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Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 17, 2026

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love Disney princesses.

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 April 17, 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 April 17, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A beauty.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letters E and L appear twice.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

BELLE

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.

When is The Pitt Season 3 coming out?

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 21:45

The Pitt Season 2 is coming to an end, but if you're already hoping to head right back into the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, don't worry. Unlike most streaming shows nowadays, The Pitt probably won't take multiple years to come back for Season 3.

SEE ALSO: How 'The Pitt's cinematographer created the show's unique immersive style

In an almost unprecedented move for the streaming age, there was just one year between The Pitt's Season 1 and Season 2 premieres. (Both came out in early January.) If the show follows the same production schedule as it did between Seasons 1 and 2, it's highly likely that there will be a similar wait time for the next season, meaning viewers can expect Season 3 in early January of 2027.

Luckily, The Pitt does appear to be adhering to the same production schedule this time around. Ahead of The Pitt's PaleyFest LA event, creator R. Scott Gemmill told Variety that Season 3 was set to begin filming this June. Filming for Season 2 kicked off in June of 2025, which tees Season 3 up for the same production timeline.

When will The Pitt Season 3 take place?

While viewers will have to wait a little under a year between seasons, far less time will pass between The Pitt Seasons 2 and 3. There were roughly 10 months between Season 1 and Season 2, which takes place on July 4, 2026. However, at PaleyFest, Wyle told USA Today that Season 3 would be taking place in November, meaning there will only be a four-month time jump between seasons.

"It will be pre-Thanksgiving, moving into colder weather," Wyle said to USA Today. "The holidays are approaching. The weather's changing. People are turning on their heaters for the first time."

So get ready for mentions of The Pitt crew's family drama heading into Thanksgiving, as well as potential cold weather accidents. Whatever happens, I'm ready for Thanksgiving in January of 2027.

The Pitt Season 2 is now streaming on HBO Max.

Dear Google, Fix Google Home. Now.

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 19:44

Iyaz Akhtar looks into what happened to Google’s smart home ecosystem. Google’s move toward Gemini appears to have disrupted Google Home’s once smooth experience. The result is a system that feels less reliable and more inconsistent. Here’s what’s going wrong right now.

How to disable automatic content recognition and data tracking on your smart TV

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 19:42

Stop your smart TV from tracking your viewing habits by disabling Automatic Content Recognition. This guide shows how to find and turn off these hidden privacy settings on an Amazon Fire TV. It’s a quick way to limit data tracking and improve privacy.

Googles new warning about quantum hackers and the threat to crypto

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 19:41

Google is warning that advances in quantum computing could make it easier to break the encryption that protects cryptocurrencies. The concern is that quantum hackers may be able to crack current security systems much sooner than expected. This could put crypto assets and blockchain-based systems at risk.

Testing the MacBook Neo on 8K video and raw photos

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 19:40

PCMag's camera expert Jim Fisher tests the budget Apple MacBook Neo with 8K video, RAW photos, and exports. The goal is to see how it handles real creative workloads and whether it’s a viable option for creative work.

The DJI Flip is close to its lowest-ever price on Amazon — shop now and save $100 on this 4K drone

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 18:00

SAVE $100: As of April 16, shop the DJI Flip 4K drone for just $539 at Amazon. That saves you $100 off its $639 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Flip $539
$639 Save $100   Get Deal

Getting outside this spring and summer? If you're looking to capture your adventures from above and in 4K then you'll need the right equipment, and you don't need to be a professional either. DJI makes it easy to get started with a drone, and since 4K drones may be an investment, it's worth it to shop the deals.

Right now, you can grab the DJI Flip drone for just $539. That saves you $100 off its list price of $639. According to camelcamelcamel, the DJI Flip's record low is $509, meaning it's just $30 from its lowest price ever.

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The DJI Flip is a lightweight drone, weighing just 249 grams. You won't have to worry about regulations either as it doesn't require FAA or Remote ID registration. It comes with a two-screen remote controller so you can see your footage as you capture it. The Flip films in 4K at 60fps, plus it features subject tracking so you'll always stay in frame.

Shop the DJI Flip for just $539 at Amazon now.

Artemis II crew largely sidesteps diversity question about future moon-landing astronauts

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 16:40

Astronauts from NASA's first crewed Artemis flight largely sidestepped a question about the diversity of the future astronauts assigned to the upcoming moon-landing mission. 

Speaking at a news conference days after their return to Earth, the Artemis II astronauts —  Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — were asked whether the U.S. space agency should uphold its pledge to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon, a goal NASA has recently deemphasized. 

The moment highlighted an issue NASA has avoided publicly clarifying. The Artemis program's first landing mission is expected as early as 2028.

"That's a great question," Koch told Mashable. "Our understanding of that statement was basically that the Artemis campaign as a whole will usher in an era where that is true, and that it will happen naturally because of our astronaut corps."

Though Mashable sought each astronaut's opinion, only Koch answered before the moderator moved on to another reporter's question.

SEE ALSO: A girl asks for Pluto to regain its planet status. NASA chief: We're looking into it.

Before 2025, NASA had consistently described the first Artemis lunar landing as putting the first woman and first person of color on the moon. But over the past year, that language has largely disappeared from agency materials, following a White House executive order that curtailed diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies. The directive labeled such programs "illegal and immoral."

The Artemis II crew itself marked a milestone. The mission was the first deep-space flight not composed entirely of white men. Koch became the first woman and Glover the first Black person to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. Their assignment to the lunar flyby crew occurred in 2023, during President Joe Biden's administration. 

The Artemis II crew, clockwise: Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Wiseman. Credit: Josh Valcarcel

Both have downplayed the historical significance of their distinctions in past interviews, focusing instead on the technical goals of the mission. Leading up to the launch, they often wouldn't elaborate on what those "firsts" meant specifically for women and people of color.

On Thursday, however, Koch seemed confident the milestone will happen, regardless of intention.

"The fact is we don't have to try too hard to make that come true, to make that be the reality of this mission. We actually have to try harder to not make that true in the astronaut corps that we have."

"The fact is we don't have to try too hard to make that come true, to make that be the reality of this mission," she said. "We actually have to try harder to not make that true in the astronaut corps that we have."

Floating in the Orion spacecraft, the four Artemis II astronauts embrace in weightlessness. Credit: NASA

Artemis II, a roughly 10-day mission around the moon and back, was NASA's first crewed journey beyond low-Earth orbit in more than a half-century. The $4.1 billion test flight vetted the Orion spacecraft's life‑support, power, navigation, and steering systems. The mission took the capsule past Apollo‑era distances, reaching a farthest point of about 252,756 miles. 

NASA has not yet announced crews beyond Artemis II. The next mission, Artemis III, will serve as a 2027 flight demonstration for docking Orion with commercially built lunar landers while in low-Earth orbit. Artemis IV is expected to attempt the program's first lunar landing the following year. 

Agency officials have said assignments will be based on mission needs but have not addressed whether earlier commitments about representation remain in place.

Crunchyroll launches Witch Hat Atelier companion podcast

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 15:00

If you've already fallen under the spell of Witch Hat Atelier, Crunchyroll has a new way to stay immersed in the series between episodes.

The anime streamer has launched Witch Chat: The Witch Hat Atelier Companion Podcast, a new watchalong-style series under its Anime Effect podcast slate. The show is designed to guide viewers through the anime adaptation of Kamome Shirahama's beloved manga, and the first three episodes are available now on Spotify and YouTube.

SEE ALSO: 'Witch Hat Atelier' is anime's next truly magical hit

Hosted by anime cosplayer and content creator Lena Lemon and Crunchyroll personality Tim Lyu, fans can expect episodic recaps and an even deeper dive into the magical world of Coco, Qifrey, Agott, Tetia, and Richeh. Or maybe you really want to make sure you're pronouncing words like Atelier, Qifrey, and Richeh correctly (because...same).

Credit: Courtesy of Crunchyroll

For a show like Witch Hat Atelier, which is already full of intricate lore, mysterious Brimmed Caps, and enough storybook beauty to inspire endless TikTok edits, a companion podcast feels like a natural fit. The first episode of the anime premiered on April 6, and the podcast gives fans another place to theorize about Coco's future, Qifrey's secrets, and whatever unsettling thing the Brimmed Caps are planning next.

It is also a reminder of how much anime fandom now lives online. According to Crunchyroll, 82 percent of anime fans discuss anime on social media, with TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube serving as major discovery tools for viewers. After all, it only takes one devastating edit to change the course of someone's life, or dictate what they watch next.

And if any new show feels built for that kind of fandom ecosystem — the cosplay, the fan art, the ship discourse, the aesthetic moodboards, the painstaking manga-to-anime comparisons — it's definitely Witch Hat Atelier. Judging by the online discourse so far, the Qifrey obsession has already begun.

Anthropic releases Claude Opus 4.7: How to try it, benchmarks, safety

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 14:08

Anthropic has been shipping products and making news at a blistering pace in 2026, and on Thursday, the AI company announced the launch of Claude Opus 4.7.

Claude Opus 4.7 is Anthropic's most intelligent model available to the general public. Notably, Anthropic said in a press release that Opus 4.7 is not as powerful as Claude Mythos, which Anthropic deemed too dangerous for public release.

Claude Opus is a family of hybrid reasoning models capable of multi-step reasoning and advanced coding. Until the announcement of Claude Mythos on April 7, Claude Opus was considered Anthropic's most advanced series of AI models.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

How to try Claude Opus 4.7

Claude Opus 4.7 is available now via Claude AI, the Claude API, and Anthropic partners such as Microsoft Foundry. The new model is priced the same as Claude Opus 4.6.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic makes the case for anthropomorphizing AI in ‘unsettling’ research paper

However, Anthropic noted that because "Opus 4.7 thinks more at higher effort levels," it uses more ouput tokens than its predecessor. Users can read more about how to optimize token usage in the Opus 4.7 migration guide.

How Claude Opus 4.7 improves over 4.6

As expected, Claude Opus 4.7 offers improved capabilities across the board.

In particular, Anthropic says Claude Opus 4.7 is better at advanced coding tasks, visual intelligence, and document analysis. Anthropic also says Opus 4.7 is "more tasteful and creative when completing professional tasks, producing higher-quality interfaces, slides, and docs."

"Users report being able to hand off their hardest coding work — the kind that previously needed close supervision — to Opus 4.7 with confidence. Opus 4.7 handles complex, long-running tasks with rigor and consistency, pays precise attention to instructions, and devises ways to verify its own outputs before reporting back," reads an Anthropic blog post.

Claude Opus 4.7: Benchmark performance

Anthropic released a detailed model card outlining how Claude Opus 4.7 compares to other Anthropic models and frontier models from OpenAI, Google, and xAI.

Opus 4.7 lags behind the unreleased Claude Mythos, which Anthropic reports scores significantly higher on common benchmarks such as Humanity's Last Exam. "Claude Opus 4.7 is less capable than Claude Mythos Preview on every relevant axis we measured and does not advance our capability frontier," the model card states." That means Claude Opus 4.7 is not evidence that AI development has accelerated beyond existing trend lines.

SEE ALSO: The AI industry has a big Chicken Little problem

On Humanity's Last Exam (without tools), Anthropic reports that Claude Opus 4.7 outperforms all other frontier models except Claude Mythos.

  • Claude Mythos scored 56.8 percent on HLE

  • Claude Opus 4.7 scored 46.9 percent

  • Gemini 3.1 Pro scored 44.4 percent

  • GPT-5-4 Pro scored 42.7 percent

  • Claude Opus 4.6 scored 40.0 percent

With tools, GPT-5-4-Pro scored 58.7 percent compared to Opus 4.7’s 54.7 percent. Mythos beat them both with 64.7 percent.

Mashable has not independently verified these benchmark results. Full results are available in the Opus 4.7 model card.

Credit: Anthropic

Overall, Anthropic scored Opus 4.7 above other leading models in some benchmarks, though Gemini 3.1 Pro and GPT-5-4 score higher in some areas.

Claude Opus 4.7: Safety and hallucinations

Anthropic also reports that Opus 4.7 shows a low risk of misaligned behaviors, with a similar risk profile as Opus 4.6.

For example, Anthropic says Opus 4.7 is less likely to hallucinate and shows lower rates of reward hacking.

"Claude Opus 4.7 is more reliably honest than Opus 4.6 or Sonnet 4.6, with large reductions in the rate of important omissions, and moderate improvements in factuality and rates of hallucinated input," the model card states.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Why fans are so upset about Patrick Schwarzeneggers Beach Read casting

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 13:16

TikTok is in mourning over Gus Everett.

After news broke that Patrick Schwarzenegger had been cast opposite Phoebe Dynevor in the film adaptation of Emily Henry's Beach Read, readers immediately flooded TikTok with reactions ranging from confusion to outright despair. "#NotMyGus" became a common refrain on the app. Others seemed certain that the adaptation had already been ruined before filming even started.

Their main argument? The vibes are off. Sure, Schwarzenegger doesn't look like the literary sad boy Henry described in the book. But he also doesn't have the aura.

In Henry's novel, he is a literary novelist with dark hair, olive skin, and a slightly rumpled, brooding energy. He is handsome, but not in an obvious leading-man way. He feels worn down by life. His appeal comes from the tension between how emotionally closed-off he seems and how soft he actually is underneath it all.

Schwarzenegger, at least publicly, projects almost the exact opposite energy: polished, glossy, conventionally handsome, and impossible to separate from his nepo-baby image. Fans are not reacting because they think he is a bad actor. They are reacting because he does not really resemble the version of Gus that exists in the book.

That disconnect is especially striking because Gus is one of the defining romance heroes of the modern BookTok era. Readers have spent years fancasting actors like Paul Mescal, Logan Lerman, Joe Keery, and Dev Patel for the role, largely because they embody the melancholy energy people associate with Gus. Schwarzenegger, even after his acclaimed turn on The White Lotus, still feels more country club than tortured novelist.

Director Yulin Kuang has already defended the choice, saying she spent six months looking for Gus and ultimately prioritized chemistry with Dynevor over physical resemblance to the book version of the character. Kuang described Schwarzenegger as a "slow burn" choice and said there was "something electric" between the actors during chemistry reads.

That may be enough to win readers over when the film premieres. After all, styling can do a lot: darker hair, rumpled sweaters, bad posture, a little stubble.

But for now, the internet response says something bigger about how attached readers have become to the men they imagine while reading romance novels. By the time an adaptation is announced, fans are not just comparing the actor to the book; they're comparing him to the version of the character they have been carrying around in their heads for years.

Allbirds goes soleless and pivots to AI

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 13:06

In this modern era where seemingly every tech company is defined by its relationship with AI (or lack thereof), Allbirds has made perhaps the most 180-degree corporate pivot we've ever seen.

In case you're unfamiliar, Allbirds was a direct-to-consumer company that made wool sneakers popular among Silicon Valley types in the 2010s. Take note of the past tense, because the company announced in a statement this week that it is completely abandoning the shoe business to instead become an AI firm.

An unspecified investor has agreed to pony up $50 million to fund the brand's pivot to AI compute infrastructure; the money will go towards data center tech instead of shoe production.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

SEE ALSO: Nano Banana can now make personalized AI Images based on your Photos library

Allbirds has also changed its name to NewBird AI. In a company statement, it proclaimed that it would help facilitate access to AI hardware for clients.

"The rise of AI development and adoption has created unprecedented structural demand for specialized, high-performance compute that the market is struggling to meet...The result is a market where enterprises, AI developers, and research organizations are unable to secure the compute resources they need to build, train and run AI at scale.

NewBird AI is being built to help close that gap. The Company will initially seek to acquire high-performance, low-latency AI compute hardware and provide access under long-term lease arrangements, meeting customer demand that spot markets and hyperscalers are unable to reliably service."

It wasn't that long ago that Allbirds was riding high, and after a 2021 IPO, the company reached a peak valuation of over $4 billion. Amid the tech startup boom of the last 15-ish years, Allbirds Merino wool sneakers were commonplace in Bay Area tech offices. However, it's been a rough five years for the brand, and after failing to find a wider market, it was sold for pennies on the dollar to a brand management firm in March, according to the New York Times.

For what it's worth, NewBird AI stock rose 600 percent after the announcement, per the Times.

Still, it's highly unusual to see a clothing company completely drop the clothing part of its business in favor of buying up GPUs to lease to clients. Many companies, big and small, have pivoted towards AI in one way or another in recent years, with varying degrees of success.

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The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to under $15

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 12:06

SAVE $25: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 with code SAVE4K, down from the list price of $39.99. That's a 63% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25 use code SAVE4K Get Deal

Amazon makes some of the best smart home devices, like the collection of Echo speakers, Echo earbuds, and the fancy new Amazon Ember TVs. But one of the retailer's best offerings is the Fire TV Stick. These are fantastic if your TV is older and takes forever to load apps, or if you'll be traveling. If you're in need of a new streaming stick, check out this epic deal.

As of April 16, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 with code SAVE4K, marked down from the normal price of $39.99. That's a 63% discount, taking $25 off.

Streaming with 4K HDR and connecting to high-speed WiFi, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a great way to improve a TV that struggles to load apps quickly. You'll whiz to the Fire TV homepage with all your apps neatly organized in one location.

Another benefit of using a Fire TV Stick is access to Alexa. The virtual assistant will be able to take you back to your favorite episode, pick up your YouTube video where you left off, or recommend shows that match your preferences.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is giving away a free TV when you buy the LG Class B5 Series OLED TV — how to claim

The Fire TV Stick is simple to both install and use. Plug the stick into an HDMI port on your TV, attach the power cable, and plug it into the wall. Once you pair it with your TV and your home's internet, you'll be on your way to expedited streaming.

If you travel often, packing along a Fire TV stick means you won't have to log into your streaming accounts on a random hotel TV or at the Airbnb. Just use your Fire TV Stick, and everything will load in once connected to WiFi. Just set a reminder to unplug and pack the stick before you check out.

SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite audio brands for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

Don't forget to use the code SAVE4K during checkout to snag the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select for just $14.99. Since this code tends to disappear quickly, hop on this one today.

Nano Banana can now make personalized AI Images based on your Photos library

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 12:00

Google announced today that the Gemini Personal Intelligence feature is now available in Nano Banana 2, the company's popular AI image model.

Now, instead of uploading a photo, users can give Nano Banana access to their Google Photos library, which will allow Nano Banana to generate personalized images for users.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

"One of the biggest hurdles in AI image generation is finding the right prompt," reads a Google blog post. "Previously, to get a result that felt truly personal, you had to write long, detailed descriptions and manually upload a reference photo just to give Gemini the right context. Now, Personal Intelligence gives Gemini an inherent understanding of your preferences from the start."

Nano Banana is one of the web's leading AI image generators, and it's particularly good at editing photos. With Personal Intelligence, Nano Banana can reference your images and Labels to make photos based on you, your pets, or anything else in your library.

SEE ALSO: Love the caricature trend? 9 more viral ChatGPT image prompts to try.

Google gives several examples of how this could be useful. For instance, instead of uploading an image of your family and writing a detailed prompt, you can simply tell Gemini to "Make a claymation image of my family." Google also suggests prompts such as "Design my dream house" and "Create a picture of my desert island essentials."

AI-GENERATED IMAGE Credit: Google AI-GENERATED IMAGE Credit: Google

Users will need to organize and label their photos for the feature to work as intended, however.

Of course, before granting an AI tool like Gemini or Nano Banana access to your entire photo library, it's important to understand how your images will be used.

Google says that Gemini will not "directly" train its models on your photos; however, it will be able to train its models with the photos, prompts, and AI-generated images that appear in the Gemini app.

"The Gemini app does not directly train its models on your private Google Photos library," the blog post states. "We train on limited info, like specific prompts in Gemini and the model’s responses, to improve functionality over time. And connecting your Google apps to Gemini remains an opt-in experience that you can adjust in your settings at any time."

As ever, it's important to check the fine print before using a new feature like this. You can read more about training and privacy at the Google Gemini Privacy Hub.

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Featured Video For You Moltbook's real risk isn't AI. It's your data

Is The Pitt Season 3 going to focus on the night shift?

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 11:59

Someone call Lucy Dacus, because the last few episodes of The Pitt Season 2 have been all about the night shift.

As the Emergency Department's day shift staffers wound down and focused on completing their charts, the night shift came in to pick up their cases. That reconnected viewers with characters like Dr. Abbot (Shawn Hatosy), Dr. Ellis (Ayesha Harris), and Dr. Shen (Ken Kirby). It also introduced new characters like Dr. Henderson (Luke Tennie) and Dr. Toomarian (Sofia Hasmik), who fit right into The Pitt sprawling ensemble.

With all these new characters entering the fray, fans speculated about a night shift spin-off series or even having a night shift-centric Season 3. Adding fuel to that fire? The fact that Harris has been promoted to series regular in Season 3, meaning we'll be seeing a lot more of Dr. Ellis in the future.

SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' fans, you need to watch the Season 2 finale credits

While seeing more of the night shift in The Pitt is certainly in the realm of possibility, a full spin-off or a Season 3 night shift pivot seem unlikely at this time. Star and executive producer Noah Wyle shut down spin-off rumors at a Q&A during PaleyFest LA.

According to TheWrap, while The Pitt cast and creative team teased details of Season 3, an audience member called out "night shift," verbalizing viewers' desires to see more of that team going forward.

"You're getting just enough night shift," Wyle responded. "You don't want any more. You think you do, but you don't."

Featured Video For You How 'The Pitt's cinematographer created show's unique immersive style

Based on that, it seems pretty clear that The Pitt is taking a "less is more" approach with the night shift. Perhaps Harris's promotion to series regular signifies that Dr. Ellis is moving to the day shift instead. After all, employee churn is a a huge part of life in the ED: Actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Mohan, will not be in Season 3.

At the PaleyFest Q&A, Wyle reportedly did reveal some key information about what to expect in Season 3: when the new shift would take place.

"It'll probably be in the fall, November," Wyle said, according to TheWrap. "Play with the cold weather, different cases."

The Pitt Season 2 is now streaming on HBO Max.

This 99-cent per month deal on Audible Standard makes the new tier worth it

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 11:40

SAVE $24: Through April 30, new and returning Audible subscribers can get three months of the new Standard plan for just 99 cents per month. Usually $8.99 per month, that's a total of $24 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Standard $0.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month) Get Deal

I'm going to be honest here: I don't think Audible Standard is worth it at full price. The new plan, launched in March, costs $8.99 per month and lets you select one audiobook each month from the entire Audible collection. But unlike the Premium Plus plan, you can't keep those titles if you cancel your subscription. It's basically like you're just borrowing them instead — and for $8.99 each month, that hardly seems fair. That's why I think it's 100 percent worth snapping up the three-month deal the audiobook company is offering this month.

Through April 30, new and returning subscribers can get three months of the Audible Standard plan for only 99 cents per month. That's less than $3 total to "borrow" three premium audiobook titles from Audible's expansive catalog. I deem that a damn good deal.

Along with the premium titles, you'll also be able to enjoy unlimited listening to a curated library with Audible Originals and nearly 200 of the most popular titles previously available on Wondery+. So, technically, you'll get more than just three audiobooks for $3.

So, why pay 99 cents per month instead of using a free library-based audiobook app like Libby? Well, plain and simple, there are no wait times. The Audible Standard membership allows you to check out whatever premium title you want with no waiting involved. That means you can enjoy 2026 releases, BookTok favorites, and more whenever you want. Just remember, you need to finish listening before you cancel your subscription, or you'll lose access forever.

Bluetti just launched the FridgePower portable power station — preorders save at least $540

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 11:00

One of the biggest inconveniences when the power goes out is worrying about food spoiling in the refrigerator. A storm that knocks out power always seems to show up just a few days after doing a major fridge and freezer restock. We used to transfer items out of the fridge and into a cooler, but portable power stations made that a thing of the past. Bluetti, a leader in the portable power industry, has made things even easier.

Tucked neatly above the fridge, the Bluetti FridgePower will kick on automatically during an outage. Credit: Bluetti

The Bluetti FridgePower is the brand's latest portable station, aimed directly at keeping the refrigerator and freezer cooling when the power cuts out. Unlike the majority of portable power stations that have a rectangular shape, Bluetti built the FridgePower to be slim to easily sit atop your fridge. It's less than three inches in height and has anti-slip silicone feet for better stability.

According to Bluetti's calculations, the FridgePower's 2,016Wh battery capacity will keep a refrigerator powered on for nearly 22 hours if the appliance pulls about 2,000Wh per day. Instead of worrying about food going bad during an outage or strategizing opening the fridge for 10 seconds to grab the milk as quickly as possible, you'll have the reassurance your fridge will stay powered on for about a day.

Bluetti FridgePower spec breakdown
  • Capacity: 2,016Wh

  • Battery type: LiFePO4

  • Continuous output: 1,800W

  • Surge power: 3,600W

  • UPS: under 10 milliseconds

  • Weight: 43 pounds

  • Dimensions: 22.83 in. × 13.78 in. × 2.95 in.

  • Warranty: 5 years

Versatile design and major expansion ability

In addition to setting the FridgePower either directly on top of your fridge or in a cabinet above, you can also mount the unit vertically to a nearby wall. The FridgePower has built-in wall mounting brackets and it comes with a mounting kit. That means you can easily set it up on a wall near the fridge in the kitchen or in the garage to power up the extra fridge or chest freezer.

Credit: Bluetti

If the 2,016Wh capacity doesn't feel like enough, you can add up to three BlueCell 200 expansion batteries for a total of 8,064Wh. Each BlueCell 200 has identical dimensions to the FridgePower for perfect stacking ability.

Convenience of a dedicated fridge backup

I've tested dozens of power stations and one of the most useful scenarios for them is to keep the fridge cooling. Not only does that mean food doesn't spoil, it's essential for some households that have medical supplies that need to stay cold. The majority of the power stations I've tested are capable of running a refrigerator for various amounts of time, but adding the Bluetti FridgePower to your home takes it to a new level of convenience.

When my home's power went out for almost 24 hours in December, I plugged the refrigerator into a 2,000Wh power station and left it sitting on the kitchen floor. But when I needed to charge my phone with the portable power station, I was tethered to the kitchen floor since it was keeping the fridge cooling. The Bluetti FridgePower serving as a dedicated fridge backup frees up any other portable power station you have to use around the house for lights, the WiFi router, and recharging phones.

Wall mounting is ideal in the garage for a chest freezer or extra refrigerator.. Credit: Bluetti Plentiful recharging options

With standard AC wall charging, the Bluetti FridgePower will take about an hour to go from 0 to 80% and about 105 minutes to reach a full charge. With a 1,000W solar panel, it'll take a bit over 120 minutes to reach full power. Bluetti also plans on launching the Alternator Charger 2 soon which will allow you to recharge the FridgePower with your car's alternator.

How to pre-order the Bluetti FridgePower

Bluetti is launching the FridgePower via Kickstarter with big discounts for pre-orders. Between April 16 and May 31, early orders save at least 42%. Bluetti expects shipments to begin in early June to make use of during summer storms and hurricane season.

Bluetti FridgePower preorder details: Starter bundle Bluetti FridgePower $759 (save $540) Pre-Order Here Plus Bundle Bluetti FridgePower + BlueCell 200 $1,398 (save $1,100) Pre-Order Here Pro Bundle Bluetti FridgePower + two BlueCell 200 $2,097 (save $1,600) Pre-Order Here Max Bundle Bluetti FridgePower + three BlueCell 200 $2,699 (save $2,197) Pre-Order Here

Bluetti mentions these sale prices are super early bird offers. Once those sell out, prices will shift to normal early bird pricing. They're still good deals, just not quiet as attractive as the super early bird offers. A standalone FridgePower, for example, will shift from super early bird $759 to early bird $819.

If you live in an area that's prone to power outages and food spoilage is a major concern, the Bluetti FridgePower could be the perfect backup system. With these early bird sale prices taking at least $540 off, it's worth jumping on them asap.

The Pitt fans, you need to watch the Season 2 finale credits

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 10:59

Here's a PSA for everyone preparing to tune into The Pitt Season 2 finale tonight: Make sure you keep watching through the episode's credits.

The finale features the show's first mid-credits sequence, in which Nick Fury approaches Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) about putting together a team of elite TV doctors.

SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' just showed what happens when medicine meets TikTok

I'm totally kidding — about the Nick Fury part, anyway. The Pitt's mid-credits scene is very real, and it's certainly worth sticking around for. No spoilers for what the scene actually entails, but I will say it's less of an MCU-style teaser of what's to come in Season 3, and more of a cathartic button to Season 2. And after 15 hours of trauma cases and tense staff drama, you're going to want all the catharsis you can get.

That being said, if you want a teaser for Season 3, you're in luck. At PaleyFest LA, Wyle and The Pitt creator R. Scott Gemmill revealed key elements about what's next for the series, including when it would take place.

Featured Video For You How 'The Pitt's cinematographer created show's unique immersive style

"It will be pre-Thanksgiving, moving into colder weather," Wyle told USA Today at PaleyFest. "The holidays are approaching. The weather's changing. People are turning on their heaters for the first time."

Wyle added the next season would be "explosive," which won't do anything to soothe my worries about The Pitt's staff's mental well-being. But in the meantime, the Season 2 mid-credits scene offers a sweet balm for that anxiety.

The Pitt Season 2 finale premieres Apr. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

Students can get Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free — but is it better than a MacBook Neo?

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 10:44

SAVE $625: College students can score one year of Microsoft 365 Premium, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a Xbox Wireless Controller totally free with the purchase of a Windows 11 laptop.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Windows 11 Ultimate College Bundle   Shop Now

With the arrival of Apple's MacBook Neo, college students can rejoice in an affordable, colorful laptop. Now, Microsoft is rushing to make their laptops a little more enticing to the college crowd.

They're doing a pretty good job with the ultimate college bundle. With the purchase of a new Windows 11 laptop, students score one year of Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, plus a free Xbox wireless controller. That's $624.86 worth of product that students get completely free.

Microsoft 365 Premium is usually $199.99 for a one-year subscription, and includes access to all the essential Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also features cloud storage and advanced security to keep your papers organized and safe. But college shouldn't be all work and no play.

For some well-earned downtime, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is included too. That's access to over 500 games on Xbox consoles and PCs. Not to mention, you'll receive a free wireless Xbox controller for all your gaming needs.

To get the bundle, all you need to do is shop a qualifying Windows 11 laptop, which are available at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and Microsoft. Qualifying devices include the Microsoft Surface and Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 laptops.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,499.99 at Microsoft
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1, 16-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD) $1,049.99 at Best Buy
  Get Deal How to redeem ultimate college bundle

Once you purchase your laptop, you'll have to redeem your offer. After setting up the device, an on-screen notification will pop up asking students to verify their student status. This requires a .edu college email address.

After your student status is verified, students will receive an email to redeem their Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft 365 Premium subscriptions. Additionally, they'll receive a unique promo code to redeem a custom controller within three days of verifying their student status.

You can now turn off YouTube shorts entirely

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 10:32

YouTube is letting users turn off the brain rot faucet on its mobile app.

The internet's home for all things video started rolling out a new setting in its iOS and Android apps that allows users to set a very strict daily limit for scrolling through the Shorts feed, per The Verge.

Specifically, you can now set it to zero minutes, effectively eliminating the Shorts feed as a viable part of the app. You'll still be able to see individual Shorts on a user's account page, but tapping on the Shorts tab at the bottom of the screen will instantly put up a message saying you've reached your limit for the day, disallowing you from watching Shorts there at all.

SEE ALSO: YouTube AI slop is a generational threat, child safety experts warn in new petition There it is. Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

YouTube originally rolled out a Shorts feed time limit feature a few months ago, but prior to this new rollout, the shortest limit was 15 minutes. After scrolling for whatever amount of time you set, the app would stop you from watching Shorts for the rest of that day. That option is still available, both for adult users to set for themselves and for parents to set for their kids, but it now exists alongside the zero minutes option.

Shorts have been successful for YouTube over the past few years as a TikTok competitor (or just a place where videos that originated on TikTok also show up), but it's also undeniably become a source of endless scrolling through AI and brain rot content for many people. Giving users the power to turn off the spigot for themselves is probably necessary.

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