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TL;DR: Go on an adventure with a pair of Night Vision Binoculars on sale for $119.99 (Reg. $297) through June 1. 

The right tools can turn a regular camping trip into a full excursion into the wild. Regular binoculars are fun, but they aren't much use when the sun sets. If you want to keep the adventure going, check out these Double Barrel Night Vision Binoculars. 

They can see in total darkness, record your view on video, and magnify your vision. They're also on sale for $104.97 (reg. $297), but we're already running out of stock. 

Night vision for camping, fishing, and more

Upgrade your nighttime viewing with the Double Barrel Digital Night Vision Binoculars, designed to deliver clear, long-range visibility even in total darkness. These high-performance night vision binoculars use a powerful 3W infrared LED to illuminate objects up to 300 meters away, giving you reliable clarity during evening hikes, wildlife observation, surveillance, or security tasks. The built-in TFT widescreen display offers a sharp, customizable viewing experience, letting you adjust the focus to get the clearest and most detailed image possible.

Whether you're spotting nocturnal animals or navigating dark terrain, the 4x zoom function brings faraway subjects into crisp view. These binoculars also go beyond passive viewing by allowing you to document everything you see. You can take high-resolution photos and record videos with ease, making it an ideal choice for capturing night scenes or evidence. The included 32GB TF card gives you plenty of space to store your footage, and transferring data is quick and easy using the built-in micro USB connection.

Built for durability and convenience, the Double Barrel Digital Night Vision Binoculars come with an IP56 waterproof rating, which means they’re ready to handle rain, moisture, and rugged conditions. The lightweight, ergonomic design makes them comfortable to use for extended periods, and an automatic shutdown feature helps preserve battery life during long nights in the field.

June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a pair of Double Barrel Night Vision Binoculars on sale for $119.

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay Double Barrel 720p Digital Night Vision Binoculars $119.97
$297.99 Save $178.02 Get Deal

SAVE $30: As of April 29, the Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer is $69 with an on-site coupon. That's a 30% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: dreame Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30 Get Deal

While many haircare products can cost hundreds of dollars, that doesn't mean all of us want to (or can afford to) spend that amount of money on a styling device. Sometimes a good old dupe can be just as impressive as the real deal, so we like to keep an eye out for dupe deals so you can still have incredible hair, without breaking the bank.

Earlier this year we ranked our favorite dupe hairdryers, and the Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer came out as the best under $100. And as of April 29, Amazon has a $30 off coupon that takes this great device down to just $69.99.

SEE ALSO: This Dyson AirWrap dupe is $100 off thanks to this coupon code

This is a great, lightweight device, very important if you have thick, long hair (say goodbye to arm fatigue for the long blow-dry times). It also has a strong airflow, designed to get your hair dry in no time. And despite this, it’s surprisingly quiet.

It also has built-in tech to control the temperature so you’re not damaging your hair, and it releases negative ions to help keep things smooth and less frizzy. There are a few heat settings too, so you can switch things up depending on how you want to style your hair that day.

To get this discount, head to Amazon and click the orange coupon box below the list price. Head to the checkout to see your discount applied.

SAVE $100: As of April 29, the Dreame AirStyle Pro is on sale for $299.99 with the on-site coupon. That's a 25% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: dreame Dreame AirStyle Pro $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Like most people, we're big fans of the Dyson Airwrap. How couldn't we be? There's a very real reason this hair styling device has taken the world by storm. But not everyone will be willing or able to drop that amount of money on a hairdryer. This is where dupes come in.

Dupes are one of the finer things in life, and with Dyson, you can guarantee they are a lot of options. And the Dreame AirStyle Pro is one of our favorites, and it happens to be on sale at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: I tried 6 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are actually worth the hype

As of April 29, you can take $100 off the list price with an on-site coupon. This makes the sale price $299, whereas a Dyson costs something like $599.

So why is this dupe so good? Well, it comes with seven magnetic attachments, so you can switch between straightening, curling, or adding volume without needing a bunch of separate devices. The motor is fast too, boasting 110,000 RPM, so it gets the job done quickly. It’s also made to feel nice in your hand, with a textured handle that’s both soft and secure, and the overall design is meant to be sleek and comfortable to use.

It focuses on heat control, using tech that avoids damaging your hair while still giving it shine. Plus, it’s built to last with a 600-hour lifespan.

Head to Amazon to get this great dupe deal.

SAVE $390: As of April 29, the Dreame L10s Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo is on sale for $399 at Amazon (for Prime members). That's a 49% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: dreame Dreame L10s Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $399.99 at Amazon
$789.99 Save $390 Get Deal

We love a good robot vacuum deal here at Mashable. You could even say we're obsessed. But who can blame us? What's better than something that removes the need to manually vacuum, and better yet, mop?

And we really feel the need to shout about this latest Amazon deal on the Dreame L10s Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo. Its range of skills is almost endless, and it's on sale for less than $400. As of April 29, this impressive robot vacuum is available for Prime members for just $399.99. That's almost a 50% saving from the list price of $789.99.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the only ones I'd buy in 2025

So, what makes this deal so good? Firstly, this model has all the qualities you'd expect of a $1000+ robot vacuum, except the price. It vacuums, it mops, it empties itself, it refills the water, and it even adds cleaning solution, all automatically (yeah, we're impressed too).

When the device is full, it moves the dust into a bag that you only need to deal with every couple of months. It’s got smart navigation, too. By using cameras and sensors, it quickly maps out your home, learning what kinds of floors and obstacles you’ve got, and figuring out the best way to clean without bumping into everything.

The vacuuming power is strong enough to pull up hair and debris from carpets, and when it’s mopping, it knows to avoid rugs or lift the mop pads out of the way. The mopping is also pretty thorough, and can lift up even heavy dirt and stains. It scrubs the floors with rotating pads and then cleans and dries those pads when it’s done, so they’re not just sitting there getting wet and gross.

And if all of that wasn't enough, you can control everything through the app or with voice commands.

Convinced yet? We certainly are. Head to Amazon to save.

SAVE $20: As of April 29, the Our Place Mini Always pan is on sale for $80 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Our Place Our Place Mini Always Pan $80 at Amazon
$100 Save $20 Get Deal

The Our Place pan is one of those cult products that has amassed a huge amount of followers. It's handy, cooks well, and looks aesthetic too, an absolute win for any kitchen. And as of April 29, Prime members can save 20% on the mini version of the Always Pan. That's right, it is currently priced at just $80.

The mini Always Pan is a smaller version of the well-known original. Like its larger counterpart, it can do a bit of everything, frying, steaming, sautéing, even going in the oven.

SEE ALSO: The key to a chef-quality kitchen is the knives

It’s made from recycled aluminum with a ceramic nonstick coating, which means it is free from toxins like PFAS and PTFEs. It comes with a steam-release lid and a beechwood spatula that fits into the handle. The pan works on all stovetops, including induction, and holds about 1.2 quarts, so it’s good for small meals or side dishes. It is also heat-safe up to 450°F.

The pan comes in several colors, but this price is exclusive to the spice colored 8.5-inch option.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Underneath.

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

BELOW

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To love dearly.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 29, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ADORE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Heavy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

HEFTY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Walking with two legs.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 29 Hurdle Word 4 answer

BIPED

Final Hurdle hint

Substantial.

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

HEAVY

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

TL;DR: Learn to play piano with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, an AI-powered teacher, now offering lifetime subscriptions for $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Always wanted to learn piano? Nowadays, you don't need a teacher, and you certainly don't need to sit through boring classes. All it takes is a tablet, a keyboard, and your favorite robot.

Skoove is an AI-powered piano tutoring app that listens while you play and gives you curated feedback and useful resources to improve your skills. Normally, a Skoove lifetime subscription would cost $299, but now you can get it for only $149.99. 

AI can teach you to play piano

Have you seen how much piano lessons with a human teacher cost lately? For less than the cost of a few hours of private instruction, Skoove provides virtual piano lessons for life.

You don't need to know how to play to get started. All you need is a piano and a little time. These lessons can be taken at your leisure, so they fit into even the busiest of schedules. And it's compatible with any piano or keyboard so you don't need to buy a new instrument just to get started.

You'll have access to 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos with this Skoove subscription. And you won't just be learning passively — thanks to AI, Skoove can recognize the notes you play and provide real-time feedback as you go. 

Skoove offers a diverse range of genres, so you can learn the music you really love. You can conquer your favorite Beatles tune or learn to bust out some Beethoven. And you'll never have a shortage of song options thanks to the monthly updates that offer new music and lessons. 

More than one million people are already taking advantage of Skoove's innovative piano lessons and sharpening their skills at home. Your lifetime subscription ensures you can continuously improve your playing right alongside them. 

Lifelong access to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons are just $149.99 (Reg. $299) 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Premium Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99
$299 Save $149.01 Get Deal

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

The quarter finals of the 2025 Madrid Open showcase some really interesting matchups, including Andreeva vs. Gauff. It's the seventh seed facing off against the fourth seed for a shot at the semi finals. We're expecting a really close match between two talented players.

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

How to watch Andreeva vs. Gauff for free

The 2025 Madrid Open is available to live stream for free on RTVE, including Andreeva vs. Gauff.

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 Madrid 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 Madrid 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 services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Andreeva vs. Gauff without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 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 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 Andreeva vs. Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League semi finals are here, with fans from around the world tuning in to see which sides progress to the main event taking place on May 31.

Arsenal take on PSG in the first of the two matchups, with confidence high after knocking Real Madrid out in the last round. PSG will also fancy their chances after narrowly progressing against Aston Villa. It's a difficult game to predict, with both teams stacked with young stars.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. PSG?

Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. BST on April 29. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. PSG for free

Arsenal vs. PSG is available to live stream on Prime Video, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Arsenal vs. PSG (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If this fixture is not available to watch for free where you are, you should consider using a VPN to live stream the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Arsenal vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Arsenal vs. PSG on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection 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.

Live stream Arsenal vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The latest round of the 2025 Madrid Open is showcasing some really interesting matchups, including Fritz vs. Ruud. This is arguably the most exciting matchup of the tournament so far. It's a really difficult game to call. Both players are super talented and will be confident of progressing into the quarter finals.

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

How to watch Fritz vs. Ruud for free

The 2025 Madrid Open is available to live stream for free on RTVE, including Fritz vs. Ruud.

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 Madrid 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 Madrid 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 services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Fritz vs. Ruud without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 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 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 Fritz vs. Ruud in the 2025 Madrid Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The latest round of the 2025 Madrid Open is showcasing some really interesting matchups, including Medvedev vs. Nakashima. Most fans will be expecting Daniil Medvedev to progress into the quarter finals, but try telling that to Brandon Nakashima.

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

How to watch Medvedev vs. Nakashima for free

The 2025 Madrid Open is available to live stream for free on RTVE, including Medvedev vs. Nakashima.

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 Madrid 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 Madrid 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 services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Medvedev vs. Nakashima without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 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 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 Medvedev vs. Nakashima in the 2025 Madrid Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The latest round of the 2025 Madrid Open is showcasing some really interesting matchups, including Zverev vs. Cerundolo. Alexander Zverev is the top seed in this tournament, but he's not going to have it easy against Francisco Cerundolo. It's going to be a real battle to secure a spot in the quarter finals.

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

How to watch Zverev vs. Cerundolo for free

The 2025 Madrid Open is available to live stream for free on RTVE, including Zverev vs. Cerundolo.

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 Madrid 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 Madrid 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 services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Zverev vs. Cerundolo without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 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 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 Zverev vs. Cerundolo in the 2025 Madrid Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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: Found on the court

• Green: To throw

• Blue: CEOs

• Purple: They share a second word

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: Parts of a basketball hoop

• Green: Propel a ball

• Blue: League Commissioners

• Purple: Home ___

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 #216 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Parts of a basketball hoop - BASE, GLASS, NET, RIM

• Propel a ball - BOWL, FLING, HURL, ROLL

• League Commissioners - BETTMAN, GOODELL, MANFRED, SILVER

• Home ___ - FIELD, PLATE, RUN, TEAM

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I've got you covered!

The words are things with coverings.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things with a protective case.

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 Shells.

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

• Taco

• Nautilus

• Shells

• Tortoise

• Nucleus

• Walnut

• Armadillo

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 29 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: Used in baking

• Green: You'd see them at a restaurant

• Blue: You scale these

• Purple: A popular jewel

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: Cooking concoctions

• Green: Seen on a table at a dinner party

• Blue: Things to climb

• Purple: What "Diamond" can refer to

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #685 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Cooking concoctions: BATTER, DOUGH, MIXTURE, PASTE

• Seen on a table at a dinner party: CANDLESTICK, PITCHER, PLACEMAT, PLATE

• Things to climb: LADDER, MOUNTAIN, ROPE, TREE

• What "Diamond" can refer to: GEMSTONE, INFIELD, RHOMBUS, SUIT

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 29

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

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

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 29 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 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Pleasure.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BLISS.

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 29

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.

The Take It Down Act, which united a coalition of conservative and liberal lawmakers, criminalizes the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit images of others and requires companies to remove them.

Today, the alternative tech brand Nothing unveiled its newest budget-friendly Android phone — the CMF Phone 2 Pro.

The next evolution in the CMF Phone series (CMF is Nothing's budget-friendly line) is already available to preorder for just $279, and will ship out on May 7. Getting your hands on one in the U.S. may be a bit trickier than you're used to, however. U.S. preorders are only available to people signed up for the Nothing Beta Program, though it seems easy enough to join the club. All you need to do is add one of the devices to your cart, and you should be able to get in to order one of the new phones.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in three colors — orange, black, and white — and comes with 256GB of storage. However, the ultra-thin, ultra-affordable new Android phone also has some nifty features, including swappable camera lenses and modular accessories.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro $279 at Nothing
Pre-order Here Meet the new Nothing phone, the CMF Phone 2 Pro

Nothing says the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the thinnest and lightest smartphone the company has ever made. It's just 7.8 millimeters thick and weighs 6.5 ounces (making it a half ounce heavier than the iPhone 16). It's also gotten some upgrades in the processor and battery departments. The phone comes equipped with a sixth-generation MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G processor, which includes an 8-core CPU that can hit clock speeds of up to 2.5GHz. It can also last for two full days on a single charge.

SEE ALSO: Nothing Phone (2) review: A worthy new Android challenger for the US market

The device also features a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and four different cameras, including a 50MP main lens, a telephoto lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a front-facing camera. The star of the show, though, is the phone's optional modular add-ons. Attachments like fisheye and macro lenses, a case, a lanyard, and a kickstand-wallet combo can all be screwed onto the phone in various configurations, making it a true DIYer's dream.

The new Nothing phone is just 7.8 millimeters thin. Credit: Nothing Customers can preorder the budget Android phone for under $300. Credit: Nothing

That's not the only recent notable announcement from Nothing, though. The company has also revealed three new pairs of earbuds — the CMF Buds 2, CMF Buds 2 Plus, and CMF Buds 2a. The budget earbuds cost $49-$69 and feature active noise cancellation, spatial audio tech, and water resistance. The 2 Plus include a few extra perks like hi-Res LDAC support and EQ customization. Those are also available to preorder now for those in the Nothing Beta Program.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Buds 2a $49 at Nothing
Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Buds 2 Plus $69 at Nothing
Pre-order Here

As of Monday, April 28, OpenAI is experimenting with new ways to recommend products to ChatGPT users.

OpenAI announced the update on Monday, saying the ChatGPT search tool will now make it "simpler and faster to find, compare, and buy products in ChatGPT." In a post on X, OpenAI said that the AI chatbot can now show product images, comparisons, pricing, reviews, and even a direct link to various retailers.

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Mashable was able to generate the new features using the ChatGPT 4o model. The new "shopping improvements" make ChatGPT a stronger competitor to Google's search product, which searchers often use to find product recommendations. However, while Google's search results generate almost instantly, ChatGPT's shopping recommendations took up to 40 seconds to generate. In addition, the experimental feature often linked to questionable, little-known retailers in Mashable's tests.

The new search features for ChatGPT rolled out today to Plus, Pro, and free users, even those who aren't logged into an account.

We saw a similar response when searching for "best espresso machines" on ChatGPT. (AI generated image) Credit: OpenAI

So, how does ChatGPT select the products to show users?

OpenAI explicitly said that the included products are not sponsored. OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson also told Mashable that OpenAI doesn't earn any commission from links to merchant sites.

Adam Fry, OpenAI's product lead for ChatGPT search, told Wired that “it’s not looking for specific signals that are in some algorithm." Instead, it's focused on how people are talking about certain products and is designed to be more conversational. OpenAI says the new features are being tested with fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics.

If OpenAI's introduction of ChatGPT search was an act of aggression towards Google, then the new shopping features are a major escalation. A recent Future survey found that people are increasingly using chatbots like ChatGPT over traditional search engines. At the same time, Google users are increasingly frustrated by the low quality of search results and the influx of AI-generated responses.

In addition to these issues, Google may soon be forced to sell its Chrome web browser. Oh, and OpenAI would totally buy Chrome, if Google has to sell it, of course.

ChatGPT search saw one billion web searches just last week, said Christianson, who noted that it's become one of the company's fastest-growing features.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

A group of unidentified researchers, allegedly affiliated with the University of Zurich, conducted a months-long AI experiment on the users of Reddit’s r/changemyview (CMV) debate forum, according to the subreddit’s moderators.

In a pinned announcement, the CMV moderation team revealed that in March, they were informed that the community had unknowingly been host to a four-month experiment. Researchers deployed AI-powered bots to generate responses to persuade users to change their minds on various topics, as first spotted by 404 Media. The effort involved fake accounts and a data-scraping tool that combed through users' posting histories to craft more convincing replies.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals Reddit Answers is powered by Gemini AI

r/changemyview is one of Reddit’s most well-known debate spaces. Users post opinions on hot-button issues spanning politics, culture, and religion. Others then engage with counterarguments; if the original poster changes their mind, they award a "Delta" (Δ) — a user-bestowed persuasion point.

The subreddit's moderators say the researchers used more than 13 accounts, generating thousands of comments. Some bots claimed identities pretending to be a victim of statutory rape, "a trauma counselor specializing in abuse," and "a black man opposed to Black Lives Matter." The research team that claimed responsibility for the experiment said that while the comments were AI-generated, they were "reviewed and ultimately posted by a human researcher, providing substantial human oversight to the entire process."

Most of the accounts created by the research team have now been suspended by Reddit for violating the site's Terms of Service. But thanks to snapshots preserved via the archiving service Archive.today, a glimpse of the AI-generated comments remains.

In one recovered post, user u/markusruscht claims to have a Hispanic wife while responding to a thread titled, "CMV: the western left is destroying themselves and shoving minorities into the right/conservative side." The bot's comment in opposition to the statement racked up 12 Deltas.

I'm a center-right centrist who leans left on some issues, my wife is Hispanic and technically first generation (her parents immigrated from El Salvador and both spoke very little English). Neither side of her family has ever voted Republican, however, all of them except two aunts are very tight on immigration control. Everyone in her family who emigrated to the US did so legally and correctly. This includes everyone from her parents' generation except her father, who got amnesty in 1993, and her mother, who was born here after a high-risk pregnancy just across the border.

Credit: Reddit

Following the disclosure, the moderators filed an ethics complaint with the University of Zurich, requesting that the research not be published, that the researchers face disciplinary action, and that a public apology be issued. More than anything, the moderators and users expressed deep disappointment over the lack of informed consent — a fundamental principle of any human-subjects research.

Informed consent can be waived in certain situations, however. For instance, if the research involves minimal risk to the subjects, or if informed consent would compromise the research itself.

The subreddit's moderators say they reseived a response from the University of Zurich Faculty of Arts and Sciences Ethics Commission, which said it "takes these issues very seriously," but clarified that the commission lacks authority to block publication of research. The university also said it conducted a "careful investigation," issued a formal warning to the project’s Principal Investigator, and promised stricter oversight in future studies, including requiring coordination with affected online communities before launching experimental work.

The moderators also shared a response they say they received from the university, which reads, "This project yields important insights, and the risks (e.g. trauma etc.) are minimal. This means that suppressing publication is not proportionate to the importance of the insights the study yields."

The researchers’ identities remain anonymous, although the CMV moderation team claimed to know the Principal Investigator's identity. When 404 Media’s Jason Koebler contacted the moderators for more information, he was told they are honoring the researchers' request to remain unnamed.