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Within a year, two federal judges declared the tech giant a monopoly in search and ad technology. The tide may be turning for antitrust.

SPEND $30, GET $5 CREDIT: As of April 18, spend $30 on home essentials at Amazon and get a $5 credit.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Get a $5 Amazon credit when you spend $30 on home essentials Get Deal

Are all your home essentials running low? Need to stock up on everything you use regularly? Don't run to the department stores or put in a hasty DoorDash order. Amazon has a deal that could make filling your shelves a much less expensive and frustrating ordeal.

As of April 18, spend $30 on home essentials at Amazon and get a $5 credit. Add the products you want to shop from the Amazon promotion page to your cart. Be sure to add a total of items that add up to $30. When you're finished, simply check out. Your offer will automatically be applied at checkout.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Everything you need to know ahead of time

This sale isn't just about goodies for your pantry, though. It encompasses a wide variety of things, from beauty products to outdoor goods and baby items and much more. The luxurious Eos Shea Better Body Lotion is included, as is the popular Tree Hut shea sugar scrubs that come in several different scents. It's mostly a sale that nets you home items instead of food, however, so keep that in mind when shopping.

You can shop multiple orders with the credit, so if you need to grab items for different addresses, or you want to get away with saving more money, you can do that. Just be sure to grab the items specifically from the landing page to make your life easier.

Nintendo confirmed on its website today that Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S. will officially start on April 24, two weeks after the originally scheduled April 9 start date.

Two weeks ago, Nintendo showed off the Switch 2. Just a few days later, pre-orders in the U.S. were shut down because of Trump's tariffs.

That's all over, for now, anyway. Besides the pre-order announcement, the biggest news here is that the console's price, after weeks of speculation, is not changing. At this time, the Switch 2 will launch in the U.S. for the original listed price of $449.99, with a Mario Kart World bundle going for $499.99.

SEE ALSO: 'Mario Kart World' Nintendo Direct: 3 big takeaways from the stream

With the chaotic situation surrounding U.S. tariffs in recent weeks, it was reasonable to expect a price bump on the console itself, but Nintendo was able to find a way to avoid that. However, not everything is so rosy. To compensate for not increasing the console's price, Nintendo has increased the prices of several accessories, but only by $5 to $10 per product, as far as I can tell. Some of the new prices include:

• Switch 2 Pro Controller: $84.99

• Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 set: $94.99

• Switch 2 camera: $54.99

• Switch 2 dock set: $119.99

Those are all big prices for video game accessories, but given everything we've been hearing about tariff price impacts over the past few weeks, it's almost a pleasant surprise that they aren't higher. Of course, there's every possibility these prices fluctuate over time (and not always in the right direction), so keep an eye out. Regardless, you now know when you can finally lock down a Switch 2.

“The market for social networks, or even what Meta is, is very different now than it was even a couple of years ago.”

It's been a whirlwind year for the iPad lineup, with every model getting a refresh within the last year. In 2024, Apple introduced the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air, and less than a year later, the iPad Air already got an M3 chip upgrade. Plus, we finally got a new iPad Mini and the iPad 11th generation. That's a lot of new Apple tablets.

At this point, iPads can do anything your laptop can do. Whether you want to stream, browse the internet, illustrate, or edit videos, you can do it on the iPad’s HDR display. Recent developments in the Pro and Air models also set them up as gaming devices.

The rapid pace of iPad updates makes shopping for a tablet all the more difficult. We've tested every model in Apple's iPad collection to help you decide which is right for you.

SEE ALSO: Every new Apple product rumored for 2025 Which iPad model should I buy?

The right iPad for you depends purely on your needs. Do you want something that has enough storage and speed for streaming? Do you want to use it to read? Do you want to use a tablet as your primary workstation? Your answers should factor into your decision.

To get you started, we believe the best iPad for most people is the new M3 iPad Air (2025). It has exceptional performance but is also in the middle range for both price and capability.

Entertainers can't be tariffed — at least not yet — but content creators, especially those who double as small business owners, are in a world of their own when it comes to the impacts of President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs.

We're in a trade war. Last month, Trump announced a 10-percent levy on nearly all imports, plus steeper tariffs targeting specific countries like China, Vietnam, and Japan. The president even placed tariffs on a remote, uninhabited island called home by a bunch of penguins. As it stands, there's a 145-percent tariff on all Chinese goods bound for the U.S., with some exceptions, and a 25-percent tariff on all goods from Mexico and Canada. 

The tariffs have been a bit of a moving target, causing economic distress for business owners and people who buy things from businesses, which is pretty much everyone. And for those who are part of the ever-growing $250 billion creator economy, these tariffs can have a pretty steep effect. Influencers, content creators, and entrepreneurs make money online in a variety of ways, and sometimes a combination of them all: selling their own goods, signing onto brand deals to sell other companies' goods, entertaining us, and, of course, using TikTok — a social media giant whose parent company is based in China and is already at the center of other U.S.-China debates.

SEE ALSO: Trump's China tariffs reportedly tanked the TikTok deal

It seems like the tariffs are affecting every industry. So what do they mean for the tens of millions of people who work within the creator economy?

How tariffs might affect small business owners — and how they can leverage social media to fight back

The line between small business owner, content creator, and influencer might seem blurred, but the tariffs can really put things into perspective. Take Chelsey Brown, founder of Curio Blvd, a home goods brand known for its sentimental items like the Time Capsule Journal and the Keepsake Case, which Brown said "went viral" a year ago and is built in China. She doesn't identify as an influencer, and actively does not send her products to influencers to review, but she's a savvy user of social media when it comes to getting the word out about her products.

Now, due to the tariffs, she’s had to take out a loan to keep her business going, and she's even considering closing Curio Blvd.

"We found out about the tariff on April 2, and by that time, the tariff went from 20 to 54 percent," Brown told Mashable. She already had inventory en route from China well before Trump announced the tariffs in April, and, by then, it was too late to pull her product. Now, she says, "We have a bunch of Keepsake Cases and our new bedding line headed to the U.S." That means that even though she purchased them before the tariff went into effect, Brown will now have to pay the tariff on those items.

Even worse, her remaining inventory is stuck in China because she can't afford to pay the tariff on those goods. She refuses to increase prices, wanting to keep her goods accessible, but that leaves her stuck in what she calls a “weird stalemate.”

Some of the comments on her TikTok have suggested she simply move production to the U.S., but that’s easier said than done. According to Brown, U.S. manufacturers can’t replicate the same quality, and charge significantly more when they come close. She argues that the materials and factories she needs simply aren't available in the U.S., and it would take far longer to begin producing her products. "Honestly, making it in the U.S. is actually more expensive than what the tariffs would be," Brown said. For now, she's just hoping the tariffs decrease because they're "essentially destroying small businesses like mine."

And that's just small businesses that handle product sales themselves. Brown doesn't use TikTok Shop or any third-party seller, but for those who do, there's another looming change: The "de minimis" exemption, which allows packages worth less than $800 to enter the U.S. tax-free, will no longer apply to Chinese shipments starting May 2. That means sellers using platforms like TikTok Shop, Temu, or Shein will face a 120-percent tariff on items, with a $100 “postal item” charge increasing to $200 by June 1.

"Many influencers aren’t just promoting products; they are the small businesses, often relying on affordable overseas manufacturing to run lean [direct-to-consumer] brands," Captiv8 Co-Founder and CEO Krishna Subramanian told Mashable. "If tariffs drive up costs, some creators may need to rethink pricing or product strategy." But it's not all gloom and doom. "Creators are uniquely agile," she said. "They’ve built loyal communities, and that direct connection gives them room to adapt faster than traditional retailers."

Some are already adapting by turning the economic fallout into content. Brown’s videos about how tariffs have impacted the financial side of her business have garnered hundreds of thousands of views and a wave of support. Most of the comments are full of empathy and encouragement — many even promise to start buying from Curio Blvd. right away.

"Your video just got you a new customer 🫶🏽 wishing you all the best," one commenter said.

Gartner Director Analyst Claudia Ratterman told Mashable that there's an opportunity for brands and creators to create content "really [highlighting] the value they bring" to connect with their audience during economic uncertainty.

"That kind of message not only grabs [people's ] attention but also makes [them] feel valued and understood. It's a win-win because it boosts engagement in the short term and over time, you’re hopefully nurturing a potential loyal customer," Ratterman said

How tariffs might affect brand deals 

When tariffs are put in place, brands have to either spend more money on their goods or move the production of them, which also costs money. Because of this, we might see brands having to shift their budgets. Usually, when that happens, they'll cut spending in places like marketing and public relations and instead focus on something that might be cheaper — something like influencer marketing.

We've seen these kinds of shifts before. In 2020, there were some short-term economic shocks to the supply chain because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, brands shifted their budgets to influencer marketing because it was a cheaper and more effective alternative to traditional ads. Of course, the pandemic isn't a perfect one-to-one parallel — people were stuck in their homes and scrolling with more fervor than ever before. But the spike in prices for many goods made consumers more cautious with their spending, and marketers had to rethink how to win them over.

Instead of taking out loans — an option many companies could pursue — some brands may choose to cut marketing budgets to prioritize production. If they want to market at all, they'll need to spend less, shifting away from costly tactics like TV ads in favor of user-generated content (UGC) and influencer partnerships.

Now, with tariffs driving up costs across multiple levels of business, we may see a similar adjustment. Businesses that can survive these tariffs will need to stay relevant, and one of the best ways to do so is to remain on consumers' For You Pages.

Subramanian told Mashable that rising costs "could trigger a shift in advertising strategy" and cause brands to move dollars towards lower-cost, high-ROI influencer marketing. "Creators offer flexible, authentic ways to engage consumers," Subramanian said, adding that "we’re already seeing brands double down on creator-led content that drives both trust and purchase intent." 

SEE ALSO: Updating: All the tariff price increases in the tech world so far

But it might be important that influencers shift the way they're showing up, too. Layla Revis, the vice president of social, content, and brand at Sprout Social, a social media management tool, told Mashable that empathy and transparency are more important than ever. With tariffs driving up the cost of everyday goods — and putting financial pressure on consumers — brands need to show they understand what people are going through. That’s where influencers play a crucial role.

"Influencers are trusted advocates, they have access to niche communities and they’re on the front lines of the consumer experience," Revis said, adding that the majority of people who shop from influencers are more likely to provide product feedback with an influencer over a brand. "For this reason, influencer marketing not only has an impressive ROI, on average $5.78 for every $1 invested, but it is key for developing long-lasting consumer trust and relevance — two factors brands must have in their strategies right now."

That's a lot to take in, but, ultimately, Revis said, "because of this effectiveness, I suspect we will see brands lean into influencer partnerships during this time."

"With so much skepticism these days, it's more important than ever for brands to leverage influencers and [user-generated content], because people connect with people," Ratterman told Mashable. "However, it must be the right influencer — someone who people genuinely trust — before their recommendation can truly influence buying decisions."

Will tariffs have any effect on content creators who are strictly entertainers?

Pure entertainers in the content creator space likely won't see the effects of the tariffs apart from the general malaise of living within a state of economic turmoil. Ratterman said this time opens up the ability for creators to offer a "fun escape" or dig into the reality of our times and give practical tips. But those creators will still reap the same monetary benefits from things like the Creator Fund that they always have — tariffs aren't going to stop users from watching TikTok videos.

"Overall, while tariffs introduce some short-term complexity, they also reinforce the long-term value of the influencer ecosystem," Subramanian said. "It’s decentralized, adaptive, and built on real human connection, which is exactly what brands need when market conditions are in flux."

Keep checking Mashable for our latest tariff news and explainers, from delayed Nintendo Switch 2 preorders to reports of iPhone 16 panic buying.

TL;DR: Pick up a new language (or 56) with this lifetime subscription to Qlango for just $39.99 (reg. $119).

Tired of language apps that feel more like homework than fun? Qlango turns learning into a game — literally. 

With its playful, question-and-answer style, you can dive into any of Qlango's 56 language options and actually enjoy the process. And right now, a lifetime subscription is just $39.99 (reg. $119).

Say goodbye to boring language lessons

We've all tried to learn languages the boring way... how's the high school Spanish holding up? If you've been meaning to pick it back up and actually have it stick, or you're hoping to tackle Thai or understand Uighur, try Qlango. 

There are tons of language-learning apps on the market, but Qlango sets out to make learning enjoyable. 56 languages are available, all taught with a unique gamified approach. Their question-and-answer method prompts you to think and respond in the new language, with hints that move you along when you get stuck. 

Customize your lessons by choosing between words or sentences, multiple-choice, dictation, translation, sentence formation, or matching. It also offers flexibility to fit your busy schedule. Set weekly study goals and progress at your own pace with no deadlines or penalties. 

Qlango uses a scientifically proven spaced repetition technique, presenting words at strategic intervals to help you retain them more effectively. And they focus on 6,679 essential words you'll actually use, with six difficulty levels to keep you challenged as you progress.

Unlike many language-learning apps, Qlango lets you enjoy a lifetime subscription for a one-time low price with no recurring subscription fees required. 

Happily learn 56 languages with Qlango Language Learning. A lifetime subscription is now just $39.99, $80 off the usual price, for a limited time. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $39.99
$119.99 Save $80 Get Deal

TL;DR: Tidy up your nightstand in time for spring cleaning with this two-pack of MagStack Slim Pro 3-foot USB-C Tangle-Free Magnetic 100W Fast Charge Cables for just $34.99 (reg. $45).

Opens in a new window Credit: Statik MagStack Slim Pro 3ft USB-C Tangle-Free Magnetic 100W Fast Charge Cables $34.99
$45.98 Save $10.99 Get Deal

We've all got multiple devices to power up, which leads to the inevitable mess of tangled cords on the nightstand or at our desks. MagStack Slim Pro solves that problem, offering a speedy way to power up that stays neat. 

Right now, you can score two MagStack Slim Pro three-foot USB-C tangle-free magnetic 100W fast-charging cables for just $34.99, or 23% off the usual price. 

No mess, no stress

The MagStack Slim Pro lets you say goodbye to frustrating, tangled-up charging cables. Their patented magnetic technology keeps your cables neat by automatically coiling them into a tidy, compact spiral. 

Aside from offering a more aesthetically pleasing option, the MagStack Slim Pro is also built stronger with a reinforced nylon braid that offers a lifespan ten times longer than your standard cable.

With 100W ultra-fast charging, the MagStack Slim Pro powers up smartphones, laptops, and tablets faster and more efficiently. It’s also ideal for transferring files between multiple devices, offering an impressive 480Mbps rapid data transfer speed.

You can rest easy when your electronics are plugged into a MagStack Slim Pro. It's a safe charging solution that won't overheat or damage your device. Plus, the tangle-free design makes it easy to pop into any bag, keeping your cables neat and always within reach.

Bring home a pair of MagStack Slim Pro 3-foot USB-C Tangle-Free Magnetic 100W Fast Charge Cables for just $34.99 (reg. $45) right here for a limited time. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The KeySmart® SmartCard offers a slimmer tracking option for your belongings that easily fits in wallets and passports, and now a three-pack is only $89.99.

Looking for a way to track important items you use every day? AirTags are a clunky shape that is tough to fit into small spaces. The KeySmart® SmartCard has improved on that, providing a sleeker alternative compatible with the Find My app for seamless integration with Apple devices for location tracking.

 You can currently score a three-pack of these thin KeySmart® SmartCards for $89.99 — making them just $30 each.

Keep tabs on items easily with this sleek tracker

We've all been there — already late for something important when we have to dig under couch cushions to find our wallet. With the KeySmart® SmartCard, finding your items is as easy as opening the Apple Find My app. And its 2mm thick, roughly the size of two credit cards, makes it easy to place and forget.

Stick a KeySmart® SmartCard in your passport, luggage, purse, pet carrier, or other compact spot. The thin size not only comes in handy for fitting in more spaces, but also lets you be more subtle about your tracking. Stay under the radar instead of looking obvious with a chunky AirTag. 

The KeySmart® SmartCard also bests the AirTag when it comes to waterproof status. It offers an IPX8 rating compared to the AirTag's IPX67 rating, meaning it can withstand being submerged in water for longer (one hour in 3.3 feet of water if you want to get specific). This makes it a great option for items that will brave the great outdoors.  

While the AirTag will constantly require new batteries, the KeySmart® SmartCard operates on a rechargeable battery that powers up with a Qi-enabled wireless charger. 

Enjoy peace of mind with this three-pack of the KeySmart® SmartCard, now only $89.99 (reg. $119.97), or just $30 each. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Works with Apple Find My (3-Pack) $89.99
$119.97 Save $29.98 Get Deal

TL;DR: Enjoy award-winning sound in total comfort with the Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones for just $99.99 (reg. $199).

Want to tune in and tune out? If you've been looking for a more comfortable way to listen to music than wireless earbuds, it may be time to consider a pair of wireless on-ear headphones. 

These Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones offer total comfort without sacrificing high-quality sound. And right now you can snag a pair for just $99.99 (reg. $199). 

Enjoy award-winning sound with these comfortable on-ear headphones

Want to enjoy rich, award-winning sound anywhere? The Beats Solo 3 are wireless on-ear headphones that deliver finely tuned acoustics, noise isolation, and balanced audio... without hurting your earbuds. The comfort-cushioned and adjustable ear cups offer a luxurious listening experience. 

Whether you want to listen to your go-to playlist on a walk or unwind with your favorite podcast on the commute home, these wireless on-ear headphones offer all-day play with up to 40 hours of listening time. Running low on juice? Just a speedy five-minute charge can get you three hours of playback. 

There are controls located on the headphones, so you can take calls, control your music, adjust the volume, and even activate Siri right from the on-ear controls. 

The Beats Solo3 are equipped with an Apple W1 chip, so you'll take advantage of an extended range and fewer dropouts with Class 1 Bluetooth. And they're Android compatible, too. 

Curious how you're getting such a great discount? These Beats Solo3 are an open-box item, which means they are typically excess inventory in brand new condition, and you're receiving a steep discount due to the packaging not being in pristine condition. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats By Dre Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones (Open Box) $99.99
$199.95 Save $99.96 Get Deal

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 Friday, April 18, 2025:

AcrossLack of practice, metaphorically

• The answer is Rust.

The width of your thumb, if you need a rough approximation

• The answer is Inch.

It has many private entries

• The answer is Diary.

Disc golfer's obstacle

• The answer is Tree.

Emoji that can mean "I'm intrigued"

• The answer is Eyes.

DownDispose (of)

• The answer is Rid.

Bring together

• The answer is Unite.

Like graveyards at night

• The answer is Scary.

Shortest allowable number of letters for a New York Times crossword answer

• The answer is Three.

"Totally with you!"

• The answer is Yes.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

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.

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.

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: Collector's items

• Green: Treatment

• Blue: Same last name

• Purple: Things that have this in common with a wheel

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: Sports memorabilia

• Green: "Rice" method

• Blue: Youngs

• Purple: Things that roll

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 #207 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Sports memorabilia - AUTOGRAPH, JERSEY, POSTER, TRADING CARD

• "Rice" method - COMPRESSION, ELEVATION, ICE, REST

• Youngs - CHASE, CY, STEVE, TRAE

• Things that roll - BOWLING BALL, DICE, GYMNAST, SCREENER

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.

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 April 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the board

The words are used in gaming.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are essential components of play.

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 GamePieces.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 18

• Checker

• Domino

• GamePieces

• Battleship

• Tile

• Token

• Knight

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.

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's The Mini crossword answers for April 18 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: Exclamations

• Green: Legendary thrillers

• Blue: Things you collect or choose

• Purple: Someone's things

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: Interjections

• Green: Horror movies, with "The"

• Blue: Things you can pick

• Purple: Personal property minus "S"

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 #677 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Interjections: BOY, GOODNESS, MAN, WOW

• Horror movies, with "The": BIRDS, EXORCIST, HAUNTING, SHINING

• Things you can pick: APPLE, BANJO, CARD, NOSE

• Personal property minus "S": BELONGING, EFFECT, GOOD, POSSESSION

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 18

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.

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 April 18 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 April 18, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An elegy.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DIRGE.

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 April 18

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.

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

To cut.

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

SLASH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An opening that leads to an attic or basement.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HATCH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Darkness.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLOOM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A yellow and white flower.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DAISY

Final Hurdle hint

A dome made of snow.

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

IGLOO

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

On Thursday morning, Nintendo kicked off the post-hump day portion of the week with a juicy little Nintendo Direct livestream focused on Mario Kart World. It was nice to get some fun new details about the flagship launch title for Switch 2, but the Direct didn't really answer the biggest question on many gamers' minds: Why does Mario Kart World cost $80?

Compared to the standard video game price of $60 that held steady for about 15 years — and even considering the more recent bump to $70 with some big titles — the price is downright upsetting at first glance. When the $80 price was first revealed, gamers immediately raised questions. Ever since, Nintendo's party line has been to tell gamers just wait for the Direct. The implication being that once fans saw the game in action, they'd understand the price hike.

Now that the livestream is over, I don't feel Nintendo really revealed anything to explain it. (And I've actually played Mario Kart World.)

But after giving it some thought, and wanting so badly to scold Nintendo for nickel-and-diming customers, I realized that maybe the price doesn't even need to be justified. And with ongoing tariff chaos, Nintendo likely has bigger problems. You still can't pre-order the Switch 2 in the United States, after all.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date just days away, per leak Mario Kart World's price might not have anything to do with the game itself Chargin' Chuck's inclusion might be driving up the price, honestly. Credit: Nintendo

In interviews with the media after the big Switch 2 Direct two weeks ago, Nintendo employees generally took the position that Mario Kart World's price makes sense because of how much content is in the game. Thursday's Mario Kart-centric Direct did shed some light on this, and to be sure, the game does seem to have a lot of cool new stuff.

It's got a giant open world full of hundreds of optional challenges to explore with friends. There are also dozens of unlockable costumes, loads of new tracks, a multitude of both local and online multiplayer modes, and even enhanced social features, like webcam support. It's clear that Mario Kart World is a massive game with dozens (or maybe even hundreds) of hours of enjoyment to be found. Strictly from that perspective, one can easily argue that it's worth $80 (Nintendo clearly thinks so), even if no one actually enjoys spending $80 on a video game.

But there's a lot more at play here. The big one: Video game prices have been flat for a long time, even as other tech products get more expensive. In general, prices go up over time. It sucks, and no one likes it, but that's life. You used to be able to get a week's worth of food at Taco Bell for $20, and now you can't. It's actually a strange aberration that game companies maintained a $60 price tag for so long.

I'd argue that gamers have been getting a good deal on big-budget games for the last decade. That's even easier to argue when you look at how much it costs to make a big video game in the 4K era.

Unfortunately, game companies are far less forthcoming about budgets than film studios, so the best information we have comes from data breaches. One such breach in 2023 revealed that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 for PS5 cost $300 million to develop. It also takes a lot longer to make blockbuster games than it used to, which adds to labor costs.

My face when thinking about real-world economics. Credit: Nintendo

It's also worth pointing out that PlayStation (among many other video game companies) has done layoffs at its internal studios since that leak came out. While Nintendo cut contractor positions from its testing department last year, the company does not have an extensive history of doing mass layoffs for full-time employees. Much of this is undoubtedly due to friendlier employee rights in Japan compared to the U.S., but it should be noted that Nintendo has, in the past, actively worked against doing layoffs.

For example, former CEO Satoru Iwata once cut his salary in half to make sure jobs wouldn't be lost. And if the cost of treating employees fairly is slightly pricier video games for the Switch 2, I'm okay with that.

Mario Kart World's $80 price may be a harbinger of things to come...

I've gone to great lengths to explain why Mario Kart World probably costs as much as it does, but that doesn't make the hit to your wallet any less impactful. That's a lot of money to plunk down on a luxury good like a video game, especially in stressful economic times. Fans may also wonder why this game, and only this game, costs so much, especially as some families struggle to afford basics like groceries and rent.

That's where the final and most maddening real-world factor comes into play: your wages. In the U.S., wages have not kept up with inflation or productivity at all over the past several decades. In 2022, the Economic Policy Institute found that the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour was worth less than it had been at any point in nearly 70 years. The EPI also found in 2015 that hourly worker productivity had risen by 74 percent in the prior 40 years, while wages for hourly workers had risen by only 9 percent in that same timeframe. Contrast that to the 30 years following World War II, when wages and productivity rose at a nearly 1:1 level.

In short, stuff costs more, but you're not necessarily getting paid more.

That's a political problem more than anything, and any potential solutions to it are well above my pay grade. But over the last two weeks, I've gone from thinking that $80 for Mario Kart World is unreasonable to reluctant acceptance.

You're allowed to be annoyed at a video game costing $80 (I still am), but it's likely not the last game we'll see priced at this level. And in deciding if the price is justified, Switch gamers will ultimately vote with their wallets.

This story is an opinion piece and doesn't necessarily reflect the views of Mashable or its publisher, Ziff Davis.

Google Gemini 2.5 Flash, its hybrid reasoning model, is now available in preview for the standalone Gemini app.

On Thursday, the company rolled out an "early version" of the model with updated reasoning capabilities. It can also better determine how much processing power or "thinking" to apply to each request. The Gemini 2.5 Flash model is also available on Google AI Studio and Vertex AI with controls for developers to manually turn off its reasoning compute and budget the amount of compute applied to tasks, therefore having more control over the amount of tokens they spend.

Gemini 2.5 Flash is part of the Gemini 2.5 family of models launched earlier this month and also includes Gemini 2.5 Pro. In the Google model naming convention, Flash is the smaller, more cost-efficient version of Pro and is best for everyday tasks. But both siblings in the Gemini 2.5 model family have integrated reasoning skills, which are automatically applied based on the task. Long gone are the days when Google's models lagged embarrassingly behind OpenAI's models (back when Gemini was still called Bard). Gemini 2.5 Pro currently tops the LMArena AI leaderboard, with the Gemini Flash version not far behind.

That's not to say OpenAI is resting on its laurels. Yesterday, it launched o3 and o4-mini, the latest versions of its reasoning models that can now harness all of the tools available in ChatGPT (searching the web, image recognition, Python compatibility). It's become commonplace for the two companies to ship similar products within 24 to 48 hours of each other, inevitably drawing comparisons and entrenching its fierce rivalry. On that note, GPT-4.5 Preview, its last non chain-of-thought model, is in second place on the LMArena leaderboard.

Now that Gemini 2.5 Flash is available to try out (albeit in preview mode), it's time for users to see how it stacks up to OpenAI's o-series models.

Google has lost yet another huge antitrust case — and the search giant is still facing another antitrust-related trial later this month. On top of that, the company just received an antiturst cease-and-desist order from Japan's Fair Trade Commission, which follows an antitrust fine upheld in 2024 by the European Union.

On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws and illegally monopolized the online ad tech industry. In 2023, Google made $237.9 billion from advertising revenue, far more than competitors like Microsoft and Baidu. The Justice Department and 17 states joined together to sue Google in this case.

The ruling states, “Plaintiffs have proven that Google has willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts to acquire and maintain monopoly power in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising.”

After U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema's ruling, it is likely that the U.S. Department of Justice will force the Alphabet-owned search company to sell off its Google Ad Manager, including its publisher ad server and its ad exchange. The DOJ has recommended such action prior to the court ruling.

During the three-week-long trial, the DOJ argued that Google monopolized the industry by buying up competitors and locking its publishers and advertisers into using its products. Google argued that it provided a more affordable solution to its customers than more expensive competitors.

Google's online advertising technology, which connects publishers and advertisers, accounts for around 12 percent of Alphabet's business. Spinning off Google Ad Manager would not affect the company too much, as the bulk of the search company's revenue comes from ads served on its own platforms like Google Search and YouTube. In fact, Google previously looked into selling off part of its ad tech business as a result of EU antitrust regulations, as Reuters reported last year.

This marks the second time Google has lost a big antitrust case in less than a year. 

In August 2024, a U.S. judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws with its agreement with Apple, which saw the search giant pay the iPhone maker $20 billion per year in exchange for Google Search being the default search product on iOS.

Later this month, a trial will be held to determine what Google will need to do as a result of that antitrust trial. The DOJ has recommended that Google sell off its web browser Google Chrome. The DOJ has also recommended that if this does not remedy Google's monopoly of the industry, then Google may have to sell off its mobile operating system Android.

A major data breach at Laboratory Services Cooperative (LSC), a medical non-profit, compromised sensitive information of 1.6 million people.

LSC provides lab testing services to a number of Planned Parenthood centers and has warned that folks who've visited those centers could've been affected.

"If you, or someone whose healthcare bills you pay for, visited one of these centers and had lab tests done or were referred for lab tests, your information might be part of this incident," LSC wrote in a recent press release about the incident.

SEE ALSO: Here’s what to do if you give your information to a scammer

"Please be advised that this incident did not involve all Planned Parenthood centers. It specifically may have impacted only those centers that received lab testing services from LSC."

LSC has a dedicated site for FAQs on the data breach incident, including states where it works with Planned Parenthood. The breached data differs from person to person, but LSC wrote a number of things — like medical info — could be affected.

In the press release, LSC noted that data such as this could have been exposed in the breach:

• Medical/Clinical Information: This may include information such as date(s) of service, diagnoses, treatment, medical record number, lab results, patient/accession number, provider name, treatment location, and related-care details.

• Health Insurance Information: This may encompass plan name, plan type, insurance companies, and member/group ID numbers.

• Billing, Claims, and Payment Data: This could involve claim numbers, billing details, bank account details (including bank name, account number, and routing number), billing codes, payment card details, balance details, and similar banking and financial information.

• Additional Identifiers: This may include Social Security Number, driver's license or state ID number, passport number, date of birth, demographic data, student ID number, and other forms of government identifiers.

LSC said it was offering "free credit monitoring and medical identity protection services" to people who believe their information may have been compromised. If you suspect you’re affected, you can find more information at LSC's site.