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Around a year ago, I deleted all my dating apps. After eight back-to-back dates and a period of inactivity on the apps, I decided if I couldn't find love in real life, then perhaps I didn't want it. 

Fast forward to spring 2025, and I am still off the dating apps but am admittedly feeling less certain about my scorched-earth approach. However, one thing remains crystal clear in my mind: the desire not to embark on a relationship with someone whose political views feel incompatible with my own. 

SEE ALSO: The hidden consequences of being banned from dating apps

My memories of my time on the apps aren't exactly enticing me to re-download them anytime soon. There was the fan of misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate, not to mention the paranoid conspiracy theorist — both of whom I met on Hinge. 

It goes without saying that online dating doesn't occur in a vacuum. We are living in a ferociously polarised political climate, and this is undoubtedly having reverberations on people's love lives. I spoke with daters and dating experts about how, like me, many singles are now refusing to date someone with contrasting political beliefs — at a time when the divide is starker than ever.

Politically divided online and on dating apps

The importance of a date's politics isn't just anecdotal — it's proven by research. 

Pre-Inauguration Day data from the dating app Hily, which polled 5,000 mostly straight Gen Z and millennial Americans, found that around four in ten American women have strong political beliefs, and a third would turn down a date over political differences. While around the same proportion of men hold strong political views, just one in ten would forgo a date if their political views did not align. 

Researchers also found nearly half of American women wouldn't date someone who voted for the "other side" in the last election — a higher proportion than the one in five men. Meanwhile, May 2025 research from OkCupid shows six in ten women around the world would like to have the same political views as their match. In the U.S. alone, this proportion rises to nearly seven in ten. 

And if we take a look at some older data, it appears that the importance we place on politics when dating has been rising for some time. Interestingly, research from the dating platform Match, which polled over 5,000 singles, discovered that around eight in ten singles in the U.S. said they would date someone who voted for the opposite political party in 2015, but only around half of singles said this in 2019. You cannot help but wonder if Donald Trump's 2016 presidential election triumph may have something to do with this. 

On both sides of the pond, in both the U.S. and the UK, 2016 was a pivotal year, which has gone on to define the political landscape in the near-decade that ensued. In both the lead-up to and the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit vote in the UK, politics became more fraught and divided, causing tensions and cracks in relationships, both new and old. 

Today, the political landscape feels more frenzied and fractured than it has in decades. With Trump back in the White House for a second time running after what was the wildest political comeback in modern American history, fears about the wave of human rights abuses infesting the so-called free world and beyond are swelling. Meanwhile, the growing influence of misogynistic social media personalities in the manosphere causes a parallel anxiety.

Just a couple of decades ago, many would have considered it a faux pas to ask someone who they voted for on a date. What was once considered an impolite question is now regarded as a relationship dealbreaker. Asking a date about their political views in both the U.S. and the UK has become routine. What's more, you can now use dating apps to eliminate individuals with certain political views from your screens. 

"Historically, people were much more willing to date across the political divide than they are now," Dr. Natasha McKeever, a lecturer in applied ethics who co-directs the Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships at the University of Leeds, explains. "People in general are more politically divided."

Online dating enables people to clearly express their preferences for a partner before meeting them in person, she explains. "We might say 'no Tories,' which means we wouldn't have a conversation with someone who was a Tory," she says. (In the UK, a 'Tory' is a supporter of the Conservative Party.) "But pre-online dating, if you are meeting someone at a bar, you might not know which party they vote for, so you may be more open. There are now all sorts of political issues that people are divided over."

Chloe's* experience with dating apps has changed as the political climate has grown more polarised. The 32-year-old goes so far as to say that looking for love as a progressive woman living in Houston, Texas is like "walking through a political minefield."

"Pre-online dating, if you are meeting someone at a bar, you might not know which party they vote for, so you may be more open. There are now all sorts of political issues that people are divided over." - Applied ethics lecturer Dr. Natasha McKeever

"Houston is a city that technically votes blue — so, votes Democratic — but very much swims with conservative undercurrents. Just because it is such a largely densely populated city with so many smaller towns outside of the city that are predominantly conservative," Chloe, who uses dating apps Hinge and Raya, tells me.

As Donald Trump's MAGA movement has further swelled in the past two years, Chloe has come across more conservative men who describe themselves as politically moderate on dating apps. In her view, these men are either downplaying or outrightly hiding their true political views. "I'm not sure if it's more of a subtle form of manipulation or trying to one-up a liberal woman," she adds. 

Chloe, who works in global social justice, explains she is very vocal about her political views from the outset when dating, like asking men about their politics to ensure compatibility. "I've had everything from guys saying that they're moderate and then later on finding a MAGA hat or they like Trump posts on Instagram," she explains. 

SEE ALSO: Sick of dating apps? Try a dungeon sound bath instead.

Recounting the incident where she found a MAGA hat sitting on the dashboard of the car of a man she was dating, she questions whether he deliberately placed the cap there to see how she would respond. "I just remember immediately looking around to see if anybody could see it because this hat is a sign of hatred for me," Chloe adds. "I felt completely mortified. Sitting in that car, I know I didn't, but I felt like I had somehow betrayed all of my own values."

Chloe says she has encountered men on dating apps who she describes as "shy" Trump supporters who take a traditionally conservative approach to the economy but claim they are socially liberal. "Who votes for their own self-interest and directly votes against the rights of others," she adds. Chloe explains she is looking to date a man who votes Democrat, as politics is deeply important to her. "It's more than policies," she says. "Politics means more. This is about real people and about whether you are an empathetic person. Do you have compassion for others? Do you care about the rights, the dignity, and the equality of all people?"

How the ideological gender gap impacts dating

Chloe isn't the only one facing difficulty finding someone like-minded. Research has found the ideological gap between young men and women is growing, with the former becoming more socially conservative. A study from anti-fascism organisation Hope Not Hate, which polled around 2,000 people in the UK aged between 16 and 24, found that 41 percent of young men support Andrew Tate, while 12 percent of young women do. 

As the influence of the far right and misogynistic social media personalities grows, misinformation and disinformation spread online, and the so-called culture wars ramp up, it would be naive and foolish not to recognise that these issues are going to have an impact on the dating landscape.

I could see and feel this before I deleted the apps, scrolling past a fair few profiles of men who appeared to hold misogynistic views. Well, at least, if the declarations on their Hinge profiles were anything to go by. Take the profile of the man who said women should not take the contraceptive pill as it damages their health, or the one who depicted virtually all women as gold-diggers.

"I've never swiped right on anybody who identifies as conservative," Sarah*, who uses dating apps Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder, tells me. "If their profile says moderate, I'm open to it. But if they are moderate [and] Christian, I swipe left."

The 29-year-old, who lives in Indiana, explains that she identifies as a liberal, but most of the people she encounters on dating apps are conservative. She says she has been surprised by how many men who she assumed were liberal — some of whom she describes as dressing like hipsters — turned out to be conservatives.

"I've never swiped right on anybody who identifies as conservative." - Dater Sarah

"You start having a conversation and they are arguing with you even though they are saying they agree with you," Sarah explains. She encounters dating profiles where men openly call out "lib-tards" or ask liberals not to swipe right, she says, as well as scrolling past profiles where men are wearing MAGA-branded merch or clothing that says "Back the Blue" to indicate their support for the police (at a time when the reality of police brutality has become more public).

Unsurprisingly, she also encounters these issues in the workplace as she is a couples therapist. "I've definitely had couples that have differing beliefs and values, whether it's because they are straight up politically different or two liberal people can be really different if one of those liberal people was raised by conservatives," she says. "That stuff is still part of your belief system, whether you realise it or not."

Sarah says she has met a lot of women who end up in relationships with conservative men, as they felt this was their only option. "It's really important to talk about politics and values really early on in the dating process because once you have kids and those values start getting put into practice, you might find that it's just really difficult to reach common ground."

Ammanda Major, who worked as a sex and relationships therapist for almost three decades in the UK, but is now head of clinical practice at UK relationships charity Relate, says people often seek a partner who holds similar beliefs to their own, as this creates harmony. "But equally, I think it can sometimes go too far where it becomes difficult to hear alternative views," she adds.

SEE ALSO: Why are read receipts so triggering?

Jo*, from Buckinghamshire in the UK, recalls going on a drunken date with a man during the COVID pandemic. Although politics did not come up when they first met, five minutes into their second date, she realised he held ultra-conservative views and saw anyone who claimed benefits as a scrounger. "It got quite heated quite quickly and I'm quite outspoken and then I left," the 33-year-old student recalls. "He kept messaging me afterwards as well, being like, 'Can we have another try?'"

It probably will not surprise you that Jo did not go on a third date with him. For some, Jo's refusal to persevere will be seen as symptomatic of political intolerance. Others will feel she made a lucky escape, understanding and empathising with her decision. 

To me, it feels impossible to extricate many of our political beliefs from our values and our wider worldview — two things which feel like they need to be, for the most part, aligned for a relationship to deepen and flourish. How do you simply agree to disagree when someone is downplaying, or worse still, spewing misogynist, racist, classist, transphobic, homophobic, ableist, xenophobic vitriol? This is a problem more and more daters are being forced to contend with.  

*Names have been changed to protect identities

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SAVE $31: As of May 14, Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $168.95 at Amazon. That's a 16% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $168.95 at Amazon
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If you want a quality pair of earbuds for a great price, Beats is always a good choice. And the best of the bunch for me, the Beats Fit Pro, are on sale at Amazon for their lowest price this year.

As of May 14, you can save 16% on these earbuds, reduced to $168.95. This deal is specific to just the stone purple. However, for just $1 extra, you have the option of black, white, and sage grey.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

With these earbuds, you'll get sound quality that is second to none. It's incredibly immersive, not to mention powerful, and some of the best I've experienced. The noise cancellation modes are stellar, with several options on how much you want to block out surrounding noises (full cancellation, transparency, etc). This is great for outdoor activities such as running when you want to hear your music but also stay aware of those around you.

They also boast a seriously impressive battery life, with a single charge lasting days (often weeks). And for those who want to use these for sports, they're a great option. The silicon tip slides into your ear seamlessly, lodging in your ear and staying put for all types of activity at all intensities. I've tested these during many sports with varying degrees of intensity, and they always stay firmly in place.

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

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SAVE $30: As of May 14, the Waterpik Cordless Pulse is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% saving on list price.

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A water dental flosser is a great way to remove plaque and debris from hard-to-reach areas between teeth and along the gum line, so if you want to impress your dentist with a perfect flossing routine, you need to check out this latest Amazon deal on the Waterpik Cordless Advanced.

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SEE ALSO: The best electric toothbrushes for upping your oral hygiene game

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The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, May 14, 2025:

AcrossOpposite ends of the earth

• The answer is Poles.

Animal with "white" and "black" varieties (really, they're both gray)

• The answer is Rhino.

Plant deeply

• The answer is Embed.

What's coming to you

• The answer is Karma.

"No" vote

• The answer is Nay.

DownProgram for kids aged 3-5, informally

• The answer is PreK.

"That's crazy, dude!"

• The answer is OhMan.

Sign after Virgo

• The answer is Libra.

Sworn ___

• The answer is Enemy.

Pop bottles, e.g.

• The answer is Soda.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

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Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows £22.56
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What apps are included?

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Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime licence

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The price drop on this lifetime licence to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows ends soon.

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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

Duck, duck, ___.

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

GOOSE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Humid weather.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MUGGY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A sanctuary.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

OASIS

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A loose-fitting blouse.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 14 Hurdle Word 4 answer

TUNIC

Final Hurdle hint

A feature.

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

FACET

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: A wide range of AI courses are available to take for free on Udemy.

We all know by now that there is a small chance that AI is going to take over the world. We're OK with it, because what exactly are we supposed to do to stop it?

The good news is that we should have a few years before we get to that point of no return. And in that time, we should do everything we can to make this technology work for us. We might as well squeeze what we can out of the technology before it becomes out master, right?

A wide range of online courses on AI can be found on Udemy. And better yet, some of the best examples can be taken for free. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started.

These are the best online AI courses you can take for free this month:

• A Gentle Introduction to Generative AI

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• Unleash your Creativity with Stable Diffusion AI

These free online courses don't include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but you still get unrestricted access to all the video content. You can learn at a pace that suits you, so there are no stressful deadlines.

Find the best free AI courses on Udemy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Udemy AI Courses Free at Udemy Get Deal

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: To educate

• Green: MLB data

• Blue: Pennsylvania legends

  Purple: They share a first name

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: Teach

• Green: Baseball fielding stats

• Blue: Current Philadelphia sports teams

• Purple: Jimmy ___

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 #233 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Teach - COACH, DRILL, INSTRUCT, MANAGE

• Baseball fielding stats - ASSIST, ERROR, FIELDING PERCENTAGE, PUTOUT

• Current Philadelphia sports teams - BARKLEY, HARPER, HURTS, MAXEY

• Jimmy ___ - BUTLER, GAROPPOLO, GRAHAM, ROLLINS

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.

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 May 14 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: To inhale

• Green: They share similar beginnings

• Blue: Air Bud is an example

• Purple: Pronounced differently than its spelling

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: Absorb using capillary action

• Green: Greek prefixes

• Blue: Titular talking animals of film

• Purple: Starting with silent letters

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 #703 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Absorb using capillary action: DRAW, PULL, SUCK, WICK

• Greek prefixes: HYPER, KILO, META, NEO

• Titular talking animals of film: BABE, BOLT, DUMBO, TED

• Starting with silent letters: GNOME, KNEE, MNEMONIC, PSYCHE

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 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 14 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Boogie woogie woogie

The words are rhythm-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are popular dances.

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 Line Dance

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 14

• Macarena

• Hustle

• Wobble

• Line Dance

• Footloose

• Locomotion

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.

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 14 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 14, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A type of drum.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

BONGO.

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 14

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.

At a celebrity-packed Tuesday press event in Los Angeles, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announced a refreshed app for the home rental site, new curated "Experiences," and the opportunity to book professional "Services."

Chesky began the media event by highlighting the humble beginnings of the stalwart rental site, which started in 2007 when he offered up his own San Francisco apartment to travelers seeking a place to stay. Beginning over a decade ago, Airbnb began to take off in popularity, attracting 272 million bookings in 2019 — but business, unsurprisingly, fell off a cliff with the COVID pandemic in 2020.

Now, with travel picking back up and the website reaching profitability for the first time in 2022, Airbnb is working to diversify its current offerings of rentable homes and apartments. With the newly offered "Services," travelers can use the relaunched Airbnb app to book catered meals, massages, makeup services, workouts, professional photography, and more. Airbnb "Services" are available in 260 cities, and anyone can book, even those not using Airbnb for temporary lodging.

Similarly, "Experiences" are available to anyone and offer highly curated opportunities, like touring temples with a mystic in Peru or sipping mezcal with a sommelier in Mexico City. Airbnb is also launching "Airbnb Originals," a new tier of Experiences, which Chesky described as "extraordinary experiences hosted by the world's most interesting people." Some examples cited were learning to dance in Seoul with a K-Pop star, touring Note Dame with the architect who worked on its restoration, and performing with your own alter ego created with help by Megan the Stallion (who was in attendance at the launch, along with other celebrities like Doechii, Karlie Kloss, and too many influencers to count).

Jud Coplan, Vice President of Product Marketing at Airbnb, says Services and Experiences allow people to continue a relationship with Airbnb after a trip, by utilizing its offerings in their own home.

The people behind Airbnb's Services and Experiences are carefully vetted, Coplan and Chesky attested. "Services hosts have an average of 10 years of experience, have completed Airbnb’s identity verification process, and are required to submit relevant licenses and certifications," according to a press release.

Airbnb sees Services and Experiences as offering new opportunities to its current hosts (including American hosts dealing with a drop in guests from Canada), where homeowners can expand their offerings with things like tours and catered meals. Interested hosts can apply to be part of Services and Experiences through Airbnb's website.

Chesky also announced the Airbnb app's new features, which include easier access to booking Experiences and Services, expanded options for messaging and sharing photos with travel buddies, and a more elaborate calendar that allows trips to be synced with Google calendars. The app's new Profile section also allows travelers to quickly see all the places they've visited and contacts for Airbnb members they've interacted with on their journeys.

Google’s Find My Device network is getting a new name — the Find Hub.

During The Android Show, the Android 16-focused preview event ahead of Google I/O 2025 next week, we learned that Google's location tracking network is being rebranded as Find Hub, probably to avoid confusion with Apple's Find My network.

During the event, Google team members said that the new Find Hub would let you track luggage, devices, and people, and will eventually let you locate lost bags while flying.

"Thanks to our partnerships, you’ll be able to easily share your Bluetooth tag's location with some of your favorite airlines early next year, making recovering your lost luggage a breeze," reads a Google blog post about the development.

Support for ultra-wideband (UWB) is also central to the new Find Hub, with new third-party Bluetooth trackers rolling out later this month. Unlike Bluetooth, UWB enables pinpoint location tracking over short distances, meaning you’ll get turn-by-turn directions right to your lost items. It’s the same tech Apple’s AirTags have used since debuting in 2021, and Samsung’s SmartTags jumped on board shortly thereafter.

SEE ALSO: Google's Gemini AI is coming for your car, watch, and TV

During the Android event, we also learned that Google will begin selling trackers in collaboration with Pixbee, which is launching with Disney-themed trackers. What are the odds some nervous parents will be tracking their own children with these Disney Bluetooth trackers? Pretty high, unfortunately.

The new Disney-themed trackers are coming soon. Credit: Google

The catch, however, is that Android's support for UWB is fragmented. Apple has near-universal UWB support across its devices (with the oddball 16e as the exception). Android, on the other hand, is all over the map. The Pixel Pro lineup and Samsung’s Galaxy Pro phones, including the new S25 Edge, are covered. Motorola has just one model: the Edge 50. A handful of Xiaomi phones make the cut, too, but that’s about it.

Beyond UWB, Find My Hub is also tapping into satellite connectivity, keeping you linked to friends and family even when you’re off the grid and out of cell range.

It's software update season, folks.

Google confirmed on Tuesday that Android 16, the next release of its mobile operating system (and, confusingly for some people around my age, one of the best Dragon Ball Z characters) will launch in June. It brings plenty of new Gemini AI features, as well as a refresh to the user interface that's rolling out to Pixel devices first.

Speaking of devices, not every Android device on Earth will support Android 16. You need to make sure you have a new enough phone to download the update when it launches this summer. So, which phones will support Android 16 at launch?

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about Android 16 after 'The Android Show' event Every Pixel phone that supports Android 16

It's a little tough to definitively list every single Android phone that will support Android 16, since there are approximately 10 million different Android phone models on the market at any given time. However, at the very least, we know which Google Pixel models will support it:

• Pixel 6

• Pixel 6 Pro

• Pixel 6a

• Pixel 7

• Pixel 7 Pro

• Pixel 7a

• Pixel 8

• Pixel 8 Pro

• Pixel 8a

• Pixel 9

• Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL

• Pixel 9a

• Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• Pixel Fold

There are a bunch of other Android manufacturers, including some companies that don't even really release phones in the U.S. market. Of course, the most notable Android phone maker is Samsung. According to a site called Android Update Tracker, Samsung Galaxy S phones going back to the S22 should get Android 16, but don't count on anything older than that getting it.

What Samsung phones will support Android 16

Obviously, we'll know more about device support once Android 16 is fully out there and not in beta testing. However, based on what we know so far, we're confident the following Samsung smartphones will also support Android 16 when it launches later this spring:

• Galaxy S25 Edge

• Galaxy S25

• Galaxy S25+

• Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Galaxy Z Fold6

• Galaxy Z Flip6

• Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition

• Galaxy S24

• Galaxy S24+

• Galaxy S24 Ultra

• Galaxy Z Fold5

• Galaxy Z Flip5

• Galaxy S22

• Galaxy S22+

• Galaxy S22 Ultra

• Galaxy S23

• Galaxy S23+

• Galaxy S23 Ultra

• Galaxy A16

• Galaxy A16 5G

• Galaxy A26 5G

• Galaxy A36 5G

• Galaxy A15

• Galaxy A15 5G

• Galaxy A25 5G

• Galaxy A35 5G

This is only a partial list. If you don't see your phone, check Samsung to see if your phone is still getting active security updates. That doesn't guarantee your phone will support Android 16, but it's definitely more likely.

Other phones that will get Android 16

In addition to Samsung and Pixel phones, a variety of other smartphones will also support Android 16. While we don't have an exact list, the Android developer blog mentions specific brands that are eligible for the Android 16 beta. If you have a relatively new phone from one of the following brands, then you're likely to get access to Android 16 sooner than later. We're also including Motorola, which runs on the Android OS.

• Motorola

• Hono

• IQOO

• Lenovo

• OnePlus

• OPPO

• realme

• Sharp

• Vivo

• Xiaomi

The deal could be a way for OpenAI to gain a foothold among programmers, who are rapidly embracing A.I. technologies.

Buying gifts for the special woman in your life can be tricky. What do you buy a person who has everything? What should you gift to someone who's picky about their products? Our advice is to curate a gift according to her interests and personality. A gift for the lady in your life should be just that: A gift for her. Part of our bigger series on the Best Gifts For Everyone, we’ve put together this comprehensive list to guide you on your important mission. And if it happens to be a teen girl you're shopping for, then we have a list for that too.

Google I/O 2025 is just one week away. 

But, if you just can't wait, Google held a special event on Tuesday: Android Show I/O Edition, which gave a look at some new big things headed to Android devices with the Android 16 update.

Google shared some interesting stats during the livestream. For example, there are 3 billion active Android devices around the world, making it the most popular mobile operating system. More than one billion messages are sent in the U.S. alone across all mobile devices (iOS included) using the new RCS Messaging standard, which allows Android and iOS users to easily text as one big happy family.

The real highlights, however, are in all the new features Google announced today. Here's everything you need to know from The Android Show event.

Android 16

According to Google, Android 16 will feature the operating system's biggest redesign in years, with a "whole new look and feel." Material 3 Expressive brings a brand new UI to Android devices, which can be tailored to each individual user. 

Android 16 Credit: Google

For example, Android 16's Material 3 Expressive allows users to personalize everything from the device interface's colors, fonts, and even animations. Even haptic rumbles can be connected to on-screen swipes and slides. A "refined" homescreen grid will also bring a neater, more visually pleasing app layout to users' screens.

Another new Android 16 feature is Live Updates, which will highlight the most important notifications on the users' lockscreen. Rideshare services, food deliveries, and navigation apps will all be prioritized in order to provide users with up-to-date information on time-sensitive events so that they aren't pushed down the screen with less important notifications. 

Google says that Pixel devices will be the first to get Android 16 when it rolls out later this year.

Wear OS 6

Google's smartwatch operating system is also getting a big visual update in what the company is calling its "most expressive version yet."

Watch OS 6 Credit: Google

Wear OS 6 will have a new Material 3 Expressive UI that embraces the circular screen of smartwatches and matches the on-screen visuals to the physical display shape of each smartwatch device.

Transitions and animations that Android users have become accustomed to will also be coming to Wear OS 6, along with a 10 percent battery improvement for smartwatches that update to the new operating system

In addition to all that, Google Assistant will be replaced with Gemini, bringing Google's AI model to its smartwatch operating system.

Gemini across all devices

Gemini isn't just coming to smartwatches either. Google announced that Gemini will be rolled out across all of its Android devices. That's right, Google is bringing AI to your car, your watch, and your TV.

Gemini across all devices Credit: Google

Google's AI Gemini will soon be coming to Android Auto and Google Built-In cars, in order to bring AI assistant abilities to drivers without having to use their smartphone. For example, drivers can conversationally ask Gemini details about locations on their map app and Google's AI chatbot will provide the user with real-time facts and other information based on their query.

Gemini was also announced for smart TVs, which will bring AI chatbot capabilities to users while watching their favorite movies and television shows. 

Gemini on smart TVs Credit: Google

And finally, Google teased that Gemini would be integrated into Android XR, the company's operating system for virtual and augmented reality headsets and smartglasses.

Google also shared some new Gemini features for Android smartphones, which allow the user to screen record documents and snap photos of real-world items and then share the content with Gemini in order to receive summaries or ask questions.

Safety and Security The new Google 'Find Hub' will replace Find My Device. Credit: Google

Perhaps the biggest news from The Android Show I/O Edition is that Find My Device is no more.

Find My Device is now known as Find Hub in order to reflect that the tracking feature isn't just for devices anymore. Find Hub can be used to check on the location of loved ones, share locations with friends and families, and more.

Google shared that they are working with new tracker tag companies such as July, which makes Bluetooth-tag embedded smart luggage. Google is also working with major airline partners so users can share their tags and track them through the airline when traveling.

Disney tracker tags Credit: Google

Disney will also soon release its own themed tracker tags with popular Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters. 

On the cybersecurity end of things, Google shared how Google Messages is continuing to get smarter when it comes to text message scams. Android's enhanced protections have been able to detect even newer schemes, such as the recent fake E-Z Pass toll road scam.

All-in-all, there was nothing too groundbreaking announced at The Android Show I/O Edition. However, what was announced will bring some major changes and upgrades across a slew of devices in the coming months. 

Google packed a lot into a roughly 30-minute event, so we can only imagine what more they have in store at Google I/O next week.

Sometimes when a new app or Software as a Service (SaaS) launches, the company behind the product offers a "lifetime plan" for their very first customers. These lifetime deals for early adopters are usually priced at a premium, or what it would cost for multiple years of a subscription to the service. 

One important thing to note about these plans is that "lifetime" means the life of the company or service, not the customer's lifetime. Companies can fail and that lifetime deal would then no longer be active. On the other hand, customers are drawn to lifetime plans because if the app or service takes off, that early adopter has locked themselves in at that one-time price indefinitely while everyone else pays a monthly or yearly subscription.

However, what happens when a product is successful, doesn't shut down, but simply gets sold to a buyer who allegedly was unaware that they were acquiring a service with lifetime deal customers?

Unfortunately, those who paid for a lifetime deal to the VPN service VPNSecure are learning what happens the hard way.

VPNSecure boots lifetime deal customers

As reported by Ars Technica, VPNSecure lifetime deal customers were first notified on April 28 that their lifetime plans were being deactivated. VPNSecure offered no advance notice, as the company has since acknowledged, and simply deactivated the service for its lifetime customers on the same day it sent the deactivation emails.

According to the new owners of VPNSecure, the company was acquired in May 2023 and the previous ownership allegedly did not provide any details regarding VPNSecure's lifetime deal customers.

"Unfortunately, the previous owner did not disclose that thousands of Lifetime Deals (LTDs) had been sold through platforms like StackSocial," VPNSecure explained in its notification to lifetime deal customers. "We discovered this only months later—when a large portion of our resources were strained by these LTD accounts and high support volume from users, who through part of the database, provided no sustaining income to help us improve and maintain the service."

Furthermore, the new VPNSecure owners claim that they simply acquired "the tech, the brand, and the infrastructure/technology—but none of the company, contracts, payments, or obligations from the previous owners.”

StackSocial is a tech marketplace where software developers offer discounts or lifetime deals for their apps or services. VPNSecure had offered lifetime deals through StackSocial and StackSocial's affiliates as recently as 2022. Customers paid around $30 for the lifetime plan.

Further complicating matters, outlets like Ars Technica and TechRadar reported that the current ownership of VPNSecure appears to be obscured. VPNSecure's website lists InfiniteQuant Ltd as its parent company, however the Bahamas-based firm claims they are not affiliated with the VPN service. VPNSecure's terms of service have listed Dubai-based HOLDXB Trading FZCO and Australia-based Boost Network Pty Ltd at different times, however, neither entity appears to have a contact listed online.

VPNSecure lifetime customers who want to continue using the service were offered a discounted subscription rate. However, since cancelling the lifetime deal, VPNSecure has been bombarded with negative reviews on social media like Reddit and on review platforms like Trustpilot so it doesn't seem like many will be taking advantage of that offer.