems, one way or another.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

The residents of the small town of Festus, Missouri — the site of a new $6 billion data center project — are taking their outrage over the predatory AI data center boom to the polls.

The town, population just 12,000, ousted four incumbent city council members in a local election last week. Each of the representatives had voted yes to the controversial project, which will raze 360 acres of land for a data center operated by an unnamed company.

SEE ALSO: The NAACP is fighting back against AI data centers

The deal was approved by city council members on March 30 — just one week before the election — but city residents organized quickly, including running a successful grassroots campaign to replace one of the incumbents with a local advocate who had never before run for public office. Festus residents have also filed a recall petition targeting the city's mayor and remaining council members, as well as a lawsuit against both the city and the project's developer for alleged secret dealings.

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Communities around the nation are pushing back against massive data center investment projects, including state and federal data center subsidies, as their environmental and economic toll becomes clearer. Advocates successfully stalled dozens of projects in 2025. Addressing community concern, a coalition of tech giants signed onto a voluntary, non binding White House pledge, called the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, committing to provide or pay for all energy costs associated with future AI projects.

Last week, the residents of Port Washington, Wisconsin approved a first-of-its kind referendum requiring large scale data center projects go to a local vote for approval. The referendum applies to projects with a minimum $10 million cost and which receive tax benefits.

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Your progress syncs across devices, so you can switch between your phone and computer without losing your place. There’s also an offline option that lets you download lessons ahead of time. You can learn at your own pace, revisit previous material, and move between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels depending on your experience.

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We're just about halfway through April, and Paramount+ still has plenty of life left in it when it comes to movies recently added to the service for U.S. subscribers. With so many movies to choose from—not to mention all the new CBS and Paramount+ Originals TV series like Marshals and The Madison—deciding on what to watch can be tough.

With gas prices trending upward this spring, the appeal of going electric for some has never been stronger.

Netflix's subscribers have been treated to a solid couple of months of movies, with some top-shelf titles gracing its Top 10 and beyond, including Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, all the James Bond movies (which are leaving soon), and some fun creature horrors like Anaconda and the newly-released Thrash.

After just over four years, I've finally come back to the world of Android, which means that once again I care about Android mobile games. A lot has changed since I was last here, but it seems I'm just in time for the biggest set of changes to hit the mobile platform since the first games hit the Play Store.

We're inching closer to the blockbuster movie season, which unofficially begins the first weekend in May. However, Netflix gave us a taste of the summer with a new shark thriller that premiered on April 10. It might not be Jaws, but I'm always entertained by sharks and how they terrorize humans. That formula will always work for me.

Ever wondered what you're missing by sticking to Windows and not trying out Linux? As a dual booter, I jump between Linux and Windows every day, and I find Linux far more feature-rich compared to Windows.

Many Silicon Valley heavy hitters are investing heavily in smart glasses, and a new report sheds light on Apple's plans to join the party.

The latest report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that Apple is currently testing four different designs for smart glasses, which would compete with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. Gurman says the product could be unveiled in late 2026 ahead of a 2027 launch.

A lot could change in that time, though Gurman has a very impressive track record of Apple scoops.

The Bloomberg report states that Apple is testing a variety of frame styles, such as rectangular, oval, and circular, as well as multiple color options. Some or all of these designs could be available upon launch if Apple smart glasses do come to market.

In addition, the glasses would feature unique oval camera lenses, oriented vertically, with lights, according to Bloomberg. Finally, onboard speakers would allow users to take phone calls and listen to music, similar to other AR glasses from companies like Xreal and TCL.

Based on previous reports, Apple will be making augmented reality glasses with a built-in display, similar to Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses and the unreleased Google Android XR glasses expected to be released later this year.

Presumably, by the time Apple smart glasses are released, Apple will have also introduced the long-awaited Siri AI upgrade. That could allow users to talk to Siri while wearing the glasses for voice control, help with navigation, or activate other AR features.

SEE ALSO: The best smart glasses of CES 2026

Meta-Ray Ban smart glasses sales tripled in 2025, per Reuters, but smart glasses have not yet gone mainstream the way smartphones, tablets, or laptops have.

Big Tech companies see this new form factor as a major potential opportunity (see also: AI wearables), but it's not yet clear how eager the average consumer will be to incorporate smart glasses into their daily life.

Apple may be better suited to introduce a new form factor than other companies based on its previous success with smartphones and MP3 players; however, the company's previous AR device, the Apple Vision Pro, has seen very lackluster sales.

The first time I encountered mesh Wi-Fi was when I went to university. One Wi-Fi password, but no matter where you roamed on campus you'll stay connected. I've always thought of mesh networks as enterprise technology that you need an IT department to handle, but then router makers figured out how to make mesh easy enough for mere mortals.

Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the most anticipated video games ever, and is quickly becoming one of the most prematurely hacked games ever, too.

Originally reported by Hackread and The Cybersec Guru, the prominent hacker group ShinyHunters claimed it had hacked GTA developer Rockstar Games over the weekend. The group said it was in possession of valuable data, and set a deadline of Tuesday, April 14 for Rockstar to pay up, lest the data be released to the public.

“Rockstar Games, your Snowflake instances were compromised thanks to Anodot.com. Pay or leak," ShinyHunters said in a statement on Saturday. "This is a final warning to reach out by 14 Apr 2026 before we leak, along with several annoying (digital) problems that’ll come your way. Make the right decision, don’t be the next headline.”

SEE ALSO: 'Pragmata' proves a great game only needs one great idea

However, Rockstar is framing things a little differently. In a statement to Kotaku, the company downplayed concerns about the material in question.

“We can confirm that a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed in connection with a third-party data breach," Rockstar said. "This incident has no impact on our organization or our players.”

Reports indicate the hack was focused less on personal data and more on corporate assets. In other words, it doesn't seem like player information is at stake here (as Rockstar said), but things like marketing materials could see the light of day before Rockstar intended.

If ShinyHunters sounds familiar, that's because the group was also responsible for major hacks of Salesforce and Bumble in recent years.

As for GTA VI, Rockstar had to do damage control after a major hack revealed some game details ahead of time, all the way back in 2022. With the game set for release in November of this year, hopefully, the leaks will end one way or another soon.

Save 38%: The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is on sale at Amazon for $111.52, bringing the gaming headphones down to their lowest price ever — if you pick up the Mercury White colorway. All said, you'll save $68.47 on the usually $179.99 headphones.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro $111.52 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $68.47   Get Deal

Gaming peripherals don't have to be overtly ugly, and cute gaming peripherals don't have to be overly expensive.

If you've ever prioritized making your gaming setup cute, those are two statements that have probably felt dubiously true at times. This is not one of those times. As of April 13, the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headphones are on sale for $111.52, knocking nearly $70 off their price point, putting them in line with other mid-range priced gaming headphones, and down to their lowest price ever, according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel. At the time of writing, the deal only applies to the Mercury White colorway of the headphones — the black and pink versions are both priced at $159.99.

SEE ALSO: We found the pink cat ear headphones Beyoncé wore in her viral Verizon commercial

The V3 Pro line looks adorable, yes, but it also offers a ton of functionality as a higher-end pair of gaming headphones. You'll get three modes of connectivity, between the wired USB-A connection, Bluetooth 5.3, or a 2.4 GHz connection. On the sound front, these headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers and spatial audio, offering a well-rounded (and adjustable) soundscape to tailor to your gaming experience. And for another point on the aesthetics front, they have RBG lighting.

If you're determined to spend below $100 on your gaming headphones (or you really want pink ones), Woot has the Kraken Kitty V2 Pro headphones on sale for $99.99.