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This $25 Apple-friendly charging station can power three devices at once

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Charge three devices at once with this $25 charging station.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aduro PowerUp Trinity 3-in-1 Charging Station $24.99
$49.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

Carrying more than one smart device is convenient. Carrying more than one charger is not. If you regularly carry a smartphone, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds, it's worth it to invest in a charger that can power all three at the same time. The PowerUp Trinity is a 3-in-1 Charging Station with wireless charging pads for smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds, and it's on sale for $24.99 (reg. $49). 

Charge three devices at once

Instead of untangling a handful of cords every time your battery runs low, you can just unfold this charger and set your devices down. The non-slip surface keeps your phone in place while it charges, and your AirPods lock into position magnetically. The Apple Watch stand is adjustable so you can angle it however you like, whether you're charging overnight or keeping an eye on notifications during the day.

The PowerUp Trinity uses Qi wireless charging and is compatible with all iPhones from the 12 series onward. It also supports all AirPods with wireless charging cases and every Apple Watch generation. It's a true all-in-one option designed for people who want fewer cables and more simplicity.

Its compact size and foldable design make it a solid choice for travel. You can toss it in a bag or keep it on your desk without adding clutter. It even comes with an 18W high-speed USB charger and a USB-C cable, so you’re ready to go right out of the box.

Get a PowerUp Trinity 3-in-1 Charging Station while they're just $24.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Save $90 on like-new Apple AirPods Pro 2

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get refurbished AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe USB-C Charging Case for only $159.99 (reg. $249) while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe USB-C Charging Case $159.99
$249 Save $89.01 Get Deal

When it comes to wireless earbuds, Apple’s AirPods continue to raise the bar with immersive sound, smart features, and a snug, lightweight fit. Take the AirPods Pro 2, for instance — they offer two times more active noise cancellation and two times more listening time than the originals.

Right now, you can secure your own pair of refurbished AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe USB-C Charging Case for a fraction of the usual price, just $159.99 (reg. $249), while supplies last. 

Tune out the world with these powerful earbuds

Let a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 help you tune out and tune into your favorite playlists. These beloved Apple earbuds come equipped with advanced Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Transparency, so you can stay aware of your surroundings while avoiding sudden harsh noises. 

An updated H2 chip provides richer, robust sound, while the Personalized Spatial Audio feature tailors your listening experience. It’s like 3D audio — sound surrounds you and adjusts as you move your head.

These AirPods include a MagSafe USB-C charging case, which not only offers battery on the go but secure storage and easy tracking for your earbuds. 

Speaking of charging, you'll get up to six hours of listening time on a single charge, and up to 30 with the case. They're also sweat- and water-resistant, so they're built to keep up with sweaty gym sessions or rainy-day runs.

Wondering why the price is so low? These AirPods Pro 2 are grade A refurbished, which means they'll arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition (while you still enjoy the discount). 

Get a pair of AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe USB-C Charging Case for only $159.99 (reg. $249) while supplies last. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Intense drone footage shows desert landing of Blue Origin rocket

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 05:00

The future of rocketry is here.

Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, recently blasted a crew of space tourists on a 10-minute suborbital flight, reaching nearly 66 miles above Earth's surface. Blue Origin's big-windowed crew capsule parachuted down to the West Texas desert on April 14, while the separated reusable rocket booster's engine refired to slow to some six mph for a soft touchdown on the pad.

The company's CEO, Dave Limp, posted high-resolution drone footage of the booster falling through the atmosphere while blasting its powerful BE-3PM engine, which runs on liquid oxygen and hydrogen.

"That never gets old! A new perspective of the booster landing," Limp posted on X.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

At about 10 seconds into the video, you can see the booster kick up desert dust as it corrects its trajectory just above the surface and moves to the center of the launchpad, which is painted with Blue Origin's feather logo. ("The feather represents our relentless pursuit of the perfection of flight and the promise of a graceful and safe return to planet Earth, just like a feather's gentle descent through our precious atmosphere," the company explains.)

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. A view of Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket booster landing on April 14, 2025. Credit: Blue Origin

Before landing, the booster launched the crew capsule holding Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos' fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, and four other passengers on the short all-female trip above the 62-mile Kármán line, the boundary many (but not all) use to define the line between Earth's atmosphere and space.

New Shepard, a successful high-altitude tourism endeavor for the very few who can afford such an adventure (the deposit alone costs $150,000 USD), isn't Blue Origin's only rocketry endeavor. In January, the company succeeded in the maiden launch of its 320-foot-tall New Glenn rocket, named for legendary U.S. astronaut John Glenn, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It's powered by seven engines, not one, and will compete with the heavy-lift rockets of SpaceX, a company that has come to dominate the rocket industry.

Finding a therapist can be hard. Ghost networks make the problem worse.

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 05:00

Earlier this month, Dr. Kathryn Ambeau logged onto LinkedIn to alert fellow psychologists to a shocking discovery she made about her personal information online that might also affect her colleagues. 

An emotional support platform known as 7 Cups had created and posted a profile of her to its website without her consent, as if she might be available to provide therapy to the company's users.

The profile, which used her maiden name Lawing, presented details about her therapeutic approach and expertise below a button that read "send message." But Ambeau had no relationship with 7 Cups and, in fact, had never heard of the company.

While 7 Cups maintains that its directory is vital to helping people search for mental health care, Ambeau, other therapists, and mental health experts say they believe it misleads consumers and falsely affiliates providers with the company.

Ambeau provided Mashable with a copy of the unauthorized profile and an outdated profile she'd paid to post years ago on a reputable online directory hosted by the industry publication Psychology Today. The 7 Cups profile used language that repeated or was remarkably similar to her Psychology Today listing. 

Screenshot of the unauthorized profile 7 Cups posted for Dr. Kathryn Ambeau (née Lawing). Credit: Courtesy Dr. Kathryn Ambeau

"This deceptive practice not only misrepresents me as being affiliated with their service (which I am not), but also violates consumer trust, misleads clients seeking care, and infringes upon my professional reputation and intellectual property," Ambeau wrote of 7 Cups' directory. Her post has garnered nearly 150 comments and 400-plus reactions. 

It also prompted a surprising back-and-forth on LinkedIn between 7 Cups and therapists calling out the company for its tactics. 

In a series of public posts and comments that appeared on LinkedIn last week, 7 Cups defended its directory, declined to proactively remove provider profiles that were posted without permission, and admitted that it doesn't have accurate contact information for all listed therapists. 

SEE ALSO: Emotional support platform 7 Cups beset by trolls

According to public and private complaints from therapists who've attempted to test their own unauthorized profiles, 7 Cups also appears to subsequently direct prospective therapy clients to its own "active listening" services. This offering is not staffed by licensed mental health professionals but rather platform volunteers. 

The company's CEO, Glen Moriarty, declined to comment about the matter to Mashable and did not respond to specific questions about how and when the directory was created. 

In a LinkedIn post addressing the controversy, 7 Cups argued that its "local support" resource guide, which includes area therapists as well as support organizations like food pantries and shelters, "cost us quite a bit to build." 

"The therapists that are frustrated want us to delete all therapists," 7 Cups wrote of the complaints it had received over the directory. "We disagree because we think we should be able to have therapists in the local support section."

The public debate between providers and 7 Cups may seem like a contretemps to outsiders, but experts say it's an egregious example of a much broader problem in mental health: the so-called ghost network. 

"It's a big barrier for people to get the help they need." - Laura W. Groshong, Clinical Social Work Association

Such online directories, often created by insurers, contain outdated listings of mental health providers who typically no longer accept insurance, or don't even practice anymore. 

But consumers don't know that. Instead, they go from listing to listing, emailing or calling therapists who seem like a good match, only to cross them off the list — if they ever hear back from the provider at all. 

"It's a big barrier for people to get the help they need," says Laura W. Groshong, director of policy and practice for the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA). It's common, she adds, for people to "give up" after they encounter a ghost network. 

The problem with ghost networks

Insurers typically compile listings as a service to plan members. In order to participate, providers must opt-in.  

But if insurers don't regularly update their listings to remove providers who've since stopped accepting new patients or insurance, or who no longer practice, or prompt providers to change their availability, a ghost network of dead-end listings takes shape.

A 2024 survey of therapists conducted by the American Psychological Association found that 53 percent of respondents didn't have openings for new patients and a third didn't accept insurance. 

The problem of ghost networks drew renewed Congressional attention in early 2023 when three U.S. senators challenged major insurers, including United Healthcare and Aetna, to explain how they were addressing ghost networks, as required by federal law. 

Mental health providers may also choose to belong to publicly available directories for a fee. Therapists, for example, frequently submit their profile to Psychology Today, and those listings often show up high in online search results. 

In general, Groshong says that most provider registries require some kind of state oversight to ensure that professionals are indeed licensed. 

"Our licenses are valuable," Groshong, who is a licensed independent clinical social worker, says. "If a company can claim that they have some connection to us, then that gives them a kind of validity, but it is without our permission."

'Incredibly deceptive' tactics

What makes 7 Cups' directory unusual is that a number of therapists listed never consented to their inclusion. Some believe their profile was built with repurposed content from their Psychology Today listing. 

One estimate produced on LinkedIn by a software engineer working in the digital mental health space found more than 130,000 therapists' names in 7 Cups' directory. Only 67 of those appeared to have a "verified" listing by 7 Cups. 

The company allows listees to "claim" their profile for a $30 monthly fee, in order to obtain referrals from potential clients, an offer that Ambeau says felt like "extortion." While 7 Cups invites therapists to officially join the platform via a single button, it requires therapists who want their information removed to go through a multi-step process. 

Under each therapist's name, 7 Cups has placed a "send message" button. Groshong says this presentation gives consumers the impression that they'll be contacting the therapist listed. 

Yet in a recent comment posted by 7 Cups on LinkedIn, in response to mental health providers angry about the directory, the company admits that it does not have verified contact information for each therapist. Instead, it uses a "service" to find the provider's email in order to send them referrals. 

In tougher cases, 7 Cups says there are ways of "triangulating the data" to confirm someone's identity. 7 Cups didn't elaborate on what kind of data it uses to verify contact information for an individual it believes to be a therapist listed in its directory. 

If the company can't successfully match an email to a potential provider, it will send a test message to the email address it's obtained, with the hope of receiving an affirmative response. That strategy raised concerns amongst therapists on LinkedIn that such outreach could violate a prospective client's privacy. If all else fails, 7 Cups says it informs the prospective client that it can't find the therapist. 

Each profile does include a disclaimer well below the "send message" button noting that the therapist is not employed by the company.

"Only therapists that have claimed their listing with 7 Cups can be contacted directly through the platform," the disclaimer reads. "All other therapists are listed as a resource for visitors." This seems to contradict 7 Cups' public comments that it attempts to send referrals to therapists who haven't claimed their profile. 

Groshong says the listings operate as a bait-and-switch, and that some of 7 Cups' actions may run afoul of federal law. 

Groshong has heard from CSWA members who've tested their own unauthorized profile to see what 7 Cups sends in response. Those individuals received an acknowledgment of their inquiry but were prompted to pay for one of 7 Cups' tiered premium memberships. That fee includes upgraded features on the company's free emotional support platform. 

They were also told that while they waited for a response from the mental health provider, they could try chatting instead with a "listener." These individuals, whose identities aren't vetted, are not credentialed mental health professionals. 

Last year, Mashable's extensive investigative reporting on 7 Cups found serious issues with predatory, abusive, and trolling behavior within its community of listeners and members. 

"It takes less than 2 minutes to connect with someone who can help," read the prompt about 7 Cups' listeners, sent to a therapist who tested their profile. 

So far, a handful of testers who've brought their cases to CSWA or posted publicly on LinkedIn say they have not received the referrals 7 Cups claims it would send. 

The company replied to a related thread on LinkedIn explaining that the influx of removal requests from therapists upset about their profiles delayed its ability to forward referrals. 

Groshong calls 7 Cups' directory tactics "incredibly deceptive." She believes that consumers will assume that the therapists listed are freely associated with 7 Cups, and part of the company's network of providers.

Then they're directed toward "listeners" who don't have licenses to practice mental health treatment, which Groshong worries may be deeply confusing — and potentially harmful — to consumers. 

Therapists, who feel their reputation and business are at stake, may also pay a steep price as a result of being included in 7 Cups' directory, Groshong says. 

A failed model 

Despite pressure on insurers to prevent their directories from becoming ghost networks, at least one other private company besides 7 Cups has used publicly available mental health provider data and created a directory with it. 

In 2022, the online therapy company CareDash created unauthorized profiles using information from a government-maintained national database of licensed providers. When consumers looking for a therapist clicked on "check availability" for a specific provider, they received a message that the provider "has not provided a way to schedule online through CareDash." 

They were then redirected to different providers, including some practicing on BetterHelp.com, which apparently paid a commission to CareDash for referrals. Upon discovering CareDash's use of their name and information, affected licensed mental health providers raised alarms about the business practice.

In 2022, the American Psychological Association (APA) sent a cease and desist letter to CareDash as a result of member complaints. CareDash subsequently shuttered its website and discontinued its business. The APA argued that CareDash's directory constituted false endorsement and false advertising, in violation of federal law. 

Dr. Marnie Shanbhag, senior director for the APA's office of independent practice, told Mashable that directories created without providers' consent and participation mislead consumers.  

"There's a perception of availability and depth that is not backed up by reality." - Dr. Marnie Shanbhag, American Psychological Association

"There's a perception of availability and depth that is not backed up by reality," Shanbhag says. 

While she declined to comment specifically on 7 Cups' directory, she agreed that advertising emotional or peer listening services to someone who made an inquiry for professional therapy might give consumers the false impression that those things are "equivalent." 

In general, Shanbhag says she hopes companies in the digital mental health space that want to create directories would act ethically, with sensitivity, and "most especially" with providers' consent in order to serve consumers well. 

"You're talking about the mental health of people, and you're talking about incredibly vulnerable people," she says. 

Getting off 7 Cups' directory

Mashable interviewed three therapists who successfully removed their profiles from 7 Cups after appealing to the company. They also contacted state and federal regulators. None of them had ever received a referral from 7 Cups. 

Sarah Meharg, a licensed clinical social worker based in Washington, D.C., believes 7 Cups used her Psychology Today listing to create its own profile. 

She not only contacted 7 Cups directly but also filed a complaint to the Office of the D.C. Attorney General in November 2024, which resulted in her profile's removal from the website. In 2022, she similarly petitioned CareDash to remove the profile they created of her.

Another provider, Lisa Taylor-Austin, says she submitted a removal request to 7 Cups in November 2024, then followed up with a cease-and-desist letter after it remained online. In addition, she reported the company to the Federal Trade Commission and the attorney general's office in Connecticut where she practices. In late March, she published a YouTube video warning prospective clients about the directory, which has since been viewed more than 8,000 times. 

Kathryn Ambeau says it took nearly 72 hours for 7 Cups to remove her profile. She also reported the company to state and federal officials. 

Ambeau says she was incensed to discover that she'd unwillingly become a part of a ghost network that may have deceived consumers into believing she was available to treat them. 

"It's grossly unethical," she says. 

The CSWA has provided guidance to members who want their profiles taken down. Groshong says the organization also plans to send a letter to 7 Cups' legal representatives demanding that the company cease using their members' information without permission.

Groshong says ideally, 7 Cups will make clear to consumers the difference between its own listeners and licensed mental health professionals and not refer prospective clients to providers they didn't intend to contact, or to the platform's own services. 

"What [7 Cups] should be doing is sending a letter to anyone that they want to include in their system and give them a chance to say yes or no," Groshong says. "If they say no, then just don't use their name."

While those looking for a therapist may find countless listings via an online search, trust in the results is key, as the debate over 7 Cups' directory demonstrates. 

An insurance directory of covered therapists can certainly be helpful when it's well-maintained. The APA also suggests those searching for a licensed mental health provider request a referral from a primary care doctor or ask someone they trust, like friends or family members, for a recommendation. 

Does Sinners have an end credits scene?

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 05:00

Sinners, the latest team-up from director Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, delivers vampiric thrills aplenty. But does the fun end when the credits start to roll?

SEE ALSO: 'Sinners' review: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan deliver a vampire movie for the ages

Thanks to the MCU and other big-ticket action franchises, mid-credit and end-credit scenes have become a tradition in most major releases, helping promote upcoming films and characters. Coogler himself is no stranger to end-credits scenes, as they featured in both Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

While Sinners' satisfying ending doesn't seem to tee up a sequel, that doesn't stop Coogler from taking a page from his stint in the MCU and adding both a mid- and end-credits scene to his latest film. No spoilers here, but trust me: They're worth waiting around for.

The mid-credits scene is far more than just an MCU-style tease, acting as a larger bookend to the film and answering any big questions that may linger following Sinners' bloody climax.

Meanwhile, the end-credits scene functions as a more traditional button for the movie. So be sure to stick around, appreciate the hundreds of artists who worked on Sinners, and take in every last drop of the film.

Sinners is now in theaters.

Whats new to streaming this week? (April 18, 2025)

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 05:00

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for something heart-wrenching, sexy, unnerving, or hilarious, we've got something just for you.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

9. Wolf Man (2025)

If you watch only one movie this week, make it anything but Wolf Man. Following the success of 2020's The Invisible Man, writer/director Leigh Whannell took a crack at reinvigorating another Universal Monster movie — in this case, the 1941 classic starring Lon Chaney — but failed miserably.

Forget everything you think you know about werewolves, because this tragedy-steeped mess of a movie is using lycanthropy as a metaphor for chronic illness. In my review for the film's theatrical release, I jeered, "Whannell's Wolf Man is a maudlin mess, which heaps on grief and grisliness without balancing it with character... Compared to The Invisible Man, it's a serious misstep for Whannell. Compared to The Mummy, well, that might have been a wreck of a movie, but at least it was occasionally fun. " — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Sam Jaeger

How to watch: Wolf Man begins streaming on Peacock on April 18.

8. #1 Happy Family USA

Ramy Youssef (co-creator of Ramy and Mo) jumps into the world of adult animated series with #1 Happy Family USA, a dark satirical look at a Muslim American family living in post-9/11 New Jersey.

On top of creating and executive producing the show, Youssef also voices two members of the Hussein family: youngest son Rumi, whose closest friend is a talking lamb, and patriarch Hussein, who is determined to make sure his family fits in with the rest of America. Cue attempts at assimilation, code-switching, and American patriotism, all heightened with crass animated absurdity. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Alia Shawkat, Salma Hindy, Randa Jarrar, Azhar Usman, Chris Redd, Akaash Singh, Whitmer Thomas, and Mandy Moore

How to watch: #1 Happy Family USA is now streaming on Prime Video.

7. Ransom Canyon

American Primeval isn't the only Western hitting Netflix this year. Joining it is Ransom Canyon, a Western romance based on the book series of the same name by Jodi Thomas.

Josh Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, a longtime rancher in the Texas town of Ransom Canyon. As Staten grieves the loss of his family and fends off greedy pipeline surveyors, he finds comfort in his late wife's best friend, Quinn O'Grady (Minka Kelly). But can their love bloom in a town full of secrets and mysterious cowboys?

Melodrama and cliché abound here, but if you like sprawling Westerns in the vein of Yellowstone, chances are you'll want to stay in Ransom Canyon. B.E.

Starring: Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, Lizzy Greene, James Brolin, and Eoin Macken

How to watch: Ransom Canyon is now streaming on Netflix.

6.  Eephus

If you like your comedy offbeat, you'll find a real winner in Eephus.

Set in a small Massachusetts town in the '90s, this sports comedy focuses on the last game played on a ratty old field before construction crews come to turn it into a new school. This means the middle-aged men facing off have one last chance to revel in the game. It does not mean they'll do it with grace. Their shenanigans are full of cursing, relatable irritation, and slyly hilarious highs and lows. Basically, if you like a dad movie with a little bit of spice, Eephus has got that pepper. — K.P.

Starring: Keith William Richards, Frederick Wiseman, Cliff Blake, Ray Hryb, and Bill "Spaceman" Lee

How to watch: Eephus is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

5. ​​Government Cheese

Craving something intriguing? Check out the premiere of Government Cheese.

In this surreal dramedy from creators Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, David Oyelowo stars as Hampton Chambers, a burglar-turned-inventor who's fresh out of prison and eager to make a fortune with his self-sharpening power drill, the "Bit Magician." Now if only he can get his family, friends, or any backers to understand his vision.

Set in 1969 Los Angeles, Government Cheese explores a pivotal moment in U.S. history through the distorted lens of the American Dream. In the mix of this curious series are Hampton's no-nonsense wife, quirky cohorts, violent gangsters, and moments of divine intervention. Where's it going to go? The only way to know is to watch. — K.P.

Starring: David Oyelowo, Simone Missick, Bokeem Woodbine, Adam Beach, and Sunita Mani

How to watch: Government Cheese premiered on Apple TV+ on April 16, with new episodes weekly.

4. I Am Love

Luca Guadagnino has awed critics with his passionate and even feral tales of love in films like Call My By Your Name, Queer, and Bones and All. This treasure from 2009 is less wild and more rapturous.

In picturesque Italian setting, I Am Love stars Tilda Swinton as a devoted wife and mother whose life is thrown into a thrilling spin once she meets a talented (and hot) young chef. For much of her adult life, Emma (Swinton) has absorbed the culture of Milan to be the appropriate wife to her rich Italian husband. But as the power dynamics of the industrial family changes, she finds a taste for something sublime and scandalous. Their love affair is gorgeously captured and bolstered by meals that look so delicious that you'll be left drooling. — K.P.

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Alba Rohrwacher, Pippo Delbono, Maria Paiato, Diane Fleri, Waris Ahluwalia, Marisa Berenson, and Gabriele Ferzetti

How to watch: I am Love is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

3. The Order

Want a harrowing tale of true crime? Australian director Justin Kurzel, who previously helmed such heralded base-on-real-events dramas as Snowtown and True History of the Kelly Gang, turns his eye to the United State's darker corners for The Order.

Adapted from the non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood: The Chilling Inside Story of America's Violent, Anti-Government Militia Movement by Gary Gerhardt and Kevin Flynn, this film follows an FBI agent (Jude Law) who is investigating a domestic terrorist group run by a devoted white supremacist (Nicholas Hoult). The result is a gripping drama, rich with tense sequences, shocking revelations, and riveting performances. And more than that, it's a satisfying action movie.

As Siddhant Adlakha wrote in his review out of the Venice International Film Festival last year, "That it's an action movie in the body of something more 'prestigious' or important ought to feel insulting, but really, it's been the key to Kurzel's necessary transformation all along." — K.P.

Starring: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver, and Marc Maron

How to watch: The Order begins streaming on Hulu April 18.

2. The Room Next Door

Seeking a place to feel your pain? Try The Room Next Door. Visionary writer/director Pedro Almodóvar makes his English-language feature debut with this drama, based on Sigrid Nunez's 2020 novel What Are You Going Through. Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore star as war reporter Martha and novelist Ingrid, two friends who've lost touch over the years but reconnect as Martha grapples grappling with a terminal diagnosis. Together, they rehash the past and look to a future that for Martha means death, either by slow deterioration or — if she has her way — euthanasia. So she asks Ingrid to be her companion in her final days, renting a charming but remote cabin for them to talk, read, sunbathe, and eat in.

A sad tale is given glorious depth through Almodóvar's direction and the nuanced performances of his magnificent leading ladies. It's a gorgeous and moving film that invites audiences in with an intimate understanding of grief, love, and friendship. In my review out of the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, I cheered, "The Room Next Door quietly urges its audience to embrace the now, for it is all that's certain beyond an end." — K.P.

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, and Alessandro Nivola

How to watch: The Room Next Door begins streaming on Netflix on April 19.

1. Companion

Want some twisted, genre-bending fun? Then you'll fall hard for Companion. Written and directed by Drew Hancock, this tale of bad romance begins with a seemingly picture-perfect couple, Iris (Yellowjackets and Heretic's Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Star Trek: Lower Decks and Novocaine's Jack Quaid). But the harrowing truth of their relationship is unearthed during a weekend getaway at a remote mountain cabin. There, a misread signal leads to bloodshed, and before long all hell breaks loose.

SEE ALSO: 'Companion' review: Love hurts in this savage and silly thriller

The trailers for the film gleefully gave away how romantic comedy tropes like meet-cutes collide with slasher thrills and sci-fi shenanigans. But even if you know what's really going on between Josh and Iris before going in, it's still fun to see where Hancock's wild story goes next. And hey, keep an ear out for a '90s pop classic that's a clever Easter egg. K.P.

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend

How to watch: Companion begins streaming on Max on April 18.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djere online for free

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 04:56

TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djere in the 2025 Barcelona Open for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Barcelona Open has attracted some of the very best players in the world, but Carlos Alcaraz is the biggest name in the lineup. The talented young star takes on Laslo Djere is the next round, looking to advance to the quarter-final stage.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Djere in the 2025 Barcelona Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djere for free

The 2025 Barcelona Open is available to live stream for free on RTVE, including Alcaraz vs. Djere.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 Barcelona Open by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Spain

  4. Visit RTVE

  5. Watch the 2025 Barcelona Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Alcaraz vs. Djere without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Barcelona Open (plus the upcoming Madrid Open) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Spain

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djere in the 2025 Barcelona Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Save 10% on the Apple Pencil Pro for a limited time

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 04:21

SAVE $13: As of April 17, the Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $116 at Amazon. That's a 10% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $116 at Amazon
$129 Save $13 Get Deal

The Apple Pencil Pro, the latest in Apple's range of stylus pens, is back on sale at Amazon. As of April 17, you can save 10% and purchase the Pro for $116.

Released in 2024, this new and improved pencil features an impressive list of upgrades and new features that previous models don't offer. These more advanced controls include gestures and haptics. By just rotating the pencil, you can change the brush or pen tool settings mid-drawing. The squeeze interaction is also new and allows users to change modes or activate tools simply by squeezing the pencil.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your iPad with this impressive Apple Magic Keyboard deal

The haptic feedback mimics the feeling of writing or drawing on real paper, delivering subtle vibrations to match the activity being performed on the iPad.

Similar to the Apple Pencil 2, the Pro can be charged wirelessly by magnetically attaching to the side of compatible iPads. According to Apple, the Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2), and iPad mini (A17 Pro).

It's compatible with the Find My locator, too. So if you misplace it, just use the app to track its location.

Find this deal at Amazon now.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for April 17, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 04:16

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 17, 2025:

AcrossPerson, ___ or thing
  • The answer is Place.

Like someone you shouldn't trust with fragile objects
  • The answer is Klutzy.

A time to dye?
  • The answer is Easter.

Dangle a carrot in front of
  • The answer is Entice.

Class for a cognitive science major, for short
  • The answer is Psych.

DownActivities on the docket
  • The answer is Plans.

Full of sexual desire
  • The answer is Lusty.

Commonly cobwebby room
  • The answer is Attic.

From Prague, say
  • The answer is Czech.

Jane in classic literature
  • The answer is Eyre.

Not get rid of
  • The answer is Keep.

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.

Upgrade your iPad with this impressive Apple Magic Keyboard deal

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 04:13

SAVE $20: As of April 17, the Apple Magic Keyboard is on sale for $329 at Amazon. That's 6% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard $329 at Amazon
$349 Save $20 Get Deal

iPad accessories such as the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard are a great way to elevate your device, taking things from play to work in no time. And right now at Amazon, you can get a great deal on Apple accessories, including on the Apple Magic Keyboard.

As of April 17, you can pick up the Magic Keyboard for $329, saving you $20 on list price. This deal is currently only available in black and is compatible with the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation).

SEE ALSO: Whatever Trump decides on tariffs, Apple and Tim Cook lose

The Magic Keyboard is a great way to transform your iPad. It’s super easy to use — no charging or pairing needed — just snap it on and start typing. It features backlit keys for comfy, quiet typing, a built-in trackpad for gestures and precision, and even a USB-C port for charging. It can also be purchased in different languages, including Arabic, British English, Chinese (Pinyin), Chinese (Zhuyin), Danish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swiss, Ukrainian, and U.S. English.

Head to Amazon to grab this deal.

Save $20 on this budget-friendly massage gun

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 04:09

SAVE $20: As of April 17, the TOLOCO Massage Gun is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TOLOCO TOLOCO Massage Gun $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20 Get Deal

Post-workout pain can be a nightmare. And no matter how much you will it away, the only way to get through it is by stretching and resting. And, if you can be bothered, massaging your sore muscles.

This is where the TOLOCO Massage Gun comes in. A blessing and a curse, massage guns can be used to stimulate blood circulation in your muscles with the use of deep tissue massage. If you've used one before, you'll know just how equally relaxing and painful they can be.

SEE ALSO: The best massage guns in 2025

As of April 17, you can treat yourself to the TOLOCO Massage Gun at Amazon for just $39.99. This model provides fast relief from aches, stiffness, and tension with 10 changeable heads and low, medium, and high speed options.

Using a massage gun offers a whole host of benefits for physical recovery and overall wellness. It helps alleviate muscle soreness and stiffness by promoting blood circulation and reducing lactic acid buildup. After a tough workout, using a muscle gun can speed up your recovery.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

Streamline your workday with all the AI tools you need for just £61

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 01:00

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 1min.AI's Advanced Business Plan, which offers a collection of almost all the major AI models for only £60.41 (reg. £407.89).

Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription £60.41
£407.89 Save £347.48 Get Deal

There's been talk about AI taking people's jobs, and we're here to say you should let it — at least when it comes to time-consuming or tedious tasks. Rather than use your time writing rejection emails or proofreading sales reports, AI could do it for you. All you need to have AI become your new favourite colleague is to grab this 1min.AI subscription for £60.41 (reg. £407.89).

  • Lifetime access to GPT, Gemini, Llama, Midjourney, and more AI models with a one-time payment.

  • User-friendly interface: This makes it easy to dive in and start creating, whether you're familiar with or new to AI tools.

  • PDF manipulation tools: Edit, merge, or split PDFs with ease — perfect for organising documents.

  • Content generation: Speed up your workflow with AI tools for writing, designing, presentation creation, etc. 

  • Use one of the AI models to join virtual meetings, code, or even edit videos.

  • No need to bounce between multiple AI models ever again since all of them are neatly organised in 1min.AI.

  • With the credits you get with this 1min.AI plan, you can use them to generate AI content. The Advanced Business Plan lets you generate 1.1 million words or 1,100 images every month, and your credits renew monthly.

Offload your least favourite (or time-consuming) day-to-day tasks to AI with this 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription, now just £60.41 (reg. £407.89) through April 30.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

How to watch the 2025 Barcelona Open online for free

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Barcelona Open for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The clay court season in professional tennis is officially underway. It's a special time of year for tennis fans, with a number of significant tournaments taking place between April and June.

The Barcelona Open is one of the most popular tournaments taking place over this period, attracting some of the biggest names in the game. Want to see the likes of Alcaraz and Ruud battle it out on clay? The Barcelona Open is for you.

If you want to watch the 2025 Barcelona Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Barcelona Open?

The Barcelona Open is an annual professional tennis tournament on the ATP Tour. It is played at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on outdoor clay courts.

Casper Ruud is the defending champion.

When is the 2025 Barcelona Open?

The 2025 Barcelona Open is the 72nd edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from April 14-20.

How to watch the 2025 Barcelona Open for free

Select games from the 2025 Barcelona Open are available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 Barcelona Open by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Spain

  4. Visit RTVE

  5. Watch the 2025 Barcelona Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 Barcelona Open before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Spain

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2025 Barcelona Open for free with ExpressVPN.

68 of the best Harvard University courses you can take online for free

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from Harvard University are available to take for free on edX.

Looking for online courses from some of the top educational institutions in the world? You should stop what you're doing and check out the impressive selection on edX, because you can find free online courses from the likes of Harvard University. It doesn't get much better than that.

You can find online courses from Harvard University on popular topics like AI, cybersecurity, game development, personal development, law, and so much more. This is your chance to pursue your passion without spending anything or stepping foot outside.

We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a standout selection of online courses to get you started. These are the best free online courses from Harvard University this month:

The catch with these free courses is that they don't include certificate of completion or graded assignments and exams. But you can still enroll at any time and start learning at your own pace.

Find the best free online courses from Harvard University with edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Harvard University Harvard University Courses Free at edX Learn More

How to unblock xHamster for free

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

A lot of locations around the world restrict your access to popular porn sites like xHamster. These restrictions make sense, but we do think there is something to be said for retaining your right to online freedom. When the time is right, there is nothing wrong with accessing your favorite adult sites like xHamster.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs are useful security tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's actually really simple.

Unblock xHamster by following these steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to xHamster

  4. Unblock xHamster

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-year subscription + 4 months free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

If you want to retain permanent access to free pornj sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Virginia

Mashable - Thu, 04/17/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Virginia with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The big news in the world of porn is that more than a third of U.S. states have introduced restrictions for online adult content, including Virginia. Millions of users in Virginia are now unable to access popular sites like Pornhub after the introduction of age verification laws. There are complicated reasons for this restriction that we're not going to get into right now, but what's important to note is that there is a workaround for users in these impacted states.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Virginia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Virginia

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

  4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Pornhub for free in Virginia with ExpressVPN.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 17

Mashable - Wed, 04/16/2025 - 22:00

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Going for gold in the winter

  • Green: Teams in racing league

  • Blue: Legendary in Pennsylvania

  • Purple: Share a number

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

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

  • Yellow: Winter Olympic sports

  • Green: F1 racing teams

  • Blue: Pittsburgh sports greats

  • Purple: Famous No. 8s

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 #206 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • Winter Olympic sports - BIATHLON, ICE HOCKEY, LUGE, SKELETON

  • F1 racing teams - ALPINE, FERRARI, MERCEDES, RED BULL

  • Pittsburgh sports greats - BRADSHAW, CLEMENTE, CROSBY, GREENE

  • Famous No.8s - BERRA, EARNHARDT JR., JACKSON, OVECHKIN

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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 17

Mashable - Wed, 04/16/2025 - 22:00

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 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 17 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: THE movies

The words are seen in theaters.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are movie titles that start with The.

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 Titles.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 17
  • Godfather

  • Ring

  • Graduate

  • Goonies

  • Aviator

  • Shining

  • Titles

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.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 17, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 04/16/2025 - 22:00

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 17 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: Mid-section

  • Green: Parts of a deep dish

  • Blue: Packaging for alcoholic drinks

  • Purple: MLB legends

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: Central section of the body

  • Green: Components of a pizza

  • Blue: Units of beer

  • Purple: Baseball greats

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 #676 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Central section of the body: CORE, MIDRIFF, TORSO, TRUNK

  • Components of a pizza: CHEESE, CRUST, SAUCE, TOPPINGS

  • Units of beer: CASE, FORTY, GROWLER, SIX-PACK

  • Baseball greats: BONDS, MANTLE, TROUT, YOUNG

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 17

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 17, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 04/16/2025 - 22:00

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 17 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 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Erected.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

STOOD.

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 17

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.

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