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TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only A$23 (reg. A$311) through 1 June.

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro AU$23
AU$311 Save AU$288 Get Deal

Need a new laptop but don't have the budget to buy one? We've found the next best thing: updating your operating system. 

If your PC could use an upgrade, Windows 11 Pro is now just A$23, A$288 off the usual price. This deal ends 1 June. 

Check out what Windows 11 Pro has to offer

Curious what Windows 11 Pro brings to the table? This operating system really focuses on user convenience, so first up is a seamless interface that helps boost your productivity. 

If you primarily use your PC for work, you'll enjoy helpful features like improved voice typing, a more powerful search experience, and tools like snap layouts and seamless redocking that allow you to work faster and more efficiently. 

Virtual desktops let you easily toggle between desktop setups for different functions — so you can swap from your 9-to-5 setup to your gaming or personal desktop and switch gears easily. 

If you plan on using your PC for gaming, you'll appreciate DirectX 12 Ultimate. It provides phenomenal graphics, while Auto HDR enhances the game's color and contrast. And you can enjoy all this while experiencing faster load times and smoother gameplay. 

Windows 11 Pro also includes Copilot, an AI assistant powered by OpenAI. It's essentially like having ChatGPT on your desktop, minus the annoying subscription fees. 

Everyone will appreciate the improved security features, like biometrics login capabilities, smart app control, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses. 

Get Windows 11 Pro while it's on sale for A$23. Sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on 1 June. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Hurry and grab lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at $30.

Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.

Instead of spending $7 monthly (or $70 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for $0.

What apps are included?

Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.

Here's a list of the apps you get:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime license

This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.

You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.

Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.

The price drop on this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows ends soon, so get your download for $30.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows £30
£229 Save £199 Get Deal

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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

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

A stone builder.

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

MASON

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Evidence.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 28, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PROOF

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A large storage facility.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 28, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DEPOT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A yellow bodily fluid.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 28 Hurdle Word 4 answer

URINE

Final Hurdle hint

After second.

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

THIRD

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

Last week on The Last of Us, the hit HBO series presented one of the most stressful and tragic episodes TV has ever seen. By contrast, episode three offered some truly heartwarming moments, chiefly in the blossoming relationship between Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced). 

On a mission of vengeance (or justice depending on how you look at it), the two Jackson teens set forth to Seattle to track down the WLF squad that killed Joel (Pedro Pascal).

Their quest is dark, and the path is full of terrors, including Infected and slain cult members. Yet, there's some sweetness in Dina and Ellie's navigating whether their friendship is going to become something more and what that kiss in the first episode meant. 

But as they bond through conversation, Ellie ducks one question from Dina, declaring its answer "too fucked-up." That question: 

Who was the first person Ellie killed?  Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

Both Ellie and Dina grew up in a world already ravaged by Infected, so killing became a crucial tool — even for kids. Sharing a horse on their way to Seattle, Dina asks Ellie the super casual post-apocalyptic getting-to-know-you question. The former FEDRA trainee brushes off the question, but Season 1, episode 7 revealed the answer: Riley (Storm Reid), Ellie's first love, was the first person she ever had to kill. 

In this flashback episode from Season 1, Ellie is elated to reunite with her best friend, who'd ditched FEDRA for the Fireflies. They spend time together in an abandoned mall, clutching at whatever scraps of carefree girlhood are left in this Cordyceps-ridden world. And it was beautiful day. Then, an Infected attacked, leaving both girls bitten, but only Ellie is immune to the zombifying effects.

The episode cuts away before Riley turns. But what's implied is that Ellie watches her love become Infected, and then has to kill her. It's a terribly tragic story of doomed love, and also not a great tale to tell your new could-be girlfriend as you face untold armies of the undead. Plus, with the grief so fresh from Joel's death, Ellie's probably not willing to reopen the door to her first lost love.

The Last of Us Season 2 is now streaming on Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

While sticking to the main narrative and established character arcs of The Last of Us, Season 1 of HBO's Naughty Dog adaptation made a few notable changes. It's what made the show such an excellent adaptation, with creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann expanding the world of The Last of Us by pulling on specific threads from the game. 

So, how is The Last of Us Season 2 different from The Last of Us Part II?

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 2: Gamers knew it was coming. It still hurts like hell.

We're going to dig in every week, updating per episode, to analyse the changes we're seeing onscreen. There'll be a few spoilers from the game for analysis' sake, so if you'd rather the narrative remain a mystery, turn back now. For the rest of you, let's get into it.

Tommy and Maria have a son. Maria (Rutina Wesley) and her son, Benjamin (Ezra Agbonkhese). Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

In Season 2, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) are back living in the town of Jackson, Wyoming, and have reunited with family — namely Joel's brother, Tommy, (Gabriel Luna) and Tommy's wife, Maria (Rutina Wesley), two of Jackson's leaders. But with this pair comes a new character to The Last of Us, one who didn't appear in the Part II game: their son, Benjamin (Ezra Agbonkhese).

Joel goes to therapy. Good job, Joel. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

In Season 2, episode 1, Joel attends one of his therapy sessions with a whisky-drinking, weed-smoking psychotherapist named Gail (Catherine O'Hara) — a fabulous character written for the TV show. A man who truly would benefit from such treatment, Joel does not have the opportunity to process his trauma in this post-apocalyptic nightmare in the game. Instead, we do get a scene at the very beginning of the game in which Joel confesses his actions in Salt Lake City to Tommy (the show has decided to omit this scene from episode 1, instead having Tommy tell Ellie not to talk about her immunity).

In the show, Joel's therapist admits she hates him for killing her husband Eugene, a character who's mentioned in the game as a Jackson resident, electronics whiz, and weed-loving mentor to Dina who left his family to join the Fireflies and died at 73 of a stroke (a rarity in this world). In the show, he died younger than that and at Joel's hands, probably because he was Infected.

We're glad the show included Eugene's secret weed basement in episode 2, but in a change, Ellie takes shelter here with Jesse (Young Mazino); in the game she's with Dina and more than weed-smoking occurs.

There's Cordyceps in the pipes and an attack on Jackson. Ruuuuuuun! We don't have a precedent for this! Credit: Courtesy of HBO

Uhhhh, you see that Cordyceps growing in the pipes near Jackson? That's not in the game. Druckmann and Mazin included this fungal infiltration in the series in episode 1, setting up one of the most stressful episodes of the series to date.

The Last of Us Season 2, episode 2 blowtorches the candle at both ends. At the same time as Joel's final moments in the mountain lodge, Jackson finds itself under attack by not only waves of Infected, but smart Infected who change tactics during the siege. It's an entire sequence written for the TV show and it's a true nail-biter.

We learn Abby's motive very early in the season. Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) has a reason for revenge. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

By the second episode of Season 2, we know exactly why Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) has plans of revenge for Joel. We first meet Abby and her crew in episode 1 at the site of the Fireflies' massacre in Salt Lake City, a scene that makes it clear why they're hunting Joel. In episode 2, the series clearly shows us Abby's motive: Her father was the surgeon who was about to operate on Ellie before Joel killed him.

Why does this matter? Abby's association with the Fireflies and the site of Joel's massacre isn't revealed until later in the game — and it's a crucial plot point and motivation behind her character. To reveal this so early in the series is an interesting move by Mazin and Druckmann, one that gives Abby's actions more context right from the start.

Joel's death itself. We're still recovering from the first time. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

Unfortunately this traumatic narrative turn happens in both the game and the show, but there are a few differences. The events leading up to Joel's death are almost exactly the same between The Last of Us Part II and the HBO series, but there are changes — including Abby's pivot from bludgeoning to a final stab and the fact that Dina is present in the show (Tommy is there instead in the game).

Mashable's Belen Edwards has an entire explainer on the differences between the game and the show's treatment of Joel's death.

Seth does slightly better than "bigot sandwiches." Seth (Robert John Burke) has a lot of work to do. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

It's not entirely a redemption arc, but it's damn better than a few breakfast rolls. Jackson's resident homophobe Seth (Robert John Burke) is given more opportunity to make it up to Ellie and Dina in the show, after he throws a slur at them in episode 1 for kissing at the New Year's Eve dance. We've got a breakdown of how Seth improves on his "bigot sandwiches" in the show.

It's Tommy who goes after Abby first in the game, then Ellie. Tommy's the first one out the Jackson gate in the game. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

In the game, it's Tommy who leaves Jackson first to go after his brother's killers, with Ellie and Dina following in his footsteps knowing he'd be on the way to Seattle. In the show, it's Ellie and Dina who leave first, following the failed Jackson vote. And speaking of...

There's no Jackson vote in the game. Ellie actually tries to do things by the book in the show. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

In Season 2, episode 3, Jackson takes a town hall meeting and a vote over Ellie's proposal to send a squad to track down and execute Joel's killers. It's a whole storyline over the episode, in which Ellie asks for Tommy and Jesse's support, then delivers one hell of an inspiring speech to plead with her neighbours to agree to the pitch. The vote falls against the motion, though Ellie decides to leave the town to hunt Abby and her crew anyway. But the addition of the scene allows the town of Jackson one more moment to debate what the right thing to do in such a situation is — and to give Ellie more fuel to hit the road.

Still no spores?

In The Last of Us games, characters constantly have to don masks to avoid inhaling infectious spores produced by the Cordyceps infestation. But in the show, Druckmann and Mazin decided to omit the airborne threat, instead opting for realism. "If we wanted to treat it realistically, and there are spores near, characters would wear gas masks all the time," Druckmann told Polygon of Season 1. "Then we lose so much, which is maybe the most important part of the journey, is what’s going on inside behind their eyes, in their soul, in their beings. For that logistical reason, we were like, Let’s find a different vector."

However, we spied spores in the trailer for Season 2, so perhaps we're in for some atmospheric danger? 

The Last of Us Season 2 is now streaming on Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

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 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 28 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: My bad

The words are ways you mess up.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are errors you make.

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 Whoopsie Daisy.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 28

• Blunder

• Stumble

• Whoopsie Daisy

• Falter

• Slip

• Topple

• Spill

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.

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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 April 28 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: Styling tools

• Green: Basic

• Blue: Used to catch a criminal

• Purple: To wear out

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: Hair products

• Green: Austere

• Blue: Clues at a crime scene

• Purple: Weary

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 #685 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Hair products: GEL, MOUSSE, SPRAY, WAX

• Austere: BARE, PLAIN, SIMPLE, SPARE

• Clues at a crime scene: FIBER, FINGERPRINT, HAIR, TIRE MARK

• Weary: BORE, DRAIN, EXHAUST, TIRE

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 28

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 27 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 28, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An idiot.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter M appears twice.

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...

DUMMY.

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 28

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.

In Naughty Dog's game The Last of Us, there's one character who gets a chance to try and make amends for showcasing outright bigoted behaviour. However, in the HBO series, he does a much better job.

Seth (Robert John Burke) is the Jackson resident who hurls homophobic abuse, including a slur, at Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) for kissing at the New Year's Eve dance. Seth's actions in The Last of Us series are just as abhorrent as they are in the game, but it's what he does afterwards that differs from Naughty Dog's version.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 2: Gamers knew it was coming. It still hurts like hell.

In the game, the morning after the dance, Seth is forced by Jackson leader Maria (Rutina Wesley) to apologise to Ellie before she heads out on patrol with Dina. To make further amends, he offers sandwiches for the pair to take on their ride. Ellie gives these "bigot sandwiches" to Jesse (Young Mazino) instead.

In the show, Seth does much more than just offering sandwiches. In the Jackson town meeting, he strongly supports Ellie's proposal to take a squad to hunt down Joel's (Pedro Pascal's) killers — even before she gives her argument. And later in the episode, when Ellie and Dina are preparing to leave covertly themselves to track Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and her crew, Dina says "she knows a guy" who can hook them up with the weapons, medical supplies, and ammo they need to survive the mission.

Featured Video For You Bella Ramsey and 'The Last of Us' team talks Season 2's new characters and Joel in therapy

That guy, as Ellie realises on Jackson's fenced border, is Seth, who emerges from the dark with Dina ready to trade Ellie's gun for a sniper rifle. Seth then helps the pair escape by keeping watch for the next perimeter patrol as they slip out a side gate.

Kitting out Ellie and Dina and helping them escape on a revenge mission does not erase Seth's homophobic actions. But it's a damn sight better a progressive gesture than a couple of breakfast rolls and a forced apology.

The Last of Us Season 2 is now streaming on Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

We're off and away with The Last of Us Season 2, with geared-up new factions and mysterious hooded nomads roaming post-apocalyptic America and threatening the lives of our beloved protagonists.

In Season 1 of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann's Naughty Dog game adaptation, it was all about FEDRA and the Fireflies. But now, with the majority of Fireflies sent into oblivion by Joel (Pedro Pascal) in the Season 1 finale — was that a good idea, Joel? — and FEDRA seemingly nowhere to be seen, there are new players on the board.

And that includes the bow-armed, hooded travelling group known as the Seraphites or "Scars."

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2: What is the Washington Liberation Front?

Now, I'm not going to tell you everything about this group — if you've played the games, you'll know what happens with them in The Last of Us Part II. But here's what I can tell viewers of the HBO series about the Seraphites as it happens in Season 2 (with no spoilers beyond what happens in the latest episode on Max).

When do we meet the Seraphites in The Last of Us?

The first we see of the Seraphites beyond the trailer comes in Season 2, episode 3. We meet a group of people on a forest trail to Seattle (the same road Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Mercred) take later in the episode), with each member clad in hooded garments branded with the same strange symbol.

They're all also marked by the same self-inflicted facial scarring on either cheek (hence their nickname, the "Scars"). It looks like these marks are given early in life for members of this group, as even Constance (Makena Whitlock), the very young girl in their party, has them.

The Seraphites also prefer melee weapons like their signature hammer or stealth weapons like bows and arrows, and they communicate in a sophisticated whistling language.

Featured Video For You Bella Ramsey and 'The Last of Us' team talks Season 2's new characters and Joel in therapy What do the Seraphites believe?

We don't know much about the Seraphites' spiritual beliefs at this point in the TV series, but we do know a few things. First, we know they follow a leader known as "The Prophet."

"The Prophet isn't magic, they're just people that see truths hidden from others and share their truth no matter what the cost," the Seraphite leader explains to Constance in episode 3. "So it was with our Prophet. That's how we keep her spirit alive, we follow her words, we obey her teaching, but we keep ourselves safe."

The Seraphite also mentions that The Prophet has been dead for 10 years, and that he "wouldn't count on her to help" their situation. So, who is this Prophet and what do they preach? We'll find out soon enough.

What's the deal between the Seraphites and the WLF?

When we meet the Seraphites in episode 3, the leader of their group calls for the group to take cover when it appears "Wolves" are on their path. We know this as the nickname for the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), who have a snarling wolf on a yellow triangle for their logo — one of their members, Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), killed Joel.

We're not yet sure what the relationship between the WLF and the Seraphites is at this point in the series, but we do know they're not friendly, as Ellie and Dina discover the entire Seraphite party slain at the end of the episode — it's not clear who committed the massacre, but the episode strongly suggests it was the WLF. And judging by the Seraphite leader's reaction to "Wolves" over what his daughter calls "Demons" as a threat, we think they're more scared of the WLF than they are of Infected.

With both parties existing in Seattle, perhaps their rivalry is territorial — but from the looks of the WLF's tanks, guns, and footsoldiers at the end of the episode, the odds seem somewhat against the Seraphites.

The Last of Us Season 2 is now streaming on Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

The Last of Us Season 2, episode 3 is chock full of poignant moments, from the subtly altered opening credits to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) scattering coffee beans at the grave of Joel (Pedro Pascal).

But while most of the sadness in the episode is understandably reserved for Ellie, Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) also gets a tear-jerker of a scene — and it contains a throwback to where it all started.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2: How does that big death compare to the game? What does Tommy say to Joel's body?

Early on in the episode, Tommy visits a room where Joel is lying covered in a sheet after his brutal death. Tommy is passed a cloth by a Jackson resident that he dips in a bucket of water and uses to clean his brother's body.

As he's wiping Joel's arm, Tommy notices his smashed watch, still on his wrist. He pauses and stares at the place where his brother's face is covered by the sheet.

"Give Sarah my love," he says.

Featured Video For You 'The Last of Us' Season One recap in 60 seconds Who is Sarah, and what's the deal with the watch?

It's been a while since Season 1 aired, so you could be forgiven for not remembering who Sarah is, or why the watch is significant. The two are very much connected, though, and it all links back to the show's very first episode.

Sarah (Nico Parker) is, of course, Joel's daughter, who dies at the end of episode 1 after she's shot by a soldier during the start of the cordyceps outbreak. Before she dies, one of the last things Sarah does is to get Joel's watch fixed for his birthday (as well as procuring a copy of Curtis and Viper 2, one of Joel's favourite films). This is the same watch — now broken — that Tommy sees on Joel's wrist when he's cleaning his body. It's likely what makes him think of Joel's daughter Sarah, also Tommy's niece, prompting him to ask Joel to give her his love in death.

In a moving moment later in the episode, Ellie discovers Tommy has left Joel's watch for her as a gift in their home.

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

If you thought the emotional pain had to ease off after the devastation-fest that was The Last of Us Season 2, episode 2, this week's episode clearly had other ideas.

Because although episode 3 may not have been quite as gut-churning, there were still plenty of moments to catch us out — from Tommy's (Gabriel Luna's) comment about Sarah (Nico Parker) to the subtle tweak to the show's opening credits.

Another of these moments saw Ellie (Bella Ramsey) visiting the grave of Joel (Pedro Pascal), and marking the moment with a gesture that links back to Season 1. So what exactly does Ellie do, and why is it significant? Let's break it down.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2: How does that big death compare to the game? What happens in The Last of Us Season 2, episode 3?

After sneaking out of Jackson with Dina (Isabela Merced) to track down Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and her crew, the pair stop at the graveyard 10 miles south of town that Tommy told Ellie about earlier in the episode. In the morning sunlight Ellie finds Joel's grave, which reads "Beloved brother and father." She crouches, opens a small sack, and sprinkles some coffee beans onto the soil.

Then she smiles, shakes her head, and places a hand on the earth. When she leaves, she has tears in her eyes.

The coffee beans clearly represent something important to her, but given that it's been a while since Season 1 aired, you'd be forgiven for forgetting exactly why.

The answer lies in Season 1, episode 4, and one of the many formative bonding moments in Joel and Ellie's relationship.

Why does Ellie sprinkle the coffee on Joel's grave?

Season 1, episode 4 sees Joel and Ellie heading cross country to Kansas City. After a night camping in the woods, Ellie is woken by the rattling of liquid bubbling in a pot. She crawls over, sniffs it, and makes a face. "Urgh, what the fuck is that?" she asks.

"You don't like coffee?" responds Joel.

Later, in the truck, Ellie has more questions. "Is that seriously what those Starbucks in the QZ used to sell?"

"Well, theirs was a lot fresher than what Bill saved up, but yeah, this is what they sold," replies Joel.

"Smells like...burned shit," is Ellie's blunt feedback.

And Joel's response? Taking a long, purposeful slurp before telling Ellie to keep her eyes on the map.

Although the many tragedies the pair went through together solidified their bond, it's these light-hearted moments that Ellie clearly remembers with the most fondness.

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

We're still not over the death of Joel (Pedro Pascal) but, like it or not, The Last of Us is entering a new chapter — and that means some brand new opening credits.

The change in opening credits between Season 2, episode 2 and episode 3 isn't a big revamp, but it's still pretty devastating in a subtle way.

So what's the difference?

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2: How does that big death compare to the game? How are The Last of Us Season 2, episode 3 opening credits different?

Aside from the crushing absence of Pedro Pascal's name at the very start of The Last of Us' opening credits, the sequence in Season 2, episode 3 looks pretty much the same as usual: The camera winds through a morphing, cordyceps-inspired tapestry, with fungal plants sprouting into the shape of a city alongside the names of the cast and crew.

The change, however, comes right at the very end. In previous episodes, the camera moved through a spiral of fungus to show a blurry and overgrown landscape, from which two distant silhouettes — mean to represent Joel and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) — sprout up from the ground. In episode 3, however, the smaller silhouette is the only one that remains.

Seeing the two shapes in previous episodes re-enforced the idea that it was Joel and Ellie against the world, two survivors struggling through a post-apocalyptic landscape together. Now, the message is clear: Ellie is on her own again. Joel is gone, and she's going to have to carve out her own path.

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

Apple's augmented reality glasses may be dead (or at least on hold), but it sounds like the company is still working on a different kind of smart glasses.

Mark Gurman's latest Power On newsletter at Bloomberg (via 9to5Mac) reported that Apple is continuing work on a pair of smart glasses, just a couple of months after a different Bloomberg report indicated Apple's AR glasses were not happening anymore. According to Gurman, the glasses that are currently being worked on are more akin to Meta's Ray-Ban collaboration, in that they will be filled with tech, but will stop short of offering real augmented reality displays.

SEE ALSO: Apple plans to produce all U.S.-sold iPhones in India, report claims

Gurman stated that they would be powered by Apple Intelligence and could "analyze the surrounding environment and feed information to the wearer," though to what degree it can do that is still unknown. The Meta version of this concept is largely influencer-focused and allows for glasses-based photography and Instagram live-streaming, though apparently Apple is not entirely committed to allowing photography on its glasses yet for privacy reasons.

At any rate, it'll probably be at least a couple of years before we see the fruits of all this labor, if we see it at all. Maybe the smart glasses dream will live on.

I love rugs. Anyone who's ever seen The Big Lebowski knows that a good one can really bring a room together. The only problem is, I have a dog that sheds, drools, and makes every other kind of dog-related mess you can think of. That basically means that any time I get a new rug, it's ruined in a short amount of time. Huge bummer.

So, when I came across Tumble's rugs on both my TikTok and Instagram feeds, I knew I had to try one out for myself. Why? They promise that their rugs are machine washable (when it's not possible to spot clean), spill-resistant, comfortable, and a good fit for homes with pets. Music to my ears.

But are Tumble's claims too good to be true? I set out to find the answer, and after about a month of use, I walked away from my experience with Tumble very impressed. My Tumble rug is one of my favorite additions to my apartment in recent memory.

SEE ALSO: Honest review of Ruggable: Are the washable rugs worth the price? What I loved about my Tumble rug

My time with Tumble started strong. Right out of the box, I was really happy with how the rug looked — I already knew what design I'd be getting ahead of time, but it looked even better in person. I went for the Wren rug in Olive and Sand, which is a cool take on the trendy checkerboard design that fits perfectly into my home's aesthetic. The colors are vibrant, and the materials feel high-quality.

The rug and included rug pad came neatly rolled up in the shipping box, along with a small envelope containing setup and care instructions, as well as some adhesive pads. I placed the quarter-inch-thick rug pad down first, right where my kitchen table lives. Now, I expected to throw the rug on top and call it a day, but Tumble goes the extra mile here. Using a corner-pocket design on the bottom part of the rug, you can slide the rug pad into each pocket, ensuring that the pad won't slide out of position.

After that, I slapped the adhesive pads to the bottom to lock everything in place. I tried my best to move it, but the rug wouldn't budge, and it's stayed that way for an entire month. As an aside, I also thought the rug was quite comfortable to walk on — the fabric isn't a plush material, but it's still soft to the touch, and the rug pad below it gives it a nice bounce. So, if you need a runner or office rug, I can definitely recommend Tumble.

The rug's surface is still looking great even after a month of heavy traffic. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable Tumble rugs pass the stain test

The whole point of a washable rug is to, you know, wash it. And I definitely got to stress-test Tumble's stain resistance.

Fortunately for you, my dog decided to throw up her dinner on the rug just one week into my test. Usually, I wouldn't enjoy cleaning up dog puke, but this time was different — it was an opportunity to put Tumble's machine-washable claims to the test. I wiped up the excess and carefully lifted the rug away from the rug pad. Then, I chucked the rug into my washing machine and started a cold cycle. Once that was done, I did a quick inspection of the rug and my machine to make sure there wasn't any damage, but it still looked great, and the stains my pet added to it were totally gone.

After a quick tumble dry, I placed the rug back in its spot. I was very happy with the results; it looked as good as new.

SEE ALSO: The Ninja Swirl is even better and more fun than the original Creami

For smaller messes, clean-up is even easier. The rug is made using spill-resistant materials, so whenever a liquid hits the fabric, it'll start to pill up instead of working its way into the fibers. Anytime something got on the rug, I was able to quickly wipe it up with a damp paper towel and move on with my day. I even spilled part of a matcha latte on it at one point, and it didn't stain, which felt like a small miracle.

What I didn't love about my Tumble rug

My Tumble rug experience was not without its flaws, though they've been pretty easy to overlook. For one, I didn't love that I could see the rug pad under the rug. It wasn't sticking out the sides thanks to the rug's underside pockets, but there was a noticeably raised area where the pad sits, and I couldn't mask it no matter what I tried. Not a huge deal in my opinion, but you've been warned. Finally, my rug did start showing very small signs of wear and tear on the sides, but this will happen to any rug you put down in high-traffic areas like a kitchen, playroom, or hallway.

A very small amount of fraying has started on the sides of the rug. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable The rug pad shows through the actual rug just a bit. Can you see it? Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable Are Tumble rugs worth the price?

Tumble's rugs aren't cheap. The brand's smallest size is priced at $119 (the one that I tested), and their largest sizes run well over the $400 mark. But if you're more concerned about durability and convenience over luxuriousness, I think Tumble is well worth the investment. And that's especially if you have pets or children running around. One day, when you're wiping up yet another pee puddle or rogue glass of orange juice with ease, you'll be thankful you shelled out for a Tumble rug.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tumble Tumble Shiraz Terracotta & Sky washable rug $139.30 at Tumble
$199 Save $59.70 Get Deal

Would it surprise you to learn that Pornhub pulls in enough eyeballs to rank among the most-visited websites on the entire internet?

According to SimilarWeb (an analytics platform for websites and apps), adult websites like Xvideos and Pornhub get an average of 693.5 million and 639.6 million monthly visitors, respectively. To put that number in perspective, these porn giants often outrank sites like Netflix and Amazon (though not ChatGPT).

But if you're itching to take things a step further than just watching and want to live out some of those fantasies IRL, then exploring Pornhub alternatives like BeNaughty, HRNY (formerly UberHorny), and other NSFW dating sites could connect you with someone who's on the same page.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock and watch Pornhub for free

These dating sites aren't perfect, and some of them get pretty raunchy. But if you're tired of getting off all by your lonesome (goon caves can get pretty lonely), then you try some of our favorite X-rated dating sites as an alternative to Pornhub. Here's the scoop on what you're getting yourself into.

The lowdown on NSFW dating sites

Keep in mind that the term “dating” in this situation basically means a one-night stand, a threesome, or an ongoing sex buddy situation, and not a long-term partner. Of course, if you're searching for X-rated and NSFW dating sites, we're guessing that's not a problem.

Take note: NSFW dating sites don't operate without mutual consent, boundary-setting, and respect. When building out your profile, be specific and honest about your intentions and what you’re looking for so you can find people who genuinely match up with you and your interests or fetishes.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 porn sites to visit when you want to get off

And if you like the instant gratification and virtual aspect of internet porn, you can also try cam sites and sexting apps that let you meet and chat with adult performers right away.

What else to know before using NSFW dating sites

Besides not giving away any personal information, especially for things like anonymous encounters on cam or sexting sites, know the risks when it comes to sending nude or partially nude photos containing identifying details like your face or tattoos. While it’s against the law in many places to circulate private sexual images, that doesn’t stop people from doing it.

SEE ALSO: Best sex toys for couples looking to switch things up between the sheets

Like Pornhub, most of these sites are free to access, with some offering various levels of paid membership fees to unlock bonus features. Others, like Tinder and Grindr, are free to use. So, if you're tired of seeing the same content over and over again at the hub, check out these Pornhub alternatives for NSFW encounters.

Before clicking through, be warned: NSFW content awaits.

How to play 'The Last of Us' games The Last of Us: Part 1 (Playstation) $48.99 Shop Now The Last of Us: Part 1 (Steam) $59.99 Shop Now The Last of Us: Part 2 Remastered (Playstation) $49.99 Shop Now The Last of Us: Part 2 Remastered (PC Code) $49.99 Shop Now

So, uh, season two of The Last of Us really started out with a bang, huh? (Beware, that link contains spoilers for the season's second episode.)

If you're as obsessed as we are with HBO's adaptation of the video game franchise with the same name, then we highly recommend playing through the source material. Seriously, if you haven't played either of these games, consider it required reading (or playing, we guess).

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2 review: Joel and Ellie's return devastates and infuriates

If you're not a gamer but you're ready to experience The Last of Us in its original form, we've put together a handy guide for how you can do exactly that in the most efficient, cost-effective way.

What console can I play The Last of Us games on?

Up until recently, The Last of Us series had been playable exclusively on PlayStation consoles. Now, the PlayStation 5 versions of the game can also be played on PC, including The Last of Us Complete, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and The Last of Us Part I. The older editions of the games — The Last of Us Part II and The Last of Us Remastered — are playable on both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

How can you play The Last of Us series on Xbox? You can't. For the forseeable future, both Xbox and Nintendo players are out of luck when it comes to TLOU.

Welcome to Seattle. Credit: Naughty Dog What are all the editions of The Last of Us?

There are a few different versions of The Last of Us floating around out there. He's a breakdown of what each edition includes so you know which one to buy:

The Last of Us Complete ($99.99): This is the most complete version of the series you're going to find, and it's exactly what you'll want to get if you've never played the games before. It includes the PlayStation 5 (and PC) versions of The Last of Us Part I, The Last of Us: Left Behind, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, as well as the No Return roguelike mode that came bundled with the sequel's PS5 remaster. You'll also get the bonus features that came with both games, including Lost Levels, developer commentary, and more. There's a physical collector's edition of Complete as well, but it's currently sold out at the time of this writing.

The Last of Us Part II ($39.99): Even if you don't have a PlayStation 5, you can still play the original, non-remastered version of The Last of Us Part II. This is the base game, so it doesn't include any bonus features, but it's definitely the most inexpensive iteration.

The Last of Us Part I ($69.99): The most up-to-date version of the first The Last of Us game for PlayStation 5 and PC, which comes with the Left Behind DLC and a few other in-game extras. If you've only ever played the older version, it's worth hopping into this one to experience the story with a fresh coat of paint.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered ($49.99): The most up-to-date version of The Last of Us Part II for PlayStation 5 and PC, which includes No Return and the bonus features we outlined in Complete. If you've already played the first game and still need to play the second, but don't want to spend $100, this is the version you want.

The Last of Us Remastered ($19.99): The PlayStation 4 version of the original game, which also comes bundled with the Left Behind DLC.

The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC ($9.99): Finally, if you haven't played the DLC and want to check it off your list, you can buy it as a standalone game. Absolutely play this if you want the full TLOU experience.

Are there any other ways to play?

Finally, a PlayStation Plus Extra membership will gain you access to the PS Plus Game Catalog, which is an Xbox Game-Pass-esque collection of titles that you can download and play whenever you want. At the time of this writing, The Last of Us Remastered (which also comes with Left Behind) is included in the catalog. It's the PlayStation 4 version of the game, but it's still playable on PS5.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out. Fewer than 50 are left in stock, and there's only one more day for this all-time low price.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15 until the end of today. However, codes are limited.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

You have until tonight, April 27, at 11:59 p.m. PT to score this Windows 11 Pro discount for just $14.97. Act while the price is still at an all-time low, or before codes sell out for good.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Ready to work peacefully with PDFs forever? Let PDF Expert serve as your mediator with their $139.99 lifetime subscription for Mac. 

If you're looking for a more convenient way to tackle all the struggles that come with working on a PDF, PDF Expert is ready to help. This easy-to-use PDF editor is an award-winning app that lets you insert images and links, convert files, and more — and right now it can be yours for life for just $139.99.

Make permanent peace with PDFs 

PDFs are part of modern life, whether you like it or not. With PDF Expert, dealing with them doesn’t have to be a headache. This Apple Editors’ Choice award winner gives you the tools to handle forms, signatures, and edits with ease.

From school permission slips to medical forms, filling out PDFs is as simple as clicking a few fields. And when it’s time to sign, the one-time signature feature makes it quick and painless.

Adding a graph to a report or inserting links to other pages or websites is just as simple. Find a typo? You can fix it, update a number, or add a new paragraph, all within PDF Expert. Annotating tools also let you highlight important content, insert pop-up notes, write notes in the margins, or add a stamp to help with workflow. 

If you need to organize a messy PDF, PDF Expert is up for the challenge. Merge multiple files into one, manage specific pages, or split PDFs into separate files, all on the app. You can also turn your PDF into a JPG, an editable Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, or a PowerPoint presentation in just a few clicks. 

Take the hassle out of working with PDFs with a lifetime subscription to the PDF Expert Premium Plan for Mac for just $139.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle Limited PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $139.99
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TL;DR: From game-a-thon to movie night, the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro offers versatile fun for the whole family, and it's on sale for $89.97 until midnight.

Want a gaming system that does a little more? The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is a retro gaming system packed with over 70,000 classic games from Atari, Nintendo, PlayStation, and more, while also offering streaming capabilities to keep the whole family entertained.

If you want to bring home endless entertainment for just $89.97 (reg. $159), you need to act fast. This deal includes free shipping and only lasts through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Game, stream, entertain

We're always multitasking, so we might as well expect the same from our gaming consoles. The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro offers a dose of nostalgia with games that span decades, making it perfect for gaming marathons, solo play, or introducing new generations to the old-school faves like Pac-Man and Street Fighter.

There are over 70,000 games preloaded, so it's pretty tough to run out of options. If you're ever looking for more, you can access another 20,000 3D games at no extra cost.

There are no cartridges or disks required, so there's nothing to keep up with (or have kiddos lose). And there are no subscription fees or extra game costs; you just plug your console into a TV, projector, computer, or laptop and start playing. 

The Kinhank Super Console comes with two controllers. If more people want to get in on the action, you can connect more Bluetooth controllers. You'll also receive a 4GB TF card, a 256GB game card, a USB receiver, a power adapter, an HD cable, and a remote with your console. 

Once you're done gaming, this console can be converted into a streaming device. It runs off the Android operating system, so you can download streaming apps like Netflix and host a movie night.

Provide plenty of entertainment for all ages with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for just $89.97 (reg. $159) plus free shipping until 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02 Get Deal