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There was a time when the food of TikTok would cost you an entire paycheck to recreate — everyone with a chef's knife seemed to be grilling wagyu. FoodTok skewed toward the aspirational. But not anymore.
You see, Donald Trump got elected president and imposed punishing tariffs, which led to the market tanking and looming threats of prices skyrocketing. And, recently, FoodTok has adjusted to that worrisome economic reality. It seems everyone's posting budget-friendly — or even recession-themed — recipes and food hacks. Scroll through your FYP and you'll notice a distinct shift. Wagyu is out; stretching a bag of rice is in.
Sensing that folks were struggling, Kiki Rough decided she'd post a series on "recession cooking" — meals that aren't necessarily gourmet but keep to a budget and fill a stomach. She wasn't really a cooking creator, per se, but rather someone who'd had hard times and learned to cook through them. In just a couple a months of sharing what she called her "Recession Cooking Series," she went from 60K followers to 250K. Her video explaining the series racked up 4 million views.
"It just resonated with so many people beyond me, which hurts and it's sad," Rough told Mashable in an interview. "I read the comments, and I want so badly to help everyone, and that hurts. ... What inspired the series is just knowing that I had survival knowledge and that with all the shifts in the economy and the people around me being affected, more people were going to need [that knowledge]."
Look around, and you're bound to see other creators who've turned their attention to making budget-focused meals. Popular creator Justine Doiron did a whole series on creating low-waste, cheap meals by emptying her pantry. Creator zielzebub plays an "old poor" person teaching a "new poor" person how to eat for cheap in a number of his posts. Dean Bosko is using the tagline "eating like a medieval peasant until all my credit cards are paid off" to share — you guessed it — budget-friendly meals that rely on cheap staples. These all began in the last couple of months and are quite popular. And some of them are big shifts for their creators: Zielzebub, for instance, didn't really even post about food until his "old poor" hacks started taking off. Now it's pretty much his entire account, with some videos garnering more than a million views. You're likely to see more of the same from other creators.
The data backs this move up: According to TikTok, the hashtag #budgetmeals saw 64.3K posts — a 20 percent jump — from March 16 through April 15.
Rough, who is 28 and lives in the Chicagoland area, actually began posting about recession meals after losing her job in January. She's now balancing three gigs while filming her recipes after work, sometimes late into the night. Rough hopes that one day these posts will make her enough money to slow down that schedule, but for now the response from folks online keeps her going.
"I have one follower, God bless her, her mom is very old and she's her caretaker," Rough said. "And for some reason, I keep hitting the nail on the head and making the stuff her mom wants to eat — so that feels so gratifying."
That gets at the heart of the uptick in budget cooking. Creators want to post videos that get a response. So if budget meals are taking off online, then you're bound to see people hop on that trend. It feels like yet another online recession indicator. But there are also lots of people posting cheap meals because they simply have the knowledge and want to share it. Or because they see people worrying about their finances and want to help.
A creator like @DollarTreeDinners has been doing that for quite some time — with much success — but now, her ideas are inspiring action from others. She started creating shelf-stable recipes using canned goods all wrapped up in a Ziploc bag. The idea was to either have a simple meal in your pantry or have a meal to gift to a local food pantry. That inspired creator @yourbarefootneighbor to raise money to give away hundreds of those meals.
Not to sound like a contestant on Chopped or a Food Network travel show, but food really is about community. Things are scary out there, and sharing cheap, tasty ways for people to fill their stomachs might literally be a lifesaver for them. It's why, in part, Rough ends her videos with, "Please remember to eat, and also I love you."
"The year that I learned how to cook like this was hands down — hands down — the worst year of my life," Rough said. "And in a way, it's like, 'Oh, well, I had to go through that so I can help everyone now.'"
A NASA spacecraft is traveling to the most mysterious asteroids in the solar system. On the way there, it snapped images of the curious, elongated asteroid dubbed "Donaldjohanson."
On April 20, the over 50-foot-wide Lucy spacecraft approached as close as some 600 miles from Donaldjohanson, which is aptly named for the discoverer of the famed Lucy hominid fossil, paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson. The craft sped by at 30,000 mph, and used a specialized camera to capture a detailed view of the five-mile-wide asteroid.
The images show a unique-looking asteroid, with a narrow neck connecting the object's two lobes.
SEE ALSO: If a scary asteroid will actually strike Earth, here's how you'll know"These early images of Donaldjohanson are again showing the tremendous capabilities of the Lucy spacecraft as an engine of discovery," Tom Statler, a NASA planetary scientist and program scientist of the mission, said in a statement. "The potential to really open a new window into the history of our solar system when Lucy gets to the Trojan asteroids is immense."
New imagery of the asteroid Donaldjohanson captured by NASA's Lucy spacecraft. Credit: NASA / Goddard / SwRI / Johns Hopkins APL / NOIRLab This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.(The asteroid seen in the animation above was observed at a distance of 1,000 to 660 miles away.)
The Trojan asteroids — two swarms of diverse asteroids trapped around the gas giant Jupiter (one in front and one behind) — are of profound interest to planetary scientists. These asteroids can't leave Jupiter's potent gravitational influence, so Trojan meteorites likely don't land on Earth, depriving us of samples. Crucially, researchers suspect these icy rocks are captured relics of our solar system's formation some 4 billion years ago. If so, the Trojans are the smaller building blocks of planets. They can help tell us how Earth, and the other planets, came to be.
"If we want to understand ourselves, we have to understand these small bodies," Hal Levison, a planetary scientist who leads the unprecedented mission to investigate the Trojans, previously told Mashable.
"This is the first reconnaissance of the Trojan swarms," Levison added.
This high-speed flyby of Donaldjohanson is the spacecraft's last "dress rehearsal" before it arrives at its first Trojan in August 2027, named Eurybates. To investigate the Trojans, Lucy is equipped with a suite of powerful cameras, including the Lucy Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager, or L’LORRI, which captured the images above.
While it's not unusual for an object in space to be a "contact binary" — meaning two objects that orbited so closely they eventually merged — NASA noted that "the team was surprised by the odd shape of the narrow neck connecting the two lobes, which looks like two nested ice cream cones."
Donaldjohanson isn't a primary target of Lucy's mission, but its unusual shape and structure will provide further insight into the origins of such primordial space objects, how they formed, and how our world formed.
TL;DR: Deep-dive into juicy secrets of royal families with 71% savings on a True Royalty TV lifetime subscription.
You don’t just like the royals — you like the gossip that comes with them. The family feuds, the leaked letters, the centuries-old scandals that still feel spicy today. And if you’re not already in on the drama, you’re missing out. Big time.
That’s why True Royalty TV is so dangerous (in the best way). One moment, you’re watching a documentary about Princess Diana; the next, you’re three hours deep into royal affairs from five different countries. Go ahead and cancel your plans, because we have a deal on a lifetime subscription that means unstoppable access for a one-time fee: $199.99 (reg. $699.80).
Stream like royaltyWe mean that literally. A lifetime subscription to True Royalty TV means you get forever access to a growing library of documentaries, dramas, and exclusive series dedicated entirely to the scandalous, extravagant, and occasionally unhinged world of monarchies. It’s like if the History Channel and a gossip blog had a very posh baby.
And we’re not just talking about British royalty. You’ll get the goods on royals from all over the world, plus deep dives on fashion, protocol, power grabs, and a few scandals that make The Crown look like a bedtime story. New content drops weekly, so there’s always something fresh to devour.
You can stream True Royalty TV anytime, anywhere, from your laptop, phone, tablet, or smart TV, just like Netflix, but without the spendy monthly fees. The hardest part isn’t signing up, it’s trying to stop watching.
Get lifetime access to this royal family streaming service for $199.99 (reg. $699.80).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: True Royalty TV True Royalty TV: Lifetime Subscription $199.99TL;DR: Save $225 on these Sony wireless, noise-canceling headphones and get free shipping with a near-mint refurbished model — only while supplies last.
It starts with relentless keyboard clicking. Then, it’s Karen’s Zoom call at max volume. And Jeff’s aggravating chip munching. Next thing you know, you’re Googling ‘remote jobs.’
Office jobs are relentless, but before you rage-quit, check out these noise-cancelling headphones for an easier escape than today’s job market. They’re Sony brand, refurbished, 56% off, and ship free, so here’s what you need to know:
Noise cancellation so you can focus: Effectively block out the chatter, keyboard clicks, and other office distractions with advanced noise-cancelling technology optimized for your workspace.
All-day comfort: Designed for all-day wear in the office, the ultra-lightweight design, soft-fit leather, and 30-hour battery life provide lasting comfort and enough juice for extended wear.
Seamless device switching for multitasking: Effortlessly switch between your computer for calls and your phone for music during breaks with multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.
Quick attention for collaboration: Temporarily tune into office conversations or announcements without removing your headphones using the convenient Quick Attention mode.
Grade “A” refurbished rating: Receive your headphones in near-mint condition with minimal to zero signs of previous use.
Order these Sony noise-cancelling headphones for the office at $174.99 with free shipping (reg. $399.99) — fewer than 50 are left in stock.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones (Refurbished) $174.99TL;DR: Save $90 on Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac through April 27.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it'll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you've been looking for. Instead of $10 monthly payments, simply pay $159.97 once and be set for life (reg. $249.99). It's that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What's included?This license comes with:
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you're switching to a lifetime license doesn't mean you'll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you've redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they're yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for $159.97 (reg. $249.99) with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License $159.97TL;DR: Save $70 on an Internxt 10TB lifetime cloud storage subscription with code STORAGE20 at checkout through April 27.
That $15 monthly cloud storage fee might seem small now, but give it a year or two, and you’ll realize you’ve spent more on renting space for your files than you would owning it. Enter Internxt’s lifetime cloud storage plan: 10TB of encrypted storage for a one-time $279.99 payment with code STORAGE20 at checkout (reg. $349.99).
Dropbox vs. InternxtWhy should you break up with Dropbox? Let’s start with the obvious: no recurring fees.
But this Internxt cloud storage deal isn’t just about saving money — it actually delivers on features. You’ll get access to desktop and mobile apps for easy uploads, 10TB of storage space (enough for 2.5 million photos or 2,000 hours of HD video), and full end-to-end encryption to keep your files private.
Its privacy is another thing to brag about. Unlike the big-name providers, Internxt’s code is open-source. That means anyone — developers, or even yourself if you know how to examine it — can look for hidden risks. That level of transparency is a major green flag.
For anyone developing subscription fatigue, this is your chance to break away from one of the most annoying charges out there.
Get 10TB of cloud storage with an Internxt lifetime subscription at $279.99 with code STORAGE20 at checkout (reg. $349.99). This code expires on April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan $279.99There are hundreds of different headphones and earbuds in varying shapes, sizes, styles, colors, and, of course, prices. And these days, you can grab a random pair off the digital shelf without too much research and find that they do the job just fine.
However, if you're tired of settling for "just fine", then it's worth investing in the best headphones available. Through hours and hours of listening, we sorted through dozens of headphones to find the very best models.
How to choose the best headphonesWe won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite headphones brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and performance.
SEE ALSO: Review: Dyson's headphones have awe-inspiring features and a clunky designAll this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and certifications, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.
To help you pick, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut) to bring you the best for noise cancellation, music, budget shoppers, and wired connections. So, read on to find the best new pair of headphones or earbuds for you.
What are the best wireless headphones of 2025?With the exception of the Marshall Mode earbuds, we focused primarily on wireless Bluetooth headphones and earbuds in our testing. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us.
Below, you'll find our favorite Bluetooth headphones picks for different scenarios — whether you want exceptional noise cancellation, mind-blowing sound quality, or all-day comfort.
SAVE $550: As of April 22, Samsung’s 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Dual UHD monitor is available for $1,749.99 with a $50 upgrade credit included. That’s a total saving of $550 off its regular $2,299.99 price directly from Samsung.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung’s 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Dual UHD monitor $1,749.99 at SamsungI didn’t think I’d ever use the words “dual UHD” in a non-ironic way, but here we are. Samsung’s 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 is a curved behemoth of a monitor, and it’s $550 off right now directly from Samsung. That brings it down to $1,749.99 if you apply the bonus $50 upgrade credit at checkout. And frankly, I’m tempted to clear my desk, sell a kidney, and make it happen.
This thing is like the IMAX of gaming monitors. The wraparound 1000R curve, the dual 4K resolution, and the Quantum Mini-LED tech all combine into a screen that’s as much a flex as it is a display. It’s giving “gaming shrine,” not just “gaming setup.”
SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse comboI think what pushes this monitor into dream territory is its specs. A 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time means you can finally blame your losses on actual skill, not screen lag. It’s also got AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and supports DisplayPort 2.1, so it’s ready to party with the latest GPUs.
For folks who like their enemies crisp and their shadows dramatic, the 1,000 nit peak brightness and HDR 1000 support will have you squinting into digital sunsets and spotting campers in the bushes without breaking a sweat.
Specifications:
Price: $1,749.99 $2,299.99 ($50 upgrade credit)
Retailer: Samsung
Display: 57-inch Dual UHD, Quantum Mini-LED
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 1000
Brightness: 1,000 nits peak
Contrast Ratio: 1,000,000:1
Curvature: 1000R
Connectivity: DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, USB Hub
Gaming Features: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, CoreSync and Core Lighting+
Other Features: Ergonomic stand, Picture-by-Picture, Auto Source Switch+
And yes, it’s not all about speed. The lighting is customizable with CoreSync, the stand is ergonomic because hunching is so 2020, and it’s packing all the inputs you could want. DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and USB ports mean no fiddling with adapters or sacrificing your streaming setup for frame rate.
If you’ve been dreaming about a monitor so big it might qualify for its own ZIP code, I think this is the moment to go for it. A $550 discount does not come around often on a display this over-the-top in the best way.
FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on April 22. Romance Book Blast, hosted by Indie Authors, is offering romance books in a wide range of subgenres.
We know that the last Stuff Your Kindle Day literally just ended, but another event just went live. We're not complaining about the frequency of these events, because they provide an awesome opportunity to stock up on thousands of books for absolutely nothing. And the books that you download are yours to keep forever.
That sounds like a pretty good deal, right?
SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on romance books. Romance Book Blast, hosted by Indie Authors, is offering romance books in a wide range of subgenres. If you're feeling romantic, this is your chance to stock up on over 1,000 books without spending anything.
Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule has been hectic in 2025. We had a couple of events in January to warm everyone up, and then February, March, and April have got out of hand. It has been the year of the bookworm.
And now on April 22, Romance Book Blast is showcasing a wide selection of free romance books from a massive selection of subgenres.
Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?The great thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.
Which e-books are free?Finding all of these free romance books is straightforward. There's a helpful hub page with everything organized by subgenre, with something for everyone:
All of the listed titles could be yours for absolutely nothing or at a heavily discounted rate.
Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.
Shop Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at AmazonThese popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Prices start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.
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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 22, 2025:
AcrossWork like a ___The answer is Dog.
The answer is Charm.
The answer is Mezzo.
The answer is Oreos.
The answer is Nod.
The answer is Dazed.
The answer is Orzo.
The answer is GMOS.
The answer is Cmon.
The answer is Hero.
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 GamesAre 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.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Protective gear
Green: Same town
Blue: Athletic gear
Purple: Out of this world competitors
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Headgear
Green: Philadelphia Teams
Blue: Tennis racket brands
Purple: Sports meets outer space
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #211 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayHeadgear - HAT, HELMET, MASK, VISOR
Philadelphia Teams - 76ers, FLYERS, PHILLIES, UNION
Tennis racket brands - BABOLAT, HEAD, PRINCE, WILSON
Sports meets outer space - ASTROS, GALAXY, STARS, SUN
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy 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 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 22 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Counter offersThe words are delicious.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are food and drink related.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is CafeMenu.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 22Pastries
Juices
Soup
Chai
Sandwiches
CafeMenu
Espresso
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.
TL;DR: Let SwiftScan handle all your scanning needs right from your smartphone, with a lifetime subscription available now for just A$65 (reg. A$313) with code TAKE30 through April 27.
Surprised at how often you could use a scanner in 2025? Though we no longer own those clunky scanner-printer combos from the '90s...we have something way better.
SwiftScan VIP not only turns your smartphone or tablet into a scanner, but it also helps you edit files and easily upload them to your cloud storage service of choice. A lifetime subscription is now available for just A$65 with code TAKE30.
This app is more than just a document scannerDon't groan next time you need to scan something. SwiftScan simplifies the document scanning process using the camera on your smartphone or tablet. Once you're done, it helps you send and organize your files and even serves as your personal PDF editing tool.
Just open the app and hold your device above the document. It automatically detects the edges, crops the scan, and enhances the quality with color filters, auto-optimization, and blur reduction. Then, choose if you'd like to save it as a PDF or JPG with just one tap.
Once saved, SwiftScan helps you get your document where it needs to go. You can send it as a fax or an email or upload it directly to your preferred cloud storage service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Need to scan multiple pages? That's not a problem for SwiftScan, which can combine those pages into a single document if needed.
After scanning, editing is just as easy with the user-friendly interface. If you need to work with a PDF file, SwiftScan can help you navigate these pesky file formats — from signing to annotating or redacting information.
SwiftScan also saves and organizes your scans in folders. If you ever need an older scan, the app includes OCR technology that makes them easily searchable later without endless scrolling.
Enjoy a lifetime of easy scanning access and PDF editing with this subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now just A$65 (reg. A$313) with code TAKE30 through April 27.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription AU$65TL;DR: Always have a scanner on hand with a lifetime subscription to this handy app, SwiftScan VIP, now $41.99 (reg. $199) with code TAKE30 through April 27.
Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription £41.99Don't have a chunky scanner lying around the house? That's no problem once you have SwiftScan VIP, an app that turns your smartphone or tablet into a high-quality scanner.
From receipts you want to save to signing contracts, digitizing documents has never been easier. And a lifetime subscription can be yours now for only $41.99 with code TAKE30 until April 27.
Never be without a scanner againYour phone or tablet can double as a scanner with SwiftScan. All you have to do is open the app and point your camera at the page. SwiftScan will automatically detect the edges and crop for you. If you need to scan more than one page, it's easy to combine multiple pages into a single document.
Once you've scanned your document, you can enhance the quality with built-in tools like color filters, blur reduction, and auto-enhancements. Then save it as a PDF or JPG and send it via email or fax. You can also upload it to your preferred cloud storage service.
SwiftScan organizes all your scans into folders, and their OCR technology makes searching a breeze if you need to access them later.
If you have to deal with a PDF, SwiftScan also doubles as a PDF editor. Sign, annotate, or even redact information from PDFs right on the app.
Keep a scanner on hand for life with SwiftScan VIP, now only $41.99 (reg. $199) with code TAKE30 through April 27.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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 hintA kind of bird.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerSNIPE
Hurdle Word 2 hintWeighed down.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerLADEN
Hurdle Word 3 hintGrown up.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerADULT
Hurdle Word 4 hintGeeky.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 22 Hurdle Word 4 answerNERDY
Final Hurdle hintWhat you do to wet clothes.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerWRING
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 22 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: To cut short
Green: Artistic supplies
Blue: Slick and slimy
Purple: Natural warmth
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Cancel, as a project
Green: Seen in a pottery studio
Blue: Things that are slippery
Purple: Natural producers of heat
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 #681 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayCancel, as a project: AXE, CUT, DROP, SCRAP
Seen in a pottery studio: CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEEL
Things that are slippery: BANANA PEEL, EEL, GREASE, ICE
Natural producers of heat: FIRE, LIGHTNING, SUN, VOLCANO
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 22Are 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 22 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 22, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Creative.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.
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...
ARTSY.
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 22Reporting 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.
Having a hard time cancelling your Uber One subscription? The U.S. government says you're not alone.
On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against the delivery and rideshare giant Uber alleging that the company partook in "deceptive billing and cancellation practices." The FTC's allegations are in regards to Uber's premium subscription service, Uber One.
“I looked at a credit card bill and I realized that Uber Eats had been charging $9.99 for an Uber One account for the past 8 months. I have never signed up for this service,” reads a typical customer comment cited in the suit. Another customer complaint reads, “I don[’]t have an UBER account and NEVER have but I am being charged a monthly recurring fee of $9.99 for UBER ONE . I don[’]t even know how they got my debit card info.”
This screenshot from the Uber app was included in the FTC filing. Credit: FTC Why did the FTC target Uber with the new suit?Uber advertised Uber One as a $9.99 per month premium subscription platform that provided customers with exclusive benefits, such as savings on rides and deliveries. However, according to the FTC, Uber mislead consumers on what exactly those savings were.
“Americans are tired of getting signed up for unwanted subscriptions that seem impossible to cancel,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson in a statement. “Today, we’re alleging that Uber not only deceived consumers about their subscriptions, but also made it unreasonably difficult for customers to cancel.”
For example, Uber advertised that customers could save $25 per month as an Uber One member. The FTC disagrees, and the suit shows that the company didn't factor in the $9.99 per month membership fee when advertising supposed savings.
"These claims are false," the government's lawsuit says. "Many consumers do not actually save $25 a month by using Uber One…Uber’s savings claim assumes that the subscription is free; the purported savings does not subtract any costs."
The problems with Uber One went beyond false advertising promises, however. According to the lawsuit, along with the $25 in savings, Uber advertised that users can cancel their Uber One subscription "at any time" with "no additional fees." However, the FTC stated that Uber often charged consumers before the free trial even ended. On top of that, cancelling the subscription wasn't as simple as advertised.
Easy to sign up, incredibly hard to cancelThe suit alleges that Uber deploys deceptive practices known as "dark patterns" to first encourage users to sign up and then discourage them from cancelling their Uber One subscriptions.
The FTC notes that users could sign up with a couple of clicks, but cancelling required up to 32 actions. Credit: FTCIn the app, buttons directing users to “Start saving” or “Try for free” automatically enrolled users in the trial, per the lawsuit. In one case, users were presented with two options, “Start saving” or “Cancel.” The government’s complaint reads, “Once consumers click ‘Start saving,’ they are immediately enrolled in Uber One and will be charged every month or year for a subscription. The only other choice is to ‘Cancel.’ It is unclear what tapping that button would cancel at this point — it could be the delivery or ride they are trying to book; they have not signed up for Uber One and thus could not cancel it."
And in practice, when customers really did try to cancel the subscription, "Uber makes it extremely difficult," the FTC notes.
The FTC says Uber users were "forced to navigate" through a maze of steps in order to cancel their paid Uber One plan. The FTC says that the cancellation process could extend over 23 different screens and force users to take up to 32 different actions just to cancel. And the closer a user got to the end of their current subscription, the harder Uber made it to cancel.
"Uber can require them to say why they want to cancel, urge them to pause their membership or, if that failed, present them with offers to stay," says the FTC.
Some customers were forced to contact Uber customer support in order to cancel, but were not provided a method to contact the company. In addition, many users were charged for the subscription while in the process of cancelling, according to the government.
Uber's alleged violations and the company's official responseThe FTC is charging Uber with five counts under Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA), including misrepresentation and unfairly charging without consent.
In a statement shared with Mashable, Uber disputes any wrongdoing.
"We are disappointed that the FTC chose to move forward with this action, but are confident that the courts will agree with what we already know: Uber One’s sign-up and cancellation processes are clear, simple, and follow the letter and spirit of the law," said an Uber spokesperson. "Uber does not sign up or charge consumers without their consent, and cancellations can now be done anytime in-app and take most people 20 seconds or less."
Uber said that the company used to require that consumers contact the company in order to cancel Uber One if they were within 48 hours of their renewal period. However, Uber has since changed this policy and users can now cancel their subscription from within the app at any time.
One of America's many long national nightmares (admittedly one of the smaller ones) came to an end last week, as Nintendo announced a new preorder date for the upcoming Switch 2 console.
After an anxiety-inducing delay on preorders in the U.S. caused by President Trump's tariff policies, the new retail preorder date is April 24, and the price of the console is still $449.99 on its own, or $499.99 when bundled with Mario Kart World. With all of that out of the way, now it's time to figure out exactly how to pre-order a Switch 2. You can go the usual route involving various major retail chains at midnight on the 24th, but as a backup option, you can try buying directly from Nintendo. Here's how that works.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Everything you need to know ahead of time How to pre-order Switch 2 directly from NintendoThe good news is that Nintendo has a website set up specifically for this, with the rules clearly explained. The bad news is that the rules, as per usual with Nintendo, are a bit wacky and arcane. The even worse news is that, even if you secure a spot in this carousel, you won't be able to make your preorder until May 8.
First, you need to log into the site with your Nintendo Switch Online account. Yes, you need one of those to kick off this process, and what's more is that it needs to have had a paid membership to the service for at least 12 months in order to be eligible for a preorder. You also need a minimum of 50 gameplay hours tied to your account. This is admittedly a creative way to deal with scalpers, but it also means you need to be a somewhat serious Switch user to get through this process.
Anyway, once you're logged in, you pick which Switch 2 model you want (console or Mario Kart bundle) and click the "Register Interest" button. At that point, you've done all you can do. Starting on May 8, Nintendo will start sending out emails to eligible customers on a first-come, first-served basis. These emails are non-transferable and are limited to one console purchase per Nintendo account, and they expire after 72 hours.
One small sliver of light in all of this is that Nintendo isn't limiting this to just one wave of invite emails on May 8. Additional batches of invites will go out over time, so if you don't get an email on the 8th, you might still get one later. This could be a very solid backup option for anyone trying to get a Switch 2 on April 24. If you can't secure one then, at least you'll have this in your back pocket as a potential opportunity to get one a couple weeks later.
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