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SAVE $75: As of April 28, the Amazon eero 6+ router is on sale for $224.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon eero 6+ $224.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $75 Get Deal

Fed up with buffering TV shows, work calls that always drop, or an online shopping basket that just won't load? Sounds like it's time for an internet upgrade. Life's too short to waste time on bad WiFi, and as of April 28, you can find a great deal on the Amazon eero 6+ mesh router system.

This product is currently reduced to $224.99, saving you 25% on list price. This discount is specific to the three-pack option, but you can find deals across all bundles.

SEE ALSO: It's official: Meta's Threads is using 'Threads.com' domain name

A mesh WiFi system includes a main router and extra nodes (satellites) placed around your home. They work together to eliminate dead zones, providing reliable WiFi coverage all over your home. The eero 6+ is an exceptional router system that offers gigabit WiFi speeds at an affordable price. It is backward-compatible with older eero devices, making it flexible for all home setups.

It boasts WiFi 6 technology and an extra boost from the 160 MHz radio channel, so the eero 6+ ensures fast and reliable connectivity for the entire household. The TrueMesh technology reduces dead spots and dropped signals, keeping your smart home running smoothly even when you’re away.

And if you're worried about the setup, there's no need. The system is super easy to set up and can be done in minutes by using the eero app.

This is only a limited-time deal at Amazon, so move fast to secure this low price.

SAVE $150: As of April 28, the Breville Barista Express is on sale for $549.95 at Amazon. That's a 21% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express $549.84 at Amazon
$699.95 Save $150.11 Get Deal

Barista-style coffee from the comfort of your own home is every coffee lover's dream, so make it a reality with this latest Amazon deal. Low quality espresso is a thing of the past, as of April 28, you can find the impressive Breville Barista Express reduced by $150, now $549.95.

This coffee machine is exactly what you need in the mornings, boasting a bean-to-espresso time of only one minute. The built-in grinder allows you to use a variety of beans, and the 15 grind settings let you pick between a fine or coarse bean. Other standout features include an integrated conical burr grinder and a Thermocoil heating system with precise temperature control.

SEE ALSO: Kickstart your day with $20 off a funky Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker

And if you're a latte or cappuccino person, the built-in steam wand lets you create perfectly velvety foam for any drink.

This machine comes with a razor dose trimming tool, a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, dual wall filter baskets, a coffee scoop, an integrated tamper, a stainless steel milk jug, a cleaning disc as well as tablets, a brush tool, an allen key, water filter, and filter holder.

Head to Amazon to grab this great deal before it runs out.

TL;DR: Replace Adobe Acrobat with a UPDF lifetime subscription on sale for $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Superace UPDF: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$149.99 Save $90 Edit, Convert, AI Chat with PDF Get Deal

Paying a monthly subscription fee for a PDF app like Acrobat is a little silly. They're basically charging you every month just to use one of the most common file formats around. If you still want to use PDFs but don't want to pay the subscription fee, UPDF is a new PDF app that you can actually own for life. And instead of paying full price ($149), you can get your lifetime subscription for only $59.99. 

Edit, convert, scan, and more

UPDF is designed to handle just about anything you’d ever need to do with a PDF. You can edit text and images, annotate files with highlights and comments, convert PDFs to Office formats, and even batch process documents. The interface is clean and intuitive, which helps if you’re switching over from another app.

You can also create fillable forms, organize pages, and secure your documents with password protection and encryption. On Windows and Mac, UPDF includes OCR functionality to turn scanned documents into searchable and editable files. It supports 38 languages and includes options to batch convert or flatten PDFs.

UPDF works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and your files can be synced using 2GB of included UPDF Cloud storage.

While the built-in AI features like summarizing or translating documents require an add-on purchase, the core app already does a lot for a one-time payment.

It's only $59.99 to get a UPDF lifetime subscription, but this sale ends soon. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: Learn up to 56 languages the fun way with a lifetime subscription to Qlango, only $34.97 through June 1. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $34.97
$119.99 Save $85.02 Get Deal

If you want to learn a language in a way that's fun and actually sticks, replace apps like Duolingo with Qlango. This game-based language-learning platform can help you learn up to 56 different languages, and it's only $34.97 for life (reg. $119). 

Learn a language by playing

Unlike other language apps that punish you for missing a day or let you coast through with guesswork, Qlango keeps things fresh and engaging. Every interaction is designed to reinforce learning, from spaced repetition that helps cement vocabulary to games that make progress feel more like fun than work. You’ll answer only in the language you’re learning, which helps shift your thinking over time into that language rather than relying on translations.

You can study the way that works best for you, whether that means multiple-choice games, sentence building, or dictation. The app adapts to your level, offering smart recommendations as you go and helping you build a strong vocabulary for real-world conversations. There’s no pressure to cram every day. Just set a weekly goal and learn at your own pace.

With over 50 languages supported and features designed to help you retain what you’ve learned, Qlango is a flexible, long-term option for anyone who wants to finally stick with learning a language.

Whether you’re brushing up for a trip, trying to connect with family, or just looking to expand your skills, this is a fun, low-pressure way to make meaningful progress. You’ll actually want to keep coming back, and that’s kind of the whole point.

June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a Qlango lifetime subscription on sale for $34.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: A bundle of 15 online coding courses and a Microsoft Visual Studio Pro lifetime download is down to $55.97 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $55.97
$1,999 Save $1,943.03 Get Deal

Have you hit that weird stage where your job drains you, your hobbies don’t excite you, and your bank account sighs louder than you do? Welcome to the quarter-life crisis. But instead of spiraling into another overpriced latte or impulse haircut, here’s an idea: learn to code.

Why? You’ll be surprised at what a completely new, technical skill and sense of purpose can make you feel. Yes, even if it means doing something besides rotting on the couch after work. We have just the thing to get you started: a beginner’s coding bundle, now $55.97 (reg. a $1,999 value).

First part of your bundle: 15 coding courses

You’ll get lifetime access to 15 beginner-friendly programming courses covering major languages like Python, JavaScript, C++, Ruby on Rails, SQL, and more. Whether you want to build a personal website, design a game, or work toward a completely new career, this bundle has enough skills to make your dreams come true (as corny as that sounds).

The courses are self-paced, so you can learn on your own terms — at midnight, on your lunch break, or whenever that ‘what am I doing with my life?’ panic sets in. And no, you don’t need to be a math genius or have a computer science degree to keep up; this bundle is made for beginners who are eager to start.

Second half of the bundle: A place to code

Also included is a lifetime license to Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 Pro for Windows — a seriously powerful, yet not too complicated, development environment that helps you write better code, faster. You’ll get real-time error checking, intelligent code suggestions, and even tools for collaborating with other developers.

This combo of practical education and pro tools can take you from ‘I have no idea what I’m doing’ to ‘I built this myself,’ and that’s a pretty empowering feeling. So yeah, your quarter-life crisis might not be cured overnight, but learning something new — something with real potential — is a pretty great place to start.

Become a self-taught programmer with this $55.97 bundle of online courses and Microsoft Visual Studio (reg. $1,999). 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: DeskSense is your all-in-one AI assistant with a lifetime subscription on sale for $38 (reg. $179). 

Opens in a new window Credit: DeskSense DeskSense AI Assistant $38
$179 Save $141 Basic Plan: Lifetime Subscription Get Deal

Just because a tool is common doesn't mean everyone is using it right. AI tools have exploded in popularity, but getting ChatGPT to answer a question or write an email is just scratching the surface of what they can do. With a little help, AI can practically act like a co-worker. 

DeskSense is an AI assistant that goes far beyond the basics. You can use it for everything from generating text and images to analyzing videos or translating a document into another language. It's also only $38 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $179). 

Your new AI assistant

DeskSense streamlines everything from writing and content planning to coding and data analysis. You can chat with DeskSense using a variety of top-tier AI models like GPT, Claude 3, and Gemini Pro, and those chats automatically save as drafts or cards for future reference. There are more than 40 templates available to help you quickly write emails, articles, ad copy, blog posts, social media captions, or even code snippets.

 It's not just writing. DeskSense also includes image generation and editing features. You can create new visuals from text prompts, analyze existing images, or convert pictures into written content. It can summarize YouTube videos, translate files, and even help you draft resumes or dating profiles using structured templates.

Whether you’re running a business, managing social media, studying for school, or just trying to stay organized, DeskSense makes it easy to keep everything in one place. It offers unlimited prompt storage, a full prompt library, and early access to new tools and features. The extension works in Chrome and Edge so you can access your assistant without even leaving your browser.

It's only $38 to get a DeskSense AI Assistant Lifetime Subscription. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

SAVE UP TO 33%: As of April 28, select Pokémon Nintendo Switch games like Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus are discounted at Woot. Prices start at $39.99, with savings up to 33%. Sale ends April 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Company Pokémon Legends Arceus $44.99 at Woot!
$59.99 Save $15 Get Deal

I think it is ridiculous how rarely Pokémon games go on sale, so seeing prices actually drop by 25 to 33% is enough to get my attention. As of April 28, Woot has a surprisingly solid Nintendo Switch Pokémon sale, with classics like Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! marked down for a limited time.

I want to be clear: these are not leftover filler titles. In my opinion, every one of these games still holds up today, and they are about to get even better with Nintendo Switch 2 on the way. Nintendo has already confirmed that Pokémon Legends Z-A will support 60 FPS upgrades on the new hardware. While nothing else is officially confirmed, I think it is a safe bet that older titles will load faster and play smoother on Switch 2.

SEE ALSO: Pokemon Go players are actually training a giant AI model

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is sitting at $42.99, Pokémon Shining Pearl is down to $41.99, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus is $44.99. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! is $39.99, which is about as low as it gets for anything with Pikachu or Eevee on the cover.

Pokémon Games on sale at Woot

• Pokémon Brilliant Diamond — $42.99 $59.99 (28% off)

• Pokémon Shining Pearl — $41.99 $59.99 (30% off)

• Pokémon Legends: Arceus — $44.99 $59.99 (25% off)

• Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! — $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

• Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! — $41.99 $59.99 (30% off)

• Pokémon Sword — $41.99 $59.99 (30% off)

• Pokémon Shield — $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

If you grew up playing Diamond and Pearl, the remakes stay true enough to the originals without feeling like a museum tour. Legends: Arceus might be the biggest shakeup the series has had in years, with open areas that let you roam and discover things without being dragged into a cutscene every 30 seconds. Let’s Go, Eevee and Pikachu are straightforward and charming, and they were designed for people like me who sometimes need a low-stress win after a long day.

The best Woot Spring Gaming Sale deals

• Meta Quest 2 Active Pack — $8.99 $69.99 (87% off)

• Predator: Hunting Grounds — $14.99 $39.99 (63% off)

• A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead — $14.99 $29.99 (50% off)

• Tekken 8 — $19.99 $69.99 (71% off)

• Persona 5 Royal — $19.99 $34.39 (42% off)

• Meta Quest Pro Compact Charging Dock — $21.99 $79.99 (73% off)

• Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO - Standard Edition — $24.99 $69.99 (64% off)

• Minecraft — $26.99 $29.99 (10% off)

• Super Mario RPG — $29.99 $59.99 (50% off)

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — $29.99 $59.99 (50% off)

• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - Exclusive Amazon Edition — $32.99 $69.99 (53% off)

• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD — $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

• Luigi's Mansion 3 — $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

• Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana - D1 Refined Edition — $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — $42.99 $59.99 (28% off)

• 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless Pro Controller — $44.99 $69.99 (36% off)

• Assassin's Creed Shadows — $54.99 $69.99 (21% off)

• Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition — $54.99 $69.99 (21% off)

• BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller + Case — $69.99 $124.98 (44% off)

• Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition Wired Gaming Controller — $69.99 $99.99 (30% off)

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gaming Headset (Refurbished) — $79.99

• Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race Wheel & Pedal System — $299.99 $649.99 (54% off)

The Last of Us Season 2, episode 3 was an understandably quieter episode after the chaotic sob-fest that was episode 2. But from the looks of the episode 4 trailer, things are about to get hectic again.

In the clip above we're introduced to some new characters, watch Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) flee Infected through an abandoned subway car, and — right at the end — watch as Dina points a gun at Ellie.

Does that mean Ellie's been bitten again, and Dina thinks she's going to have to execute her?

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

SAVE $150: As of April 28, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for $849 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price.

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 at Amazon
$999 Save $150 Get Deal

We're not sure why, but the latest Apple MacBook Air is getting cheaper and cheaper on Amazon. We made some noise about the fact that the base model was on sale for under $900, but the price has dropped again. We really didn't think it would, but we've been made to look like fools.

As of April 28, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is now on sale for $849 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price. That's a new record-low price on Amazon, according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel. Is this price going to drop again? We don't think so, but we said that last time. At this point, we don't know what to believe anymore. We're just pleased to see record-low prices.

SEE ALSO: Review: I went hands on with the M4 MacBook Air (2025)

The new M4 MacBook Air was released in mid-March, with open-lid support for two external displays and a new 12MP Center Stage camera in addition to the new CPU. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said this model was "impressively powerful" and "the best-buy Apple laptop, period." No surprise then that we named it the best MacBook for most people.

Pick up the latest Apple MacBook Air for under $850 at Amazon.

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 Sunday, April 28, 2025:

AcrossChef's creation

• The answer is Dish.

Iconic Madonna hit of 1990

• The answer is Vogue.

Section of a tennis court used when playing doubles

• The answer is Alley.

State of mind

• The answer is Mood.

Not amateur

• The answer is Pro.

DownRarely-used word meaning "sadness"

• The answer is Dolor.

Snow place like home?

• The answer is Igloo.

Went after in court

• The answer is Sued.

"Yo"

• The answer is Hey.

Fill time on stage

• The answer is Vamp.

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

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

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

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

4chan is finally back up and running — mostly. The infamous imageboard initially went down two weeks ago, scattering its anonymous denizens to the winds. It has now been largely restored, with users flocking back to their familiar fetid stomping grounds. However, not all of 4chan's boards will be returning.

In the first substantial post to its official blog in eight years, 4chan's team confirmed speculation that the outage was due to a hacker, and that the source code had been compromised. Specifically, the blog stated that a hacker with a UK IP address was able to access 4chan's servers by exploiting its outdated software via a PDF upload. The hacker subsequently extracted a substantial amount of 4chan's source code, before vandalising the website and prompting moderators to shut it down.

"While not all of our servers were breached, the most important one was, and it was due to simply not updating old operating systems and code in a timely fashion," read 4chan's blog on Friday.

SEE ALSO: 4chan is down, reportedly hacked as of April 15

Calling the damage "catastrophic," the blog stated that 4chan's failure to update its code was due to both an "insufficient skilled man-hours available" and a lack of funds. Unsurprisingly, it seems that advertisers are leery of associating with a website commonly described as "the cesspool of the internet," which has made acquiring the cash for new servers difficult. As such, while 4chan partially moved to new servers in the second half of last year, key functions were still being taken care of by its old hardware.

"Everything about this process took much longer than intended, which is a recurring theme in this debacle," wrote 4chan. "The free time that 4chan’s development team had available to dedicate to 4chan was insufficient to update our software and infrastructure fast enough, and our luck ran out."

4chan's two-week outage gave its development team time to patch up holes in its security, as well as start bringing on more volunteers. The blog states that 4chan's team has since replaced the compromised server, as well as updated its software. The server status checker on 4chan's blog indicated that full functionality has still not returned at time of writing, though posts on the imageboard largely appeared to be business as usual.

Yet despite this, 4chan won't ever return to its former incarnation. The ability to upload PDFs is expected to return soon, having been temporarily disabled in light of this breach. However, Flash board /f/ has been killed for good since "there is no realistic way to prevent similar exploits using .swf files." While /f/ is currently still available on 4chan's front page and navigation bar, it seems likely it will eventually be removed in light of this announcement.

Even without the hack, the death of /f/ was a long time coming. Adobe first announced it would stop supporting Flash Player back in 2017, finally declaring that it had reached the end of its life in 2020.

4chan has a controversial history and reputation, to put it lightly. Launched over two decades ago in 2003, the dubious internet stalwart became a breeding ground for memes, controversies, and movements such as hacktivist group Anonymous and far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.

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.