Mashable

When Apple revealed its colorful new budget laptop, the MacBook Neo, to the world earlier this year, I predicted Apple would sell millions of them. (Ten million, by some counts.)

Less than two months later, 9To5Mac reports that Apple has sold out its April supply of the MacBook Neo, with the $599 MacBook Neo backordered until May. While you can still find the MacBook Neo in stock at Amazon and Best Buy, rumor has it that after selling out its initial stock, Apple was forced to place rush orders with its manufacturers earlier this month.

The MacBook Neo has an unbeatable price for its feature set, and students and educators can get the laptop for just $499 by taking advantage of the Apple Store's education offer. (That might be why the laptop is backordered at Apple but still available elsewhere.) A version with Touch ID and 512GB of storage is available for $699, or $599 with education pricing.

As I explained in my MacBook Neo review, this laptop has no true competitor. Windows laptops and Chromebooks at that price point have much weaker displays, speakers, and overall specs — and that's before you factor in the Apple status symbol and cool factor as well.

So, if you can't get your hands on the MacBook Neo or prefer Windows, what should you buy instead? All of these MacBook Neo alternatives come with some tradeoffs, but they won't break your budget or slow you down too much.

Your best bet: Wait for more inventory

Honestly, unless you prefer Windows or need a gaming laptop, we recommend waiting until the MacBook Neo is available again at the Apple Store. And if you don't qualify for education pricing, you can still find the Neo in stock at Amazon and Best Buy, for now.

Apple MacBook Neo, 13 inches (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $589.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Apple MacBook Neo, 13 inches, Touch ID (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Best for Windows users: Windows 11 Ultimate College Bundle

Last week, Microsoft released a new savings offer for college students that seems designed to compete with MacBook Neo shoppers. Microsoft recently raised prices on its Microsoft Surface devices, and has no true competitor to the Neo. However, this offer does come with a lot of perks for students.

When you buy a Windows 11 laptop, the company will also give you one year of Microsoft 365 Premium, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and an Xbox Wireless Controller for free, a more than $500 value.

The offer includes popular cheap laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x and the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. (See all offers at the Microsoft store.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x Copilot+ PC, 15.3 inchesSnapdragon X, 16GB Memory, 256GB SSD) $449.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $350   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6 inches (Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $999.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Best for AI users: Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

Acer's popular Chromebook Plus Spin 514 will cost you more than the MacBook Neo, but it comes with 12 months of the Google One AI Premium plan, which includes 5TB of cloud storage. It's also a 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a touchscreen, so if offers more versatility than a MacBook. In terms of spec, you also get more RAM and a larger display, though you'll lost out on the MacBook Neo speakers and Retina display.

Again, if you had your heart set on the MacBook Neo, we'd recommend waiting until it's back in stock at Apple or shopping through Amazon in the meantime.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (MediaTek Kompanio Ultra, 12GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749
+12 months of the Google One AI Premium plan Get Deal

Also consider: The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, a Mashable Choice product available at Best Buy for $699.

Best Apple alternative: The M1 MacBook Air

In our performance tests, the new MacBook Neo's A18 Pro chip performed almost exactly like the original M1 chip on the Geekbench 6 benchmark test. The M1 MacBook Air was also one of the most award-winning laptops ever, and while it's no longer officially sold, you can still find it in stock at Walmart. However, you can grab it refurbished at Amazon and Best Buy for under $500, which is the most we'd pay for this old model.

The M1 chip is ancient compared to the new M5 chips, but it holds up surprisingly well given its age. There's a reason Apple silicon has been so disruptive in the laptop market.

Don't forget: Because this laptop is six years old, it won't be supported with updates for as long as a newly designed device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Refurbished models starting at $439 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $618.19 at Walmart
  Get Deal

Save $31.99: Take 10% off the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds at Amazon as of April 20. This brings them down to $298, instead of their list price of $329.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM6 $298 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal

As a headphones reviewer, I get plenty experience testing out the latest and greatest audio has to offer. As a budget-buys lover, I don't always see the point of increasingly high price points.

Then, I tried the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds. At $329.99, these earbuds aren't cheap, sitting at an even higher price than Bose's flagship earbuds and the Technics EAH-AZ1000, another Mashable favorite. However, as of April 20, the Sony buds are down to a slightly better $298, marking a return to their lowest price ever.

Don't get me wrong — I get that $300 isn't exactly chump change. That said, I consider these earbuds an investment for anyone who wants the absolute best blend of sound, comfort, and noise cancellation. To be clear, I still think the Bose QC Ultra 2 buds lead the category on the comfort scale, but between the best noise cancellation and sound I've tried on a pair of earbuds, I get why these are priced the way they are.

SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) vs. Sony WH-1000xM6: Which headphones should you buy?

As these are Sony buds, the companion app also offers great customization, with a 10-band equalizer for finding the sound that's just right. At eight hours per charge, their battery life is also competitive with other noise-cancelling favorites of Mashable's, like the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

I loved the XM6 earbuds when I first reviewed them earlier this year, and I continue to love them months later. Unless the audio space throws a real curveball, I imagine these will be one of the best releases of the year.

SAVE 20%: As of April 20, you can get the Sony QD-OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV for $3,999.99, down from $4,999.99. That's a 20% discount or $1,000 savings.

Sony QD-OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV $3,999.99 at Amazon
$4,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart

Hooking up a PlayStation 5 to a mediocre screen is a quick way to ruin the graphics you paid for. If you want your games to look the way they were intended, you need a TV that can keep up with the console.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer.

Right now, you can get the Sony QD-OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV for $3,999.99 at Amazon, down from $4,999.99. That's a 20% discount, or $1,000 in savings.

Since Sony makes both the console and the TV, you'll get exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping that optimize the picture quality while you play. It has HDMI 2.1 for 4K gaming at 120Hz, so you don't have to deal with lag, and there's a dedicated Game Menu to adjust your settings on the fly. When you put the controller down, the QD-OLED screen gives you pure blacks and bright colors for movie night, with Google TV built in so you have all your streaming apps in one place.

SAVE $120: As of April 20, the DJI Mini 3 beginner-friendly drone is on sale at Amazon for only $299 with an on-page coupon. That's nearly 30% in savings and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $299 at Amazon
$419 Save $120 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Everyone from real estate agents to marketing managers to casual Instagrammers could use a drone to capture more enticing footage. But drones don't typically come with the most affordable price tags, which is why we're highlighting this deal we spotted on the DJI Mini 3. At nearly 30% off, it's the cheapest we've ever seen it.

As of April 20, the beginner-friendly DJI Mini 3 is down to $299 with an on-page coupon at Amazon. That's $120 off its list price of $419 and just the second time we've seen the price drop this low. Just be sure to check the box that says "coupon price" to score the discount.

Weighing in at just half a pound, the DJI Mini 3 is true to its name. It folds up to an even more compact size for transport. It captures 4K HDR video and its innovative gimbal design allows for true vertical shooting and dynamic angles. Translation: you'll be able to snap some truly epic shots for social media. You'll get about 38 minutes of flight time before you need a charge or battery swap, but you can extend that to up to 51 minutes if you purchase the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately).

The Mini 3 is level 5 wind-resistant, so you can still take flight and capture footage in less than ideal conditions. Plus, intelligent features like auto takeoff, RTH (return to home), and precise hovering help beginners get started without a steep learning curve.

It's not every day the popular DJI Mini 3 goes on sale for $120 off. If you're in the market for a beginner-friendly drone, click on that coupon box and snag it while you can.

A world half-marathon record was broken at a race in China this weekend. But the winner wasn't an Olympian or even a competitive racer. It was a bright red humanoid robot. Nickname? Lightning.

The autonomous robot was competing in a robot versus human half-marathon race in Beijing, China, an annual event featuring the country's top robotics companies in a foot race test against their human counterparts.

SEE ALSO: Tariff refund site: What it is, how to use it

Lightning was built by Honor, a Chinese robotics and smartphone maker. The company tested other running robot variants at the race, including the bots that took home second- and third-place titles.

Mashable got an early look at Honor's new line of AI-powered humanoid bots at the latest Mobile World Congress. The bots had an impressive stability (many of these two-legged bots are prone to tumbling) and even a crowd-pleasing dance performance. The company also debuted a new "Robot Phone," featuring a robotic eye and arm that juts out from the smartphone to take photos and respond to requests.

During Sunday's race, the company showed that the new era of humanoid robots aren't just dancers, but competitive athletes, with Lightning taking home the gold in a 50-minute and 26-second sprint — that's six minutes quicker than the fastest human and nearly two hours faster than its time in last year's race. Honor engineers explained that the robot's fast upgrade came from modeling its design after top athletes, including elongated legs and an internal liquid-cooling system.

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Chinese robotics companies have been accelerating their development of humanoid robots over the last several years in direct competition with U.S. manufacturers. Lightning's record-breaking win was taken as a sign that the country's investments may be paying off.

Still, many of the robots needed assistance to cross the finish line. In addition to starting line stumbles and a few falls, about 60 percent of the competing bots were remotely operated by their human teams.

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

SAVE 33%: As of April 20, you can get the 65-inch Toshiba Class Z670R Series Smart Fire TV for $999.99, down from $1,499.99, at Amazon. That's a 33% discount or $500 savings.

65-inch Toshiba Class Z670R Series Smart Fire TV $999.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $500   Get Deal at Amazon

Replacing your living room TV can be expensive, which is exactly why people put up with a dying screen or terrible speakers for years. But you don't have to spend a ridiculous amount of money just to get a good picture. Toshiba's 65-inch Mini-LED 4K TV gives you all the high-end specs you want without the usual sticker shock.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer.

Right now, you can grab this 2026 model for $999.99 at Amazon, down from $1,499.99. That's a 33% discount or an extra $500 in your wallet for a soundbar, or important things, like bills.

This QLED screen uses Mini LED technology and full-array local dimming to keep blacks deep and highlights bright. It has a native 144Hz refresh rate to keep motion looking smooth, and with a built-in Fire TV, you won't need an extra streaming dongle to access your live channels or apps. Toshiba also included a REGZA Power Audio Pro system with a dedicated bass woofer, so you get resonant audio straight out of the box.

Save 42%: As of April 20, you can grab a four-pack of first generation Apple AirTags on sale for $56.99 at Woot. This sale slashes their price down $42.01 from $99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags, first generation (4-pack) $56.99 at Woot
$99 Save $42.01   Get Deal

Sometimes, shopping in the off-season can get you the best deals on a product (think space heater in the middle of summer). And sometimes, as is the case with this Apple deal, products go on sale at the perfect time.

Just in time for spring and summer travel, a four-pack of the first generation Apple AirTags are on sale at Woot for $56.99. That comes out to just $14.25 per AirTag, compared to the $29 a single AirTag will run you. It's also the best price we've ever seen on the Bluetooth trackers, besting their record-low of $59.99 they hit in March.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Same great style with the tiniest of upgrades

Of course, a Bluetooth tracker can be useful year-round, not just during travel season. AirTags are small enough to be slipped in your purse, wallet, on a keychain, and for some people, even as a collar for their pets. A new generation of AirTags did just hit the market in February, but in comparing the two generations side by side, Mashable's Stan Schroeder found that the differences between the two trackers weren't vast, with the first generation especially reigning superior for older iPhone compatibility.

The newer trackers have a better tracking range, and a louder signal. Still, it's hard to beat value, and at this sale price, the first generation AirTags are undeniably offering that.

The dating app Tinder wants more women on the platform, its CEO said.

"Winning women is critical to us," Spencer Rascoff, who joined Tinder's parent company, Match Group, last year and also took the helm of Tinder in July 2025, told the Financial Times in an interview published Sunday.

SEE ALSO: App fatigue is real. I tested the best dating apps of 2026 to find the ones that really work.

Rascoff continued that reaching "gender parity is very challenging, but we absolutely need to do a better job of driving outcomes for women, and when we do that, more women will choose to use our apps."

Tinder's user gender split isn't public, but 2022 Pew Research Center data found that 34 percent of American men said they've used a dating site or app, compared to 27 percent of American women. Around 75 percent of Tinder users are male, according to data insights website Demandsage.

Seeing as Tinder's direct revenue and paying users have decreased year-over-year both in 2024 and 2025, Rascoff has been working to reverse that trend. Shortly before he joined the app last year, he said he wanted to move Tinder away from its "hookup reputation" to attract Gen Z, a generation known for not wanting to participate in "hookup culture."

Featured Video For You My awkward first date with an AI companion

Rascoff also told Financial Times that Match's board has given him leeway to prioritize investments in new products and advertising, and now he's trying to increase the total number of people on Tinder as opposed to solely focusing on increasing paid users, as he figures the more people use the app, a segment would decide to pay for it.

He also bucked the notion that people have swiped left on dating apps entirely. "It's ridiculous to say people don’t like dating apps," he said. "That's just not true, people don’t like dating apps that are ineffective."

While dating app users themselves may disagree, as fatigue and cynicism for dating apps have been increasing over the past few years, one Match Group property keeps rising: Hinge. While Tinder's direct revenue and paying users have declined, Hinge's have risen in both 2024 and 2025.

The interview comes weeks after Tinder announced a suite of new features, including an AI-driven matchmaker called Chemistry.

April 20 has become the day to celebrate cannabis culture in the United States. We're not going to tell you how you should celebrate this occasion, but we are going to point out the fact that a number of popular restaurants are offering food deals on this date. You never know when the munchies are going to hit, so it's best to stay prepared.

You can find limited-time food offers from the likes of Wingstop, Chipotle, Subway, and Taco Bell, and more. We've checked out everything on offer to bring you the very best 4/20 food deals.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

On April 20, score a Pizookie for only $4.20.

Blazed Pizza

On April 20, Blaze Pizza is offering its BFF Bundle for $25.99. This deal is online only.

Chipotle

On April 20 at participating restaurants, score a Buy One Get One Free entree by wearing a hockey jersey.

Del Taco

Score a Buy One Get One Free deal on Carne Asada Fries from April 17-20. You can also get free delivery on orders over $20.

Dog Haus

Rewards members can get a free cheeseburger slider for spending $4.20 or more on April 20.

Insomnia Cookies

On April 20, Insomnia Rewards Members can buy four classic cookies and get two for free. This offer is available for in-store and pickup orders only.

KFC

On April 20, score a Pot Pie Combo for only $4.20, a Chick N’ Nug Meal for only $20, and two for $2.95 Original Recipe, Extra Crispy Chicken, or Hand-breaded Tenders. This offer is only available in-app or online.

Subway

Sub Club members can get a Buy One, Get One Free Footlong deal with the promo code FLBOGO.

Taco Bell

Spend $20 or more through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Postmates and get a large Nacho Fries for free.

Wingstop

On April 20, Wingstop is giving away 420 limited‑edition collectible trays at select locations in Los Angeles, San Jose, New York City, and Atlanta. This is available with the purchase of a Hot Box while supplies last.

SAVE $250: The Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, down from the list price of $649.99. That's a 38% discount and the same sale price we saw last month during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250   Get Deal

Robot vacuums used to be something that needed babysitting. They would stumble down the stairs or get stuck under furniture and cry (beep) for help. But these days, we have smarter robot vacuums and ones that can mop your home, too. If you're in the market for a powerful robot vacuum and mop that doesn't cost a fortune, check out this Amazon deal.

As of April 20, the Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, marked down from the standard price of $649.99. That's a 38% discount that shaves $250 off the price. It's the same sale price we saw last month during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

With 8,000Pa suction power, an anti-tangle brush, and an all-in-one charging dock, the Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop would like to take over the tasks of vacuuming and mopping your home. The suction is designed to rid your floors of hair, fur, dust, crumbs, and other debris on any surface.

SEE ALSO: Normally over $1,000, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 power station is $698.99 for a limited time

In terms of mopping, the Roborock Qrevo uses high-speed rotation to clean any mess. With 30 levels of water floor, even a sticky spill should get cleaned with the 200rpm dual spinning mop pads. The obstacle avoidance makes this model suitable for all homes and it can map up to four floors.

While it's back at the same price we saw during the Amazon Big Spring Sale, upgrade your home's cleaning routine with the Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop. Many combo vacuum and mop models can cost hundreds more, so this is a great chance to score a dual-cleaning robot for less.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be launching a tariff refund site for international importers on Monday, April 20.

The current tariff situation is, frankly, confusing. First, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in February that President Donald Trump does not have the power to unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), striking down one of the president's signature policies. After the ruling, Trump called the justices "fools" and "lapdogs" and pledged to implement a 10-percent global tariff.

As a result of the ruling, many importers will be eligible for refunds for the unconstitutional tariff fees levied against them.

What is the new tariff refund site?

The tariff refund site will be administered through U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is scheduled to launch on Monday, April 20.

The new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal will be available through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) website. More information can be found in a regularly updated CBP blog post.

"CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties including interest rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis," the website states.

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Who is eligible for refunds?

The CAPE portal is designed for companies who paid tariff fees, importers of record, and authorized customs brokers. These entities will need to submit a declaration through the CAPE portal.

"Importers and authorized brokers should anticipate that valid IEEPA refunds will generally be issued within 60-90 days following acceptance of the CAPE Declaration, unless a compliance concern requires further CBP review," the CBP writes.

Can American consumers get refunds, too?

While the CAPE portal is designed for importers, companies like Costco and FedEx have pledged to pass along refunds to affected customers, according to Axios.

If you're hoping for prices to come down as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, as we reported at the time, this is unlikely.

"Consumers shouldn’t see meaningful price relief soon," Ravin Gandhi, CEO of GMM Nonstick Coatings and an expert on tariffs, told Mashable in February.

"Tariffs were just one piece in the overall pricing structure — and businesses don’t typically lower prices immediately when a cost input disappears — especially with so much inflationary pressure," Gandhi said. "Even though the ruling is legally significant, the short-term economic impact may not happen as fast as the headlines are suggesting."

SAVE 25%: As of April 20, you can get the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses for $224.25 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 25% discount or $74.75 savings.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 1) $224.25 at Amazon
$299 Save $74.75   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're tired of your earbuds falling out during calls or reaching for your phone every time it dings, you might want to consider a smart wearable like the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.

SEE ALSO: Apple is reportedly working on an AI pin wearable that is AirTag-sized

Right now, you can get 'em for $224.25, down from $299, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount, or $74.75 in savings, and the lowest price we've seen these smart glasses go for yet.

You wouldn't know it just by looking at them, but these frames have a lot going on. Mashable's former East Coast Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, tested them out on her commute and called the open-ear audio "crisp, full, and rich — total ear candy." They also feature an ultra-wide 12MP camera for hands-free photos and 60-second videos, plus a built-in Meta AI that can answer questions or translate languages in real-time.

And, if wearing a microphone and camera on your face sounds a little intimidating, you can easily tweak the privacy settings or turn off voice commands whenever you want.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Playoffs for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA has entered into its dramatic final stage. The NBA Playoffs are here to deliver huge matchups over the next few weeks. Expect huge performances from star players, big moments that will be talked about for years to come, and incredible energy from fans. And you don't get much more passionate than Madison Square Garden in the playoffs.

The New York Knicks are 1-0 up in the series. Can they go 2-0 before heading to Atlanta?

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

When is Knicks vs. Hawks?

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Playoffs starts at 8 p.m. ET on April 20. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden.

How to watch Knicks vs. Hawks for free

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be a little easier if you know your sports teams.

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.

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: 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: Golden state

• Green: Almost Boston teams

• Blue: Olympic glory

• Purple: Running destinations

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: California Baseball Teams

• Green: Shortened Nicknames for Boston Teams

• Blue: Associated with the Miracle on Ice

• Purple: World Marathon Majors

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 #574 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• California Baseball Teams — A'S, ANGELS, GIANTS, PADRES

• Shortened Nicknames for Boston Teams — B'S, C'S, PATS, SOX

• Associated With the Miracle on Ice — 1980, BROOKS, HOCKEY, LAKE PLACID

• World Marathon Majors — BERLIN, BOSTON, CHICAGO, TOKYO

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.

SAVE $30: As of April 20, the AirPods 4 (without ANC) are on sale for $99 at Amazon. This is $30 off their list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Apple users, it's time to celebrate! Amazon has dropped the price of the AirPods 4 (without ANC) back down to $99. If you've had your eyes on these earbuds but have been waiting for a nice discount to come around, this is a great opportunity to grab them for less.

Usually the AirPods 4 (without ANC) are listed for $129, so this deal saves you $30 overall. It's a pretty nice sub-$100 offer to take advantage of right now, and one that may not be live for long. So if you've been hoping to add them to your Apple collection, this is the time to make a move.

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AirPods 4 may not come with noise-canceling features, but they still boast great sound quality that lets you enjoy your favorite music, audio books, podcasts, and more while you're out and about this spring. We consider them the best cheap AirPods in our roundup of the best budget earbuds, noting that they, "deliver five hours of battery life and smooth sound quality." That battery life can even be pushed up to 30 hours with the charging case.

This roundup also adds that, "even if you go for the pair without ANC, you'll save $50 and still enjoy the multi-dimensional audio that the AirPods can provide. Not to mention, the microphone is crisp and clear on the AirPods 4 so you can take calls on them without a problem."

Treat yourself to some new AirPods with this great deal on AirPods 4 at Amazon.

The staggering visuals from the Artemis II mission just keep coming.

On Sunday, Commander Reid Wiseman shared an extraordinary video he shot on an iPhone 17 Pro Max from inside NASA's Orion spacecraft, and it's a stunner.

"Like watching sunset at the beach from the most foreign seat in the cosmos, I couldn’t resist a cell phone video of Earthset," Wiseman wrote in an X post. The moment when Earth appears to sink below the moon's horizon, Earthset was captured by the Artemis II crew from Orion on April 6, 2026, during the historic lunar flyby.

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"I could barely see the Moon through the docking hatch window but the iPhone was the perfect size to catch the view," Wiseman added.

For this "uncropped, uncut" video, the commander used an iPhone 17 Pro Max, which has a 48 megapixel triple rear camera array with 8x optical-quality zoom (which Apple claims is "the longest iPhone Telephoto ever"). When Mashable's Stan Schroeder reviewed the iPhone 17 Pro Max, he praised the zoom as "not just a parlor trick" and recommended "you should use the zoom feature on this phone, and use it often." Turns out shooting Earthset from space was an optimal opportunity to put said zoom to the test, one few of us will ever get.

SEE ALSO: This historic photo tells the Artemis II story in a single shot

Latest model iPhones aren't the only gadgets the Artemis II team had onboard. The shutter sound you can hear in the video, Wiseman noted, is mission specialist Christina Koch snapping away with her Nikon D5 (7731.T) camera, ​a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) model with a 400-millimetre lens, using three-shot bracketing (triggering rapid automatic shots to capture the same image multiple times). Two Nikon cameras (the D5 and a Z9), alongside four modified GoPros (reportedly Hero 11s), allowed the astronauts to document the visual delights of their mission.

Koch's resulting Earthset images, just like Wiseman's video, are nothing short of marvellous — as NASA writes, "is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the Moon."

Earthset, captured Apr. 6, 2026, by Christina Koch. Credit: NASA

Where were the other two Artemis II astronauts during this glorious Earthset? Reid said pilot Victor Glover "was in window 3 watching," with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen "next to him." As Mashable space reporter Elisha Sauers explains, "They spent about seven hours rotating through observation shifts on the sixth day of the mission, swapping lenses, calling out features, and firing off photos as the spacecraft arced around the far side of the moon."

The historic Artemis II mission has seen the internet fiercely glued to their social media feeds, with the crew beaming home content during the 10-day flight around the moon. Just because they're back on Earth doesn't mean the content stops.

Featured Video For You NASA's Artemis II mission concludes with a perfect splashdown in the Pacific

Prediction markets, which essentially allow users to gamble on almost anything, are on the rise. But what are the ethics of companies that allow people to bet on the possibility of nuclear war?

In the latest episode of Last Week Tonight John Oliver unpacks that exact question, while also digging into other issues — like the possibility of insider trading — faced by leading platforms Kalshi and Polymarket.

"It sure seems like right now we've effectively got gambling sites operating even in states where gambling is illegal, and offering bets on things that there have been laws against for over a decade now," Oliver says in the clip above. "There are a bunch of cases making their way through the courts right now, but it's not clear how they'll resolve, and it's probably going to be in front of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Congress is considering a number of proposals tackling aspects of this issue, although given that the President of the United States has a kid currently advising both major companies, I wouldn't hold your breath."

SEE ALSO: How online prediction markets got people betting on nuclear war

Meaningful policy change in the near future, Oliver says, seems unlikely.

"But at some point we do need to put in place some basic guardrails here. And until then, if we can't change how these sites operate, we should at least try and change how we individually see them. One thing that would frankly help is if news organisations stopped laundering these companies' reputations for them by putting their odds on screen like they are actual news," the host continues.

"Look, on a personal level, if you're considering using these markets to gamble, try and remember that you are statistically likely to lose money. And while I am not against gambling per se, there is something so grim about these sites turning every aspect of our lives into a bet. Because sure, money can be won on them. But in that happening, something also gets lost. Specifically a society where things aren't only weighed in financial terms and where people engage with news for what it means to human beings, not just because they have $50 riding on it. And when something unexpected happens in the world, it would be really nice not to have to automatically question whether it's only because someone is trying to move a market."

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Tesla's Robotaxis will hit the streets in two more cities: Dallas and Houston.

Announced by the Elon Musk-owned company on X over the weekend, Tesla is rolling out its autonomous rideshare vehicles in additional Texas locations, after launching in Austin in June 2025.

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Tesla also shared maps of where Robotaxis will be available in Houston and Dallas, which are much less initially penis-shaped maps than its Austin release. In Houston, Robotaxis will be available in the northwest around Jersey Village and Willowbrook; in Dallas, the service will cover a central/north area around Highland Park.

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The service, which has come with its fair share of teething issues, lets passengers be chauffeured around town by autonomous Tesla Model Y cars. In the video shared by Tesla on Saturday (above), there is no human driver or safety monitor in the passenger seat — exactly how "unsupervised" the Robotaxi rides technically are has made a few headlines about remote human oversight.

"We began testing driverless Robotaxis in Austin in December and began removing the safety monitor from customer rides in January on a limited basis, which will unlock further expansion of our Robotaxi fleet and coverage area in the Austin-metro," reads Tesla's Q4 earnings deck from Jan. 2025. Tesla has also been testing Robotaxi pickups from San José Mineta International Airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, "with plans to expand to other major airports in the Bay Area upon receiving required permitting."

SEE ALSO: Robot, take the wheel: What you need to know about autonomous vehicles rolling out across the U.S.

Tesla's main competitor, Waymo, already operates for select riders in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio in Texas, as well as being open to the general public in Austin and major U.S. cities including Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area, and most recently, Miami and Orlando — though it hasn't been a smooth rollout by any means.

In 2026, following a $16 billion financing round, Waymo is eyeing the likes of over 20 more cities including New York, Chicago, Charlotte, and many more; beyond the U.S., London and Tokyo are up next.

Uber, meanwhile, also has its sights set on Dallas, recently committing $10 billion to robotaxis in ​at least 28 cities by 2028.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

SAVE $80: As of April 20, the Anker Solix C300 DC power bank station has dropped to $169.99 at Amazon. This is $80 off its list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C300 DC Power Bank Station $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal

Portable power stations are mighty helpful machines to have around. Whether they're used as backup power during an outage or to keep you powered up while you're out on a camping trip, they can keep your favorite devices charged and ready to go.

If you've been hoping to buy one before summer, Amazon has quite a few on offer at the moment. This includes a deal on the Anker Solix C300 DC power bank station. As of April 20, the Anker Solix C300 DC power bank station is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. Overall, this saves you $80 from its usual list price of $249.99, but it won't last long. It's currently marked as a limited time deal, so now is the time to make a move on it.

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When it comes to camping or outdoor activities, the Anker Solix C300 has an incredibly portable design that's easy to take around on your adventures — you could even put it in a backpack, or wear it over your shoulder with the add-on strap that's sold separately. It boasts plenty of power, offering up 300W output and 288Wh capacity. It also features a variety of ports for charging, including one 120W car socket, two 140W USB-C ports, one 100W USB-C port, one 15W USB-C port, and two 12W USB-A ports.

This limited time deal may not last long. Be quick to save on the Anker Solix C300 DC power bank station at Amazon.

Curious what other portable power banks are out there and worth picking up? Have a look at our roundup of the best portable power stations to see some of our favorites.

SAVE $100: As of April 20, the Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $329 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 $329 at Amazon
$429 Save $100   Get Deal

The Apple Watch Series 11 is back on sale at Amazon If you've been looking for a new fitness tracker, we named this one the best smartwatch fitness trackers, so you know you're getting something that delivers. And as of April 20, this Apple watch is reduced by $100, taking the price down from $429 to $329.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is an advanced smartwatch that does so much. As well as being a great fitness companion, it's also great for monitoring your overall health. It includes features designed to track things like high or low heart rate, irregular rhythm, and potential blood pressure concerns. It also has tools for tasks like ECG readings, blood oxygen tracking, and sleep scoring.

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For fitness tracking, you'll get incredibly detailed stats on everything from heart rate zones to training load, as well as the option to use guided workouts. And if water-based activities are your go-to sport, this watch has 50 meter water resistance.

For functionality, you'll get up to 24 hours of battery life, so you won't be caught out even during serious endurance sports. It's also compatible with fast charging, and is built with a durable, scratch-resistant display. It even has built-in safety features like fall detection and crash detection. These alerts are able to detect incidents and help connect you with emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.

You can get this Apple deal at Amazon now.