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TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Oklahoma with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
Earlier this year, a number of states introduced laws that required visitors to upload ID before accessing sites. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from these states from accessing their website. These restrictions are still in place, so a lot of potential users will be looking for a simple solution. Fortunately, the workaround is straightforward.
If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Oklahoma, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock Pornhub for free in OklahomaVPNs 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:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub
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
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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 Oklahoma with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
Your access to popular porn sites like xHamster will be restricted in many locations around the world. There are legitimate reasons for these restrictions, but we do think there is something to be said for retaining your right to online freedom. When the time is right, there is nothing wrong with accessing your favorite adult sites.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock xHamster for freeVPNs are useful security tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's actually really simple.
Unblock xHamster by following these steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to xHamster
Unblock xHamster
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.
If you want to retain permanent access to free pornj sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.
If you thought the death of Joel (Pedro Pascal) would be the most heartbreaking part of The Last of Us Season 2, you'd be wrong.
That honor falls to Season 2, episode 6, a flashback episode all about Joel and Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) years in Jackson — and why they grew apart.
SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2: How does that big death compare to the game?The episode's heartbreak comes in waves. Early sequences of Joel and Ellie's happiest memories become tragically bittersweet with the knowledge of what's to come. And of course, watching the two fall out is a surefire recipe for sadness. By the end of the hour, your eyes will be damp and your heart will have shattered into a million tiny pieces. But hey, at least we got Joel back for a bit!
Here, in chronological order, is every time The Last of Us Season 2, episode 6 broke our hearts.
When young Joel's father gets vulnerable about parenting.Episode 6 opens with a flashback to Austin in 1983, when young Joel (Andrew Diaz) tries to protect Tommy (David Miranda) from a beating from their father (Tony Dalton). But instead of physically punishing either of his sons, Joel's father decides to tell him about the warped blueprint of fatherhood he inherited from his own abusive dad, and how he hopes to improve upon it, bit by bit.
"I'm doing a little better than my father did," he tells Joel. "When it's your turn, I hope you do a little better than me."
That line proves to be the thesis of the episode, with Joel trying to do a little better than his own father during his time with Ellie. Knowing how limited that time is — and how the two ended things — kickstarts episode 6's heartache. And guess what? It's not about to let up anytime soon.
When the opening credits change to bring back Joel.After Joel's death, The Last of Us' opening credits made a devastating change. Instead of ending on the image of two fungal silhouettes, meant to represent Ellie and Joel, they ended with just the Ellie silhouette, highlighting her new loneliness. In episode 6, however, the Joel silhouette is back! It's both a welcome return and a reminder that we're on borrowed time with this pair. Who knew a shadow of a fungus could make me so emotional?
SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 3's opening credits has a heartbreaking change When Joel sings "Future Days" to Ellie. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOSo many elements of Ellie's 15th birthday tug at the heartstrings, from Joel's reaction to her burning her arm to hide her bite mark to him customizing a guitar for her. But the moment that opens the floodgates is undoubtedly Joel's rendition of Pearl Jam's "Future Days" (teased by Ellie herself back in episode 5).
The song's lyrics — "If I ever were to lose you / I'd surely lose myself" — are a resounding reminder of how much Ellie and Joel have come to mean to each other. (It's also a dark portent of how Ellie may be losing herself on her revenge quest.) But the performance is also a payoff of a story thread from all the way back in Season 1, when Ellie asked Joel to sing for her and teach her to play guitar. Well, it's finally happened, and I wouldn't blame you for getting teary-eyed.
When Joel and Ellie visit the museum. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOAfter a full season and a half of watching Joel and Ellie run from Infected and human enemies alike (and in Joel's case, you know, dying), any scene where these two can just relax and enjoy themselves is a blessing. And what a blessing Ellie's 16th birthday is!
Joel brings Ellie to a museum, where she spends the day clambering on dinosaur statues and blasting off to space in an old capsule. In one of the season's most poignant moments, her imagined space flight becomes reality, with the light of the real world fading around her until she's drifting in the dark void of space.
SEE ALSO: Watch 'The Last of Us' star Young Mazino try to recover after dropping a huge spoilerThe entire sequence is Joel and Ellie at their happiest. She gets to actually be a kid for once, and Joel revels in her joy, knowing he's doing a good job as a father.
Of course, the scene also serves as the calm before the storm. Ellie's insistence that she goes on patrol is a reminder of the dangers Jackson faces, as well as the fateful patrol that will one day rip Joel from her forever. For now, though, we get to enjoy Joel in dad mode, attempting to give Ellie "the talk," all while being clueless about her sexuality. Talk about bittersweet.
When Ellie moves out of their house.If Ellie's 16th birthday celebration is Joel's dream, then her 17th birthday is his nightmare. He walks in on her smoking pot, getting a tattoo, and hooking up with Kat (Noah Lamanna). "All the teenage shit all at once," as he puts it.
While Joel's exasperated dad act seems funny at first — what's worse, dodging Clickers or teenage rebellion? — it moves into upsetting territory pretty fast. Dismissing Ellie's relationship with Kat as an "experiment" is awful, plain and simple, as is his assertion that Ellie isn't currently herself. No wonder Ellie wants to move into the garage: Having her own father figure refute her identity like that marks a major blow to their bond.
Thankfully, Joel recognizes the error of his ways and tries to help by giving Ellie more space, but this fight and subsequent move mark the beginning of the end for Joel and Ellie. You want to grab them through the screen and yell at them to communicate with each other, that they only have a few years left. Instead, all you can do is watch the tragedy snowball.
When we learn what Ellie's moth tattoo means. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOOne of Joel's attempts to bond with Ellie post-fight is to ask her about her moth tattoo. It echoes her drawings, which he used as inspiration when decorating her guitar. Ellie says she chose the moths because of what they represent in dreams. Joel mistakenly believes they're symbols for change and metamorphosis, but therapist Gail (Catherine O'Hara) reveals the truth: They represent death.
SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 5 drops a big hint about a terrifying Infected enemyThat means Ellie has been carrying around the deaths of everyone she's lost, like Riley (Storm Reid), her mother (Ashley Johnson), and more. As seemingly the only person in the world who's immune to Cordyceps, there's also a layer of survivor's guilt here. Ellie's surrounded by death, yet protected from it too. That's a crushing burden to bear, one that's defined her entire coming-of-age — and one that Joel will never truly understand.
When Ellie questions what happened in Salt Lake City. Bella Ramsey in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOOn Ellie's 19th birthday, she gets what she's wanted since moving to Jackson: to go on patrol with Joel. But now, she wants something else, too: answers about what really happened in Salt Lake City at the end of Season 1.
Before she and Joel head out to patrol, she sits in her room, rehearsing questions she has about Salt Lake City. "If the Fireflies spotted us a mile from the hospital, how did they get surprised by an entire group of raiders?" she wonders. "If the raiders could kill all those soldiers and Marlene, and you had to carry me the whole time, how did we get away?"
These brief moments signal how much Ellie has replayed that pivotal day, how these discrepancies have been eating at her for years. Deep down, she knows that Joel lied to her. Perhaps that subconscious knowledge influenced her need for space from Joel, further widening the rift between them that Joel may have just attributed to teenage rebellion. Based on episode 1, we know that that rift is about to get a whole lot wider, so the inclusion of Ellie's questions here suggests the other shoe is about to drop.
When we finally learn what happened with Eugene. Joe Pantoliano in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOThis is the big one, folks. Ever since episode 1, The Last of Us has been talking about Joel killing Gail's husband Eugene (Joe Pantoliano). Now, we finally get to see it play out.
Eugene is marked for death from the moment he gets infected on patrol. He accepts that, but man, do his final moments sting. It all starts when Ellie insists that Eugene has enough time to make it back to Jackson and say goodbye to Gail before he fully turns, and she makes Joel promise that he'll help. But Joel, thinking to protect Ellie and Jackson, goes back on his promise and shoots Eugene anyway. It's a brutal betrayal not just of Eugene, who gets a few seconds of false hope before reality sets in, but also of Ellie, who realizes that Joel's promise mirrors the very promise he made to her after the events of Salt Lake City.
"You swore," she says, all the weight of years of pain and questioning coming through in just two words.
Ellie's discovery of Joel's lie plays out differently in the show than in the game, where Eugene is already dead from a stroke. Still, watching her put the pieces together — and watching Joel betray her even after their relationship seemed to be tentatively mending — is nothing less than devastating.
When Joel and Ellie take steps towards healing in the porch scene.Up until now, episode 6 has revealed why Joel and Ellie aren't on speaking terms by the start of Season 2, as well as what happened with Eugene. There's only one major question left to answer: What happened the night before Joel's death to make Ellie say she and Joel were "better now"?
The answer plays out in episode 6's gorgeous final scene, a continuation of the porch scene from episode 1. Here, The Last of Us reveals that Ellie didn't just turn in for the night after seeing Joel out on the porch. Instead, she came back to ask him, point blank, about what he did to the Fireflies. Her line of questioning serves as a direct parallel to Abby's (Kaitlyn Dever) interrogation of Joel right before his death: The two both know the role Joel played in the massacre, but they want to hear him confess it for himself.
The conversation that follows is full of lines that double as gut punches. Upon learning that making a Cordyceps cure would have killed her, Ellie says, "Then I was supposed to die! That was my purpose. My life would've fucking mattered. But you took that from me, you took that from everyone."
Joel's response? "Yes, and I'll pay the price."
Little does he know he'll pay the ultimate price the very next day. In fact, the whole scene hurts even more knowing that the journey of forgiveness that Ellie hopes to embark on will be cut short in a matter of hours. Episode 6, you've already made me tear up several times before, but this might take the cake.
Adding salt to the wound is one last callback to the Austin flashback. "If you should ever have [a child] of your own, well, then, I hope you do a little better than me," Joel tells Ellie.
The line hits especially hard after Ellie's reaction to Dina's (Isabela Merced) pregnancy: "I'm gonna be a dad."
With that, The Last of Us comes full circle, making episode 6 a stunning, heartbreaking story of parenthood — and a season highlight.
New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and HBO Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
Ever since The Last of Us killed off Joel (Pedro Pascal), my complaints with The Last of Us Season 2 have been twofold.
First, the series finds itself with the unenviable task of filling the void left by the lack of Joel and Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) dynamic. As sweet as Ellie and Dina's (Isabela Merced) blossoming romance is, it simply doesn't hold a candle to Ellie and Joel's relationship. (Nor has The Last of Us given it enough time to merit its placement as the show's focal pairing.) Second, Seattle's factions are so thinly drawn that it's almost impossible to latch onto anything in that world, doubly so when that storyline is moving at a glacial pace.
SEE ALSO: Did 'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 6 break your heart? Us too.Enter Season 2, episode 6, an installment of The Last of Us that alleviates my season-long quibbles for one heartbreaking hour. The episode reunites Joel and Ellie in a series of flashbacks spanning years, reminding us of both how impeccable Pascal and Ramsey's chemistry is and how much more well fleshed-out Jackson is compared to Seattle.
Really, the whole episode feels like a reminder of everything Season 2's been missing — sometimes literally, as it fills in gaps about the rift in Joel and Ellie's relationship. The effect is undoubtedly a season high, but also frustrating proof of how great The Last of Us can be amid an otherwise underwhelming season.
This episode shows us Joel and Ellie at their happiest — and Pascal and Ramsey at their best. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOWhen it comes to Joel and Ellie, much of The Last of Us Season 2's focus has understandably been on the rift between them. Pascal and Ramsey both do an incredible job playing the pain of this divide, with Pascal skewing more melancholy and Ramsey channeling a simmering rage. But the flashback format of episode 6 allows them to switch course and play some of the lighter moments Joel and Ellie have shared over the years — and the show is better for it.
After spending all of Season 1 and most of Season 2 watching Joel and Ellie deal with peril after peril, it's a gift to watch them enjoy normal, happy lives. We've gotten glimpses of this joy in moments like Season 1's giraffe scene, but episode 6 gives us years' worth. From birthday celebrations to Pearl Jam singalongs to awkward talks about the birds and the bees, episode 6 provides catharsis following so many episodes of relentless suffering. Joel gets to embrace being a father again, and Ellie finally gets the opportunity to be a normal kid.
SEE ALSO: Josh Peck breaks down his 'pinch-me' guest role on 'The Last of Us'Even tough scenes like their argument about Ellie's "teenage shit" — smoking, getting a tattoo, and hooking up with Kat (Noah Lamanna) — have a bittersweet quality to them. These are the kind of growing pains any parent-child relationship goes through. Ellie and Joel's safety in Jackson allows them this normalcy, something they never had during their dangerous cross-country trip.
These sequences give Pascal and Ramsey new shades of their characters to explore, from Joel's dorky dad energy to Ellie's teen rebellion. They also serve as proof of how perfectly matched they are as performers. Pascal's only been out of the picture for three episodes, but even those three hours feel too long after you witness him back in action with Ramsey. Their chemistry is the foundation on which The Last of Us was built, so seeing it back onscreen is both a joy and a reminder of just how much the show's lost without it.
This episode answers our biggest questions about Joel and Ellie's relationship. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOWhile The Last of Us Season 2 has presented Seattle's Washington Liberation Front and Seraphites as mysterious new factions for viewers to interrogate, the season's most pressing and intriguing questions have not been ones of world-building, but of character. What caused Ellie and Joel to stop speaking? And what happened on the night before Joel's death to make Ellie believe they had a chance of reconciliation?
Episode 6 answers both questions in devastating fashion, first showing how Joel's final betrayal of Eugene (Joe Pantoliano) proved to Ellie that he'd been lying about what happened in Salt Lake City. It follows that heartbreak up with the quiet pain of the pair's porch discussion on New Year's, where Joel tells Ellie the truth, and Ellie admits that while she's unsure she can ever forgive Joel, she's willing to try.
In a kinder world, that discussion would be the start of a long healing journey for Ellie and Joel. But the world of The Last of Us is rarely a kind one, and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) murders Joel the very next day. With that, The Last of Us traps us in a heartbreaking mire of "what ifs." What if Joel had told Ellie earlier? What if he hadn't killed Eugene? Would the pair have gotten more time for more happy memories? We'll never know, and that's the lingering pain episode 6 leaves us with.
This flashback episode raises questions about TLoU Season 2's pacing. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOOn top of leaving us with general heartbreak, episode 6 of The Last of Us prompts anxieties about what the show is going to do next. Yes, Ellie remains on the hunt for Abby, but with Abby MIA since episode 2, and with the Seattle storyline spinning its wheels, the chances of the Season 2 finale delivering anything as meaningful and satisfying as episode 6 are slim. Really, in providing some kind of closure to Joel and Ellie's broken relationship, episode 6 feels more like the climax of the season.
The placement of episode 6 as this season's penultimate installment is also troubling from a structural standpoint. Unlike Season 1's flashback episodes, which paired Bill and Frank's love story with Joel and Ellie's present-day visit to their house, or Ellie's failure to save Riley with her frantic scramble to heal Joel, this flashback episode remains fully in the past, with nothing to anchor us to the present. (No, that flash of Ellie heading back to the theater doesn't cut it.)
That choice is a double-edged sword: It allows us to fully immerse ourselves in Joel and Ellie's lives, but it also slows what little momentum has been built in Seattle. We get a gorgeous resolution to the questions brought up in the season's early episodes, at the cost of the latter half of the season. And with just one episode left in a seven-episode season — too damn short for one of the biggest shows on TV! — The Last of Us Season 2 has set itself up for a touch act to follow. How do you come back from an episode that's so heartfelt and so grounded the rest of the season already pales in comparison?
New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and HBO Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
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 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Charity sale
Green: Seen on a popular board game
Blue: Found on a large sea animal
Purple: Body parts
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Fundraising event
Green: Spaces on a Monopoly board
Blue: Features of a toothed whale
Purple: Homophones for parts of the foot
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 #708 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFundraising event: BALL, BENEFIT, FUNCTION, GALA
Spaces on a Monopoly board: AVENUE, CHANCE, RAILBOARD, UTILITY
Features of a toothed whale: BLUBBER, FLIPPER, FLUKE, MELON
Homophones for parts of the foot: BAWL, HEAL, SOUL, TOW
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 19Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 18 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 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:To toss a ball.
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 P.
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...
PITCH.
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 19Reporting 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.
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 hintA spritz.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerSPRAY
Hurdle Word 2 hintCommotion.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerBABEL
Hurdle Word 3 hintTo overcome.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerWHELM
Hurdle Word 4 hintA regulation.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 19 Hurdle Word 4 answerBYLAW
Final Hurdle hintA Biblical book.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerPSALM
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
The Last of Us Season 2, episode 6 packs such an emotional punch that it's difficult to see past Joel (Pedro Pascal) finally playing "Future Days" for Ellie (Bella Ramsey), or the teary scene in which he comes clean about what really happened at the Firefly hospital.
But woven throughout the flashbacks that span the five years between Season 1 and Season 2 is some subtle symbolism, which may have bigger implications for the characters and the story going forward.
We're talking, of course, about the moths. Why do they feature so strongly in this episode, and what exactly do they mean to Ellie? Let's break it down.
SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2: What are the differences between the game and the HBO show? Where do moths feature in episode 6?Moths feature strongly in the first three birthday flashbacks in episode 6. On Ellie's 15th birthday, just two months into their stay in Jackson, Joel uses the many moth drawings on Ellie's bedroom wall as inspiration for a pattern that he carves into the neck of the newly restored guitar he gives her as a gift.
A year later, as they're walking back from the delightful museum visit Joel takes her on for her 16th birthday, he tells Ellie that they should do this more often. "In!" Ellie responds, before something off the path catches her eye. She stops and stares, her expression blank, before Joel asks if she's okay. Ellie replies, "Yeah," and keeps walking. The camera then pans and we see light glinting off the wings of several moths that are flying around a dead tree stump.
Another year on, on her 17th birthday, Ellie gets a tattoo of a moth to cover up the self-inflicted burn on her arm, which she gave herself two years earlier in order to conceal her bite mark.
"Never did ask, what is it with the moths?" Joel asks her that night, after agreeing to let her move into the garage.
"Um, nothing," responds Ellie. "I just read about them in a book on dreams and stuff. It's kind of symbolic."
"Oh, right," says a clearly confused Joel. "Yeah, like change and growing and such."
But as we find out shortly, that's not what moths symbolise at all.
What do the moths really symbolise?Not long after the conversation with Ellie, Joel ambushes his therapist, Gail (Catherine O'Hara), and asks her about what moths symbolise in dreams.
"So a moth... That probably means change and growth?"
"No," she replies. "That would be a butterfly."
"Oh. So, what's a moth?"
"Death," comes the response. "If you believe in that shit."
Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOIn the next scene, when Ellie is clearing out her bedroom, we see a piece of paper covered in moth drawings. "You have a greater purpose" has been written across it.
So what exactly do the moths, and this idea of a greater purpose, mean to Ellie?
What do the moths mean to Ellie?The first thing to bear in mind is that Ellie's entire life has been dominated by death. As she says at the end of Season 1, when she's telling Joel about the first person she killed: "Her name was Riley, and she was the first to die. Then it was Tess, and then Sam."
If the moths symbolise death, then it makes sense that Ellie would have a fascination with them — because death follows her everywhere she goes.
It's also possible that, as a result of this, Ellie is suffering from survivor's guilt. Why is she still around when so many of her loved ones aren't? Why is she the one with the immunity to becoming Infected? This links to the line woven through her moth drawings about a "greater purpose," which suddenly makes more sense during the final conversation she ever has with Joel, right at the episode's end.
"Making a cure would have killed you," Joel tells her, after admitting that he murdered the Fireflies in order to save her life.
"Then I was supposed to die!" Ellie responds. "That was my purpose, my life would have fucking mattered, but you took that from me! You took it from everyone."
Ellie is clearly haunted by the responsibility that she carries, just as she's haunted by all the people she's lost along the way. Drawing the moths is perhaps a way of processing, and taking some control over, the death that shadows her everywhere she goes.
Watching The Last of Us and want to play the games? Here's how.
Since he was first mentioned in episode 1 by his widow, Gail (Catherine O'Hara), The Last of Us fans have been asking: Who is Eugene?
In Joel's very unorthodox therapy session with Gail in the first episode of Season 2, we learned that 1) Eugene was her husband. 2) He's been dead for less than a year. And 3) He was shot to death by Joel — presumably because he'd been infected.
Episode 2 revealed Eugene was a former Firefly who did patrols in Jackson with Jesse and had a secret marijuana grow in an abandoned 7-Eleven outside of town. In that episode, when Jesse spoke of Eugene's death at Joel's hands, Ellie seemed dismayed, but it was unclear why. I mean, maybe it just sucked to lose a beloved member of the community. Maybe, as the proposed cure for the Cordyceps infection, Ellie felt somehow responsible for Eugene's death? Well, turns out it's more than that.
Eugene's death began the rift between Ellie and Joel. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us," Season 2, episode 6. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOEpisode 6 takes audiences back across five years of birthdays (15 to 19) for Ellie in Jackson. Joel aimed to make each of them special. He bartered to get her a cake. He made her a guitar in his wood shop, the one she surveyed in episode 3 as she grieved for him. He took her on a day trip to a forgotten museum. And when she turned 19, he gave her what she wanted most: her first patrol.
Joel had been keeping Ellie off patrol to protect her. Sure, she can take a bite from the Infected and not be affected. But getting bit would risk her safety in Jackson, as no one but Joel and Tommy know her secret. She even burned her arm to cover the bite mark left by that ill-fated mall date with Riley ("I wanted to wear short sleeves again"). But part of growing up is taking risks. And risks like getting a tattoo, doing drugs, and hooking up with Kat have been causing friction between Joel and Ellie since she turned 17.
In a bid to reconnect on her 19th birthday, Joel agreed to allow her on patrol with him, but it was a fateful decision. While they were out, they came across Eugene, who'd been bitten by the Infected. How Joel handled this infuriated Ellie, who called him out in front of Gail when they gave her the bad news back in Jackson.
What did Joel do to Eugene? Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us," Season 2, episode 6. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOEveryone in Jackson knew the protocol. Joel had to kill Eugene (Joe Pantoliano), because once the infection took over, the man would be a mindless, rampaging threat to the community. But — as Gail put it in episode 1 — "it's how [Joel] did it" that stings.
When Eugene came across Ellie and Joel in the woods, he admitted right away he'd been bitten. Joel kept him at a distance by aiming his gun at the old man. From this point, Eugene pled, "Please. I figure I've got about an hour. So this is what we do. We go back to the gate," referring to the large protective wall that surrounds Jackson. "We get Gail out, keeping her at a safe distance of course, and I say goodbye."
Joel immediately shot down the idea, pardon the pun. Eugene became increasingly desperate, declaring, "I need to see her. I've got things to tell her. You don't understand."
Joel replied, "I do. But we have rules, and it can't happen."
Ellie tried to reason with Joel, asking Eugene to do the counting test she had to do before Joel in Season 1 to prove she wasn't transforming. "He has time," she insisted. "We tie him up, and we bring him back. Joel, let him see his fucking wife. Please."
Joel reluctantly agreed and urged Ellie away to gather the horses. He looked her in the eyes, and he promised. But he was lying.
No amount of pleading or rationalizing would change Joel's mind. To bring Eugene back to Jackson would be a risk he couldn't take. He shot Eugene in the wilderness, as the man cried out to see his beloved wife one more time. "I need her last words," Eugene yelled, "For me!"
It was to no avail. Joel executed him where he stood, overlooking a picturesque view, but pining only for his last sight to be his wife's face.
Why did Eugene's death hit Ellie so hard? Joe Pantoliano is Eugene in "The Last of Us," Season 2, episode 6. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOOn one level, Eugene's death was traumatizing to Ellie because it proved Jackson is not entirely safe from the plague raging outside its walls. On another, Joel lied right to her face.
Earlier in the episode, Ellie practiced asking the burning questions she had for Joel about their escape from the Fireflies. She suspected something was off. Joel making a promise to her face, then breaking it as soon as her back was turned, seemed proof.
As they rode back to Jackson following Eugene's execution, Joel told her, "When we get there, I'll tell Gail what she needs to know and nothing more. It's the right thing to do." Ellie didn't respond, even when Joel said, "I had no choice."
Catherine O'Hara and Pedro Pascal in "The Last of Us," Season 2, episode 6. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOEllie could see Joel applying the same logic to the Fireflies' slaughter. So when she called him out in front of Gail and Tommy as they brought Eugene's body back to camp, she was acting out in rage, because of what she suspected about Joel's lies to her.
Many in Jackson, including Tommy and Gail, see Ellie and Joel as the same. But she set herself apart by telling Gail the hard truth. "That's not what happened," she said, denying Joel's story of a fearless surrender to execution. "He begged to see you. He had time. Joel promised to take him to you. He promised us both. And then Joel shot him in the head."
It's little wonder that Gail hates Joel. And with this scene, as Ellie hissed, "You swore," we understand better than ever what drove these two apart. Not what Joel did, exactly, but that he lied about it.
For nine months, Ellie stewed on this. The night of the New Year's dance, she confronted him. And in a season full of heartbreaking moments, Joel finally confessed to all he'd done, saying, "And I'll pay the price because you're gonna turn away from me."
Little did either of them know the price would be so much higher for both of them.
The Last of Us Season 2 airs weekly, Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
Just when we thought the wound of episode 2 might be healing, The Last of Us picks at the scab with episode 6. A flashback episode shows Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) in happier times, specifically, with a series of Ellie's birthdays in Jackson.
With the two of them finally safe and settled, Joel relishes giving Ellie a home and happy memories sprinkled with cake, handmade gifts, day trips, and even a song — which was teased in episode 5. And it's not just any song. Like the haunting cover that plays at the end of episode 2, Joel's tender ditty has a connection back to the game and beyond.
What song does Joel sing to Ellie on her birthday? Joel (Pedro Pascal) builds a guitar for Ellie in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOAfter Joel presents Ellie with the guitar he crafted with his own hands, she asks him to sing. He initially declines, but then reluctantly plays the instrument while singing softly:
"If I ever were to lose you
I'd surely lose myself
Everything I have found dear
I've not found by myself
Try and sometimes you'll succeed
To make this man of me
All my stolen missing parts
I've no need for anymore
I believe
And I believe 'cause I can see
Our future days
Days of you and me"
The song is "Future Days," released by Pearl Jam in 2013.
Last week, Mashable's UK Editor Shannon Connellan broke down how the song played in the game The Last of Us Part II. You can watch it below, where Joel is voiced by Troy Baker.
Earlier in the season, the TV adaptation included a cover of Ellie (voiced by Ashley Johnson) singing "Through the Valley." Both songs were released by Sony Music Entertainment as part of the digital album The Last of Us Part II: Covers and Rarities on Sept. 17, 2021.
What's the meaning of "Future Days" in The Last of Us? Ellie plays her guitar in "The Last of Us," Season 2, episode 5. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOThat's multilayered. Both in the game and in the show, Joel singing this song seems to speak to his devotion to Ellie. His reason to exist is her. And in episode 6, even ever-joking Ellie recognizes this in her own way, responding to the song by saying, "Well, that didn't suck."
Beyond Pearl Jam's lyrics, however, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann added more meaning by naming the first episode of Season 2 after the song. "Future Days" kicks off the season to reveal that there's a rift between Joel and Ellie, one so deep he's going to therapy and she's living in the garage.
Joel is seeking professional help to find how he might get back to the time shown in this flashback episode, the happy days when Ellie would joke with him and smile at his efforts. And the tragedy that he won't and she can't cuts deeper in this episode, as we're forced to recognize all the future days that were lost to Abby's vengeance.
New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and HBO Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
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Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License AU$37After a long wait and a struggle for better working conditions, visual effects (VFX) artists with Marvel and Disney voted to ratify their first union contract.
The contract reportedly gives workers the sorts of rights, protections, and rules often offered by a union: things like overtime pay, access to pension plans, minimum wage increases, and rest periods, to name a few.
SEE ALSO: Unionized Apple Store workers in Oklahoma secure tentative agreementThe Disney/Marvel contract under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) also includes raises of 4 percent in the first year and 3.5 percent in the second year, Variety reported. The VFX team for the Avatar franchise also struck a deal, under a separate agreement.
"I want to congratulate the member of these VFX bargaining units on negotiating fair contracts that earned such strong support. From when they started this process until today, the leadership and determination shown by these members has been an inspiration,” ATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said in a statement.
VFX workers at the shops voted to unionize over the last few years amid reports of long hours and wildly tight deadlines.
"This is not just a victory for Marvel/Disney, but a much-needed win for the entire VFX industry," Cael Liakos-Gilbert, a VFX data wrangler at Marvel, said in a statement. "We’ve proven what is possible through determination and willpower, and don’t have to speculate or be shrouded in cynicism and doubt any longer."
Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update closed the 50th season with its relatively newfound tradition: Hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost trading jokes.
If you've never seen the bit, it's both funny and wildly uncomfortable. Che typically forces Jost, who looks like the white villain in an '80s skiing movie, to tell jokes about Black people. Jost, in turn, typically tries to make Che uncomfortable, too.
This joke swap was especially personal, however, as Jost took the opportunity to let his wife, host and actress Scarlett Johansson, exact some revenge on Che. It's definitely a joke swap Weekend Update to remember.
The final episode of Saturday Night Live's 50th season began with a cold open featuring, what else, a sketch about Donald Trump.
Cast member James Austin Johnson fired up his spot-on impression to recap Trump's recent trip to the Middle East. And the sketch hit the points you might expect. Most notably, it touched on the $400 million plane gifted by Qatar and Trump's seeming adoration of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The sketch is pretty funny and centers on how much Trump seemed to be enjoying himself during his trip away from the States. And we won't spoil the end, but it takes a turn you might not see coming before we get the "Live from New York..."
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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, May 18, 2025:
AcrossGolf shot that's also a piece of computer hardwareThe answer is Chip.
The answer is Drive.
The answer is Aaron.
The answer is Inert.
The answer is See ya.
The answer is Crane.
The answer is Hiree.
The answer is Ivory
The answer is Penta.
The answer is Stein.
The answer is Dais.
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 GamesAre 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.
When it comes to noise-cancelling earbuds, you can easily find a pairs anywhere in the $50 to $300 range. If you're looking for a pick somewhere in the middle of that price point, you've likely looked at Sony, Beats, and maybe even Bose.
Skullcandy, however, is looking to break into the mid-range space with the release of its new Method 360 ANC earbuds. The earbuds, made in partnership with Bose, feature sound technology from the premium brand. At full price, the Method 360 ANC earbuds are the most expensive earbuds in Skullcandy's lineup, but still firmly situated in the budget range for earbuds overall.
With that in mind and as someone who's personally tried the entire line of available Bose earbuds, I knew I needed to put these Skullcandy earbuds to the test.
What makes the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds differentSkullcandy isn't exactly the brand known for drawing in audio fidelity enthusiasts. What it is known for is affordable prices: Excluding the Method 360s, its entire earbud lineup goes for $100 or less, with several pairs available under $50, and their absolute cheapest wireless earbuds going for just $25 at full price.
Even the brand's earbuds with active noise cancellation are affordable at full price. Credit: Screenshot: SkullcandyA lower price point typically means you won't get top-of-the-line sound, active noise cancellation, or extra features like a custom equalizer. While Skullcandy does already include ANC in its lineup, they've never had Bose-quality sound before. In the press release for the earbuds, Justin Regan, Skullcandy's vice president of marketing, says, "This product sets a new standard. We're launching at $99.99 because we want more people to hear what's next. But make no mistake — Method 360 ANC belongs in the premium tier."
Considering premium-tier earbuds can easily cost twice the price of the Skullcandy earbuds, that's a bold claim worth testing out. It is also worth keeping in mind that the $99.99 is just an introductory price that will eventually be raised to $129.99 (the Skullcandy team was unable to provide a date as to when that price rise will go into effect).
Is Skullcandy's Bose-powered sound good?Simply put, I was impressed by how these earbuds sounded. Granted, they didn't sound exactly like the Bose earbuds I've tried, but they came close enough to earn them some serious points.
When listening to Japanese Breakfast's "Savage Good Boy," the Method 360s showed off their power to balance a song, blending the nuances of the guitar, bass, and high-pitched vocals with dexterity. During the 8-Bit Big Band's rendition of "Lonely Rolling Star" from the video game Katamari Damacy, it would have been easy for a lesser pair of earbuds to make the horn line sound blown out, and the singer get lost in a wall of sound produced by the instrumentals. But the Skullcandy earbuds held up. At times, their volume could feel a little muffled, but only when I was really pushing the upper limit for testing (and comparing them side by side) — I can't imagine a casual listener would notice this off the bat.
When compared to my favorite pair of budget earbuds, the slightly cheaper EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds, the Skullcandy buds didn't sound leaps and bounds better. While they may not set a new standard entirely, they do perform at the top of their category.
Skullcandy vs. Bose earbudsSpeaking of comparisons, I had to test the Skullcandy earbuds against two Bose options: the Bose QuietComfort earbuds (which retail for $179) and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (which retail for $299). I'll be writing up a more in-depth comparison soon, so I'm going to keep it relatively brief here, but I wanted to touch on the main points.
From left to right: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, Skullcandy earbuds, and Bose QuietComfort earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableOverall, I find both options from Bose to still be better than the Skullcandy buds, which wasn't too surprising, considering their price points. However, the Skullcandy earbuds definitely held their own more than I expected. Here's how they stacked up:
Sound: The hierarchy is as you would expect here, but there's way less of a discrepancy
Comfort: Though all the earbuds came with three sizes of ear tips and stability bands, I found both Bose models to have a slightly better seal, but fit can vary from person to person.
Touch controls: The Skullcandy earbuds' touch controls felt surprisingly sophisticated, never leaning more sensitive (as budget earbuds tend to). They felt like a near one-to-one experience with the QC Ultras.
Smart features: The voice assistant sounds exactly the same, but the Skullcandy earbuds play it so loud, no matter what volume you set them at.
Noise cancelling: The noise cancellation on the QuietComfort and especially QuietComfort Ultra earbuds blocked out more, but for being $100 earbuds, I was impressed at how the Skullcandy buds performed.
Companion app: The Skullcandy app looks (and works) incredibly similar to the Bose QuietComfort earbuds app.
Battery life: The Skullcandy earbuds had really impressive battery life that seemed to match up, if not straight up outperform, the Bose earbuds.
Multipoint connection: With all three earbuds, I've experienced some issues with switching between two connected devices or having a consistent connection without any audio skipping when more than one device is connected. However, you can help the issue by turning off multipoint connection for all three devices.
Obviously, the starkest difference between the three earbuds is the price. Though the Skullcandy earbuds are by far the cheapest, it is worth noting that while I was writing this review, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds were on sale for $149. During the holiday season, they dropped down to $129.
The noise cancelling works better than expectedI've tried noise-cancelling earbuds that have caused my partner to accidentally jump-scare me throughout the day, and I've tried noise-cancelling earbuds that do little more than vaguely muffle sounds while playing an obvious hissing tone.
The adjustable ANC was a pleasant surprise. Credit: Screenshot: SkullcandyUsually, budget earbuds are more likely to fall into the latter category, and understandably so. I especially didn't expect these earbuds to come with adjustable ANC, a feature that's been harder to find since Bose discontinued its noise-cancelling 700 headphones. Yet, the Method 360 earbuds provided a noise cancellation that had only the most minimal of hiss on the highest levels of noise cancellation. They didn't quite cancel out my partner on work calls or my neighbors' kids playing outside as well as the Bose earbuds did (that also could've been a result of the fit not being as snug), but for $100, they stood out as one of the better pairs I've tested.
The case needs a redesignIt may sound silly, but the case is by far the biggest issue with these earbuds. Beyond being way too clunky and not very user-friendly (more on that in a second), they don't feel consistent with the audience these earbuds seem to want to chase after. If you're adding Bose-powered sound to compete with premium earbuds, the earbuds you're making should have a premium feel. While the earbuds themselves do, the case feels cheap and gimmicky.
I reached out to a Skullcandy rep via email to ask why the case is the way it is, and they replied that it came down to style and functionality. On the point of style, I guess this look could be someone's jam — it's not exactly mine. To Skullcandy's credit, it does offer five different colorways of the earbuds, including the black ones I received, as well as earbuds in an off-white shade called bone, a red shade called plasma, a tan shade called primer, and a leopard print called — you guessed it — leopard.
Then, there's the point of functionality. "The functional part is the case can be clipped outside of a bag, to a belt loop, or inside the key-ring of a bag/purse, so they’re easier to get to when the need is there," the Skullcandy rep wrote to me in an email.
Technically, you can use the earbuds that way, but the O-ring isn't the most adaptive size. For my thicker-strapped bags that didn't have another ring or keychain, it took some maneuvering to get the ring clipped on and off — not exactly the "Clip It and Rip It" experience Skullcandy advertises in its marketing copy.
The O-ring was functional on thicker strapped bags, but a little awkward to use. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableThe other issue I have with this idea is picturing the scenario where someone would want to clip their $100 to $130 earbuds outside the relative safety of their bag or pocket. Maybe for the Dime Evo earbuds, the $50 Skullcandy earbuds that originated this design, it makes more sense, but for a more premium-oriented earbud, this doesn't feel like the right vessel.
The Dime Evo case is incredibly similar, but has both earbuds situated on one side. Credit: Skullcandy"So just don't clip the case on your bag," you might be saying. And trust me, beyond testing, I don't think I would. However, Skullcandy designed the case more tailored to the experience of using the clip. For one, the case is huge, and it looks huge on a desktop or in a smaller bag. Ironically, this makes the earbuds feel less portable. And two, the earbuds are placed on the opposite sides. For instance, if you're looking at the front of the case, and slide it up that way, the right earbud sits on the left side, and the left on the right.
The front facing view of the Method 360 ANC case has the right earbud on the left side of the case, and vice versa. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Turned with its right side facing up, you can see the left earbud. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableMaybe if you're solely using these earbuds, this is something you get used to, but I could not during the testing period. I kept trying to put the wrong earbud on the wrong side or upside down. It may feel like a small gripe, but design choices like these are where I notice the difference between budget and more premium headphones.
Are the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds worth it?At $99, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs are an impressive pair of earbuds that punch above their brand's weight. While the case is glaringly bad, of all the features to be less than stellar on a pair of budget earbuds, Skullcandy could've done way worse. On that note, their sound, comfort, and noise cancellation make them feel more luxe than their current $100 price tag would imply.
While they don't completely stand out as singularly the best in the budget category, they are definitely one of the best options at this price point, especially if you can look past the case. Once they jump up to their $129.99 full price, I'd probably wait for them to go on sale before I grab them. But, if you're not in a rush for new earbuds, I might recommend just waiting instead for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds to drop back down to their record-low price instead.
Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds $99.99 at AmazonThe whole point of getting an area rug in the first place is to make a room look more pleasing to the eye, so when choosing between Ruggable and Tumble, it's important to consider just how many options each brand has. When it comes to aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder — we can't really tell you which rug designs look better, because everyone's interior design taste varies greatly. But what we can say is that, in general, Ruggable has way more options on its website than Tumble does, including larger sizes and options made specifically for outdoor spaces. So, when it comes to this category, we'd say Ruggable is a pretty clear winner.
Winner: Ruggable
SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Dyson: Which cordless vacuum should you get? Tumble vs. Ruggable: DurabilityHow good can a rug be if it can't stand the test of time? Both Tumble and Ruggable aim to extend the life of your rug by making it easy to keep clean and free of the damage that normal rugs would experience over a long period of time. Both brands claim to be spill-resistant, pet-friendly, and machine washable, which is about all you can ask for in a rug, especially if you've placed it in a high-traffic area. Luckily, both are equally as good at staving off stains, rips, and fraying. Other than some very minor wear and tear, both of the rugs we tested out looked about as good as they did the day we got them at the end of our testing period. We consider this category to be dead even.
Winner: Tie
A close-up of one of Ruggable's rugs. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Tumble vs. Ruggable: ComfortYou're going to be walking on your new rug pretty often, so you'll want it to feel plush and comfortable. Unless you want to feel the hardwood underneath it. To each their own!
Both Tumble and Ruggable charge separately for the rug pad when you order one of their rugs. If you already have a pad, you can order the rug cover on its own to save some cash. Both brands' rug pads feel great to walk on, and they have a nice bounce to them that feels supportive and takes a lot of pressure off your joints. Ruggable offers a standard pad and a cushioned pad, while Tumble has just one 1/4-inch thick rug pad.
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Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)
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KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $349.95 (List Price $449.99)
Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.99 (List Price $699.99)
The rug covers themselves also feel really nice. The Ruggable rug we tested out was a medium-pile design that felt soft and plush, and the Tumble option was a flat-woven style rug that was super smooth to the touch. We loved them both equally, but Ruggable has more rug pad and rug pile options, so it wins this round.
Winner: Ruggable
Tumble vs. Ruggable: User-friendlinessThe setup process for both Tumble and Ruggable is probably a bit different from what you're used to. It's more involved than simply laying the rug cover on top of the pad, and you'll want to put yours in a place that's easy to access, because in theory, you'll be picking up and putting down the rug occasionally to chuck it into the washing machine. Thankfully, it's still a pretty easy process in both cases, but one is superior in our opinion — it's Tumble.
Setting up a Tumble rug is an absolute breeze. All that's required is laying down the rug pad in your chosen spot, putting the rug cover over the top of it, and then securing it with the included adhesive pads on each corner. The cover itself has corner pockets that allow you to slip the pad into them, which keeps the two from separating — a simple, yet amazing design choice. To this day, the Tumble rug we tested hasn't budged an inch.
In Ruggable's case, though, the setup is a little more laborious. First, you'll need to lay out and fold up the rug cover in a particular way so that it sits on the rug pad correctly. Then, you need to lay the rug pad down and unfold the cover on top of it, being careful to keep everything aligned. The cover is supposed to cling to the pad underneath it, but due to the lack of corner pockets and adhesive strips, the rug has more potential to move around during use, and it's really tough to get everything lined up just right. In our experience, the Ruggable rug hung over the rug pad by a few inches on one end and at least an inch on all other sides. Because of this, both the initial setup and the eventual post-wash resets are just a tad more difficult.
In terms of keeping the rugs looking clean, they're equally easy to spot clean or throw into your washer. Still, Tumble edges this category out.
Winner: Tumble
A close-up of one of Tumble's rugs. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable Tumble vs. Ruggable: Overall valueRugs are going to be expensive no matter what you do, so you shouldn't make a knee-jerk decision when you see both Tumble's and Ruggable's prices. It all depends on the size you want. Tumble's rugs start at around $119 and reach above the $400 mark on the high end. Ruggable's rugs start at about $129, and the largest sizes (which are way bigger than Tumble's largest sizes) can reach over $1,000. That's pricey anyway you slice it, but is it worth the money? We think so. The amount of time you'll save cleaning either one of these rugs, paired with their longer lifetimes, makes them both an incredible value over time. If you're going to drop some serious dough on a rug, you might as well buy one that'll last. And that goes especially for households with children, pets, or spill-prone adults. Again, Tumble and Ruggable tie in this regard.
Winner: Tie
Tumble vs. Ruggable: The verdictSo, we've reached a tricky situation here. There's no clear winner of this battle. However, if we had to pick, Ruggable ekes out the win. But it really comes down to your priorities: If you want more design choices, larger sizes, and options for outdoor areas, go with Ruggable. If you want to go straight for ease of use, though, Tumble is your perfect match.
All in all, both Tumble and Ruggable make some amazing rugs, so you can't really go wrong with either one.
Shop Ruggable and Tumble washable rugs Ruggable washable rugs Starting at $129 Shop Now Tumble washable rugs Starting at $119 Shop NowApple recently made its grand (re)entrance to the mid-range smartphone market with the iPhone 16e, replacing the older iPhone SE variant. Of course, now the only thing to do is see how it compares to one of the best mid-range smartphones around, the newly released Google Pixel 9a.
Both phones provide a lot of value for those looking for a flagship-like experience for a much lower price, but there are benefits and drawbacks to each. Let's get into it.
Google Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16eTwo phones enter, but only one can fit in your pocket. Which will it be?
Price and specs The Pixel 9a is a great value. Credit: Joe Maldonado/MashableWhen it comes to price, there is a clearly superior option here. The Pixel 9a starts at $499, while the iPhone 16e starts at $599. While $100 isn't the biggest difference in the world of flagships, it's a large number for anyone in the market for a budget phone.
Here's what you get in the Pixel 9a for that price:
6.3-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate
Google Tensor G4 processor
8GB RAM
128GB storage
5,100mAh battery
And for $100 more, this is what the iPhone 16e gets you:
6.1-inch display with 60Hz refresh rate
Apple A18 chip
8GB RAM
128GB/256GB/512GB storage
4,005mAh battery
We'll get into display and performance analysis later, but Google is easily winning the value game so far. You get a bigger and (in some ways) better display and a bigger battery for less money. Apple, to its credit, offers more storage options, but those will only make the phone even more expensive; the 512GB iPhone 16e is $899, which makes it not even really a budget phone anymore.
Design Apple kept it simple. Credit: Stan Schroeder/MashableNeither of these phones are on the cutting edge of smartphone design, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The iPhone 16e, for its part, looks like a slightly older iPhone model. It doesn't have the standalone Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the display like you'd see in a recent flagship iPhone, instead going for the classic notch look. There's no home button, which differentiates it from the old iPhone SE models, but there isn't one on the Pixel 9a, either. Unfortunately, it only comes in two very boring colors: black and white.
Google's mid-range phone is slightly bolder in its design. Namely, Google went and removed the horizontal rear camera bar that had become such an iconic part of the Google Pixel look over the past few years. Now, the rear camera is barely noticeable, lacking even a bump to make it stand out. That's pretty nice if you like your phone to lie completely flat on a table, but it does make the Pixel 9a look like a generic phone prop in a TV show.
That said, the Pixel 9a offers four colors, twice as many as the iPhone 16e. There are black and white options, as well as one called "Iris" and a gorgeous pink colorway that should be the only one anyone buys, in my humble opinion.
Display Google's display is superior. Credit: Joe Maldonado/MashableIn my eyes, there's a pretty definitive winner in the display category.
Pixel 9a's display is not only slightly bigger (though that can actually be problematic for folks with smaller hands), but its refresh rate is twice as high. Not everyone values this as much as I do, but smooth scrolling is very nice to have on a smartphone, and it's a little wild that Apple is still so behind the times on this issue in everything other than iPhone Pro models. You also get up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness, which makes it great for outdoor use.
Apple's panel isn't bad, by any means. Its 2532x1170 resolution is slightly higher than what Pixel 9a offers (2424x1080), and it is an OLED screen with HDR support. However, with just 1,200 nits of peak brightness, it likely won't look as good under sunlight as the Pixel 9a.
Performance Apple went with USB-C for this one, which is nice. Credit: Stan Schroeder/MashableWhen it comes to performance, there really isn't a losing choice here.
Both phones are excellent in terms of day-to-day use. Apps load quickly and neither phone slows down too much when there are too many open. I did notice the Pixel 9a getting a little warm to the touch after prolonged use, but a case could easily alleviate that.
If you want to put it in numbers and technically choose a winner, it would be Apple. The iPhone 16e's Geekbench benchmarking metrics are better than Pixel 9a's, with Apple netting a 7,423 multi-core score and Google coming in at just 4,358. However, on a practical level, either phone will do just fine for you.
Battery life Both phones have good battery life. Credit: Joe Maldonado/MashableBattery life is another area where you can only win.
In my testing, the Pixel 9a was more or less a 24-hour device between charges, and could probably last longer if you turned the refresh rate down to 60Hz or took other power-saving measures. I never directly tested the iPhone 16e myself, but our reviewer Stan Schroeder noted that he was able to go about two days between charges on what he described as "heavy use."
It's possible, then, that the extra cash you pay for the iPhone 16e is getting you a better battery than what is available on Pixel 9a. However, I wouldn't describe the Pixel 9a's battery as "bad" by any means. It's just less good.
Camera The iPhone 16e takes nice nighttime shots. Credit: Stan Schroeder/MashableBoth the iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a have identical (in terms of megapixels) 48MP main shooters on the rear side. However, Apple only included the one camera lens on the phone's backside, while the Pixel 9a also has an additional 13MP ultra-wide lens.
Since these are both budget phones, cameras are where the biggest compromises are to be expected. That said, you can definitely get nice-looking shots on either the Pixel 9a or iPhone 16e. One nice bonus that the Pixel 9a has over the Pixel 8a is the addition of Macro Focus, which lets you get up real close to tiny objects and capture them in great detail. Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e doesn't have this feature at all, due to the lack of an ultra-wide lens.
Given that Google's phone has that extra lens and at least one feature the iPhone 16e can't claim, I'm inclined to think the Pixel 9a has a better camera system.
Google Pixel 9a $499 at Google StoreTL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2025 NBA playoffs are continuing to deliver an abundance of drama, and it really doesn't get much more dramatic than an all-or-nothing battle between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Can the Thunder overcome an inspired Nikola Jokić to progress to the West finals? You can watch all the action without spending anything.
If you want to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7)?Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on May 18. This game takes place at the Paycom Center.
How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) for freeOklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) in the 2025 NBA playoffs is available to live stream for free on Ran.de.
Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, 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 Germany, meaning you can access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world.
Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
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Open up the app and connect to a server in Germany
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Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) for free
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 select games from the NBA playoffs before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Ran.de, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Germany
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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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 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Breathe new life into an old computer with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, now just $54.97 (reg. $418) through June 1.
You may not have a thousand dollars set aside for a new computer, but what about $55? That’s all it costs to make your old PC feel like new with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. It’s just $54.97 (reg. $418) through June 1.
Pay once and enjoy two helpful Microsoft licenses for lifeIf you have an old PC that could use a little love, show it some TLC with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. First up, it outfits your device with Microsoft Office Professional 2021, providing your computer with eight of Microsoft Office’s go-to apps.
From classics like Word and Outlook, to new favorites like OneNote and Teams, these apps help you tackle both personal and professional tasks. And you don’t need to worry that it’s the 2021 edition — this version actually offers three more apps than the 2024 license and lets you work with the familiar interface you know, so there’s no need to relearn anything or navigate new AI tools.
Windows 11 Pro will take your productivity even further. It was designed with the modern professional in mind, so it’s filled with features that help you multitask and knock out to-do lists. It also keeps security top of mind, with new features like a biometrics login, enhanced antivirus protection, and BitLocker encryption.
Both licenses last for life and offer an easy way to upgrade your computer without any recurring monthly charges.
Transform your PC into a multitasking machine with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, now just $54.97 (reg. $418) through June 1.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Windows The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97
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