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

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

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

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

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

A freshwater fish.

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

TROUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Amnesia.

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

FUGUE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An overly modest person.

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

PRUDE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A conference.

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

PANEL

Final Hurdle hint

Husky.

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

BURLY

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: Ditch the AI clutter and get one tool that does it all — for life. At the Mashable Shop, the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan with lifetime membership is now available for a one-time payment of £61.74 (reg. £416.90).

Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription £61.74 at the Mashable Shop
£416.90 Save £355.16 Get Deal

Managing multiple subscriptions for all your creative and professional needs? That’s more juggling than anyone needs — and it’s pricey, too. Now, instead of signing up for separate subscriptions for ChatGPT, Gemini AI, Anthropic, Midjourney, Claude, Llama, and other AI tools, you can access them all in a single platform.

Get a lifetime subscription to 1minAI on sale for a one-time purchase of £61.74 — it's a single platform packed with the tools you’d normally need a bunch of apps to accomplish. From content writing and image editing to data analysis, 1minAI has you covered — all in one convenient spot.

1minAI makes it easy to handle a variety of tasks with a user-friendly setup, so you’re not wasting time hopping between different tools. It includes everything from AI-driven writing assistance to design and photo editing options, letting you switch between projects without the constant app shuffle.

Plus, 1minAI gives you 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 extra credits monthly, giving you plenty of space to test, create, and explore without worrying about extra fees.

While AI tools are incredibly helpful, they aren’t perfect — and 1minAI is straightforward about that. You’ll get support with drafting, designing, and brainstorming, but human editing and oversight can still bring your projects to the next level. Think of it as an AI sidekick that keeps things running smoothly, while you remain the creative mastermind.

Simplify your creative process and boost efficiency with 1minAI’s Business Plan lifetime subscription — all for £61.74 (reg. £416.90), with no monthly fees.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The company, which originally expected its shares to be priced between $47 and $55, will ask for $40 a share in a sign of stock market uncertainty.

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 preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 28 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Wise ones

The words are related to people.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are people with valuable insight.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is GuidingLight.

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

• Philosopher

• GuidingLight

• Sage

• Elder

• Visionary

• Thinker

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 March 28 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Throw

• Green: To enclose

• Blue: Worn by the annual cookie sellers

• Purple: The second word is the same

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: Hurl

• Green: Be on both sides of

• Blue: Parts of a classic Girl Scout uniform

• Purple: ___ Hall

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 #648 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Hurl: CHUCK, PELT, PITCH, SLING

• Be on both sides of: BOOKEND, BRACKET, FLANK, SURROUND

• Parts of a classic Girl Scout uniform: BADGE, BERET, SASH, SKIRT

• ___ Hall: BINGO, CITY, MONTY STUDY

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 March 28

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for March 28 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 March 28, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Part of a song or poem.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter V.

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...

VERSE.

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 March 28

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Best Dyson Airwrap dupe deals from Amazon's spring sale Best for people with wavy or curly hair Shark FlexStyle for curly and coily hair $219.99 (Save $80) Get Deal Best Airwrap dupe for curling hair (and storage) T3 Aire 360 254.99 (Save $45) Get Deal

I will be the first to admit I'm not the biggest fan of the Dyson Airwrap.

After testing it for the first time in 2022 (and several times since), I can't deny that it's a fun and luxurious way to style my hair — but I've never quite been able to wrap my head around its $600 price tag. After trying so many Airwrap dupes, I feel even more firmly that most people who want the Airwrap experience can get it for much cheaper.

So, if you're bummed out that the Big Spring Sale is one of the rare Amazon sales that hasn't brought the usual $100 markdowns the multi-styler gets, I have three pieces of good news for you: one, Prime Day usually happens in July, so another chance is coming up soon. Two, the Shark FlexStyle and T3 Aire 360, two of my favorite Airwrap dupes, are currently on sale. And three, I'm going to tell you where each of these dupes excels, all based on my own experience testing them directly in comparison to the Airwrap.

Best Airwrap dupe for people with wavy or curly hair Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle for curly and coily hair $219.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $80 Get Deal Why we like it

Fun fact: the Shark FlexStyle was the first multi-styler to include a diffuser attachment. While Dyson now offers an Airwrap for folks with textured hair, I still prefer the FlexStyle — the twisting base mechanism makes it easier to get the best angles possible for both hover and pixie diffusing. While $219.99 isn't the FlexStyle's lowest sale price ever, both the Airwap and FlexStyle with diffusers can be harder to find on sale, making this a great opportunity to pick it up for cheaper.

Best Airwrap dupe for curling hair (and storage) Opens in a new window Credit: T3 T3 Aire 360 $254.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $45 Get Deal Why we like it

A lot of people think the Dyson Airwrap is a great tool for curling your hair, but the curling barrels that come with it actually give more of a loose wave, blowout-type look. I'm sure the tinier barrels you can purchase separately might help you achieve a tighter curl, but if you'd rather not spend even more, the T3 Aire 360's ceramic barrels gave me more defined curls that lasted longer.

Plus, the Aire 360 comes with a vegan leather pouch, making it the best storage option out of every multi-styler I've ever tested. Trust me, these tools are bigger than you think, and the case Dyson provides is massive, so if you're short on space, the Aire 360 and its pouch may be the way to go. While this $45 discount isn't huge, this hair tool doesn't go on sale often.

Save $10: Through April 7, Amazon Prime users with a Grubhub+ membership can save $5 on two orders of $20 or more with the code HOOP5.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Get $5 two orders of $20 or more with code HOOP5 For eligible Prime users with a Grubhub+ subscription Get Deal

It turns out one of the best deals during Amazon's spring sale isn't even technically part of the sale.

Through April 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime members signed up for Grubhub+ through their Amazon account are eligible to get $5 off two orders of $20 or more with the coupon code HOOP5 when using the Grubhub or Amazon app or website to place their order.

Whether or not you're following along with March Madness, it's a pretty solid deal. That said, there are a few restrictions: the discount code can't be applied to orders with alcohol, or any group or catering orders. And as mentioned above, you do need to be signed up for Grubhub+ through your Amazon Prime account, which became a permanent perk to all Prime users last year.

SEE ALSO: The best deals under $50 in Amazon's Big Spring Sale

If you haven't yet already, you can activate your Grubhub+ subscription through Amazon. Once you're connected, Amazon will cover the $9.99 a month cost for membership, granting you lower service fees and $0 delivery fees on every order.

Elon Musk is no fan of content moderation. When Musk acquired Twitter back in 2022, one of the driving forces behind his decision to buy the social media platform was content moderation, especially involving bans on right-wing accounts that he liked.

Now, Musk appears to be trying to exert control over content moderation on social media platforms he doesn't even own.

According to a new report in The Verge, Musk privately contacted Reddit CEO Steve Huffman regarding content on the social sharing platform. 

Shortly after the correspondence between Musk and Huffman, a thread about DOGE employees was deleted. The subreddit where the thread was started, r/WhitePeopleTwitter, was also banned for 72 hours.

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Before Musk reached out to the Reddit CEO, the owner of X went on a public tirade against Reddit. Among his complaints, Musk claimed that certain Reddit users had "broken the law" for posting unsavory comments about DOGE employees. The Reddit comments referenced Musk's post appear to belong to the Reddit thread that the company deleted after Musk reached out.

While Reddit previously made it known that it took action against "violent content," it wasn't known until now that Musk had personally filed a complaint with the company's CEO.

Musk has also called it "insane" that some subreddits had banned the ability to post links to X. It's unclear if Musk brought that complaint up in his messages with Huffman. As of publishing, no action has been taken against subreddits that don't allow X links.

While some of the comments in the thread could be perceived as threatening and taken down regardless, it's concerning that Musk can make private requests to CEOs of third-party companies regarding content decisions.

“We take any report of Reddit policy violations seriously, whether on Reddit directly or through other public or private means," Reddit said in a statement provided to The Verge. "We will evaluate content reported to us and take action if it violates.”

Best Kindle Book deals Best Kindle book deal 'Anxious People' by Fredrik Backman $2.99 (Save $15.01) Get Deal Best non-fiction deal 'Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith' by John Krakauer $1.99 (Save $18.01) Get Deal Best thriller deal 'One Perfect Couple' by Ruth Ware $2.99 (Save $27) Get Deal Best romance deal 'The Lucky One' by Nicholas Sparks $2.99 (Save $6) Get Deal Best sci-fi deal 'Wool' by Hugh Howey $1.99 (Save $18) Get Deal

With the Amazon Big Spring Sale underway, we have a pretty good sense of the sale's offerings. There are plenty of great deals on kitchen tools, tech, and even outdoor equipment as we prepare for the warmer months. Of course, Amazon is offering sale pricing on its own tech like Kindles, so if you happened to make an e-reader purchase during the Big Spring Sale, it's time to load up your library.

Amazon is offering spring savings in the Kindle store, too. Right now, you can find bestsellers up to 90% off across genres. Silo lovers can pick up a copy of Wool by Hugh Howey for just $1.99, or thrill seekers might chase the suspense of One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware. No matter your taste, there's a Kindle book deal to explore during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best Kindle Book Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Anxious People' by Fredrik Backman $2.99 at Amazon
$18 Save $15.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Prolific author Fredrik Backman may be known for his hits A Man Called Ove and Beartown, but his 2020 novel, Anxious People, tells the story of a crime gone wrong. When a failed bank robber stumbles into an open house, he takes the attendees hostage, setting forth an unexpected turn of events.

Right now you can find Anxious People for just $2.99, down from its print price of $18. That saves you $16.01 off for 83% savings during the Big Spring Sale.

More Kindle book deals

• The Boys by Katie Hafner — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)

• Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie — $1.99 $17.99 (save $16)

• The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker — $1.99 $18.99 (save $17)

• Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan — $1.99 $13.99 (save $12)

• My Notorious Life by Kate Manning — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)

• Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by John Krakauer — $1.99 $20 (save $18.01)

• What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell — $1.99 $19.99 (save $18)

• Wool by Hugh Howey — $1.99 $19.99 (save $18)

• The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl — $2.99 $32 (save $29.01)

• Dearest by Jacquie Walters — $2.99 $29 (save $27.01)

• The Light of Days by Judy Batalion — $2.99 $18.99 (save $16)

• The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks — $2.99 $8.99 (save $6)

• No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister — $2.99 $19 (save $16.01)

• One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware — $2.99 $29.99 (save $27)

• The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone — $2.99 $25 (save $22.01)

• You Don't Want To Know by Lisa Jackson — $3.99 $15.26 (save $11.27)

• Homeseeking by Karissa Chen — $6.99 $30 (save $23.01)

SAVE UP TO 36%: The Amazon Big Spring Sale has dozens of Minecraft Lego sets on sale for up to 36% off.

Best Minecraft Lego deals during the Amazon Big Spring Sale Best overall Minecraft Lego set deal Lego Minecraft The Badlands Mineshaft $49.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best mega Minecraft Lego set deal Lego Minecraft The Crafting Box 4.0 $74.68 (save $5.31) Get Deal Best Minecraft Lego deal under $20 Lego Minecraft The Baby Pig House $16.99 (save $3) Get Deal

It's an exciting time for Minecraft fans. On April 4, we're getting treated to A Minecraft Movie — the first time we'll ever see Minecraft IRL and on the big screen. Jason Momoa joins Jack Black in the film, which we hope is a fun new way to experience the Minecraft world.

In the meantime, we're well into the Amazon Big Spring Sale, with discounts on hundreds of items we love, including Lego sets for Minecraft lovers. Some Minecraft Lego sets are up to 36% off, which gives us something fun to do while we wait for the movie. If you could use some Minecraft building IRL, these are some of our favorite Lego sets on sale at Amazon.

Best overall Minecraft Lego set deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft The Badlands Mineshaft $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10 Get Deal Why we like it

Since Minecraft is all about the mining, the mining exploration build set in the Badlands seems fitting. This set uses 538 pieces to recreate the Badlands biome where we're searching for gold, copper, redstone, and more. Of course, that's not without encountering some evil like a creeper, TNT, a pesky cave spider, and a few slimes. Load up the minecart with ores and head for safety with the Lego Minecraft The Badlands Mineshaft set.

Best mega Minecraft Lego set deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft The Crafting Box 4.0 $74.68 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $5.31 Get Deal Why we like it

A two-in-one set, Lego Minecraft The Crafting Box 4.0 gives builders the option to recreate two scenes with the included guides. The set contains familiar faces like our hero Steve, a zombie, a creeper, some cats, and sheep. Stick to the included building guides or use your best builder's imagination to craft your own Minecraft scene.

Best Minecraft Lego set deal under $20 Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft The Baby Pig House $16.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $3 Get Deal Why we like it

It's undeniable that the Minecraft pigs are adorable, and the Lego Minecraft Baby Pig House is just as cute. With daffodils, a bee, and carrots to feed the baby pig, the set uses 238 pieces to build out an iconic Minecraft landscape. But please be careful of the zombie piglin who has no business hanging out in our Minecraft garden.

More Minecraft Lego sets on sale at Amazon

• Lego Minecraft The Illager Desert Patrol — $9.59 $14.99 (save $5.40)

• Lego Minecraft The Pirate Ship Voyage — $11.99 $14.99 (save $3)

• Lego Minecraft The Fox Lodge House — $15.99 $19.99 (save $4)

• Lego Minecraft The Wolf Stronghold Fortress — $29.99 $34.99 (save $5)

• Lego Minecraft The Nether Portal Ambush Adventure Set — $30.49 $37.99 (save $7.50)

• Lego Minecraft The Frog House — $44.99 $54.99 (save $10)

• Lego Minecraft The Windmill Farm — $44.99 $54.99 (save $10)

Leonardo DiCaprio is on a quest to save his daughter in the trailer for One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza).

Inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, One Battle After Another stars DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson, an ex-revolutionary who's been out of the game for a while. Case in point? His failure to remember a series of (admittedly convoluted) codes.

"Let's just not nitpick over the passwords," he says during the trailer's chaotic opening phone call.

However, as the trailer continues, it becomes understandable that Bob is so frazzled when asked for a password. He's searching for his daughter (Chase Infiniti) in the wake of an attack on his home by an old enemy. Now, he'll have to band together with his fellow former revolutionaries in order to find her.

One Battle After Another also stars Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.

One Battle After Another hits theaters Sept. 26.

Reddit ran into some problems on Thursday.

A Reddit outage started roughly between 3 and 4 p.m. ET on Thursday and is currently ongoing at the time of publication. Tens of thousands of users reported the outage on Down Detector (Note: Ziff Davis owns both Mashable and Down Detector), and this reporter can personally confirm the outage. Reddit is not working for me on either a web browser or the mobile app at the time of writing.

The outage occurred around the same time as a similar outage on X, though that one appears to have been fixed already.

This story is developing...

TL;DR: Always have a scanner on hand with SwiftScan VIP, now A$66 (reg. A$317) when you use the code TAKE30 at the Mashable Shop through 27 April.

It's surprising how often we need to keep track of a receipt, make a copy, or digitize an important document. Though they are hard to track down these days, scanners can really come in handy.

Since most of us don't even have a printer that is easily accessible, SwiftScan is there to fill the massive multitasking-printer-sized void in our lives. And right now, you can enjoy a lifetime license for just A$66 with code TAKE30 through 27 April. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription AU$66 at the Mashable Shop
AU$317 Save AU$251 Get Deal Arm your smartphone with a scanner

SwiftScan turns your smartphone or tablet into a scanner, letting you create high-quality scans in seconds via a user-friendly app. It detects the edges of the page for precise scanning and makes scanning multiple pages and turning them into a single document a breeze. 

The app actually improves upon our old-school scanners. It enhances the scan quality with color filters, auto-optimization, and blur reduction, making it a great option for professionals who need to scan items for work. 

Once you're done scanning, turn a page into a PDF or JPG. Then, choose between sending it as a fax or email attachment or uploading it to iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another trusted cloud service with seamless integration. SwiftScan also saves and organizes your files for easy retrieval.

Scanning something you need to work with? SwiftScan also lets you edit PDF files, so you can annotate, redact, or sign after scanning. Your clunky old scanner or PDF editor definitely couldn't do all that.

Take a digital copy of anything with this handy lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now only A$66 with code TAKE30 through 27 April at the Mashable Shop. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A quick look at the best Frame TV and Frame dupes on sale Best Samsung Frame deal Samsung 65-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV (LS03D) $1,297.99 at Walmart (save $700) Get Deal Best Frame dupe deal TCL 75-inch NXTVISION 4K QLED Frame TV (A300W) $1,299.99 at Best Buy (save $500) Get Deal

Of all of the TVs that go on sale during major shopping holidays, Samsung Frame TV deals are consistently heavily sought out — and the big retailers consistently deliver.

The current window to grab a Frame TV on sale is Amazon's Big Spring Sale, where multiple sizes of The Frame are actually back down to Black Friday and Cyber Monday pricing. It's pretty sweet timing for those who've been wanting to get a new TV, but couldn't squeeze it into the budget during the holidays.

SEE ALSO: As a pro robot vacuum reviewer, this is easily my favorite deal from Amazon's spring sale

Even with discounts, though, Frame TVs aren't cheap TVs. But naturally, deals on Frame dupes from TCL and Hisense are also floating around at Amazon as well as Best Buy. Opting for one of these could allow you to go up a screen size or two for the same amount of money as a Frame TV of a certain size. FWIW, more Mashable readers actually opted for the Hisense dupe over the original Frame TV during Cyber Weekend 2024.

Best Samsung Frame deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV (LS03D) 🔥 $1,297.99 at Amazon
$1,997.99 Save $700 Get Deal Why we like it

The QLED-TV-turned-wall-art-turned-back-to-QLED-TV is an elegant upgrade for any room where a giant slab of technology doesn't exactly blend with the decor. Rather than a glossy screen and a plasticky black outline, the Frame has a matte screen and customizable thin-bezel frames to give the illusion of framed wall art or photos. Rather than merely putting an 8-hour YouTube still of a painting on a regular TV, the Samsung Art Store offers over 2,500 pieces from major museums like The Met and MoMA.

If you're looking to take the wall-mounted route, 65-inch TVs are a sweet spot for most living room walls. The 65-inch Frame TV happens to be one of the sizes back down to its Black Friday price.

More sizes of The Frame on sale

• Samsung 50-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV (LS03D) — $847.99 $1,279.99 (save $450)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV (LS03D) — $847.99 $1,279.99 (save $450)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV (LS03D) — $1,797.99 $2,997.99 (save $1,100) 🔥

• Samsung 85-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV (LS03D) — $2,497.99 $4,297.99 (save $1,800) 🔥

Samsung Frame dupes on sale

• Hisense 55-inch Canvas S7N 4K QLED Frame TV — $762.99 $999.99 (save $237)

• TCL 55-inch NXTVISION 4K QLED Frame TV (A300W) — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• TCL 75-inch NXTVISION 4K QLED Frame TV (A300W) — $1,299.99 $1,799.99 (save $500)

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Miele C1 Turbo Team Vacuum $375.20 at Amazon
$469 Save $93.80 Get Deal

When people learn I'm a shopping reporter their first question is always — what should I buy? I could tell them about any of the stellar tech I test daily, from headphones to e-readers, but the first thing that comes to mind, the product I'm most enthusiastic about, is one I bought myself. I love my Miele vacuum. The Miele C1 Turbo Team came into my life last year, and not to be dramatic, but it is the best purchase I ever made.

After struggling with a cordless stick vacuum for a few years, me and my partner were in agreement that we needed a replacement. Sure, it was convenient to not have to deal with cords but its suction was weak and the head was always getting tangled with dust and hair. After months of doing research, perusing r/BuyItForLife, I was finally sold on the Miele vacuum, with many users endorsing its powerful performance and longevity. While I can't testify to the latter, I can say that it's an astounding vacuum.

With a canister design, the Miele boasts insane suction that gets every little thing. In the months I've been using it, we've had no issue with tangled hair in the vacuum head. Plus it comes with a load of attachments to get at upholstery or small crevices. We have a white wool rug in our living room that stands no chance against our household traffic and cat. It sucks up every single bit of debris until our rug looks like it's been professionally cleaned.

While I'd tell you it's worth every penny, even at full price, it's down to its lowest price this year. During Amazon's Big Spring Sale, find the Miele C1 Turbo Team vacuum for $375.20, 20% off from its usual $469. That's a nice $93.80 in savings.

If I were to mention any downside to the Miele vacuum is that it's a little old school with bags that need to be replaced, which can get expensive. Luckily, there are some good deals on replacement bags during the spring sale too — see below.

Miele vacuum bag deals

• Rowhalf 3D dust bags 12-pack — $18.88 $27.99 (save $9.11)

• Ecleanfy 3D dust bags 20-pack — $19.54 $22.99 (save $3.45)

• LemonQueen 3D dust bags 14-pack — $25.49 $29.99 (save $4.50)

An update to ChatGPT made it easy to simulate Hayao Miyazaki’s style of animation, which has flooded social media with memes.

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

Possibly.

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

MAYBE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A log of information.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 27, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CHART

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Swayed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 27 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 27, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SWUNG

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A clear liquid.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 27 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WATER

Final Hurdle hint

A slow dance performed by a couple.

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

WALTZ

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

Sarah Bond's resume may look unconventional, but the president of Xbox believes she's in exactly the right place.

Bond started as a McKinsey consultant, spent several years at T-Mobile, including as a chief of staff to former CEO John Legere, and joined Xbox in 2017.

A quick summary of her decades-long career doesn't suggest someone who'd eventually lead a major video game brand. But Bond gets the joy and creativity of gaming — and the business of it, too.

She played a key role in Microsoft's 2022 acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard, which was unsuccessfully challenged by government regulators. Bond has also spoken about the importance of making gaming more accessible and winning new customers at a time when industry growth is stagnant.

Her track record is undeniably impressive. Yet it's particularly compelling to consider during Women's History Month, with its invitation to reflect on gender inequality in industries traditionally dominated by men.

A love of gaming begins

Bond started gaming at age 6. She fondly remembers playing the PC-based Kings Quest II alongside her father. Other favorites from childhood and young adulthood included Sonic the Hedgehog and GoldenEye 007.

Now she's the parent playing with her children. Family game night with Bond's husband and their two kids frequently involves Xbox's Minecraft Dungeons.

When Bond arrived at Xbox, a division of Microsoft Gaming, she thought of the company's product as consumer tech. While she still believes that's true, her aperture has widened through years leading teams that build Xbox's platform and bring independent developers to it.

"It's this beautiful mixture of art and science in the creativity...that I find deeply energizing," Bond says of gaming.

SEE ALSO: The end of remote work doesn't work for women A big-picture perspective

Bond, who is Black, clearly belongs in the space. But gaming hasn't always welcomed women and people of color.

The 2015 Gamergate controversy, for example, became a battle over representation in gaming — and ultimately a proxy for broader cultural disagreement over diversity and equality in industries traditionally dominated by white men. That overarching conflict is now the backdrop against which the Trump administration has vowed to eradicate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from the government, education, and the private sector.

When Bond joined Xbox in 2017, the head of Xbox Gaming, Phil Spencer, gave her a candid warning about working in gaming. She recalled the moment in a Harvard Business Alumni publication, describing her response thusly: "Phil, my aunt died yesterday. She was a colonel in the Army in the era of segregation. That was hard.”

This big-picture perspective has helped Bond survive — and thrive — in different corporate environments. She says that understanding her ancestors' struggles helps her think of progress holistically.

"It starts for me with the fundamental truth that there is no individual achievement, that we are all a product of the people who made us, invested in us, raised us," Bond told Mashable.

Bond says that just as she's able to do "amazing things" now because of her aunt's modeled determination and she hopes others will find inspiration in her own example.

Sarah Bond at work for Xbox. Credit: Courtesy Xbox Lessons learned, advice given

Bond doesn't subscribe to a philosophy of working until exhaustion. Instead, she practices meditation and mindfulness, taking physical and mental breaks as necessary so that she can perform at a consistently high level.

"This is absolutely me performance optimizing," Bond says. "It's just I figured out sometimes for me to deliver the very best, I've got to stop."

Bond also values risk-taking over perfection. She learned that lesson as a Yale undergraduate, when she memorized the answers to questions she thought would appear on her Spanish exam. She got an "A" in the class, but realized after traveling to Spain that she actually couldn't speak the language proficiently.

The experience taught Bond that memorizing a test or operating within a rigid framework leads to a much different outcome than pushing herself to be at "max learning capacity."

"The way I studied for Spanish was the greatest lesson of my life," Bond says.

At a time when tech is embracing more "masculine energy," in Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's words, Bond has one piece of advice for girls and women who want to pursue a career in a male-dominated STEM field — find mentors who will hold you to a "high bar of performance."

This, she says, is because some people may decide for girls and women what they can do, or falsely believe they're delicate and treat them differently. She believes girls and women will thrive when they find people who are truthful about their abilities and then give them the feedback they need to achieve their goals.

"[S]eek out the people who are going to do that investment in you, because those people are liquid gold," Bond says.

SAVE $13.05: The Anker Zolo power bank is down to just $12.94 at Amazon in the Big Spring Sale. That's 50% off its usual $25.99 price tag and matches its best price ever. It comes in four different colors, all of which are on sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo power bank (10,000mAh) $12.94 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $13.05 Get Deal

Over the past few years, my travel itinerary has grown exponentially. Between living about 11 hours away from family and dating a touring musician, I'm away almost as much as I'm home. And as any wanderer knows, one of the biggest challenges of constantly being on the go is keeping your phone charged. Whether you're using it for directions, communication, or entertainment, it's a lifeline when traveling.

Next month, I'm heading to Europe for the first time, where I will heavily rely on my phone for navigation. That's why I finally caved and bought a power bank — the Anker Zolo 10,000mAh power bank, to be specific. I'm kind of bummed, though, because now it's on sale for way cheaper.

During Amazon's Big Spring Sale (which runs through March 31), you can grab the Anker Zolo power bank (10,000mAh) for only $12.94 instead of the usual $25.99. That's 50% off and matches its best price ever. Plus, it comes in four different color options — I have the blue and it's a gorgeous pastel shade.

The Zolo power bank features a built-in USB-C cable to juice up newer phones and devices, plus USB-C and USB-A ports to plug in charging cables for other devices. That means for my iPhone 16 Pro, I don't have to worry about searching my luggage for another cable. My favorite thing about it, however, is that it's equipped with 30W two-way fast-charging. In other words: it won't take a million years to bring your device back to life like other power banks. There's also a digital display that clearly shows you the battery percentage at any given time.

It does have a little bit of weight to it, but ultimately, it shouldn't add much bulk to your carry-on. If you're looking for the best power bank for travel, I can't recommend the Zolo enough.