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Tesla's Robotaxi service, which launched in Austin, Texas less than a week ago, has seen its vehicles involved in so many dodgy situations that Redditors put together a list of all the incidents.

The list (via The Verge) currently consists of 11 videos of Tesla's Robotaxis making fairly obvious errors such as driving in the wrong lane, running over curbs, and stopping in the middle of the road for no good reason.

Reddit

It's not a great look for the service which has been running less than a week, with only 10 to 20 Tesla Model Y cars, and only in a limited area in South Austin.

SEE ALSO: Videos show Tesla robotaxis appearing to violate traffic laws in Austin

The list has mostly been put together by folks riding in Tesla's Robotaxi cars, and it keeps increasing. Some incidents can be explained by legitimate causes, such as a video of a Robotaxi Tesla braking unexpectedly, which might have been caused by sudden sunlight (though this, again, raises the question of the validity of Tesla's vision-only approach to self-driving, as opposed to using additional sensors such as LiDARs). Some, like another video of a Tesla appearing to run over a curb, seem like plain Robotaxi errors.

It's worth noting that many Robotaxi users described their experience as smooth and comfortable. The service is currently open to the "Early Access" group, which mostly consists of Tesla enthusiasts and influencers. Also, while some of the videos above are worrying, Tesla's Robotaxis don't appear to have been involved in any accidents so far.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk hopes to expand the Robotaxi service over the next months, with "millions" of cars expected to be in operation next year, and the aim of people being able to send their Teslas to work as Robotaxis. It's unclear, however, why the service would see such a quick progress, given that Musk has been promising radical improvements to Tesla's Full Self-Driving tech (the assistance suite that allows for partially autonomous driving), which keep being postponed.

SAVE OVER $100: As of June 26, the 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $259.99 at Amazon. This is 32% off its list price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-Inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K UHD TV $259.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is coming up soon, but the retailer is already offering some nice discounts in the lead-up to the sale event. This includes some excellent TV deals. If you've been hoping to pick up an upgrade, this offer on the 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV is worth a look. Mashable's TV expert picked this deal out as a standout option ahead of Prime Day.

The 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $259.99 at Amazon. This marks a discount of 32% from its list price of $379.99. It's also incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $258.99 according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so there's no better time to grab it.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

Whether you want a new TV for binge-watching your favorite shows, playing games, or hosting a movie night, this 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV provides excellent picture quality thanks to QLED Color and 4K resolution that makes images look crisp and colorful. This is made even better with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound, which help immerse you in the scenes unfolding on screen.

If you're a gamer, this Hisense TV offers Game Mode Plus with Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode to make everything look smooth. On top of all this, it's also a Fire TV, so you can keep all of your favorite streaming apps together.

Don't miss out on over $100 off the 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV at Amazon.

Check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025 can help you plan ahead..

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

The original M3GAN was such a hit that a sequel will soon be dancing its way into theaters. I’m a bit of a fanboy, so I’m looking forward to seeing this queen lay down the law (and lay down some victims) yet again. I’m so excited, in fact, that I decided to get ready for her latest outing by watching her cinematic predecessors slash their way through one victim after another.

Are you sick of reading cryptic manuals and boring articles for learning Linux? Look no further, because you can learn Linux by playing games. It's not only fun but also quite engaging. Moreover, all of them are free to play, and some are even open-source.

It's no secret that Jonathan Bailey oozes chemistry with whoever he happens to be in a room with, and Jimmy Fallon is apparently no exception.

In the clip above from The Tonight Show, the pair discuss Jurassic World Rebirth before donning Bailey's trademark "slutty glasses" from the movie and playing an improv game: Stand with your back to the camera, then slowly turn and react as if you've seen something.

Which would be all well and good if they could get past the slow turn bit.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 26 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: A leafy meal

• Green: An apparatus

• Blue: Popular TV series

• Purple: Found in a deck

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Components of a salad

• Green: Kinds of machines

• Blue: Legal dramas

• Purple: Ending with playing cards

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 #746 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Components of a salad: CHEESE, DRESSING, LETTUCE, PROTEIN

• Kinds of machines: ENIGMA, PINBALL, SEWING, VENDING

• Legal dramas: DAMAGES, GOLIATH, MATLOCK, SUITS

• Ending with playing cards: BOJACK, HAWKING, LOVELACE, MCQUEEN

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 June 26

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

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 26 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fowl business

The words are animal-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are hunted animals.

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 Game Birds

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 26

• Pheasant

• Game Birds

• Quail

• Grouse

• Goose

• Turkey

• Patridge

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for June 26 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's The Mini crossword answers for June 26, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A proposal.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter F appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

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...

OFFER.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26

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.

SAVE $90: As of June 26, the Samsung 27-inch S39C Series FHD curved gaming monitor is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon — that’s 39% off its regular price of $229.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-Inch S39C Series FHD Curved Gaming Monitor $139.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $90 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing a gaming monitor upgrade but don’t want to drop serious cash, here’s a great opportunity to save. Amazon has slashed the price of the Samsung 27-Inch S39C Series curved gaming monitor down to just $139.99, a wallet-friendly deal that’s showing up ahead of Prime Day. That’s a full $90 off and a limited-time offer that’s recommended to grab while it’s hot.

This 2024 model combines sleek design with features tailored for both gamers and entertainment lovers. Its 1000R curved screen promises to wrap around your field of vision in a way flat panels simply can’t match, helping reduce eye fatigue for those longer sessions. Samsung even cites clinical research from Seoul National University to back up the claim: the closer the curve is to 1000R, the more strain is reduced.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is dropping way better early Prime Day TV deals than years prior

Beyond the curve, it’s packed with thoughtful tech. Flicker-Free technology and Eye Saver Mode are built in to keep your eyes fresh, while a 75Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync help smooth out motion during gameplay. It looks like a solid pick for casual and competitive gamers alike.

On the entertainment side, the built-in 5-watt speakers mean fewer cables and less clutter. Just connect via HDMI or DisplayPort and you’re ready to stream, game, or multitask. And thanks to the frameless display and slim metal stand, the whole setup can look clean and modern on any desk.

Whether you're grinding through an indie game backlog, getting a session of Fortnite in, or looking for a more immersive binge-watching setup to check out Season 4 of The Bear, the S39C can get the job done without draining your Prime Day budget. Just don’t sit on it too long: this is a limited-time offer and could vanish fast.

If you want to complete your living room setup at the same time, the 4-Series Amazon Fire TV is over $100 off ahead of Prime Day. To keep your home clean whilst gaming, check out the early Prime Day deals on Roomba vacuum cleaners as well.  

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

SAVE $500: As of June 26, the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. This is 31% off its list price of $1,599.99 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Edge Robot Vacuum and Mop $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $500 Get Deal

There have been some mighty good deals on cleaning equipment lately at Amazon, even before Prime Day officially kicks off. Robot vacuums, in particular, have seen some great discounts. Among the many great offers available is the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop, which is back to its best price at the retailer.

The Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop is on sale right now for $1,099.99. This is 31% off its usual price of $1,599.99, allowing you to save $500.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18-24? Get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free ahead of Prime Day.

Boasting 18,500 Pa suction, the Roborock Qrevo Edge can tackle any hair, dirt, debris, and whatever else has dropped on your floor. Its Dual Anti-Tangle System makes cleaning up longer hair and pet hair easy as well, so nothing will get tangled up in the device. And when it comes to mopping, it ensures every corner around a room gets clean with the help of the FlexiArm Side Brush. Its dual spinning mops will help to get a deeper clean, too.

On top of that, the Roborock Qrevo Edge can map out a good layout of your home thanks to PreciSense LiDAR technology. This provides real-time mapping so the robot vacuum can find the best cleaning route around any obstacles in your home that might get in its way.

Amazon has the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop marked as a limited-time deal right now, so if this discount has caught your eye, you'll want to act fast to pick it up at this price.

Are you hoping to check out more deals during the Amazon Prime Day sale event? Check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025 to start planning ahead.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

SAVE OVER $300: As of June 26, the Shark AI Ultra voice control robot vacuum is on sale for just $297.99 at Amazon, marked down from $599 — a massive 50% off in a limited-time early Prime Day deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum $297.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $301.01 Get Deal

If your floors are crying out for help and your hands are tired of doing the dirty work, Amazon’s latest limited-time deal could be perfect for you. Right now, you can score the Shark AI Ultra voice control robot vacuum for just $297.99 — that’s half off its usual $599 price tag. It's one of the steepest markdowns we've seen on a high-performance robot vac like this ahead of Prime Day.

The Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni robot vacuum is also on sale at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, but this deal saves you even more.

SEE ALSO: Dyson's V11 Origin cordless vacuum is over $100 off ahead of Prime Day

This isn’t your basic bot either. The Shark AI Ultra packs a serious punch when it comes to suction, picking up dirt, pet hair, and everyday messes from carpet and hard floors alike. Thanks to its Matrix Clean Navigation feature, it doesn’t just roam around randomly — it promises to clean in a precision grid, going over dirt multiple times for thorough, edge-to-edge coverage.

What’s more, it empties itself. The XL self-empty base holds up to 60 days of debris, and unlike other models, it’s bagless — with no ongoing costs or weird refill systems either. It’s built for pet owners in mind as well, with a self-cleaning brushroll that’s designed to lift hair without wrapping or clogging. Its smart features continue with the vacuum using 360-degree LiDAR to map your home, avoid obstacles, and adapt its route whether it's day or night. It also plays nice with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can tell it to clean up with just your voice.

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your cleaning game, this is a deal worth jumping on. At 50% off, the Shark AI Ultra is doing all the work — and saving you a ton while it's at it.

To upgrade your home even further, the 55-inch 4K Amazon Fire TV is over $100 off ahead of Prime Day. For listening to music while your new robot vacuum is cleaning around the house, the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds are on sale for just $63 as well. 

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

Most people only use password managers for managing passwords and passkeys, but the possibilities are endless. Some password manager apps have branched out and become more useful in the process. And now, Proton Pass is going the same route as well.

Lenovo's Thinkpads are famously reliable workhorses, and the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 is no exception. The 2-in-1 form factor opens up a few interesting ways to use the laptop, and solid system specs ensure the entire thing is snappy and responsive.

SAVE OVER $800: As of June 26, the 85-inch Sony QLED 4K BRAVIA 9 TV is on sale for $3,998 at Amazon. This is 17% off its list price of $4,799.99 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 85-Inch Mini LED QLED 4K Ultra HD Bravia 9 TV $3,998 at Amazon
$4,799.99 Save $801.99 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day kicks off this year on July 8 and runs through July 11. If you've got a new TV on your mind but are waiting for the sale event to officially kick off, wait no longer. The good news is that Amazon has plenty of great deals available right now. One of the best we've come across so far is this discount on the massive 85-inch Sony QLED 4K Bravia 9 TV, which is back to its best price at Amazon.

Normally the 85-inch Sony QLED 4K Bravia 9 TV is listed for $4,799.99, but you can pick it up for $3,998 right now. This saves you over $800 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price, which is another win.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

This huge Sony Bravia 9 TV has plenty going for it. The 85-inch size can transform your living room into a mini movie theater, plus it features 4K resolution, Mini LEDs, QLED technology, and XR Triluminos Pro that ensures images on the screen look sharp and vibrant. To make for an even more immersive experience, it also comes with IMAX Enhanced, DTS:X.CRYSTAL CLEAR PICTURE, and both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to further enhance the images and sounds on your screen.

Treat yourself to an upgrade ahead of Prime Day with this great deal on the 85-inch Sony QLED 4K Bravia 9 TV at Amazon.

If you can't wait for the sale event to start this year, check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025 to learn more about start times, what's new for this year's sale event, and some of the best early deals.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

It's a Tuesday night in Soho, London, and I'm standing in a room with 200 single people who are looking to meet new people.

I'm at a Bored Of Dating Apps (BODA) singles social, an event aimed at those who feel disillusioned with dating apps (who isn't?) and are in search of IRL connection.

Singles' nights are having a moment. With "swipe fatigue" on the rise, it's not difficult to see why offline events are taking off. 79 percent of Gen Z daters and 80 percent of millennial daters feel burnt out by dating apps, according to a 2024 Forbes study. In my 2025 non-fiction book The Love Fix, I explore the myriad reasons why dating feels so hard right now and why so many of us are feeling drained, rather than sustained, in our quest to find connection. "Hell-scape," "Hell. On Earth.," "Harrowing," "Soul-destroying," are just a few of the choice words people used to describe the current dating scene when I researched my book.

SEE ALSO: We asked daters what dating in 2025 is like so far

Singles nights across the U.S. and UK, are selling out and racking up waitlists. One popular event in London, "Dinner for 100," had over 3,000 applications for one of its events (which can only accommodate 100 people). So, what's all the fuss about? When BODA asked me to come along and host one of their singles socials, I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'd already dipped my toe in the offline dating pond, with a life drawing class for single people, and had found it a refreshing and restorative experience.

What is Bored Of Dating Apps AKA BODA?

BODA was founded by freelance journalist Jess Evans in January 2022 who had just come out of a break-up which had left her heartbroken. Evans thought she'd set up an in-person dating social in her home city of Liverpool, UK. At the time, she envisaged it being a one-off event. "I was very much like, this is just going to be a bit of fun, it'll be a good laugh, and let's just see who turns up. I had no intention of making it into a business," Evans tells me. "All I wanted to do was meet someone. I just wanted to be off the apps."

After the breakup, Evans had launched straight back into swiping on the apps, and found the experience completely draining. "This is just, for me personally, was totally destroying my mental health, which just was not working for me." That first social attracted nearly 300 people, which Evans did not expect. "Honestly, I was terrified. I was a journalist by trade so I'd never put on an event in my life."

From there, Evans continued hosting Liverpool-based events before branching out to other UK cities and eventually launching different types of socials, such as yoga rooftop sunset events. Evans' original goal to meet someone in real life also had a happy ending. "This wasn't long after lockdown and COVID-19, so people were desperate for community, people were lonely (and still are), but particularly at that time, I felt really lonely, especially at weekends, and I had no single friends." This absence of single pals is a major strand of the BODA philosophy — the events aren't just about romance, they're about finding new single friends and a community of people who are in the same boat.

"I had no intention of making it into a business. All I wanted to do was meet someone. I just wanted to be off the apps." - BODA founder Jess Evans

Today, BODA runs socials in London, New York, Amsterdam, in addition to a number of UK cities: Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, and Guildford. There are supper clubs, bookshop meet-cute sessions, sober socials, coffee shop meet-cutes, drinks socials, sauna socials, paddle boarding, yoga, dances, and hikes.

What to expect while attending a BODA social

As I made my way to my first ever BODA social, I must admit I felt a bit nervous. I'd picked out a cute outfit to wear — a black velvet dress (cue the inimitable Alannah Myles song), paired with a bold red lipstick. My role as host was to welcome every attendee as they arrived at The Little Scarlet Door, a bar in the heart of Soho, London.

I handed each guest two cards, the size of business cards. The first card entitles the attendee to a "Dutch courage shot" which can be redeemed at the bar for either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic shot. The catch is: you have to do the shot with a new connection — be it, romantic or platonic.

The second card is the "congrats you're fit" card. For the non-Brits, "fit" means "hot" in British slang. There's a space on the card for you to add your number — useful if you get chatting to someone who you'd like to keep in touch with. But, if handing over a card doesn't feel natural to you, it's perfectly fine to ask them for their number.

SEE ALSO: I got stood up. I refuse to let dating app culture break my spirit.

I see a vast array of faces — some people attending with friends, and many more coming solo. 97 percent of attendees attend alone, which might feel a little bit nerve-wracking, but ultimately it gives you a greater chance of stepping outside your comfort zone and talking to fellow singles at the event (which is kind of the whole point). Many admit that they're feeling nervous or a little unsure of what to expect. At this particular event, it's a bar social, so people are chatting by the counters, and sitting outside. It's heartening to see people making connections, hitting it off with people, swapping numbers and making plans to meet up again.

During my hosting experience, I met countless people who also felt nervous, or even vaguely terrified. I found it reassuring to know I wasn't alone in feeling a bit anxious about it all. Putting yourself out there takes vulnerability and confidence — you should feel proud of yourself for overcoming those fears and showing up.

Will I meet someone at a singles social?

So, the burning question: did I meet anyone? Yes I did. I've attended a total of three BODA socials — once as a guest, twice as a host. Attending as a guest forced me to step outside my comfort zone — I was no longer hosting, I wasn't needed on the front door, so I had to get out there and mingle. I'll be honest: the introvert in me wanted to go hide in the bathroom and wait for the evening to be over. I had to give myself a mental pep talk: "Rachel, you are a 36-year-old woman in control of your life, you can talk to a few strangers in a bar." At my first BODA social I ended up exchanging numbers with someone, who I went on a few dates with. And at my second social (where I was attending as a guest), a guy asked me for my number. While none of those connections have led to anything long-term, it feels good to get out there and talk to people in real life, to feel proactive about dating, to get a break from the interminable sofa-swiping. Plus, it's always a nice boost to get approached by interesting people who want to get to know you.

It feels good to get out there and talk to people in real life, to feel proactive about dating, to get a break from the interminable sofa-swiping.

Past BODA attendees often send Evans updates on relationships which started at BODA — there have been engagements, weddings, and many more happy endings. Evans ended up having her own meet cute at one of her socials. She met her partner Liam at one of her socials and the two of them will be getting married this week.

What's the gender ratio at a singles social?

This is a question that's come up a lot when I talk about BODA and it's a very valid one. There's been much discussion about straight men's reluctance to show their faces at IRL dating events. As Moya Crockett writes in a piece for The Londoner aptly named "Where are all the men?", there's a number of reasons why hetero guys aren't as forthcoming as straight women: "Some men might be too embarrassed to ask their mates to go to a singles night together, and too intimidated to go alone." In the same piece, Crockett adds that many men have expressed their feeling that speed dating sounds a bit "cringey," that many guys "just want to go for a pint," while others "are sceptical about what they perceive as attempts to profit from their singledom."

Dating apps aren't exactly not-for-profit organisations, right? As I write in The Love Fix, "The big-bucks business of love existed long before the internet. In 1897, W. T. Stead – a newspaper owner and editor who later died on the Titanic – launched The Wedding Ring Circle, which published catalogues of single people in the area, listing their interests and hobbies."

At a recent BODA event, I had a particularly illuminating conversation with a straight man in his 30s who'd come along with a male friend. He told me that he wasn't nervous about being rejected at these events, but what did fill him with fear was the idea of being explicitly rejected in front of his friend. "Do you think that has something to do with masculinity?" I asked him. He didn't hesitate in confirming that it had everything to do with masculinity.

The tickets for each BODA event are split by gender — early bird female tickets, early bird male tickets, then general male and female tickets. Early bird tickets are £20, and general tickets are £25. The organisers aim to get a good gender split for each event — women's tickets tend to sell out sooner than the men's tickets, which organisers put down to men being last-minute ticket buyers. So, who exactly are the socials aimed at? Evans says, "BODA socials are inclusive to anyone of any sexuality."

"BODA is obv about romance, but friendship and community too, so that involves absolutely everyone coming together," she adds.

If you aren't necessarily looking to make new single friends, and are looking for a dedicated queer dating space, there are lots of LGBTQ singles nights popping up, such as Sappho Events, Hunbun's Love Lab, not to mention gay and lesbian speed dating events. And if bar socials aren't quite your scene and you're looking for sober dating, there are plenty of non-drinking socials to choose from: bookshop meet-cutes, coffee socials, to name a few.

From one single person to another: what have you got to lose?

SAVE $50: As of June 26, the iRobot Roomba Q0120 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Q0120 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Prime Day deals are the perfect time for a big purchase like a robot vacuum, and with just two weeks until the sale officially kicks off, we couldn't be more excited. But if you're looking for an affordable deal right now, why not check out this latest Amazon deal on the iRobot Roomba Q0120, currently priced at under $200.

As of June 26, this robot vacuum is $50 off, now priced at $199.99.

SEE ALSO: Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon already has a ton of good robot vacuum deals

This model has a three-stage cleaning system that delivers customizable suction for carpets and hard floors. It comes with smart navigation that vacuums in neat rows, dodges furniture, and steers clear of stairs or any other obstacles in your house. And if you have any hard-to-reach corners and edges, the Edge-Sweeping Brush kicks in, making sure no dust or dirt is left behind. It even has three power levels, depending on how much of a clean your floor needs or how much noise you want to reduce.

It's easy to use and control, with everything being controlled from the iRobot Home App, where you can do things like schedule cleans while you're away from home, check to see where it has cleaned, and set it to charge. And with up to 120 minutes of cleaning on one charge, if it doesn't manage your whole house, it'll return itself to the charging station to reboot.

Say goodbye to manual vacuuming and pick up this deal from Amazon now.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

SAVE $60: As of June 26, this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is on sale for $489.97 at Amazon. That's a saving of 11% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $489.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $60 Get Deal

The Kindle Scribe bundle is back on sale, and we couldn't be happier with this pre-Prime Day treat. The Kindle Scribe was released last year and has quickly become a fan favorite in the Kindle lineup. Not only can you read your favorite books, but you can now take notes and write on books.

As of June 26, the bundle is priced at just $489.99 (for the 64GB model), down from $549.99. The deal comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Unlike the basic pen, this model comes with an eraser so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so there is no need to charge it.

SEE ALSO: Kindle deals are sparse ahead of Prime Day — for now

With the bundle, you also get a 9W power adapter and a plant-based leather folio to store it away. According to Amazon, the plant-based leather is made from 76% renewable bio-materials (non-GMO corn and viscose fiber from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources) and 24% polyurethane. The jade is currently sold out, so the only color option is black.

Alongside its note-taking abilities, the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare-free and ink-free. So, like the original Kindle, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or harsh lighting. And if you're someone who reads on the go a lot, the Scribe has the best battery life of any model, promising to last months on a single charge.

Start working through your TBR list with this fantastic deal.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

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: Superstar

• Green: Athletic bases

• Blue: Tennis pros

• Purple: Sporty place settings

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Prodigy

• Green: New York City Sporting Venue

• Blue: U.S. men to wind Wimbledon

• Purple: Sports terms on the dinner table

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 #276 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Prodigy - PHENOM, SENSATION, WHIZ, WUNDERKIND

• New York City Sporting Venue - BARCLAYS, CITI, MSG, YANKEE

• U.S. men to wind Wimbledon - AGASSI, ASHE, MCENROE, SAMPRAS

• Sports terms on the dinner table - FORKBALL, HOME PLATE, STANLEY CUP, SUPER BOWL

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.

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 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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, June 26, 2025:

AcrossFictional maker of the Little Giant Do-It-Yourself Rocket-Sled Kit

• The answer is ACME.

Sound made while revving an imaginary motorcycle

• The answer is Vroom.

Plant from which mezcal is distilled

• The answer is Agave.

Wannabe or tryhard

• The answer is Poser.

What a ticket entitles you to

• The answer is Entry.

DownNoble gas used in semiconductor manufacturing

• The answer is Argon.

Shore

• The answer is Coast.

Worker who's typically busiest around the last day of each month

• The answer is Mover.

Kind of board at a nail salon

• The answer is Emery.

Hit a pen

• The answer is Vape.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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.

Apple has my heart (at least in terms of smartphone ownership), but if I were in the market for a new handset this year, Samsung provides some serious temptation.

My pink iPhone 16 is doing just fine, but plenty of folks out there will be left with a difficult choice in the latter half of this year: Which new phone should I get? Samsung has some exciting new foldables on the way in July, while Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is sure to launch around September. Officially, we don't know a ton about either device yet, but we know enough that I can say there are at least a couple of intriguing reasons to consider the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 over the iPhone 17.

Let's get into them.

Why I'd consider a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 over an iPhone 17 this year

For the sake of clarity, the Z Flip 7 is the smaller of the two Samsung foldables. It folds into a compact clamshell shape, and the Z Fold 7 turns into a mini-tablet.

The Z Flip 7 is just more fun

First order of business: A clamshell foldable is just more fun than a regular smartphone. This is indisputable. It's ironclad logic.

Who doesn't love folding and unfolding a little thing periodically throughout the day? Those of you who aren't old enough to remember real flip phones may not understand, but there was an innate satisfaction in pulling one out of your pocket and almost violently flipping it open to answer a call. You felt like you were doing business.

Samsung's Z Flip series hasn't quite delivered on that particular front (opening the phone has traditionally taken slightly more effort than old flip phones did), but the fact of the matter is that a Z Flip 7 will be a conversation starter. People might even think you're more interesting for owning one. More importantly, your smartphone has an extra way to make you smile throughout the day, and foldables provide that in a way a regular iPhone wouldn't.

It can do things an iPhone can't An iPhone can't do this, at least not easily. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Probably the most salient argument one could make in favor of a foldable versus an iPhone is that there's practical, everyday functionality built into the form factor that an iPhone can't reproduce.

I'm more of a Z Fold guy in this respect, as the bigger unfolded display is great for things like reading and streaming videos. But the Z Flip is no slouch here, either. The foldable shape allows for some neat features. Split-screen multitasking is a big one, allowing users to have two apps open on the inner display at once. On the outside, the exterior display can tip you off to important notifications without asking you to open your phone, which is nice for people who would rather not be staring at their phones at all times.

Samsung's Flip phones also offer increased versatility for photography, both of the regular and selfie varieties. You can partially unfold it, place the flat end on a table, and set the timer for self-shots, for example. Being able to set it down for photography also guarantees a level image...unless your table isn't level. If that's the case, that's your problem, not mine.

It might offer elite performance

This last bit is speculative on my part, but it's reasonable to expect high-quality performance out of the Z Flip 7 because of what Samsung has been doing with its high-end phones this year.

Every phone in the S25 line, including the Ultra and the Edge, is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset that provides incredible benchmarking scores on top of reliable everyday performance. We don't know yet if either of Samsung's new foldables will be powered by the same chipset, though rumors point to that being the case with the Z Fold 7. I would bet, if that's the case, that the Z Flip 7 also has a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip inside.

Of course, the iPhone 17 will almost certainly perform well, too. It's just nice to know that anyone who opts for the cute lil' foldable might also get elite performance. A Samsung might also be better for those interested in T-Mobile's new cellular Starlink service, where dozens of Androids are supported a bit easier than the iPhone.

In the meantime, if you're also curious about the Samsung Z Flip 7, then I recommend tuning into the Samsung Unpacked event on July 9.