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Turn your ideas into AI images with no ads and no limits

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Enjoy endless possibilities with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator, now just $39.97 (reg. $495) until June 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) $39.97
$495 Save $455.03 Get Deal

Even if you’re not an AI buff, you’ve seen the fun people have creating AI-generated images. If you want to expand your imagination and start creating whatever comes to mind — yes, even NSFW images — you may want to take advantage of this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator. It’s now just $39.97 (reg. $495) until June 1.

Get 500 AI images a month for life

Not an artist? No problem. Thanks to Imagiyo, you don’t need to head back to school for graphic design or animation classes. This AI-powered platform lets you create stunning AI-generated art simply by providing a prompt. Type a few words and your preferred pixel size, then sit back and relax while Imagiyo works its magic.

Whether you’re creating images for work or play, there are no limits on what you can do with Imagiyo. Create commercial content for social media, jazz up a PowerPoint presentation, or make a sentimental gift for a loved one. You can also create high-quality, print-ready images. There are never any watermarks, so the possibilities are endless.

Unlike many AI image generators, Imagiyo also lets you make NSFW images. Just set the privacy to private for that content.

This lifetime subscription to Imagiyo’s standard plan provides 500 images per month and two images per request, with no ads, ever.

Create anything you can dream up with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator, now $39.97 (reg. $495) until June 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Bring home a speedy MacBook Air M1 for $580 while supplies last

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get a powerful MacBook Air M1 for only $579.99, 61% off the usual price, $1,499, right here while supplies last.

Looking for a laptop you won’t mind lugging around? Typically, super portable laptops aren’t impressive in the power department — but that’s where the MacBook Air shines. This slim device still packs a punch, and right now you can bring one home for just $579.99 (reg. $1,499).

Weighing in at just 2.8 pounds, the MacBook Air is ready to tag along on any adventure. But don’t let its convenient size deceive you. It’s still packed with plenty of power thanks to its M1 chip. This Apple feature can help you multitask and even keep up with demanding tasks like video editing and gaming.

This MacBook Air M1 is quicker than Intel-based laptops, boasting an impressive 3.5x faster performance and 5x faster graphics for apps and games. And a 16-core Neural Engine means it will be able to handle more advanced tasks like AI and machine learning.

A 13.3″ Retina display supports millions of colors, letting you stream or game with a vibrant picture. A 256GB SSD ensures you can download apps and keep important files right on your device.

Perhaps this model’s best-kept secret? An amazing 18-hour battery life, which lets you get more done without having to hunt down an electrical outlet.

Wondering why you’re getting this powerful device at such a low price? It’s due to the grade A refurbished rating, which means it will show up in near-mint condition, with virtually no signs of prior use, and you’ll enjoy a deep discount.

Upgrade your daily laptop with this MacBook Air M1, now just $579.99 (reg. $1,499) while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2020) M1 MGN63LL/A 8GB RAM 256GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $579.99
$1,499 Save $919.01 Get Deal

New AI tools, classic apps: Microsoft Office 2024 gives you the best of both worlds, now for $90 off

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Give yourself a productivity boost with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for Mac or PC, now just $159.97 (reg. $249.99) through June 1.

Jealous of kids getting out of school for the summer? We get it, but as adults, we don’t get the luxury of months off to have fun in the sun. If you’re in desperate need of some motivation at work, let the tried-and-true Microsoft Office apps give you a boost.

Right now, a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for Mac or PC can be yours for just $159.97, $90 off the usual $249.99 price tag, through June 1.

Make life a little easier with these Microsoft Office staples

There’s a reason Microsoft Office has stuck around for decades. Its apps are dependable and helpful for tackling both work and play. And Microsoft Office 2024 gives you a great blend of old favorites and new additions, all designed to help you create content, stay organized, and collaborate with ease.

Microsoft Office 2024 comes packed with five game-changing apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote —all for a one-time fee, with no recurring subscription costs.. This version works on both PCs and Apple computers. You can also download the apps directly to your computer to work offline if needed.

This updated version introduces some new perks, like recording presentations with voice narration and videos in PowerPoint, and an updated accessibility checker in Outlook. Touch and pen input is also improved, making it more responsive and user-friendly for tablets and hybrid devices.

AI-powered features in Word offer smarter suggestions and natural language support. And if you’re a frequent Excel user, you’ll enjoy the new data analysis and visualization tools powered by AI.

If you’re working with others, you’ll love the new collaborative tools like co-authoring, enhanced commenting tools, and deeper Microsoft Teams integration.

Secure your own lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for Mac or PC, now only $159.97 (reg. $249.99) through June 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License $159.97
$249.99 Save $90.02 Get Deal

Pee-wee as Himself review: Paul Reubens documentary is a must-see for Playhouse fans

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 05:00

On its surface, Pee-wee as Himself is a loving two-part documentary looking at the life of the late Paul Reubens, the brilliant comic mind behind the iconic Pee-wee Herman. However, even from the film's opening moments, the battle is clear between subject and director. Reubens sits before a camera, looking straight down the lens, and speaking to his annoyance that his perspective may not be the dominant one in the finished product.

"It turns out you're not supposed to control your own documentary," he laments with clear frustration. He promises the unseen director that he will fight him on this point, adding, "You mark my words." The title card that comes up next plays like a punchline: A Film By Matt Wolf. 

As Reubens died in July of 2023, Wolf has the last laugh here. But the beloved yet controversial comedian is not the butt of the joke in Pee-wee as Himself. Instead, Wolf smartly sets up this battle between Reubens and himself as a parallel to the main thrust of this HBO original: Pee-wee versus Paul.

Over the two feature-length episodes, the documentary guides audiences through his cheerful childhood and wild years at CalArts, his rise to stardom, the turbulent sexual scandals that made him tabloid fodder for years, as well as his comeback. Through it all, Reubens and Wolf explore how Pee-wee was a blessing and a curse for the provocative artist. In doing so, Wolf creates as in-depth a portrait of Reubens as any fan of Pee-wee could ever hope for. However, that means seeing behind the playful boyish exterior, which had so long been a shield, to see the sensitive, wounded man behind him. 

Paul Reubens shares his queerness and inspirations in Pee-wee as Himself. 

A dedicated collector, Reubens not only opens his Los Angeles home with its absurd wealth of kitschy collectibles to Wolf, but also his family photo albums, revealing pictures of him dressed in drag in college and on a Halloween in his youth. With long, elegant dark hair down to his waist, he was an androgynous vision at the art school, playing Jesus in one student film and a sultry mermaid inspired in the next. (When he says he was channelling Cher, the inspiration is immediately clear.)

In interviews, Reubens speaks warmly about the creative discovery of these days, when he first became friends with Laraine Newman, Phil Hartman, and Elvira, the last of whom also shares warm recollections in the doc. But cozy remembrances of twenty-something performance art and first love takes a heart-wrenching turn as Reubens admits frankly that he realized his queerness would be an obstacle to success. So he cut his hair short and strove to "pass" so he might make it big.

When he looks into the camera to explain directly to a younger generation less accustomed to brutal homophobia of the 1980s what "passing" means, there's a familiar pull, like when Pee-wee would look right out to the kids at home, urging them to be their weird selves. Yet here, our hero admits how he hid. 

Reubens gets the last word, eventually.

Wolf's team is up front about the access they had to the star. In title cards they note two important elements to the film's context: 1) Wolf and his team interviewed Reubens for 40 hours, and 2) In that time Reubens never chose to reveal his cancer diagnosis to them. So, he was aware these might be his last days, but the filmmakers were not. The film was precious to its director and subject in different ways. As such, there's an electrifying tension watching his interviews, because while he insists he's not fretting about his "legacy," these very videos show it was on his mind. 

In one moment, he'll offer up a deeply personal revelation, but in the next, he'll insist with a sharp or bored tone that he was joking. As Pee-wee's creator and player, he was in control of his image for much of his professional career. On one hand, his alter-ego was a worldwide sensation, heading hit movies like Pee-wee's Big Adventure, the adored children's program Pee-wee's Playhouse and its spinoff Broadway revival, and endless appearances on talk shows — but always in character. This gave Reubens anonymity, but also denied him acclaim beyond his playhouse buffoonery. But all that changed in 1991, over an incident in an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Florida. 

When the film speaks on this scandal and the unrelated obscenity allegations that arose in 2002, Reubens' perspective takes a backseat. It becomes clear through his absence that Wolf and his team hadn't gotten much footage on these topics before the actor's death. In his place, the friends that stood by him, like his personal assistant Allison Berry, Debi Mazar, and David Arquette, share what those years of public scorn and isolation were like for him. There's an ache in his absence from this second half of the doc, which — intentionally or not — reflects the greater loss of Reubens in the world, both during his exile and now, in the wake of his death.

Yet there's a glorious resilience in his example. For each time he was knocked down and publicly scorned, he rose again, making movies and TV shows in character (2016's delightfully daffy Pee-wee's Big Holiday) and out (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mystery Men, Pushing Daisies). For Wolf, it could have been easiest to make this upswing the end of his movie, remembering Reubens on a high note. Instead, he circles back to the man himself, playing the self-recorded audio that the multi-hyphenate phenomenon left behind for use in the movie. In it, Reubens' sounds painfully exhausted, but he speaks plainly about how he hopes to be remembered, trying one last time perhaps to take control over a project he worried would define him without his direction. 

In the end, Pee-wee as Himself is not a simple love letter to the iconic character or Reubens. That would suggest Wolf goes easy on either, fawning over them without reservation. This is something greater. Wolf gives Reubens the space to speak for himself, allowing in the edit even the moments when the actor — traumatized by tabloid coverage — second-guesses his desire to share himself. Yet, what's clearest in this marvelous movie is how Pee-wee was a kitschy collection of Reubens' greatest loves and most-treasured ideals. Pee-wee's Playhouse embraces queer performance art, Andy Warhol paintings, and punk band graffiti in a candy-colored vision that allowed its subversion to sneak under the nose of Reagan's ruthlessly conservative America. Through bonkers cartoons, outrageous characters, flailing puppets, and secret words of the day, Pee-wee urged children to be seen, heard, and unapologetically themselves. 

This was his gift to us as children. Thought-provoking, boldly funny, and emotionally riveting, Pee-wee as Himself is his gift to us as grown-ups, as it reveals how hard that lesson can be, and how we must keep pushing ourselves to learn it. 

Pee-wee as Himself is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: May. 21, 2025, 2:57 p.m. EDT "Pee-wee as Himself" was reviewed out of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. This review, which was originally published on Jan. 25, 2025, has been updated to include current streaming information.

How to watch New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) online for free

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:58

TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 NBA Conference Finals have started with some amazing moments, but the ending to the first game between the Knicks and Pacers will be tough to beat. We're not sure exactly what happened, but the Pacers came away with the win to lead this series 1-0. The pressure is now on the Knicks to win the second game at the Garden.

If you want to watch New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2)?

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) starts at 8 p.m. ET on May 23. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden.

How to watch New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) for free

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free live stream from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the NBA Conference Finals for free 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 India

  4. Visit YouTube

  5. Watch New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) for free

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the NBA Conference Finals before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services 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 YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like YouTube, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • 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 New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 2) for free with ExpressVPN.

Shop massive Memorial Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Sony, LG, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:30
The best Memorial Day TV deals at a glance: BEST 43-INCH TV DEAL Samsung 43-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal BEST 55-INCH TV DEAL TCL 55-Inch QM6K QLED 4K TV $498 (save $301.99) Get Deal BEST 65-INCH TV DEAL Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $800) Get Deal BEST 75-INCH+ TV DEAL LG 77-inch C4 OLED evo 4K TV $1,999.99 (save $500) Get Deal

Memorial Day tends to be a huge day of deals for mattresses and home goods, but those are certainly not the only categories seeing major discounts. TVs of all shapes and sizes are also getting the deal treatment this holiday weekend, making it a particularly good time to upgrade your screen.

Many of the new releases from CES 2025 are officially on shelves and some of those are even seeing some surprisingly big price drops. We're tracking all the best Memorial Day TV deals at the three major tech retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. It's possible new deals will drop as we roll into the weekend, so we'll refresh this list with anything that catches our eye.

Best Memorial Day TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-Inch QM6K QLED 4K TV $498 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $301.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Just announced at CES 2025 and released in March, the TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is already shaping up to be one of our favorite TVs of 2025. For a TV in its price range, it gets seriously bright. CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) took it for a spin and also noted that its detailed shadows during darker movies clearly stood out compared to the similarly-priced Roku Pro. It's not as impressive as its more expensive sibling, the QM8, but ultimately, CNET summed up: "For the money, the TCL QM6K has some of the best picture quality, including great black levels, for an LCD-based TV. The QM6K has already seen some impressive discounts since its release, but this is the first time the 55-inch model has dropped this low.

More Memorial Day TV deals43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and up The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Ditch Microsoft 365’s fees for the lifetime version

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Save $90 on Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac through April 27.

You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it'll cost you way less in the long run.

Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you've been looking for. Instead of $10 monthly payments, simply pay $159.97 once and be set for life (reg. $249.99). It's that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.

What's included?

This license comes with: 

  • Word

  • Excel

  • PowerPoint

  • Outlook

  • OneNote 

The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you're switching to a lifetime license doesn't mean you'll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations. 

Once you've redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they're yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about. 

Why rent when you can own? 

Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for $159.97 (reg. $249.99) with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License $159.97
$249.99 Save $90.02 Get Deal

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix online for free

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 MotoGP season continues to entertain and surprise fans, with a number of riders battling it out at the top of the standings. The Márquez are in first and second position going into the British Grand Prix, but former champion Francesco Bagnaia is not too far back.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix?

The MotoGP British Grand Prix takes place at the Silverstone Circuit. The 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix race starts at 8 a.m. ET on May 25.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix for free

The MotoGP British Grand Prix is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

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

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

  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 Austria

  4. Connect to ServusTV

  5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

  • 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 — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2025 MotoGP British Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Utah

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 00:00

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

Pornhub has banned visitors from a number of U.S. states from accessing their website, but why? This move was in response to the introduction of laws that require visitors to upload ID before accessing porn sites. The stalemate is showing no signs of going anywhere, so potential users in these impacted states require a solution. Fortunately, a simple workaround exists.

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

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Utah

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 Utah with ExpressVPN.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 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: Student classes

  • Green: Southwest-based sports conference

  • Blue: Famous players in the purple and gold

    Purple: NFL cities, unfinished

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: College Student Classifications

  • Green: Big 12 Schools

  • Blue: Lakers in the Basketball Hall of Fame

  • Purple: First Words in the NFL Team Locations

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 #241 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • College Student Classifications - FRESHMAN, JUNIOR, SENIOR, SOPHOMORE

  • Big 12 Schools - COLORADO, TCU, TEXAS TECH, WEST VIRGINIA

  • Lakers in the Basketball Hall of Fame - BAYLOR, O'NEAL, WEST, WORTHY

  • First Words in the NFL Team Locations - GREEN, KANSAS, NEW, SAN

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 Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 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 May 23 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: A rowdy gathering

  • Green: Someone's personality

  • Blue: Used in England

  • Purple: The shape of an animal's facial feature

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: Quite the party

  • Green: One's constitution

  • Blue: British imperial units of weight

  • Purple: What "Cat's Eye" can be used to describe

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 #712 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Quite the party: BASH, BLAST, BLOWOUT, RAVE

  • One's constitution: CHARACTER, FIBER, MAKEUP, NATURE

  • British imperial units of weight: DRAM, OUNCE, POUND, STONE

  • What "Cat's Eye" can be used to describe: EYELINER, GLASSES, MARBLE, NEBULA

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 May 23

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 May 23

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 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 May 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The musical fruit

The words are food-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of seeds that grow in a pod.

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 Bean Salad

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 23
  • Green

  • Kidney

  • Black

  • Fava

  • Bean Salad

  • Cannellini

  • Navy

  • Pinto

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 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 May 23 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 May 23, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Often done to corn on the cob.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter 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...

SHUCK.

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 May 23

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.

Hurdle hints and answers for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 22:00

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

To be happy about an accomplishment.

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

PROUD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Gave out cards.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DEALT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Three-dimensional.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CUBIC

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A household task.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 23 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHORE

Final Hurdle hint

A colorful flower.

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

PANSY

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

Trump administration detonates expansion of rural broadband access

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 17:02

The Trump administration continues with its cost-slashing, anti-DEI agenda, and its coming for nationwide efforts to close the digital divide next.

On May 8, President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social that he was directing the end of the Biden-Harris era Digital Equity Act. Trump called the program — which allocated $2.75 billion to digital inclusion programs — "racist" and "illegal." Last week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) abruptly terminated grants for 20 different state projects under the act, including digital access in K-12 schools, veteran and senior programs, and rural connectivity efforts.

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) called the decision a "significant setback" to universal access goals. "SETDA stands with our state members and partner organizations who have been diligently building inclusive broadband and digital access plans rooted in community need, engagement, and systemic transformation. Equitable access to technology is not a partisan issue–it is a public good."

SEE ALSO: How are Asian Americans affected by online misinformation?

The decision points to an uncertain future for existing broadband and digital connectivity efforts managed or funded by the federal government. Since most serve specific communities and demographics which are at the highest risk of being technologically disconnected or left behind, they have entered the crosshairs of the administration's "anti-woke" crusade. Indigenous connectivity advocates, for example, warned that a Trump presidency would have an immediate impact on rural broadband projects that were in the process of breaking ground, as the president simultaneously promised to shake up the FCC and whittle down the federal government's spending.

“Ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in the U.S. face significant challenges with the recent termination of the Digital Equity Act, and potential drastic changes coming to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program," said Sharayah Lane, senior advisor of community connectivity for the global nonprofit the Internet Society and member of the Lummi Nation. "This will critically impact the future of affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet access in underserved areas, further limiting essential education, healthcare, and economic opportunities."

The Biden administration, which pledged billions of federal dollars to building out the nation's high speed broadband and fiber optic network, had made closing the digital divide a central component to its massive federal spending package, including launching the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and the BEAD initiative. BEAD funds, in particular, were split up between state broadband infrastructure projects, including 19 grants over $1 billion. But now the funds are being pulled out from under them.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has had the $42 billion BEAD budget under review since Trump took office, and has falsely claimed that the program "has not connected a single person to the internet," but is rather a "woke mandate" under the previous presidency.

SEE ALSO: Why the 'digital divide' persists within Indigenous communities

Meanwhile, Trump has pushed to open up an auction of highly sought after spectrum bands to serve WiFi, 5G, and 6G projects under his "One Big Beautiful Bill" — a move that may sideline rural connectivity projects focused on building reliable, physical connections to high speed internet. Advocates have long fought for federal investment in "missing middle miles" of fiber optic cables and broadband, rather than unstable satellite connections, such as those promised by Elon Musk's Starlink.

"We need to prioritize investments in sustainable infrastructure through programs like BEAD and the Digital Equity Act to ensure long-term, affordable Internet access for all Americans, strengthen the economy, and bolster the nation’s overall digital resilience," said Lane.

The cast of Mission: Impossible on the importance of humanity during the rise of AI

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 16:31

On May 23, the final installment of the Mission: Impossible saga is set to come to an end with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Known for its vicious villains, the franchise sports its Biggest Bad yet: an AI known as The Entity that's bent on wiping humans off the planet. Mashable Senior Creative Producer Mark Stetson sat down with the cast (Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis) to discuss the film's themes of humanity and friendship and its exploration of the future of AI.

First, Simon Pegg, who has played Benji Dunn since Mission: Impossible III — when we first get a hint of The Entity's existence — helped break down the origins of this Big Bad. "Yeah, I mean, the Entity was around in its nascent form a long time ago. It was a malicious code, basically, which itself evolved into what we are up against in Dead Reckoning, in The Final Reckoning. And I love the idea that McQ [Director Christopher McQuarrie] looked back into the past to see where things may have started, where the rumblings of the Entity may have begun. And further back as well, to, obviously, when Bill Donloe was exiled to Alaska."

Hayley Atwell, first appearing in the franchise as Grace in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, goes on to discuss film's theme of friendship and humanity in the face of its AI villain. "I feel like the core theme of this film is friendship. So that, of course, the anti-God and and the Entity...is the sort of the villain...the thing that sets up the stakes. But really it's a film about a team coming together and sacrificing personal ambition for the sake of the good of all people. And it's a triumph of the human spirit... It's so, so beautiful and so heartfelt."

Finally, Angela Bassett ties the interview up in a really nice bow when asked why it's important to prioritize humanity: "I mean, what do we have left without it? You know, we have to. We're made to be in communion with one another... So even though it's a great tool...we need to keep [AI] in its lane and [make sure] it's [a] benefit to us, not to the detriment of us."

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning opens exclusively in theaters on May 23.

Best graduation gifts for her: Gift ideas for college grads

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 15:56

Springtime means bright blooms, longer days, and a new class that's getting ready to graduate college. And if you’re here, that means you’re preparing to look on proudly as a young woman accepts her diploma and takes her first steps into the real world of adulthood. Whether she’s your daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, girlfriend, or best friend, you know how much hard work she put in to get here — so you definitely want to find the perfect gift for her to celebrate how far she’s come. These are our suggestions to shower the college grad with love on her big day.

The best college graduation gifts for life in the real world

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 15:38

Graduation season is creeping up on us and that can mean only one thing: it's time to figure out what to give your favorite grad to welcome them to post-college reality. Graduates are about to enter the often overwhelming (and sometimes terrifying) world we call adulthood, and you're tasked with giving them something to help ease the transition. The trick is to find that sweet spot between something your college grad will really need in life and something they'll actually want to use. New graduates might not even know what they need to survive post-grad life — but that's where you come in.

FTC Is Investigating Liberal Group Media Matters

NYT Technology - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 15:05
Elon Musk previously sued the advocacy group over critical research on his social media platform X over claims it drove away advertisers.

Tesla just lost another major benchmark, this time in Europe

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 13:32

China is officially eating Elon Musk's lunch in Europe.

Market research firm JATO Dynamics said in a report on Thursday (via Reuters) that Tesla fell behind Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD in EV sales in Europe in April. The lead isn't a huge one, per Reuters; BYD sold 7,231 EVs, while Tesla sold 7,165 vehicles.

That said, this is apparently the first time this has happened, and it could potentially mark a turn in the global EV market away from Tesla and toward alternative manufacturers like BYD.

SEE ALSO: Tesla Cybertruck loses top-selling EV truck crown

Another factor that makes this impressive is that BYD's vehicles haven't been widely available in Europe for all that long, while Tesla has been a household name in the EV space for many years. JATO Dynamics analyst Felipe Munoz, quoted by Reuters, noted that BYD didn't expand outside of Norway and the Netherlands until late 2022.

While there are likely several factors at play here, it seems that Musk's recent turn as a mascot for the Trump administration has soured some customers on the prospect of Tesla ownership. A report last month indicated that used Teslas are flooding the market in record numbers, while Tesla sales cratered in Germany in April, falling pretty far behind BYD.

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