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It hasn't escaped the attention of the late night hosts that Donald Trump's Iran war strategy doesn't seem to be going as planned.

Jon Stewart spent 22 minutes unpacking the president's supposed "4D chess" on the Daily Show, and Stephen Colbert makes similar comments in the Late Show clip above.

"On Thursday Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire, so on Friday Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz — and yes, it was already open before we started the war, but I believe the real Strait of Hormuz was the friends we made along the way. I'm sorry, what's that? And I'm being told that we made no friends," Colbert says.

"Trump immediately claimed victory, posting, 'Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.' And they never did — until the next day, when Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again."

WhatsApp is rolling out a paid tier for the app, but what do you actually get?

The Meta-owned messaging service is testing WhatsApp Plus, first confirmed by TechCrunch and now detailed on the company's FAQ page. Meta describes Plus as "an optional subscription that gives you access to additional premium features on WhatsApp."

SEE ALSO: Here's why you're about to see more ads on WhatsApp

Prices haven't been confirmed by Meta; I asked Meta's own AI within WhatsApp and it said a price hadn't yet been announced. Mashable also reached out to Meta for further information.

So, what are you paying for with WhatsApp Plus? The features include paid-only stickers, ringtones (yes, ringtones), themes, wallpapers, and icons — and if you personalise your theme and icons, only you can see them (the person you're messaging can't). Plus, the ability to pin 20 chats. That seems to be it so far.

Featured Video For You Is U.S. TikTok censoring its users?

If you're worried about being paywalled, WhatsApp said the app's current functionality will remain as is for non-paying users. "The WhatsApp you know and rely on remains free — simple, reliable, private messaging and calling," the FAQ page reads. "This subscription does not change your core experience, and we are committed to ensuring that WhatsApp continues to get better for everyone."

Meta's plans to test paid subscription tiers for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were confirmed in January; the company started testing Instagram Plus in March. The premium tiers simply mean more revenue for Meta. The company ended 2025 with nearly $60 billion in Q4 revenue and exceeding $200 billion for the year. In its 2025 Q4 earnings report, Meta said 3.5 billion people use a Meta app daily, an audience that's about to see a lot more AI-generated advertising in their feeds.

Soundcore's Space 2 are officially available for purchase, following their announcement at Mobile World Congress last month.

The budget headphones retail for $129.99, and are available for purchase at Soundcore's website and Amazon. This is a price increase of $30 over the Space One headphones, which are available for $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space 2 $129.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

I was able to spend a couple of weeks testing out the Space 2 headphones ahead of their launch — spoiler alert, they're great. If you're just looking for the basics, here's everything you need to know about the new Soundcore Space 2 headphones.

Soundcore Space 2 specs

The Soundcore Space 2 headphones come packed with plenty of features, including:

• Battery life: 50 hours with ANC on, 70 hours with ANC off

• Quick charge: 5 minutes of charge for four hours of playback

• Listening modes: Noise cancellation, normal, transparency

• Drivers: Double-layer 40mm diaphragm drivers

• Multipoint connection: Yes, up to two devices

• Equalizer: Eight-band custom equalizer, with 22 equalizer presets

• Spatial audio: Yes

• Audio codecs supported: SBC, AAC, and LDAC

• Passive playback: Yes

• On-ear controls: Noise cancellation button, multifunction button, power/Bluetooth button, and volume controls

• Colors: Green, white, black

What's new with the Soundcore Space 2 headphones?

Soundcore's Space 2 headphones might be more expensive than their first-generation counterparts, but they also come packed with some upgrades.

For starters, you'll get 10 more hours of battery life with ANC, bringing the Space 2 headphones to a grand total of 50 hours of battery life. Soundcore also included a four-stage noise cancellation, which is essentially just a fancy way of saying these headphones are even better at blocking noise, especially at lower frequencies, like an airplane hum. (Yes, this does make them an enticing option for travel).

The design gets a slight upgrade as well, with a more streamlined ear cup fit than the Space One headphones that lends the headphones an overall more premium look. The Space 2 headphones also feature new colorways.

The Soundcore Space one headphones... Credit: Sam Mangino / Mashable Compared to the Space 2 headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

In my testing, it was hard to believe the headphones cost just $129.99 — they easily felt more akin to headphones like the Bose QuietComforts, which cost $359. While their performance doesn't quite match up (which makes sense, they're under half the cost), Soundcore certainly provides a worthwhile budget alternative that makes the gap between budget and mid-range headphones feel even smaller.

Donald Trump is well-known for his ghostwritten book The Art of the Deal, and many of his allies are claiming that the U.S president's war with Iran — and his increasingly angry posts on Truth Social — are all part of a game of "4D chess".

Jon Stewart is less sure. In the Daily Show clip above the host breaks down how the conflict has escalated so far, from Trump's threats to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

"So that's where we've arrived at with The Art of the Deal," Stewart summarises. "Basically it's a cycle. It's a cycle of demands and threats and premature declarations of victory that allows the negotiator enough wiggle room to at almost any point claim that they've achieved exactly what they set out to do — ultimately achieving a nuclear deal that'll probably be worse than the nuclear deal Trump pulled our country out of with Iran, to start a devastating war that has killed thousands of innocent Iranians, 13 American soldiers, eroded our credibility as the leader of the free world, sabotaged the world economy, and will cost the American taxpayers, who knows, maybe trillions!"

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SAVE $50: As of April 21, the DJI Neo Mini drone has returned to its lowest-ever price of $149 at Amazon. This is $50 off its list price of $199.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Mini Drone $149 at Amazon
$199 Save $50   Get Deal

Now that warmer weather has arrived, it's the perfect time to pick up a new outdoors hobby. So why not explore the sunny skies with a drone? If you've been searching for a model to buy, it's worth checking out the DJI Neo Mini drone. As of April 21, it's on sale at Amazon.

Normally it's listed for $199 at Amazon, but the DJI Neo Mini drone is currently available to buy for $149. Ultimately, this saves you $50, but it also marks a return to its lowest price point at the retailer.

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This DJI drone is a tiny but mighty model. Fitted with DJI's stabilization technology and level-4 wind resistance, this little drone can capture videos at up to 4K/30fps and take photos with its 12MP sensor, so you can enjoy clear quality in your images as you explore from high above. It even features guards around the propellers for added protection, so there's no need to worry about it being damaged if it flies into branches or other minor hazards.

Since it's so small — just 135 grams — this lightweight drone is perfect for taking on-the-go. Just slip it in a bag or backpack and, when you're ready to go, it can take off right from your hand. It's also regulation friendly, so it doesn't require FAA registration and Remote ID.

If you've been thinking about making the jump into buying a drone, this is a great chance to do it through this deal on the DJI Neo Mini drone at Amazon.

TL;DR: Verizon is offering the iPhone 17e for free via 36 monthly bill credits when you open a new line on an eligible Unlimited plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Verizon: Apple iPhone 17e for free   Get Deal

The iPhone 17e is the sleeper hit of the latest Apple lineup. It packs the same A19 chip found in the iPhone 17, dazzles with a crisp 6.1-inch OLED, and delivers Apple Intelligence features that offer genuine upgrades from older models.

In Mashable's review of the iPhone 17e, Stan Schroeder said "The combination of having Apple's latest chip and a decent amount of storage means this phone will be relevant for at least four to five years." That's a really impressive lifespan for an affordable iPhone. And it really is affordable right now thanks to Verizon.

We're used to seeing mobile carriers offer "free deals" on leading handsets, but you're usually forced to sign up for the most expensive plan or trade-in a premium mobile to qualify. That's not the case here. Instead, you can get the Apple iPhone 17e for free from Verizon on the Welcome Unlimited tier with no trade-in. That means you can get a new iPhone and a lower monthly service bill — that's a rare win in this market.

To get the full $599 off the iPhone 17e, you'll need to commit for 36 months.

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If you really want the Apple iPhone 17, Verizon is offering up to $830 off with a trade-in on the Unlimited Ultimate plan. This covers the full cost of the phone, but you do need to offer up a premium handset in return.

Get the iPhone 17e or iPhone 17 for free from Verizon.

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Playoffs for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA is rolling onto the next round of playoff games, with the Los Angeles Lakers looking to go 2-0 in their first-round series with the Houston Rockets. LeBron James and Luke Kennard inspired the Lakers to win the opening game in the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The big question is whether 41-year old LeBron James can keep it going.

If you want to watch Lakers vs. Rockets in the NBA Playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lakers vs. Rockets?

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Playoffs starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on April 21. This game takes place at the Crypto.com Arena.

How to watch Lakers vs. Rockets for free

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA Playoffs is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

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

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a VPN (we tested ExpressVPN and it worked great)

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

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

4. Visit YouTube

5. Watch the NBA for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

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

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 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 the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Stop wasting time on job applications and outsource this tedious task with a lifetime subscription to FirstResume, an AI job hunting automator that is on sale now for $39.99 (reg. $899).

Opens in a new window Credit: FirstResume FirstResume - AI Job Hunting Automator: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$899 Save $859.01   Get Deal

Sick of spending hours applying to jobs and never hearing back? If you want to save some time and actually get noticed, FirstResume can help. This AI job hunting automator makes applying for jobs a whole lot easier, while simultaneously maximizing your success rate.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to this handy tool for only $39.99 (reg. $899).

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Hunting for a job is particularly tough these days. You spend hours perfecting your resume and drafting cover letters, only to send them out hopefully and never hear from a soul. That’s where FirstResume comes in, offering job-hunting help built for Gen Z but suitable for anyone.

FirstResume uses the power of AI to create tailored ATS-friendly resumes and effective cover letters that help you get noticed. It can even write outreach emails so you can really stand out in a sea of potential candidates — all without you writing a word.

Give FirstResume your resume and watch the advanced AI give it a human-level analysis, providing feedback you can actually use. It can catch gaps and help sharpen your story, serving as your very own career coach.

When you find jobs you’d like to apply for, there’s no more wasted time. Paste it into FirstResume, then enjoy an ATS-optimized resume, perfectly tailored to the position, with just one click. It will have the most relevant experiences at the forefront, and you can also use this tool to build a cover letter and an outreach email for the same gig.

You’ll receive 5,000 credits per month with this lifetime subscription, along with unlimited job tracking, unlimited resume storage, early access to new features, and priority customer support.

Save time and get noticed with a lifetime subscription to FirstResume for $39.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Save time while still delivering killer presentations with this lifetime subscription to PowerPresent, on sale now for $39.99 (reg. $80).

Opens in a new window Credit: PowerPresent AI PowerPresent - AI Presentation Generator: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$80 Save $40.01   Get Deal

It’s 2026, are you still building your own presentations? If the answer is yes, it’s time to get PowerPresent. This AI-powered presentation generator can create a full presentation based on just a single prompt, document, link, or rough outline.

Now, you can get help with presentations forever with this lifetime subscription for just $39.99.

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From spending hours perfecting decks to phoning in an underwhelming slideshow, it often seems like you just can’t get a presentation quite right. PowerPresent aims to change that, allowing you to show off a professional, well-written presentation that doesn’t take all day to craft.

With PowerPresent, you provide a prompt, a PDF or DOCX file, a link, or an outline, then sit back and relax as the AI gets to work. It won’t just dump your notes into slides and call it a day — you’ll be left with a polished, meeting-ready final result with organized information in a logical presentation structure.

There are more than 100 designer-built templates available, so your final presentation will look visually engaging with professionally drafted content attached.

If you want to put your own touch on things, don’t worry. Everything is editable — from the fonts and copy to the themes and layouts. Once it’s done, you can download it as a PowerPoint file or present it right from the platform.

This subscription includes lifetime access to create 40 free presentations. You can edit the presentation you make an unlimited number of times, or take advantage of categories like education, marketing, and more, which you can create in minutes.

Get help presenting for life with this lifetime subscription to PowerPresent for just $39.99 (reg. $80).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you open a new line and transfer your existing phone number from a competitor.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for $0   Get Deal

Are you the stubborn type who rocks a cracked screen and dying battery until your phone is essentially unusable? This is probably not the first time you've heard this, but it's time to upgrade. You don't need to live like this.

And upgrading has never been easier thanks to T-Mobile. The popular carrier is offering the Apple iPhone 17 for free for new switchers. The $0 price tag is obviously appealing, but there are some finer details to point out before you go ahead and cancel your current plan.

T-Mobile is offering up to $830 off the iPhone 17 series via 24 monthly bill credits. Since the standard iPhone 17 starts at $799, this covers the entire cost of the device plus a little wiggle room for taxes or a storage upgrade.

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To qualify for this promotion, you must bring your phone number over from a competitor and sign up for a premium plan like Go5G Plus or the newer Experience More. These plans aren't cheap, but they do include serious perks like Netflix and Apple TV+. You're not contracted to stick around for 24 months, but if you do try to leave T-Mobile before the 24 months are up, you’ll owe the remaining balance of the phone immediately.

We liked the iPhone 17 when we reviewed it. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said "Apple's iPhone 17 is an excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." With this T-Mobile offer, it becomes even more tempting to make the jump to Apple's latest model.

Score the Apple iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile.

Like it or not, AI is everywhere. 

It was only a matter of time before the technology began showing up in the literary world. The novel Shy Girl was picked up by a major publisher last year, only to be canceled after allegations of AI-generated passages. 

Now, AI voices are getting into the mix. Libby users are discovering that AI has also infiltrated the service's audiobooks.

As pointed out by user @ems.book.shelff on TikTok, AI audiobooks have arrived on Libby, the app that connects public library card holders with their library's e-book and audiobook collections.

This isn't the first instance of AI and Libby crossing over. On Nov. 20, 2025, Libby posted an article launching its 'Inspire Me' feature, which uses large-language-model generative artificial intelligence to recommend and suggest books to users.

The 'Inspire Me' feature is easy enough to avoid, but an underlying issue on Libby is the presence of audiobooks that are narrated by AI. For dedicated audiobook listeners, losing the human touch of a real person's narration is devastating. So if you want to steer clear of AI, here's how to spot AI audiobooks in Libby.

How to spot AI audiobooks and Libby

After sharing the news that AI content is available on Libby, TikToker @ems.book.shelff also shared how to spot it within Libby. Which AI audiobooks are available will vary from library to library, so rather than provide an extensive list of AI audiobooks, you'll need to do some searching.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Libby app

Step 1: Search for AI voices

In the Libby app, go to the search bar and look at two specific terms: Digital Voice and Synthesized Voice. This will display all the titles that feature AI voice narration, which is commonly referred to as either a digital or synthesized voice.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 2: Browse through results

Once you've searched, click into individual book listings. In each book's details, the narrator will be listed. Any books that use AI will have the narrator listed as either a 'synthesized voice' or 'digital voice.' If you're looking to avoid AI, don't borrow these books.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

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 Tuesday, April 21, 2026:

AcrossLike the name Phil Quickley, for a speedy crossword solver?

• The answer is Apt.

What connects these names: Al Green, Betty White, Rose Byrne

• The answer is Color.

Star ___ (plant with a pointy pod)

• The answer is Anise.

What connects these names: Tennessee Williams, Georgia O'Keeffe, Denzel Washington

• The answer is State.

Teslas and Rivians, for short

• The answer is EVs.

DownAssumed name

• The answer is Alias.

Washington paper

• The answer is Post.

What connects these names: Chris Pine, Zach Cherry, Willow Smith

• The answer is Tree.

Detective's assignment

• The answer is Case.

Currently broadcasted

• The answer is On TV.

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.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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 carry.

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

BRING

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To transport.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CARRY

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Possessive.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

THEIR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To delay.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

DEFER

Final Hurdle hint

A yellow fruit.

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

LEMON

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

As we hit day four of the lunar cycle, the Moon is starting to appear more illuminated. Keep reading to find out what you can spot tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, April 21, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 20% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

If you're looking at the Moon with just your naked eye, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you have either binoculars or a telescope, you'll see these as well as the Endymion Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA says that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, during which it passes through eight stages. Although the same face of the Moon is always turned toward us, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its path, producing the familiar cycle of full, half, and crescent shapes. These variations are referred to as lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

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.

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 April 21, 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 April 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 21 Pips

Number (17): Everything in this purple space must add up to 17. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this red space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; and 0-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (6): The domino half in this yellow space must have less than 6 pips. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 21 Pips

Equal (2): Every domino half in this purple space must have 2 pips. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this red space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally; and 0-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): The domino half in this light blue space must have less than 2 pips. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): The domino half in this dark blue space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Every domino half in this green space must have 6 pips. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this red space must have 2 pips. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 21 Pips

Equal (4): Every domino half in this purple space must have 4 pips. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Every domino half in this red space must have 1 pip. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Does Not Equal: Every domino half in this yellow space must have a different number of pips. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; and 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (6): The domino half in this dark blue space must have 6 pips. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): The domino half in this green space must have 0 pips. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this purple space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): The domino half in this red space must have less than 2 pips. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

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 is a tough one. At least, it was for us!

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: Draft day

• Green: Track and field gear

• Blue: First words...

• Purple: Fill in the blank

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: People Involved in Making a Draft Pick

• Green: Pole Vault Equipment

• Blue: First Words of Baseball Positions

• Purple: T.J. ____

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 #575 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• People Involved in Making a Draft Pick — COACH, GM, OWNER, SCOUT

• Pole Vault Equipment — CROSSBAR, MAT, POLE, SPIKES

• First Words of Baseball Positions — CENTER, DESIGNATED, FIRST, THIRD

• T.J. ____ — FORD, HOCKENSON, HOUSHMANDZADEH, WATT

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love action movies.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 21, 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: Walk leisurely

• Green: Nonsense

• Blue: Purses

• Purple: Action films

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Amble (in)

• Green: Balderdash

• Blue: Kinds of bags

• Purple: Starts of one-word James Bond movie titles

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 #1045 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Amble (in): BREEZE, MOSEY, STROLL, WALTZ

• Balderdash: BALONEY, BILGE, BULL, BUNK

• Kinds of bags: CROSSBODY, HOBO, MESSENGER, SADDLE

• Starts of one-word James Bond movie titles: GOLD, MOON, OCTOPUS, THUNDER

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 April 21, 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 love an adventure.

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 April 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Risky business

The words are related to courage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe daring people.

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 Daredevils.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 21

• Adventurous

• Gutsy

• Daredevils

• Courageous

• Intrepaid

• Bold

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 like to travel in groups.

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 21, 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 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A cluster.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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 C.

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...

CLUMP

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.

BookCon 2026 returned for the first time in six years, and fans returned in droves, selling out the event fast. We were on the ground at the event, covering panels and chatting with authors and BookTok creators. But just like the attendees, we also hit the exhibition floor to explore all the gadgets on display. With the popularity of e-readers, we expected to see a ton of devices on the floor, but there was a surprising lack thereof, and the enthusiasm focused on physical books.

But we looked at what BookCon attendees had on hand, too, including the tech they used to capture the event and the essentials for navigating the chaos of BookCon. Here are all the bookish tech and products we spotted at BookCon 2026.

Rakuten Kobo Rakuten's Kobo e-readers were the only e-readers on display at BookCon 2026. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

On the show floor, while Kindle cases were a popular item to score, Kindle devices were noticeably absent. Instead, Rakuten Kobo was the only e-reader making an appearance. We've tested both brands at Mashable and love Kobo's color e-readers, including the Kobo Clara and Kobo Libra, both of which were on display at BookCon. Plus, the Kobo Remote was on display at Rakuten's booth, as the brand is the first to launch its own e-reader remote.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Clara $139.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Remote $33.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Author Clock Tell time through literary quotes with the Author Clock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Also on the floor at BookCon was the Author Clock, a digital device that shows you the time with a literary twist. For every single minute, the clock displays a literary quote that features the time. It's perfect for literary enthusiasts — whether that be you or a friend. The brand recently launched a new device for weather forecasts, too. The Author Forecast connects to WiFi to detect your local weather and then reflect it with a literary passage on the device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Author Clock Author Clock $209 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Author Clock Author Forecast $209 at Uncrate
  Shop Now DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Mic Mini

While they weren't on display, DJI products were in the hands of attendees on the show floor. We spotted the DJI Osmo camera everywhere, similar to what we experienced at VidCon. Fans were using it to capture the event, so we're expecting to see lots of BookCon vlogs on BookTok soon. Plus, we also saw attendees using the DJI Mic Mini, which could easily be clipped on to wear around the event.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 $499 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Handheld fans

At this point, personal fans are a staple at conventions. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, when just VIP and the press were admitted to the exhibition floor, things were already steamy, and people had broken out their handheld fans. While we didn't spot Shark's new ChillPill or Dyson's new HushJet at BookCon, the cheap handheld fans you can score on Amazon are still the most popular choice.

Opens in a new window Credit: TriPole TriPole Handheld Fan $11.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Collapsible stools

It was evident that BookCon fans come prepared. I saw dozens of attendees with colorful disks strapped crossbody throughout the event, and when I asked one person what it was, my jaw dropped as they revealed a collapsible stool — a genius way to have a seat with you while waiting in long lines.

Opens in a new window Credit: Boreeman Boreeman Folding Stool $25.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $4   Get Deal Macopro folding utility cart

The name of the game at BookCon was free books. Publishers and authors were doling out free advanced copies of books. Attendees came prepared to take home all the free things with folding utility carts. By far, the MacoPro folding utility cart was the most popular option. Plus, with its flat top, it's basically a portable chair, too.

Opens in a new window Credit: Macopro Macopro Folding Utility Cart $64.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $15   Get Deal