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SpaceX plans to launch the next test of Starship on Thursday evening after a seven-month break spent rebuilding major parts of the rocket and its launch site.

The company last flew Starship in October 2025. Since then, engineers have redesigned the engines, reworked the spacecraft's heat shield, and built a new launchpad at Starbase, SpaceX's private launch complex in South Texas.

The upcoming mission, known as Flight 12, will debut what SpaceX calls the next generation of Starship and its Super Heavy booster. Together, the two stages stand about 400 feet tall and form the largest and most powerful rocket system ever built.

The test carries high stakes for both SpaceX and NASA. The U.S. space agency plans to use Starship to land astronauts on the moon as part of its Artemis program later this decade. At the same time, SpaceX founder Elon Musk wants the vehicle to eventually carry people and cargo to Mars. But before that can happen, the company must prove the rocket can launch reliably, survive the fiery plunge back through Earth's atmosphere, and eventually fly again without months of repairs between missions.

"The Starship production pipeline is full and will complete roughly 10 more ships and about half that number of boosters this year," Musk said in an X post on Monday. "If something goes wrong, it will not be a major setback, unless the launch stand is destroyed."

SEE ALSO: This NASA gear may be the first to survive the brutal lunar night How to watch SpaceX's Starship launch

People can watch the launch live on SpaceX's website or on the company's X account. The webcast is expected to begin as early as 4:45 p.m. CT on Thursday, May 21, or about 45 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX says the launch window opens at 5:30 p.m. CT, though weather or technical issues could still delay the attempt. The date has already been pushed back a couple of times, and the company has created a social media thread to track the postponements. 

The long gap since the last flight reflects how much SpaceX has changed after earlier tests exposed weaknesses in the hardware. But the overhaul extended beyond the rocket itself. The launch site now includes a new launch mount, upgraded fuel systems, and redesigned "chopsticks," the mechanical arms meant to catch returning boosters.

A revamped Starship rocket and spacecraft sit fully stacked at the private SpaceX launchpad in South Texas ahead of Flight Test 12. Credit: SpaceX

One of Starship's biggest trouble spots is its heat shield, which uses thousands of protective tiles to protect the spacecraft during reentry from space. As Starship falls back through the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, friction superheats the air around it. Earlier flights lost tiles or suffered damage underneath them.

This time, SpaceX plans to intentionally remove one tile so engineers can study how the surrounding tiles handle the stress. The company also painted some tiles white to help onboard cameras track changes during flight.

Flight 12 will also test upgrades to the rocket's Raptor engines. The newer versions generate more power while using fewer exposed parts — changes SpaceX hopes will improve reliability and reduce maintenance.

The mission includes several other experiments aimed at future deep-space flights. Starship will deploy 20 mock Starlink satellites during the more than one-hour test and attempt to restart one of its engines while in space, a maneuver future moon and Mars missions will likely require. If the ship completes the flight, it is expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, the Super Heavy rocket booster will attempt a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico rather than returning to the launch tower for a midair catch. SpaceX says it chose the more cautious approach this time because the booster design changed significantly since earlier flights.

Even after nearly a dozen test missions, Starship remains very much a work in progress. SpaceX follows a development strategy that relies on frequent testing, accepting failures, and quickly redesigning hardware between flights.

Meanwhile, NASA is rewriting its moon plans around SpaceX and competitor Blue Origin's commercial hardware, bending the missions around their contractors' needs to get astronauts onto the surface faster. In public, they talk about cadence and "muscle memory." Behind the scenes, they're watching one thing above all: how quickly SpaceX can reshape its lunar lander to match the new schedule. 

"SpaceX has been considering alternatives of their current Starship design," said Lori Glaze, NASA's acting exploration chief, "while implementing a more streamlined approach to try and speed things up and pull things forward."

TL;DR: Watch Love Island UK for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Forget all about sunning yourself on a picture-perfect beach this summer. Love Island UK is back on our screens for the forseeable future, so cancel all your plans.

Prepare yourself for weeks of cringey pickup lines, awkward breakups, and massive meltdowns. There's also a slim chance that contestants will find love, but that's not really what Love Island is about. It's all about the drama, and we really can't get enough.

If you're interested in watching Love Island UK in 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Love Island UK in 2026?

The 13th season of Love Island UK starts on June 1. Love Island seasons typically run for eight weeks.

How to watch Love Island UK for free in 2026

The 13th season of Love Island UK is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to watch Love Island UK from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Love Island UK for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Stream Love Island UK for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the latest season of Love Island UK without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to watch a large chunk of the season before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Love Island UK for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The best National Streaming Day deals at a glance: Best overall Apple TV (Roku add-on) $5.99/month for 2 months (save $14) Get Deal Best Roku add-on deal Starz (Roku add-on) $1.99/month for 2 months (save $20) Get Deal Best Prime Video add-on deal AMC+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) $4.99/month for 2 months (save $12) Get Deal Best bundle deal Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) $11.99/month for 6 months (save $6) Get Deal

Happy National Streaming Day to all who celebrate. Sure, it's a made up holiday, but the deals are very real.

National Streaming Day was coined by Roku a dozen years ago to self-promote its own streaming devices and subscriptions. Now it's an unofficial holiday that falls on May 20 and tends to deliver tons of streaming deals. While Roku still offers the largest selection of streaming deals on its own add-ons, we've seen other streamers toss their hats in the ring in years past — like a 68% discount on annual Peacock subscriptions last year.

If you've been wanting to diversify your streaming lineup for 2026, but price hikes kept you from doing so, now's a good opportunity to sign up for new services for a steal. This year, Roku is offering up to 90 percent off subscriptions to both popular and more obscure streaming services, including Apple TV, AMC+, Shudder, Starz, Crunchyroll, and more. For these deals, you'll have to sign up through the Roku Channel, which is completely free and can be accessed through a web browser, a Roku streaming device, or an Amazon Fire TV device.

Several other streaming services are also discounted, and we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any other deals that pop up as we head into Memorial Day weekend.

Note that most of these deals will only stick around for a few days, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible. Happy streaming, y'all.

Best National Streaming Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (Roku add-on) $5.99/month for 2 months (save $14) Get Deal Why we like it

Apple TV has seen one of the most dramatic price hikes of any streamer over the past few years, now costing subscribers $12.99 per month. This two-month discount through the Roku Channel knocks the price down to just $5.99 per month. For anyone keeping track, that's just a dollar more than the original cost of Apple TV when it launched back in 2019.

You'll get access to the full ad-free streaming library, which includes so many shows we're obsessed with: Pluribus, Severance, Ted Lasso, The Studio, and more. After your two-month streaming marathon is up, you can either keep your subscription for the full $12.99 per month or cancel and wait until another streaming deal arises.

Roku add-on streaming deals

All Roku Channel offers end on May 26, 2026 at 2:59 a.m. ET. I've rounded up some of my favorite picks below, but be sure to sign into Roku to browse all of the deal offers.

Ad-free:

• ALLBLK — $3.99/month for 2 months $6.99/month (save $3/month)

• Apple TV — $5.99/month for 2 months $12.99/month (save $7/month)

• Crunchyroll — $1.99/month for 3 months $9.99/month (save $8/month)

• Curiosity Stream — $1.99/month for 2 months $5.99/month (save $4/month)

• Hallmark+ — $1.99/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $6/month)

• HIDIVE — $0.99/month for 2 months $6.99/month (save $6/month)

• MGM+ — $0.99/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $7/month)

• Shudder — $4.99/month for 2 months $9.99/month (save $5/month)

• Starz — $1.99/month for 2 months $11.99/month (save $10/month)

With ads:

• AMC+ — $1.99/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $6/month)

• Discovery+ — $2.99/month for 3 months $5.99/month (save $3/month)

• frndlyTV — $0.99/month for 2 months $12.99/month (save $12/month)

• Screambox — $1.99/month for 2 months $4.99/month (save $3/month)

More National Streaming Day streaming deals

• AMC+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) — $4.99/month for 2 months $10.99/month (save $6/month)

• Disney+ and Hulu (wth ads) — $11.99/month for 6 months $12.99/month (save $1/month)

• NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube — $20/month for 12 months $40/month (save $20/month)

• Sirius XM (Roku add-on) — $5/month for 12 months $11.99/month (save $6.99/month)

• YouTube TV — 10-day free trial, $67.99/month for 3 months $82.99/month (save $15/month)

TL;DR: Finally master PDFs with this lifetime license to AcePDF Converter & Editor, now just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code PDF20 through May 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $23.99
$99.99 Save $76   Get Deal

Name a more annoying modern struggle than battling a PDF file while on a deadline. If you’d like to make peace with this pesky file type once and for all, you need AcePDF Converter & Editor. This tool simplifies the PDF editing and converting process, and right now you can secure it for life for just $23.99 with code PDF20 until May 31.

Every now and then, an app comes along and makes us wonder how we ever lived without it. AcePDF Converter and Editor delivers exactly that, simplifying the PDF process.

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Whether you need to convert a PDF to another file format, like MS Word, Excel, PPT, HTML, PNG, or a JPG, or you’re trying to split, merge, or compress a PDF file, AcePDF makes it easy. You don’t have to sacrifice quality in the process, either — this app creates high-quality conversions that maintain the original layouts, images, and hyperlinks.

Need to edit a PDF? That’s just as simple with AcePDF, which makes it easy to fill out forms and add or enhance content in existing PDFs.

While working within the app, a comment feature lets you annotate documents with underscores, quick notes, stamps, texts, and more. If you’re dealing with sensitive information, you can encrypt and protect files with a passcode and unlock feature. Adding watermarks is also an option, while built-in OCR technology lets you extract text from image-based PDFs.

Lock in a lifetime license to AcePDF Converter & Editor for $23.99 now through May 31 with code PDF20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Tackle whatever work throws at you with this Apple MacBook Pro, on sale now for just $429.97 (reg. $1,999) until June 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $429.97
$1,999 Save $1,569.03   Get Deal

Looking for a laptop you won’t have to replace in a year or two? There’s a reason the MacBook Pro is known for its power and reliability — and sky-high price tag.

Right now, you can score your own MacBook Pro for only $429.97 — over $1,500 off the usual price tag — through June 14, while supplies last.

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If the hefty price has kept you from upgrading your laptop to a MacBook Pro, you’ll want to check out this deal. It lets you bring home Apple‘s more powerful, portable device for under $450 while still enjoying all the bells and whistles the brand offers.

This MacBook Pro is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that offers Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, so it’s ready for all your multitasking and heavier-lift tasks. 16GB of RAM even makes it easy to tackle video editing and coding smoothly.

If you like gaming or watching content, you’ll appreciate the Intel Iris Plus Graphics. You’ll see it all on a stunning 13.3-inch Retina display, which offers Apple’s True Tone technology that automatically adjusts for better visibility and reduced eye strain.

This model is equipped with a massive 1TB of storage that you can grow with over time, with plenty of space to store files locally and download your favorite apps. It also has a Magic Keyboard, complete with the Apple Touch Bar, which lets you quickly access shortcuts. Touch ID offers a secure and easy login to help keep your data safe, too.

You’ll get up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, so you can tackle a full work day and a little more without ever hunting down an electrical outlet. Speaking of charging, there are an impressive four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports available for all your connecting needs.

Wondering how you’re saving so much on this powerful MacBook Pro? This model is Grade A refurbished, meaning it will arrive in near-mint condition, with minimal to no scuffing, while you enjoy the deep discount.

Get your own MacBook Pro for only $429.97 now through June 14.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Keep 1TB of files securely on hand with this SanDisk Extreme USB 3.2 Portable SSD, on sale now for $169.99 (reg. $282.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk Extreme USB 3.2 Portable SSD $169.99
$282.99 Save $113   Get Deal

Tired of running out of storage on your devices? Sick of spending a small fortune on cloud storage month after month? Let this SanDisk Extreme USB 3.2 Portable SSD help. It offers a safe, portable space to store 1TB of data, and it’s currently on sale for $169.99.

The SanDisk Extreme USB 3.2 Portable SSD helps keep your devices from overflowing and saves you money in cloud storage, all while keeping your important content easily accessible. From family photos to important files, this drive is ready to hold 1TB worth of data.

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From super-fast file transfer speeds up to 1050MB/s to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Interface, SanDisk Extreme makes transferring files quick and efficient. It’s also super durable, so you can rest easy knowing it’s all safe. This drive has IP65 water and dust resistance and can withstand drops from up to three meters.

If you’re working with sensitive material, the SanDisk Extreme is ready to protect it thanks to 256-bit AES encryption and password security.

Take this 1TB drive everywhere thanks to a convenient carabiner loop that attaches to backpacks or belts. It’s also light enough to pop in your pocket or bag without weighing you down, since it’s under two ounces.

A plug-and-play setup makes it easy to start transferring files instantly. It works with Windows and macOS, so it’s widely compatible, too.

Simplify your file storage with some help from this 1TB SanDisk Extreme USB 3.2 Portable SSD, now for only $169.99 (reg. $282.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

It's been exactly three years since Confide, one of the most popular apps for naughty chats, officially shut down. We're still grieving the loss of this cross-platform gem. Confide’s disappearing messages and end-to-end encryption were beloved by celebrities, politicians, and ordinary people looking for a way to let loose without the headache of security concerns or a digital paper trail.  

If you're looking to fill a Confide-sized hole in your life, there are other great sexting platforms worth exploring, chief among them AdultFriendFinder. It doesn't have all of the same cybersecurity features of Confide — in fact, it doesn't even have an official phone app — but that hasn't stopped this site from accumulating millions of active users worldwide, making it a favorite stop for people looking to flirt with their fingers.   

Here's how AdultFriendFinder stacks up against Confide, in both positive and negative ways, and why you should consider giving it a try the next time you want to explore the internet's wild side:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Finding a partner

The major difference between Confide and AFF, from a sexting perspective, comes down to how you find a partner. With Confide, you have to do the heavy lifting first. The platform isn't meant to help you meet strangers, only connect with people you already know in some capacity. With AFF, on the other hand, there's an in-built community of millions of people across the globe, all of them on the site to enjoy some adult fun.

SEE ALSO: I had a Grindr sugar daddy for a day. Then he tried to get a refund.

If you're looking to meet someone for the first time, or just connect for a quick naughty chat, AdultFriendFinder offers both a search function, allowing you to browse through local singles or even search by specific kinks, and a wide array of groups and discussion forums based around naughty topics as varied as bondage, foot fetishes and erotic story writing. 

Security

For privacy-minded people, Confide was a fantastic app, boasting end-to-end encryption across all communication formats (including photo and video), ScreenShield technology to guard against screenshots, and self-destructing messaging. All of these security features made it a highly attractive app for sexting, since the combination of cybersecurity, anonymity, and the promise of no digital record keeping allowed people a measure of security rarely found on other sites and apps.

Unfortunately, this is one area where AFF falls short. They've already had one major data breach in 2016, in which more than 400 million accounts were compromised, and though they've made real efforts to improve their security protocols since then, they still don't claim to have end-to-end messaging encryption. They do, however, offer ConfirmID to verify accounts, a process that requires both a government-issued ID card and a facial scan, so if you want to err on the side of caution, you can restrict your communications to verified accounts. 

Group messaging

Another huge benefit to Confide was the ability to find or create group chats, which helped people who shared a common kink or fantasy to establish their own digital spaces. AdultFriendFinder doesn't have a private messaging group chat, but it does offer kink-based, public-facing discussion groups and messaging boards, which offer a great place to meet like-minded people.

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder red flags — how to avoid scams on AFF

There's also nothing stopping you from using those groups to meet individuals. In fact, AFF actively encourages those interactions. So if you do find someone in a discussion forum that you happen to hit it off with, you can use that interaction to break the ice in a one-on-one private chat. 

Live broadcasts

One place Confide decidedly fell short was in broadcasting. You could use the app to send photos, videos and even voice notes, but you couldn't actually initiate a video call. While AFF doesn't yet offer one-on-one video conferencing, it does host webcam shows on its servers, so you can either start your own show and hope to attract someone that way or join the chat room of another person's show to shoot your shot. 

If you happen to join a popular live show and want to find a way to stand out from the crowd, AFF allows you to earn or purchase "points," which you can then use to tip the broadcaster, making your message pop in the cam chat. You can also initiate a private message with any person in the broadcast by navigating to the Viewers tab, scrolling down to the member you want to talk to and then clicking on the Private Chat icon to the right of their name.

Staying anonymous

If privacy is your primary concern, you shouldn't overlook AFF just because it lacks disappearing messages and end-to-end encryption. Spend a quick minute perusing profiles on the site and you'll see that many AdultFriendFinder users choose to remain largely anonymous, with no face photos or identifying information on their profiles at all. 

The site is remarkably generous in how it allows users to engage with it, and unlike with traditional dating sites, there's no obligation to show your face or even use your real name in a public-facing capacity. Moreover, there's a real culture of "anything goes" on the site, so if you want to use it as a traditional dating site, you can meet people who want that, but if you just want to use it for a sneaky link or a one-and-done dirty chat, that's also perfectly acceptable. 

The bottom line? What AFF lacks in security features, it more than makes up for with a massive userbase, a laissez-faire, sex-positive culture, and the option to keep your anonymity as you browse the site and search for a like-minded chat partner. 

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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, May 20, 2026:

AcrossRoss Edgley's 1,700+-mile journey around Great Britain, for example

• The answer is Swim.

Fuzzy fruit

• The answer is Kiwi.

Someone who assumes the worst intentions in everything

• The answer is Cynic.

Orangutans, e.g.

• The answer is Apes.

Work well together

• The answer is Mesh.

DownFormer competitor of Google Hangouts

• The answer is Skype.

Signature products of Napa Valley

• The answer is Wines.

"Yeah, in my dreams!"

• The answer is I Wish.

Open ___ night

• The answer is Mic.

Something found on a Mac (that anagrams to MAC)

• The answer is Cam.

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

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.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says a lot of silly things.

For example, he said that Tesla's steel-plated, but not fully steel-ball-resistant Cybertruck is "apocalypse-level safe." He also said that "Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes & even seas that aren’t too choppy."

Well, one guy apparently took that seriously, and tested it out with his Cybertruck in Grapevine Lake, an 8,000-acre lake northwest of Dallas, Texas.

Now, he's in jail.

According to Grapevine Police's official account on Facebook, "The driver stated he intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode” feature. The vehicle became disabled and took on water. The driver and passengers abandoned the vehicle and the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted in removing it from the lake. The driver was arrested on charges of Operation of Vehicle in Closed Section of Park/Lake and numerous water safety equipment violations."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Tesla's official documentation for Wade Mode says it "allows Cybertruck to enter and drive through bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks," but it also says that "The maximum wade depth is approximately 32 in. (815 mm) measuring from the bottom of the tire."

It doesn't help, however, that Musk himself once tweeted that the Cybertruck "needs be able to get from Starbase to South Padre Island, which requires crossing the channel." We checked, and that's roughly 400m of distance, if going through the Brazos Santiago Pass. According to Wikipedia, the water depth there is 42 feet, which is a lot more than 32 inches. In other words, no, the Cybertruck cannot safely get from Starbase to South Padre Island.

SEE ALSO: Tesla recalls 219,000 cars over rearview camera bug

This is not the first time someone drove their Cybertruck into a body of water and got stuck. It's a horrible idea, it will probably void the warranty (per Tesla's documentation), and someone might get seriously injured. Do not do this, ever.

Cam boy scammers. Piles of dead bodies. A sinister conspiracy.

From these elements alone, you might think Apple TV's Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is a salacious crime caper. That's not entirely off, but it's so, so much more thanks to the person who stumbles onto all these dirty secrets: newly divorced mother Paula Sanders (Tatiana Maslany).

SEE ALSO: Everything coming to Apple TV in 2026 What's Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed about? Tatiana Maslany and Brandon Flynn in "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed." Credit: Apple TV

When we first meet Paula, she's nearing the end of her tether. She and her ex Karl (Jake Johnson) are on the verge of a custody battle over their daughter Hazel (Nola Wallace). On top of that, she's finishing up a grueling apartment move, and her boss at her fact-checking job seems allergic to giving her a promotion.

With all this stress weighing on her, Paula seeks companionship and release with cam boy Trevor (Brandon Flynn). Their virtual conversations primarily focus on getting each other off, but they go deeper than that. Paula regularly tells Trevor her frustrations with Karl and her job. Between her candor and his understanding responses, you might think their intimacy goes deeper than physicality.

Then Trevor gets kidnapped during one of their calls.

SEE ALSO: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' review: If this is the future of Star Wars, I don't want it

From there, Paula must face one of two unsettling realities. Either she just witnessed a bloody crime, or Trevor is pulling a scam on her, meaning their connection was just a means to an end. For a woman whose entire life is in flux, neither option is reassuring. So begins Paula's independent investigation into the truth, the sordid details of which clash with her personal life in a relentless spiral of blackmail and violence.

What follows is a dizzying, adrenaline-fueled ride. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed careens from dark comedy to crime thriller to custody drama, sometimes over the course of a single scene. Frantic jump cuts and Wynne Bennett's pounding techno score throw viewers into Paula's stressed state of mind, while grisly cliffhangers keep the gasps rolling in. Anchoring it all is Maslany's magnificent performance as Paula.

Tatiana Maslany kills it in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Tatiana Maslany in "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed." Credit: Apple TV

If you've watched any of Maslany's performances — her Emmy-winning clone work in Orphan Black, her devilishly funny turn in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, her smaller but unforgettable role in The Monkey — then you should know to expect excellence from her. She delivers that and then some in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

As Paula's hunt for the truth gets underway, her life splinters in two. There's the part of her that is investigating strangers' houses and buying a gun for protection. Then there's the part of her that's trying to make life as normal as possible for Hazel post-divorce.

Maslany excels in both modes, bringing physical comedy to everything from jumping off roofs to goofy mother-daughter TikTok dances. But it's when the two halves of her life collapse into one another that she really shines. A ticking time bomb of rage and desperation, Maslany makes sure Paula's anxieties are never far from the surface. Occasionally, they burst out in fierce monologues directed at coworkers or lawyers or detectives. Even then, though, Maslany pulls back, as Paula is abundantly aware that any emotional outburst from her could backfire on her chances of keeping custody of Hazel.

Yes, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is filled to the brim with intense plot twists and juicy conspiracies. But the most maddening aspect of the series is the judgment placed on Paula as a mother. When Karl finds out about her chats with Trevor, his immediate reaction is to use them against her in court — and he's far from the only one who hopes to punish her for acting on her desire. No wonder Paula feels like her whole life is chaos. Like every mother, she's expected to do it all: Coach her daughter's soccer team, host pizza parties, and look put-together the whole time. The one moment she tries to do something for herself, it backfires, and everyone judges her for it. Meanwhile, does Karl get flamed for his prior infidelity? Of course not. Maslany walks the tightrope of Paula's anger at that double standard and her reluctant adherence to it spectacularly.

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed surrounds the fraying Paula with an impressive ensemble, ranging from oddballs to downright menaces. Flynn is a slippery fantasy as Trevor, while The White Lotus' Murray Bartlett shows off how scary he can be as a sinister fixer. Elsewhere, Johnson and Jessy Hodges bring buttoned-up maliciousness to Karl and his new wife Mallory. Rounding out the crew are two very different pairs. There's the no-nonsense, sports betting fanatic Detective Gonzalez (Dolly de Leon) and her sweet partner Detective Baxter (Jon Michael Hill), as well as Paula's snarky but deeply invested coworkers Rudy (Charlie Hall) and Geri (Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg). Both pairs' dynamics allow for some offbeat breaks from Paula's panic, further fleshing out the show's freewheeling genre tendencies.

Of course, though, it's Paula's show through and through. Maslany and series creator David J. Rosen have crafted a compelling trainwreck of a character, one whom you'll want to follow to the ends of the earth — or at the very least, the end of 10 pulse-pounding episodes.

The first two episodes of Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed are now streaming on Apple TV, with a new episode every Wednesday.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 20, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 20, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 19 Pips

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 19 Pips

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 19 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this must add up to 7. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; 3-4, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some sports and pop culture knowledge.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Scoring an extra point

• Green: Olympic cities

• Blue: Minor league ball

• Purple: Has a QB inside

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Actions on a Field Goal Attempt

• Green: U.S. Olympic Host Cities

• Blue: Triple-A Baseball Teams

• Purple: Ends in an NFL QB

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 #604 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Actions on a Field Goal Attempt: BLOCK, HOLD, KICK, SNAP

• U.S. Olympic Host Cities: ATLANTA, LOS ANGELES, SALT LAKE CITY, ST. LOUIS

• Triple-A Baseball Teams: BATS, EXPRESS, IRONPIGS, JUMBO SHRIMP

• Ends in an NFL QB: CLOVE, FALLEN, PHOENIX, SQUIDWARD

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

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

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

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

If you 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.

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

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

To brush.

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

SWEEP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Awesome.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 20, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SUPER

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Dusty.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 20, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SANDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Wood.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CEDAR

Final Hurdle hint

Overused.

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

BANAL

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 Moon is beginning to brighten again on its right-hand side, although only a thin crescent will be visible tonight, but it's enough to give keen skywatchers a glimpse of some Moon features.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, May 20, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 17% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

After nights of darkness, there's finally enough of the Moon illuminated to begin making out some of its surface features again. For example, without any visual aids, you'll be able to spot the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. Binoculars or a telescope will also bring the Endymion Crater into view.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth completely, passing through eight phases during that time. While the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the way sunlight hits its surface changes throughout its orbit, creating the familiar full, half, and crescent appearances we see in the night sky. Altogether, the lunar cycle consists of eight main phases:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a good cook.

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 Pips hints, answers for May 20, 2026 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: Cooking functions

• Green: Power

• Blue: Song themes

• Purple: Iconic films

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Stove knob settings

• Green: Potency

• Blue: Music theory concepts

• Purple: "___ Day" movies

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 #1074 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Stove knob settings: HIGH, MEDIUM, OFF, SIMMER

• Potency: CONCENTRATION, FORCE, INTENSITY, MIGHT

• Music theory concepts: INTERVAL, KEY, MODE, SCALE

• "___ Day" movies: GROUNDHOG, INDEPENDENCE, THE LONGEST, TRAINING

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 20, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you hate to rush.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 20, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: No rush

The words are related to sluggishness.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe moving without haste.

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 Take Your Time.

NYT Strands word list for May 20

• Gentle

• Relaxed

• Slow

• Take Your Time

• Leisurely

• Placid

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not put-together.

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 hints today: Clues, answers for May 20, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for May 20, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Ruin.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

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 W.

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...

WRECK

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.

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.

Google just announced a smorgasbord of new AI tools for productivity and creativity at its Google I/O keynote on Tuesday, but not many of them are available for free right now.

I/O was huge for Gemini superusers, as the flashiest new features are all rolling out to paying members right now. Even Google AI Plus and Pro users will miss out on some of them. That makes sense from a business and AI safety perspective — test new tools with your most engaged power users, then roll them out widely — but it does make things a bit less exciting for the average Google user.

Fear not, though, because there actually were a few new tools announced on Tuesday that you can use right away, and without dropping a single cent. Let's talk about them.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026 live updates: See the latest reveals, including Gemini, Android XR, more Gemini 3.5 Flash

The biggest news out of Google I/O? The immediate launch of Gemini 3.5 Flash, the new default model for the Gemini app and Google Search.

If you want to try it, it's as simple as just opening the Gemini app or using Google AI Mode. Google says Gemini 3.5 Flash is faster than other models and can better handle complex agentic tasks, all while using tokens more efficiently. And yes, it can help with vibe coding. This one's easy to try, as Gemini 3.5 Flash is now the default Gemini model for everyone. Go check it out.

Gemini Omni Flash for YouTube Shorts and Create

First up is Gemini Omni Flash, a new world model. While it only generates video for now, it can simulate physics and draw from Gemini's real-world knowledge, resulting in more accurate environments. Beyond that, Omni Flash videos can be edited via conversational dialogue with the app, so if you want to change the background of a shot, you can just tell it to do that.

Eventually, Omni will be a fully multimodal world model in terms of both inputs and outputs. At launch, you can use text, images, videos, or audio as the basis for creation, rather than just text. Omni Flash will be available later this week for YouTube Shorts and in the YouTube Create app for all users, for free.

SynthID in Chrome and Google Search Credit: Google / YouTUbe

Tired of not being able to tell if something was generated with AI? Thanks to some new developments with Google Search and Chrome, that should become a lot easier.

During I/O, Google announced that Chrome and Search will now have the ability to use SynthID (an invisible digital watermark on AI-generated content, created at the point of generation) to detect AI content. All you have to to is right-click on an image or use Circle to Search, at which point it will let you know if any part of the image was made with AI — at least, that's the idea.

Part of this announcement was that several third-party entities, including OpenAI, have also adopted SynthID, so it should be even more widespread than ever.

Neural Expressive in the Gemini app

Credit: Google

Finally, Google introduced a new visual design language for Gemini. While it's not technically a tool, you can try it for free right away in the Gemini desktop and mobile app. The new design language uses more vibrant colors, new haptic feedback, and fluid animations. Google says it also integrates Gemini Live, the app's live voice mode, directly into the core experience.

Google Pics Google Pics is coming this summer. Credit: Google

Google also teased the upcoming launch of Google Pics, which will be available in Workspace apps like Google Docs and Keep. It's a Canva-like tool for creating images, flyers, and similar visual presentations. It's all powered by Google AI, of course, so you can take advantage of Gemini intelligence and Nano Banana image generation.

Unfortunately, Google Pics is also rolling out to paid users, with one exception. If you have a Google Workspace business account through your employer, you'll be able to try Pics without paying anything yourself.

The Google I/O 2026 keynote is now in the books, and Google had a lot to share. The entire keynote event lasted nearly two hours and was full of new product and feature announcements.

With all that was unveiled at I/O, AI was clearly Google's focus, with news about Gemini taking center stage.

Here's everything Google announced about Gemini at I/O 2026.

Gemini 3.5 Google CEO Sundar Pichai introduces Gemini 3.5 Flash at Google I/O 2026. Credit: Google / YouTube

Google announced a new family of AI models, Gemini 3.5, at I/O 2026. The first model to launch is Gemini 3.5 Flash, with Gemini 3.5 Pro rolling out next month.

According to Google, Gemini 3.5 Flash is four times faster than other frontier models in output tokens per second (TPS), which measures a model's response time. Google says it also outperforms most frontier models on key benchmarks, including Gemini 3.1 Pro.

During the keynote, Google announced that Gemini 3.5 Flash is now the default model powering the Gemini app and Google search's AI Mode.

Gemini Omni Omni is the new world model from Google DeepMind. Credit: Google

Gemini 3.5 wasn't the only new family of models announced at I/O 2026. Google also announced Gemini Omni, a new world model. At the end of the keynote, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis described Omni as a pivotal step toward artificial general intelligence, or AGI.

The first model in the family, Gemini Omni Flash, was showcased at the event.

According to Google, unlike text-to-video AI models, Gemini Omni is multi-modal in both input and output. Users can input text, audio, images, and video into the model when crafting their prompt and, utilizing Gemini's "real-world knowledge," Omni will generate realistic and scientifically accurate content.

Gemini Omni Flash rolls out today to paid Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers within the Gemini app and Google Flow. Gemini Omni Flash will also launch in YouTube Shorts and the YouTube Create app at no cost to users later this week.

Gemini Spark

Gemini Spark is easily the most ambitious product revealed at I/O. Google is calling Spark "your personal AI agent" and integrates with Google's suite of products, and eventually with more than 30 third-party tools via MCP, such as Adobe, Dropbox, and Uber.

Acting as an AI agent, Spark can pull together relevant emails from your inbox and files from Docs in order to craft an update for your boss. 

Notably, Spark runs entirely within the cloud and doesn't require any hardware.

Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. will see Gemini Spark roll out inside Gmail and Chat in the next week. 

Google AI subscription changes Google's new AI subscription tiers. Credit: Google

Speaking of the Google AI Ultra subscription, the company announced that it's lowering the starting price for its Ultra subscription to $200 per month and introducing a lower-cost $99 per month Ultra tier.

Previously, users had to pay a whopping $250 per month to access the latest Gemini features such as AI Inbox.

Neural Expressive Credit: Google

Finally, the Gemini app is getting a new design language, which Google calls Neural Expressive. The new design language includes more fluid animations, haptic feedback, and vibrant colors, per Google. Neural Expressive also integrates the Gemini Live voice experience into the core UI, meaning users no longer have to switch back and forth.

Google says it's rolling out globally on Gemini's desktop, Android, and iOS apps.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

SAVE $550: As of May 19, the Hisense 75-inch E7 Cinema Series is on sale for $749.99 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch E7 Cinema Series $749.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $550   Get Deal

With the World Cup just a few weeks away, now is the perfect time to upgrade. And to sweeten the deal, Amazon has a wide range of TVs discounted in its Memorial Day sale, including the Hisense 75-inch E7 Cinema Series. As of May 19, you can save $550 on this stunning TV, with a new price of $749.99.

This is a truly great TV that uses Hi-QLED MiniLED technology to improve your viewing experience. It supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG, as well as Dolby Atmos audio for a more immersive sound. The TV also features 4K Ultra HD resolution with AI upscaling that helps to improve lower-resolution content. For example, it helps older shows and movies appear clearer and more detailed.

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For gaming and sports, it has a native 144Hz refresh rate and AI Smooth Motion with MEMC. These help to keep fast-moving content looking sharp by reducing blur and improving motion clarity. And that's not the only AI feature. The AI Picture processing tool automatically adjusts brightness, contrast, and color of scenes, depending on the type of content being watched.

There's also the AI Light Sensor that adapts screen brightness based on the lighting in the room. AI Sports Mode can also recognize sports content and adjust both picture and sound settings.

Get this TV deal at Amazon in time for the World Cup.