Blogroll

TL;DR: The Ultimate Cybersecurity and IT Career Certification Pathway Training Bundle is on sale for £22.25 with the code SECURE20.

With so much of our lives entangled online, companies of varying sizes and industries are constantly on the lookout for skilled individuals who can protect their respective systems and make them virtually impenetrable. The good news is if you're interested in venturing into this career, you don't necessarily have to go back to school.

This Cybersecurity and IT Career Pathway Training Bundle offers ample training to get your foot in the door. It covers the basics of IT and helps you prepare for certification tests that employers typically look for in IT professionals. For a limited time, you can score the training for only £22.25 with the code SECURE20.

Put together by Cisco Certified Systems Instructor David Bombal and CompTIA Certification Pro Mike Meyers and his team, this expert-led bundle packs eight courses and 169 hours of training on cybersecurity fundamentals. Through beginner-friendly lectures, you can expect to get to grips with the fundamentals of ethical hacking, like cracking passwords and intercepting traffic, the ABCs of security, like risk management, risk mitigation, and threat management, and the building blocks of network management like designing and implementing functional networks and troubleshooting basic to advanced network problems.

In terms of certification prep, you can also expect to receive assistance with training for various tests, including CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA CySA+, and more. You also have the option to take the courses at your own pace, at your own time, and using just about any device.

Grab this Cybersecurity and IT Career Pathway Training Bundle on sale for £22.25 with the code SECURE20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cisco The Ultimate Cybersecurity and IT Career Certification Pathway Training Bundle £22.25 with the code SECURE20 Get Deal

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for April 6's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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

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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A songbird.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

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 Wordle #1022 is...

FINCH.

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.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 April 6's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Motivations

• Green: Summertime Accessories

• Blue: A multitude

• Purple: Types of horses

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Intrinsic Motivators

• Green: Summer Gear

• Blue: Collection

• Purple: Horse___

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 Connections #300 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Intrinsic Motivators: DESIRE, DRIVE, RESOLVE, WILL

• Summer Gear: HAT, SHORTS, SUNGLASSES, TEE

• Collection: ARRAY, BATTERY, SERIES, SET

• Horse___: FLY, POWER, RADISH, SHOE

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

A shocking story was promoted on the "front page" or main feed of Elon Musk's X on Thursday:

"Iran Strikes Tel Aviv with Heavy Missiles," read the headline. 

Captured trending on X on April 4, 2024. Credit: Mashable screenshot

This would certainly be a worrying world news development. Earlier that week, Israel had conducted an airstrike on Iran's embassy in Syria, killing two generals as well as other officers. Retaliation from Iran seemed like a plausible occurrence.

SEE ALSO: I’ve been forcibly blue-checked on Elon Musk's X. Here’s what it’s like.

But, there was one major problem: Iran did not attack Israel. The headline was fake.

Even more concerning, the fake headline was apparently generated by X's own official AI chatbot, Grok, and then promoted by X's trending news product, Explore, on the very first day of an updated version of the feature.

Tweet may have been deleted How Musk let this happen

A few years before Elon Musk acquired the platform then-known as Twitter, the company rolled out a new feature that provided written context for trending topics. The technology powering the written trend descriptions? Humans.

Previously when a story would break, Twitter's algorithms would catch the relevant keywords being posted and share the trend, but it sometimes wouldn't be obvious why a given set of words was trending.

But, in 2020, Twitter put together a team of human editors to curate news and put trends in context. In addition, the top tweets that showed up under a trending topic would no longer just be algorithmically ranked, but include human curation as well. One year later, Twitter partnered with AP and Reuters to further bolster its efforts to provide human-provided context to trending topics.

Shortly after Musk bought the company in October 2022, though, the written context on trending topics disappeared. Musk had laid off Twitter's human editors. As Reuters reported in November 2022, "Twitter's curation team, which was responsible for 'highlighting and contextualizing the best events and stories that unfold on Twitter,' had been axed."

X's newly updated Explore page

Earlier this week, some X fan accounts like @XDaily shared screenshots of X's upcoming Explore page relaunch. X's Explore page includes the platform's infamous trending topics list along with specific section breakouts like "News" and "Sports" to provide users with trending stories in each particular subject category.

Tweet may have been deleted

Musk's updated Explore page looked poised to bring back the written context provided to trending topics and stories.

On April 4, X began rolling out its newly updated Explore page. The update provides top user posts on each individual trending topic as well as an easy-to-digest summary of the subject matter above the user content. At the very top of the page, an X-created headline presents the information to readers much as if they were about to read an article on the topic. 

In addition, the update also gives Explore a new, prominent location on the platform. Explore's trending stories now appear embedded directly in the right-hand sidebar of the main X homepage, where the trending topics list used to be located, which hundreds of millions of X's daily users view everyday.

In a screenshot captured from popular Twitch user Hasan Piker's stream, the fake AI-generated X headline can be seen trending on the platform's homepage sidebar. Credit: Hasan Piker's Twitch

However, Musk has not brought back Twitter's curation team, nor has he hired new human editors to write the context X now provides.

The context is written by X's AI chatbot, Grok.

The danger of X depending on AI

We know that Grok, an AI feature heavily promoted by Musk, powers X's contextualized summaries because X says so itself in the fine print on every Explore page.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Grok is an early feature and can make mistakes," reads the tiny note from X underneath the written context provided on the Explore page. "Verify its outputs."

Mashable observed X's "Iran Strikes Tel Aviv with Heavy Missiles" page which spread fake news as it was trending on Thursday.

Based on our observations, it appears that the topic started trending because of a sudden uptick of blue checkmark accounts (users who pay a monthly subscription to X for Premium features including the verification badge) spamming the same copy-and-paste misinformation about Iran attacking Israel. The curated posts provided by X were full of these verified accounts spreading this fake news alongside an unverified video depicting explosions. 

A side-by-side comparison of two separate posts on the X Explore page showing fake news posts from blue check users that informed Grok. Credit: Mashable screenshot

From there, it appears X's algorithms noticed a potential story trend within these users' posts, and an Explore story page was created. We can deduce from X's own claims about its inner workings that Grok must have then created an official-looking written narrative, along with a catchy headline. It did all this based on select users sharing fake news, in an automated attempt to provide context for what the platform itself seemed to assume was a real story.

This wouldn't be the first time Grok provided users with misinformation. Previous reporting on the early versions of X's chatbot found that it often created fake news in private chats with the select few users who had access to it. However, this recent incident combined with the new Explore feature presents the first time X took Grok's misinformation, packaged it as a real trending news story, and promoted it to its entire user base, ostensibly as context for a real event.

Under Musk, disinformation has skyrocketed on the platform known as X. Thanks to the new Explore product, the company promoted a falsehood, disseminated by paying bad actors who stand to make money in exchange for generating engagements.

One day after Grok generated this fake story that X then promoted via its Explore page, the company rolled Grok out to all Premium-subscribed X users so they could use the misinformation-creating AI chatbot as well.

Tweet may have been deleted

Some Samsung Galaxy S23 users have been facing issues with their phone ever since Samsung released its new update last week.

The One UI 6.1 update came to the newer Samsung Galaxy S24 models earlier this year seemingly without a hitch. Yet, once this AI-filled update was rolled out to the older devices on March 28, users began experiencing issues where the touchscreen display was being unresponsive.

SEE ALSO: Is your Samsung Galaxy series phone unresponsive at times? You're not the only one.

Samsung has now responded to the issue, providing context on the cause of the problem. The company has also issued a temporary fix for the touchscreen issue and will soon roll out an update addressing it.

Samsung points blame at Google

Android news outlet Phandroid first noticed an official Samsung statement in the company's Korean community forum.

"Due to compatibility issues with some Google app features (Discover), the app developer is improving related servers and apps," reads a translation of Samsung's statement provided by Google Translate. "You can improve the problem by temporarily updating the Google app to the latest version, deleting the app's data, and then restarting your phone."

The issue does not seem to be related to new AI-focused features in the One UI 6.1 update as some had speculated. According to Samsung, the cause of the touchscreen issues is Google Discover, Google's tailored news feature. Samsung says Google is aware of the problem and working on a fix.

How to fix the issue

Samsung also provided a temporary solution for Galaxy users who are facing touchscreen issues due to the Google Discover bug. The company says users need to download the latest version of the Google app, then delete the app's data, and finally, restart the device.

The issue should be fixed, however, opening the Google app may once again cause the touchscreen issues. If that's the case, the user must go through these steps all over again.

Galaxy users facing the issue can update the Google app in the Google Play Store by searching for the app before tapping "Update." After the app is updated, go to the Settings option on Android, choose Applications, and then open the Google app. On that menu, tap on Storage, followed by the Delete data "dustpan" icon. Next, restart the device.

This should solve the touchscreen problem for Samsung Galaxy S23 owners for now, at least until a full-on fix is rolled out.

Android users are about to get a lot more options for how long their displays stay active before locking up.

In a first look at the latest Android 15 developer beta (via Android Authority), a new feature called "Adaptive Timeout" stands out. By going into your device's display settings, you'll be able to separately set times for how long it takes for your screen to timeout when you aren't using it, as well as how long after that it takes for the device to lock itself.

The former can range from 15 seconds to 30 minutes, while the latter ranges from "immediately" to 30 minutes.

SEE ALSO: Satellite texting may come to Android, with a big leg up over iPhone

Beyond that, there's an optional toggle that will stop your phone's screen from turning off while you're looking at it by using the front-facing camera. That's not strictly new, but there's a novel wrinkle to it: You'll be able to lock up early if you're not actively looking at it.

Obviously, anything that keeps your screen off will extend your phone's battery life. The only weird part of this is that some of it kind of sounds like how smartphones have always worked. For instance, iPhones can already set a screen auto-lock time. Perhaps there's some other angle to this that will rear its head once the feature is in people's hands, but it isn't the most revolutionary thing in the world.

It shouldn't be long now before we get a more thorough and official explanation of feature. Google is set to talk about Android 15 at Google I/O in May.

Amongst the swirl of iPhone 16 rumors, a new leak suggests we might see a bigger screen.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 rumors: Every single thing we know about it so far

According to South Korean publication The Elec, certain iPhone 16 models might have a thinner bezels due to something called Border Reduction Technology (BRS).

The report, brought to the English-speaking world by MacRumors, describes BRS as a technology that bends the circuits underneath the screen and places them more tightly, making the display bigger without taking up more space and compromising performance. The Korean outlet, which has been reliable for leaks at the manufacturing stage, says LG Display is ramping up its supply chain efforts to meet Apple's goal.

The iPhone 15, which was released in 2023, has the thinnest bezels yet — and this leak suggests Apple is inching closer to its rumored goal of achieving a completely bezel-less iPhone. However, that probably won't happen for a while.

The larger display would most likely be applied to the iPhone 16 Pro models. This lines up with previous reports that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max allegedly have slightly larger displays with an increase of 6.1 to 6.3 inches and 6.7 to 6.9 inches respectively.

Other recent leaks indicate the iPhone 16 will have some design changes in the button department. That reportedly includes a new "capture" button for taking photos and a programmable action button in addition to the power and volume buttons.

It's all speculation at this point (from reputable sources), so we'll just have to wait and see what Apple unveils at its September iPhone event.

SAVE $10: As of April 5, three-month memberships to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are just $39.99 at Target. That's $10 off the usual price, and almost $20 less than you'd pay if you subscribed through Xbox's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-month memberhship) $39.99 at Target
$49.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Xbox Game Pass is a necessity if you own an Xbox. It's still one of the best deals in gaming, and we can't think of a single reason not to subscribe if you already own a Series X or S.

Thankfully, you can almost always find a good deal on a Game Pass subscription, and today is no exception. Target is currently offering three-month Game Pass Ultimate memberships for just $39.99, which is $10 cheaper than usual. Subscribing to Game Pass through Xbox for three months would normally run you about $50, so this deal is even better than it looks.

SEE ALSO: Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer

Xbox Game Pass almost sounds too good to be true, but it's exactly what it claims to be: A massive library of games that you can download and play at your leisure as long as you have an active subscription. That includes classic cross-platform titles, as well as day-one releases for Xbox-exclusive games. And with the Ultimate tier membership, you'll also be able to take advantage of the PC Game Pass library, online play, and cloud gaming support. That's way better than having to consistently buy new games at $70 a pop, if you ask us.

SAVE $40: Get an Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV for just $89.99 at Amazon as of April 5. That's 31% off the list price of $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: INSIGNIA Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

Buying a new smart TV is a big decision. You have to weigh so many factors such as size, special features, and how you'll stream from it. Most of all, though, you'll consider the potentially hefty price tag. Get everything you need with an HD TV on sale at Amazon today for under $100.

As of April 5, the Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV is on sale for 31% off, bringing the price down from $129.99 to just $89.99 when you shop at Amazon. This puts $40 back in your wallet.

SEE ALSO: Today, you can score an Amazon Fire TV soundbar for under $100

With the Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV you can experience your favorite shows in crisp 720p high definition. While we love the TV's clarity, we also love how easy it is to use. You can use Alexa Voice Remote technology to control your entertainment with your voice so you never have to fiddle around with tiresome remotes again. Thanks to Fire TV, you also have built-in access to over 1 million movies and shows, plus thousands of channels and apps.

Upgrade your entertainment for less today with this discounted Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV.

Amazon deals of the day: OUR TOP PICK Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright vacuum $299 at Amazon (save $100.99) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven $99.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST AT-HOME BAR DEAL Frigidaire Compact Countertop Ice Maker $74.99 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal BEST SMART HOME DEAL Kasa Smart Light Bulbs 4-pack $24.99 at Amazon (save $15 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

Amazon truly delivers when it comes to deals. While its big shopping holidays like Prime Day and the recent Big Spring Sale are flooded with massive savings, the retail giant also drops discounts on practically any given day. Take today, for example. We've sorted through the pages and pages of listings and handpicked a few of the best deals you can shop on April 5.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. And don't forget to take a peek at our top picks from April 3 and April 4, as many of those discounts are still available.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Amazon deal of the day: Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright vacuum $299.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal

While robot vacuums and cordless stick vacuums have taken over the cleaning world, there still comes a time when you need to whip out the trusty upright to get the job done. That's where the Dyson Ball Animal 3 truly shines. It may not be compact or cordless, but it's still easy to maneuver, thanks to the latest rendition of Dyson's iconic Ball technology. Plus, it offers three different cleaning modes, one-click dirt emptying, whole-machine filtration, a washable lifetime filter, a 1.7 liter dustbin, and 290AW of suction power. Translation: this thing is a beast. You'll only get two accessories (the stair tool and combination tool) with this base model, but it'll cost you just $299 on sale — that's 25% in savings and an all-time low price. As of April 5, it's also on sale at Dyson's website and Best Buy for just 99 cents more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

It's about time you jumped on the air fryer bandwagon. This 12-quart air fryer oven from Chefman features a dozen cooking presets, intuitive touch controls, and a temperature range from 95 to 450 degrees. The large capacity can fit an entire chicken or three entirely different courses on the included wire racks. It's also capable of roasting, baking, and dehydrating, making it a whole lot more than just an air fryer. As of April 5, it's on sale for 33% off and a new all-time low price of $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Frigidaire Frigidaire Compact Countertop Ice Maker $74.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

A room-temperature margarita just doesn't have the same zest as a margarita on the rocks. Whether you're hosting guests or enjoying a drink after dinner, an ice maker is a necessity — and this compact one from Frigidaire conveniently sits on your countertop and pops out 26 pounds of bullet cubes per day. It's regularly $90, but you can snag it on sale as of April 5 for just $74.99, a new all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link Kasa Smart Light Bulbs 4-pack $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Set the mood in each room of your home with these Kasa smart multicolor light bulbs. They're WiFi-enabled and you can control them via app, voice control, or even set them on a schedule to adjust naturally. A four-pack is usually $40, but you can pick it up at Amazon as of April 5 for only $24.99. That's just $1 away from its lowest price ever.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

GET $80 OFF: Score a Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) for just $199.99 at Amazon, down from $279.99, or snag the LTE version for $249.99, down from $329.99.

Overview Best deal overall Google Pixel Watch (LTE) $249.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best budget deal Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) $199.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal

If you're not a fan of traditional watches or you need a smartwatch that can do a little bit more than tell time, the Google Pixel Watch offers a happy medium between functionality and affordability.

SEE ALSO: Google and Fitbit are building an AI personal trainer

As of April 5, you can score a Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) for less than $200 at Amazon. If you prefer to have constant connectivity, the Google Pixel Watch (LTE) is also available for $249.99.

Here are the details:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch (LTE) $249.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Pixel Watch (LTE) offers a great combination of functionality and affordability. The Google Pixel Watch (LTE) has a chic and ultra-modern design and comes in several colors, including champagne gold and matte black. It's also waterproof up to 50 meters, so you can wear it while swimming without worrying about damaging it.

This watch doubles as a fitness tracker and can monitor your heart rate, track your steps, and provide insights into how many calories you've burned throughout the day. It includes a free six-month trial to Fitbit Premium. Plus, it can also auto-alert your trusted contacts or call 911 with an emergency SOS feature whenever you feel unsafe or need assistance.

The only downside is that this watch doesn't work with an iPhone, so you'll need an Android device to use it.

Best budget deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) $199.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) offers the same functionality and color options as the model above. The only real difference between these two watches is that the WiFi model does not have LTE connectivity. This means you'll need your phone nearby in order to receive notifications and use certain features.

However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option and don't mind having your phone on you, the Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) is an affordable choice to consider that comes with a ton of functional and fitness-tracking features. Note that Amazon upped the MSRP on its site, so this is the discount per Google's original pricing.

SAVE $20: Today, April 5, you can get an Amazon Fire TV soundbar for its best price on Amazon. Today's deal gives shoppers a 17% markdown, taking the price down from $119.99 to $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV soundbar $99.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

When you want to escape into your favorite shows, movies, or games, having immersive sound elevates your experience. Having a soundbar does just that. Today, you can score a high-quality soundbar for under $100.

The Amazon Fire TV soundbar is on sale today, April 5, for $99.99. This takes $20 (or 17%) off its usual list price of $119.99. This deal marks a return to the soundbar's lowest-ever price, which we saw back in February and over the winter holidays. While it will likely go on sale again, today is a smart time to buy.

With dual speakers and Dolby Atmos technology, the Amazon Fire TV soundbar produces a powerful experience that delivers crisp sound, clear voices, and deep bass. Picking a soundbar can be a big choice for audiophiles and cinema buffs. But going with the Amazon Fire TV soundbar is an easy choice for folks who already have an Amazon Fire TV, because you can control your Fire TV and soundbar with one remote.

Shop the Amazon Fire TV soundbar today, April 5 to take advantage of this all-time-low price.

GET UP TO $70 OFF: Get the Shark Portable StainStriker carpet cleaner for just $109.99, down from $139.99, and the Matrix Robot vacuum for $229.99, down from $299.99, at Amazon.

Overview Best Shark carpet cleaner deal Shark Portable StainStriker $109.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best Shark robot vacuum deal Matrix Robot $229.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal

Dyson may be the "it" vacuum brand, but Shark isn't too far behind in popularity. (I have three Shark vacuums, and they've made my life much easier!) With an extensive line of vacuum cleaners, a rep for top-notch performance, and an affordable price range, Shark is a solid option for anyone who wants a clean house without breaking the bank.

SEE ALSO: The best vacuum cleaners for picking up pet hair

Right now, two of Shark's highly rated models, the Portable StainStriker (perfect for quick stain removal on upholstery and carpets) and the Matrix Robot (a robotic vacuum with a self-cleaning brush roll) are available at discounted prices at Amazon.

Here are the details:

Best portable vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Shark Portable StainStriker $109.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark StainStriker portable carpet and upholstery cleaner doesn't just have a cool name; it delivers powerful stain removal capabilities. Its dual-activated tough stain eliminator (no premix required) can remove stains and odors on carpets, area rugs, couches, car seats, and more. Add Shark's special solution mix, and you've got the power of Oxy for 20 times more effective stain removal.

This portable vac is ideal for pet owners or new parents who often deal with spills and messes. It includes an integrated crevice tool for nooks and crannies in cushions and hard-to-reach areas, a reversible bristle tool, a pet tool, a hose clean tool, and one six-ounce Deep Clean Pro Formula and one 12-ounce Oxy Multiplier Formula.

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Matrix Robot $229.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

My Shark robot (the Shark AI Ultra Robot) is the best purchase I've ever made, full stop — so this is a brand I trust and recommend. So, I don't think you'll regret investing in the Shark Matrix Robot.

Although the Matrix Robot doesn't come with an empty dustbin, it does feature a self-cleaning brush roll and Matrix Clean technology to ensure every inch of your home is spotless. With the Shark app, you can control and schedule cleaning sessions from anywhere (even if you're at dinner or shopping for groceries) and get real-time notifications on the cleaning progress.

If you prefer voice command, the Matrix Robot is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It includes a charging dock and one side brush.

Northeast cities were rocked by a 4.8-magnitude earthquake around 10:20 a.m. on Friday, but if you spend any time on X, you probably already knew that.

The internet reacted swiftly, in a way that might have reminded you of the Twitter (X) of yore. There was a time when X was less about virality and more about sharing news right as it was happening — and that's what happened when the glasses started to shake in Northeast cabinets on Friday morning. Dozens of voices bounced through the halls of the social media platforms echoing: "Did you just feel that?"

Tweet may have been deleted

It's uncommon for New Yorkers to experience an earthquake, but it's not unheard of. This quake was centered near Lebanon, New Jersey, roughly 40 miles west of New York City. The Mashable culture and tech teams were in a video meeting discussing the merits of Beyonce's new album, Cowboy Carter, specifically her cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" when we felt it.

Beyond the most obvious observations ("we had an earthquake"), here are some of the best tweets about the disturbing phenomenon.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Featured Video For You

From the Total Solar Eclipse to Gen Z reviving the Facebook 'Poke', host Josh Burstein takes us on a comedic journey through the week's top stories.

Check out these related articles:
That iconic Trump meme may save eyes this solar eclipse
Gen Z is apparently reviving the Facebook 'Poke'
The world of Roblox accessories is betting big on young, Black creators
AT&T resets millions of passcodes after data leak
TikTokers don't know that they're actually mindfulness experts

Whether you meticulously scan the night sky for constellations or look up occasionally to see if you can catch a shooting star, a total solar eclipse is an event you won't want to miss. It's a rare event that finds the moon passing between Earth and our sun, which makes for a dynamite viewing experience whether you're a casual observer or an aspiring astronomer.

The highly-anticipated celestial event, which is estimated to reach three to four minutes of totality where the moon has completely blocked out the sun, is set to occur on April 8, 2024. And being just a few days out from the event, it's crucial that you prepare for safe viewing if you plan on stepping outside and taking in all its awe-inspiring glory. That means buying a pair of eclipse glasses that can make the experience safe, so you don't end up injuring your eyes permanently.

This eclipse is going to be a very big deal, and if you plan on checking it out, eclipse glasses are an absolute must-have. But even though there are a wide variety of glasses available on Amazon from a variety of sellers, this isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. You shouldn't head to Amazon and buy the first pair of eclipse glasses you see.

Mashable Science Editor Mark Kaufman explains why this is important, but if you don't have time to sift through the list of approved eclipse glasses from sellers vetted by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), we're here to do it for you.

Everything featured here is available on Amazon, meets the standards set forth by the AAS, and is listed by an approved seller. Since the eclipse is just days away, make sure you opt for one- or two-day shipping.

Below, check out our picks for some of the best eclipse glasses you can buy now, on sale or otherwise. (Note: All deals are live as of the time of writing. We'll make our best effort to keep updating this story as inventory moves around.)

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Kesseph Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses 6-pack with Smartphone Photo Filter $18.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it:

With scratch-proof lenses and sturdy cardboard frames, these solar eclipse glasses give you the peace of mind you need to safely view the eclipse. With two crease lines on the frame's sides, these glasses can fit children and adults alike. With five extra pairs, you'll be able to share with friends and family who might not have planned ahead to grab their own.

The kit also includes a special photo filter with technology that allows you to take video and photos of the eclipse with your phone or camera.

More eclipse glasses available at full price:

• Healthoholic Solar Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $14.99 on Amazon

• Kesseph Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $14.99 on Amazon

• SEIC Solar Eclipse Glasses (3-pack) — $15.99 on Amazon

• Kesseph Eclipse Glasses (5-pack) — $19.99 on Amazon

• Helioclipse Solar Eclipse Glasses (12-pack)— $29.95 on Amazon

• American Paper Optics Solar Eclipse Glasses (4-pack) — $10.99

Eclipse glasses on sale:

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses — $14.99 $19.99 (save $5)

• Eclipse Glasses USA Eclipse Glasses (5-pack) — $16.02 $17.80 (save $1.78)

• Eclipsee Solar Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $16.97 $18.97 (save $2)

It's going to be an expensive streaming summer for Disney+ users sharing passwords.

Though Disney's streaming service has already started rolling out its crackdown on password sharing in the U.S., it's now clear when the company will make people pay for anyone outside their household to use their account: June.

Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC the company will be "launching our first real foray into password sharing" in June, lightly detailing plans to launch in "just a few countries" before expanding to all paying subscribers by September.

SEE ALSO: Disney+ is now restricting password sharing in the U.S.

Iger's interview comes after Disney announced a similar summer timeframe for the crackdown in February, during Disney's Q1 earnings call.

"Beginning this summer, Disney+ accounts suspected of improper sharing will be presented with new capabilities to allow their borrowers to start their own subscriptions," CFO Hugh Johnston said during the call, as reported by CNET.

"Later this calendar year, account holders who want to allow access to individuals from outside their household will be able to add them to their accounts for an additional fee."

Featured Video For You Meet Disney's rollerblading robot prototype

First announced for the U.S. in August 2023, then confirmed in February, Disney+ is about to go hard on these account sharing restrictions. If you've been a new subscriber since January 25, you're already under these rules, and they were rolled out to existing members on March 14.

Disney's current Subscriber Agreement, updated in September 2023, says, “Unless otherwise permitted by your Service Plan, you may not share your subscription outside of your Household. “Household” means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein." Disney's agreement also says "additional usage rules may apply for certain Service Plans," but the current Disney+ pricing page doesn't have any further details on how much users might have to pay to add extra users outside the household.

Disney's agreement also reads, "We may analyse the use of your account to determine compliance with this Agreement. If we determine that you have violated this Agreement, we may limit or terminate access."

Disney+'s crackdown follows Netflix's crackdown on password sharing last April, and similar moves by Hulu, ESPN, and Max. If you want to share streaming accounts nowadays, you've got to pay.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 5 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 5

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, April 5, 2024:

Across"How cute!"

• The answer is aww.

Candy beside a Butterfinger, perhaps

• The answer is Twix.

Sentimental sort

• The answer is softy.

Butterfingers

• The answer is Klutz.

Friend in war

• The answer is ally.

DownTerrible ... or pretty

The answer is awful.

Quick with the one-liners

• The answer is witty.

Final four?

• The answer is wxyz.

Turnpike expense

• The answer is toll.

Genre for Sublime and No Doubt

• The answer is ska.

TL;DR: Stream the 2024 British Swimming Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Everyone wants to book their place on the plane to Paris, but the Olympic dream is not easy to achieve. Places are up for grabs in the British Swimming Championships, but the depth of talent is incredible. It's sink or swim for these impressive athletes.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 British Swimming Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the British Swimming Championships?

The British Swimming Championships are an annual event organised by British Swimming. The event is usually held in March or April each year in a 50-metre swimming pool, with the results usually acting as selection trials for upcoming international level competitions.

When is the 2024 British Swimming Championships?

2024 British Swimming Championships will take place at the London Aquatics Centre from April 2 to April 7. This event will be used to select members for the British Paralympic and Olympic pool swimming teams.

How to watch the 2024 British Swimming Championships for free

BBC Sport will be broadcasting all the action live from every finals session of the British Swimming Championships, with free live streaming available on BBC iPlayer. The full streaming schedule is as follows:

• Day One — 6:45 to 9 p.m. BST on BBC iPlayer (April 2)

• Day Two — 6:45 to 9 p.m. BST on BBC iPlayer (April 3)

• Day Three — 6:45 to 9 p.m. BST on BBC iPlayer (April 4)

• Day Four — 6:45 to 9 p.m. BST on BBC iPlayer (April 5)

• Day Five — 6:45 to 9 p.m. BST on BBC iPlayer (April 6)

• Day Six — 6:45 to 9 p.m. BST on BBC iPlayer (April 7)

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream the 2024 British Swimming Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free streaming sites without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2024 British Swimming Championships before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 British Swimming Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Excuses, excuses, excuses. We all make them — particularly when it comes to getting our fitness back on track. But it's never too late. And excuses aside, there's never a bad time to focus on your health. As far as we're concerned, finding the right bit of smart tech is a good start. That's where Garmin comes in.

Indeed, hiring a personal trainer is excellent, of course, but the technology exists now to put a mini PT in your pocket. Or even better, on your wrist.

Garmin is one of the very best brands in health and fitness-based wearable tech. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fitness newbie or hardened triathlete, there’s a Garmin smartwatch for you. But how to choose? Admittedly, it’s not as easy as it sounds. There are dozens of Garmin watches available, all geared towards different types of sport or fitness goals. But fear not: We can help you choose the right Garmin watch for your sporty needs with this need-to-know guide on all things Garmin.

What is Garmin?

Anyone who knows anything about wearable smart tech knows the name Garmin. The brand makes wearables for an impressive range of activities and even makes smartwatches for kids, which are all decorated with popular comic characters that encourage and reward activities.​​ Whatever it takes to get 'em moving.

What sports do Garmin watches track?

When we say the words “fitness tracker” you almost certainly think of watches for running, which is the go-to option for exercise and tracking. But Garmin watches track running, cycling, and swimming. Some high performing models combine the three and have specialist features for triathlon training. It doesn’t stop there. Garmin smartwatches also include features for rowing, diving, indoor activities, weight training, open sea swimming, climbing, golf, and HIIT. Phew. Have we missed anything? Almost certainly. Because the range of options is huge. And top models will cover lots of activities at once, making them perfect for multi-sport enthusiasts.

What features do Garmin smartwatches offer?

First and foremost, Garmin prides itself on excellent GPS, which is of course crucial for mapping and tracking running, cycling, and swimming activities. Garmin watches also monitor your heart rate (even underwater on some watches, which puts them a few strokes ahead of other brands). Depending on the model, you’ll also find features than track recovery, sleep, energy, hydration, respiration, and other health-based stats.

Also impressive are the coaching features, which guide you through training programmes and suggest workouts based on recent activities. Garmin smartwatches can guide you to specific achievements and fitness goals. In some Garmin smartwatches you’ll also find plenty of sports apps and storage space for music. 

What is the best Garmin watch?

Like a fitness plan, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. It depends on the specifics of your preferred activities and fitness goals. If you’re a runner, Garmin has a watch for you. If you’re a golfer, Garmin has a watch for you. If you’re a diver… well, you get the idea. And we’ve done the work of researching the very best Garmin for you.

These are the best Garmin watches in 2024.