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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 10'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: Leader

• Green: Front yard vibes

• Blue: __Nut

• Purple: Incomplete Tarantino movies

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: Person in Charge

• Green: Grassy Area

• Blue: Words Before "Nut"

• Purple: Second Words in Tarantino Movies

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #304 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Person in Charge: CHAIR, CHIEF, DIRECTOR, HEAD

• Grassy Area: FIELD, GREEN, GROUNDS, LAWN

• Words Before "Nut": CHEST, COCO, HAZEL, PEA

• Second Words in Tarantino Movies: BROWN, DOGS, FICTION, UNCHAINED

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.

It might be easy to forget at times, but technically, Twitter is no more. 

Elon Musk changed the name of the company to "X" last summer. Yes, the main domain name for Musk's X is still Twitter.com. Yes, there are multiple official pages on the platform where the company still refers to it as "Twitter." Yes, most people still call it "Twitter." But, Musk's social media platform is officially called X.

On Monday, it appears X attempted to encourage users to cease referring to it as Twitter and instead adopt the name X. Some users began noticing that posts viewed via X for iOS were changing any references of "Twitter.com" to "X.com" automatically.  

X user @___frye posted "Twitter .com" but on X's app for iOS it shows as "X .com" Credit: Mashable Screenshot X's Twitter dot com problem

Yes, you read that correctly. If a user typed in "Twitter.com," they would see "Twitter.com" as they typed it before hitting "Post." But, after submitting, the platform would show "X.com" in its place on the X for iOS app, without the user's permission, for everyone viewing the post.

And shortly after this revelation, it became clear that there was another big issue: X was changing anything ending in "Twitter.com" to "X.com."

As of publication of this piece, here's how one post currently shows up on X's website:

Here's how @Arcticstar0's post looks like X's website. Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Here's how the same post currently looks on X for iOS:

Here's how the same @Arcticstar0 post looks like on X's app for iOS. Credit: Mashable Screenshot Why this is a big deal

Let's say someone owns the domain name "NetfliTwitter.com." Why would they own that domain name? Because if X is automatically changing anything that includes "Twitter.com" to "X.com," then that means posting "NetfliTwitter.com" on X would make it appear in posts as "Netflix.com," the popular movie streaming service. And if a user clicked the linked "Netflix.com" text that appears in that post, it would really take them to "NetfliTwitter.com." Because while X is changing the text that the user wrote, the URL it links and directs to remains the same as the user posted.

This is a dream scenario for someone looking to steal passwords through phishing campaigns.

An example of X changing "NetfliTwitter .com" to "Netflix .com" Credit: Mashable screenshot

The example I just provided isn't a hypothetical either. Some users on X noticed this very problem and found that it could quickly be utilized by scammers, hackers, and other bad actors. X user @yuyu0127_ quickly registered the domain name "NetfliTwitter.com" in order to prevent it from being weaponized and put up a warning page on the URL about the potential issues in X's changes.

"This domain has been acquired to prevent its use for malicious purposes," reads the headline text on "NetfliTwitter.com."

One user tried to post "setwitter .com" and Twitter changed the text to "sex .com." Credit: @___frye

Another domain name "seTwitter.com" was also registered due to its potential to be exploited as X would then change how the URL is viewed on the platform to "sex.com." The X user, @amasato_mochi, who registered that domain name, also put up a warning page in order to put a spotlight on the issue.

"Please be very careful not to access suspicious URLs," reads seTwitter.com. "I will hold onto this domain for a year to prevent any harm."

Tweet may have been deleted

According to some users, the change implemented by X also affected older posts. Meaning any instance where someone previously tweeted "Twitter.com" was being changed retroactively to "X.com."

X eventually realized the issue and rolled out a patch later that same day for some of the domains affected by this change. "Netflitwitter.com" no longer shows up as "Netflix.com" for example.

However, Mashable can confirm that the X for iOS app is currently still changing many other references of "Twitter.com" to "X.com." We noticed that in one instance we found, the change was happening when "Twitter.com" was being used in a subdomain for another URL.

It's unclear if this version of the issue will eventually be patched too. It certainly seems like a bad idea to change the text in a user's post without their permission. Regardless, the whole ordeal is certainly a remarkable stumble for X, especially when Elon Musk's social media platform itself still forwards "X.com" to "Twitter.com."

Mashable's tech editor Kimmie G put Apple's Vision Pro to the test on her JetBlue flight from JFK to Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica. Here's how it went.

Mashable host Josh Burstein sits down with Alex Garland and Wagner Moura to discuss the upcoming film Civil War. Civil War hits theaters on April 12. 2024.

In the evolving landscape of online dating, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, the integration of geolocation features has raised substantial privacy concerns.

While revolutionizing the way we find companionship, dating apps harbor significant privacy risks, especially with geolocation features. Thus, an investigation by Alexey Bukhteyev at Check Point Research on popular LGTBQ+ dating apps has unveiled a stark reality: users' precise locations can be determined through trilateration, despite efforts to mask this data.

This vulnerability exposes users to potential threats, particularly in communities where privacy is not just a preference, but a matter of safety.

SEE ALSO: LGBTQ spaces are needed now more than ever. Here’s what people mapping them have to say. How can dating apps expose your location?

Dating apps frequently utilize location data to facilitate connections between users, promoting the convenience of proximity. However, this convenience comes at a cost. Bukhteyev's research has demonstrated that through trilateration — a technique for calculating the exact position of a user by measuring distances from multiple points — it's possible to circumvent the privacy measures implemented by these apps. Such methods can reveal a user's location within a terrifyingly narrow margin, sometimes as precise as a few meters.

Bukhteyev experimented with two popular LGBTQ+ dating apps: Hornet and a second unnamed app. For his research, Bukhteyev strategically manipulated reference points and employed geometric calculations to refine the estimated location of a target user. In simple terms, using a digital game of hide-and-seek, and some clever math tricks, Bukhteyev was able to pinpoint a user's location with scary accuracy.

While the research doesn't make this too clear, Bukhteyev's experiment represents the extremes of what malicious actors can do to find a user's location — especially state and government actors, who've in the past used dating apps to find LGTBQ+ people in their country. Even though dating apps already have a huge predator problem, the average Tinder or Grindr user is not tech-savvy enough to replicate Bukhteyev's research.

For users, however, it underscores the necessity of exercising caution with the permissions granted to applications, especially those that access geolocation data. Utilizing features that allow for the obfuscation of one's location can provide a layer of protection against unwanted tracking.

On the other side, app developers must fortify their privacy safeguards. The LGBTQ+ community, in particular, deserves robust protection given the heightened risks they face in regions where their rights are not fully recognized. The discrepancy between the intended security of these apps and their actual vulnerability highlights a critical gap in user protection.

Because sometimes making a deck takes too much effort.

That's what Google is banking on, anyway, with its newest addition to the Workspace family of apps, which includes Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Google Vids was briefly mentioned as an "all-in-one video creation app" in a Google blog post on Tuesday. That blog post is nearly useless when it comes to learning about what Vids actually does, but thankfully outlets like The Verge, we get to see it in action.

SEE ALSO: Open AI and Google trained AI models on YouTube videos What is the 'Google Vids' app?

Put simply, Vids is a simple video creation app meant for work purposes. You're supposed to use it to create slide presentations using a simple left-to-right timeline that you insert things from your Google Drive into. You can also add voiceover or footage of yourself speaking for a little added oomph.

What makes Vids interesting, however, is that it integrates Google's Gemini AI into the creation suite. Users can (optionally) ask Gemini to write scripts, build storyboards, and even read scripts out loud using text-to-speech. It can also draw from a library of stock footage and even create images itself.

Vids is currently in testing by a small number of Workspace users, with plans to launch a more open beta version in the summer. Be on the lookout for work presentations that look suspiciously AI-generated when that happens.

SAVE $125: The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is just $174.99 at Target, marked down from its listed MSPR of $299.99. That's a 42% discount or a savings of $125.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 $174.99 at Target
$299.99 Save $125.00 Get Deal

If you love nights spent around the fire but hate the smoke that comes with it, a Solo Stove is the way to go. Designed to produce smokeless fires, Solo Stoves are an incredible addition to your backyard summer evenings or weekend camping trips. Thanks to today's deal that's part of Target Circle Week, you could score a great price on a Solo Stove.

As of April 9, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is just $174.99 at Target for Target Circle Members, marked down from the listed price of $299.99. That's a 42% discount or a savings of $125. While this deal is only for Target Circle Members, signing up for an account is free.

With a double-wall design, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 aims to reduce smoke by burning hotter than conventional fires and therefore capable of producing less smoke. It's portable design and included carrying case mean you can enjoy it at home or at the campsite.

SEE ALSO: The best fire pits of 2023

Mashable senior shopping reporter Haley Henschel tested out the Bonfire 2.0 last year and mentioned that while creating a smokeless fire takes some skill, "...it does burn beautiful, clean fires when conditions are right." She also said that while the fire pit comes in at premium pricing, the Solo Stove should last for years. "After several fires and many miles traveled between different yards and patios over the course of the past year, my Bonfire 2.0 hasn't shown any signs of wear or tear aside from developing an expected patina," she said in her review.

If you love s'mores and find sitting by a fire to be one of the best ways to enjoy life, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 could be a great investment. While it's normally priced at almost $300, today's deal brings it down to just $174.99 with a free Target Circle membership.

The rare total solar eclipse packed an extra punch.

During totality — when the moon completely blocked the sun — millions could see our star's glowing, ghostly corona, or outer atmosphere. It's a sight we almost never witness due to the sun's blinding light. Yet during the few minutes or so of this cosmic event, viewers could also see curious, extremely bright red or pinkish areas around the perimeter of the dark moon (though technically they were coming from the sun).

They're called solar prominences, and they're vivid arcs or filaments that have erupted from the sun's surface. Extending hundreds to thousands of miles into space, these phenomena can last weeks to months.

During the event on April 8, 2024, one of these arcs was easily visible from where I stood, agape beneath our eclipsed, blackened star, in Burlington, VT.

"If you were lucky enough to experience totality during this latest solar eclipse, did you notice a little red spot on the sun while the sun was fully obscured? You might have seen a solar prominence," the science communicator Swapna Krishna explained on their YouTube channel Ad Astra.

SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut witnessed an eclipse from space. It was 'unnatural.'

The NASA image below shows some of these pinkish prominences, including the notably vivid one at the bottom.

A particularly vivid solar prominence seen on the bottom of the moon-covered sun on April 8, 2024. Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky Tweet may have been deleted

Many solar prominences, especially those visible from our perch from over 93 million miles away from the sun, are much larger than Earth. The NASA graphic below shows this perspective.

It remains unclear, however, why these filaments, composed of hot hydrogen and helium gas, erupt from the sun's surface. "Scientists are still researching how and why prominences are formed," NASA explained.

Earth compared to a large solar prominence erupting from the sun's surface. Credit: NASA / SDO

It's not easy to experience a total solar eclipse. They happen every one or two years. But on average, a particular area of Earth only experiences such an event once every 375 years or so, and much rarer is that event occurring in an accessible place. Rarer still is the good fortune of that event happening to come to you — and the weather behaving.

"It's an amazing, amazing experience."

The next total solar eclipse to sweep across parts of the U.S. will be in over two decades, in both 2044 and 2045. It's an experience not to be missed.

"It blew me away," Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut, recently told Mashable. "It's an amazing, amazing experience."

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Samsung Galaxy Buds FE $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH TRACKER DEAL AirTags (4-pack) $79.99 at Amazon (save $19.01 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST SECURITY CAMERA DEAL Blink Outdoor 4 3-camera system $149.99 at Amazon (save $110) Get Deal BEST ROBOT VACUUM DEAL Shark Matrix self-emptying robot vacuum (AV2310AE) $369.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal BEST AIR PURIFIER DEAL Coway Airmega Mighty air purifier (AP-1512HH) $159.50 at Amazon (save $70.49) Get Deal

Got retail therapy on the mind? Head on over to Amazon to save some money on your splurges. Whether you're looking for a Bluetooth tracker for your upcoming travels or a robot vacuum or air purifier to help with spring cleaning, there's something in the mix for you.

We've sorted through the noise and handpicked some impressive discounts to shop on April 9. Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. And don't sleep on the deals from April 8, as some of those are still live as well.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Amazon deal of the day: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Mashable's reviewer RJ Andersen was pleasantly surprised with how great the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE performed in her testing. "The sound quality from the Galaxy Buds FE is unmatched for earbuds at this price range. Even Apple users should consider buying them, though they do pair nicer with Android devices," she wrote in her review of the buds. Already pretty affordable at full price ($99.99), you can snag a pair on sale for only $79.99 as of April 9. That's 20% in savings and just $10 away from their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix self-emptying robot vacuum (AV2310AE) $369.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

For a hands-off cleaning experience on a budget, look no further than the Shark Matrix self-emptying robot vacuum. With smart navigation, Matrix Clean technology, a detailed home mapping system, and the ability to self-empty after each clean, you can kick back and watch TV as the Shark AV2310AE does the dirty work. Its bagless base can hold up to 45 days of dirt and debris, so you can basically set it and forget it for a month and a half. As of April 9, it's on sale for just $369.99 at Amazon — that's $80 off its retail price and its lowest price to date. It's worth mentioning, however, that Walmart's version of this vac is $40 cheaper and is essentially the same minus the base capacity (it can only hold 30 days of debris, so you'll have to empty it more often).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (4-pack) $79.99 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $19.01 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Traveling this summer? Investing in Bluetooth trackers can be a real lifesaver — and if you're an iPhone user, we'd highly recommend Apple AirTags. Rather than simply relying on a Bluetooth range from your smartphone, AirTags calibrate their location as long as there's an Apple device with Find My enabled nearby (which, let's face it, there always is). That's why they're so great for finding lost luggage during trips. A single AirTag can run you $29, which means it would cost $116 to buy four separately. This four-pack deal for just $79.99 essentially gets you one-and-a-quarter AirTags for free. It's not the lowest price to date — that honor goes to the $74.98 deal from Black Friday 2022 — but it's still a total steal. Just be sure to select the $5 on-page coupon to get the best price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Coway Coway Airmega Mighty air purifier (AP-1512HH) $159.50 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $70.49 Get Deal

Our favorite air purifier, the Coway Airmega Mighty, is back down to its lowest price in three months. We can't decide what's cleaner: the modern design or the air the Coway Mighty pushes out. It won't stick out like a sore thumb against your home decor, which is always a plus. The purifier features a four-stage filtration system with a 99.7% HEPA efficient rating and can clean the air in a space of up to 361 square feet. It's equipped with an auto mode that will optimize the settings based on your air quality and an eco mode that conserves energy by shutting off when it detects no air pollution for 30 minutes. At $159.50, it's not quite the lowest price ever — that honor goes to its $139.99 deal from Black Friday — but it price-matches its Big Spring Sale price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 (4th gen) 3-camera system $149.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $110.00 Get Deal

One of our top picks for a security camera, the Blink Outdoor can't be beat when it comes to battery life. Pop in AAs and don't worry about changing them for two whole years. It works seamlessly with other Alexa-enabled devices, given that it's made by Amazon. Plus, it comes with customizable motion zones without the need for a subscription (although, a Blink subscription will enable you to save and share clips in the cloud and utilize person detection features). A three-pack of these babies is on sale for just $149.99 — that's 42% off and just $15 away from its lowest price ever. Not to mention it's currently cheaper than buying a two-pack.

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

UPDATE: Apr. 9, 2024, 11:37 a.m. EDT X has rolled out passkeys for users worldwide on iOS now. Read on to learn more about the feature and how to use it:

Sick of always manually typing in your password on Elon Musk's X? Do multiple people in your household use your devices so things like password managers aren't always the most secure?

Well, if you're an X user with an iOS device, you're in luck. The platform formerly known as Twitter just launched its passkeys login option for iPhone and iPad users.

Tweet may have been deleted

What does this mean for you? Face ID or Touch ID can now be used to login to your X account instead of a password.

How to set up Face ID or Touch ID on X

The steps to setup Passkeys on X for iOS are fairly simple. Mashable was able to set it up in seconds. Let's run through the steps so you can access X with Face ID or Touch ID.

1. Open the X app and log into your account.

2. In the sidebar menu, tap on Settings and Support.

3. From the drop down menu, tap on Settings and privacy.

4. Tap on Security and account access.

5. In the new list of options that open, select Security.

6. On the Security page, under the Additional password protection section, tap the slider for Passkey to turn it on.

7. Type in your X account password and tap Confirm.

8. On the next screen, tap on Add a passkey

9. Click Continue on the iPhone pop-up prompt that asks if you want to Use Face ID to sign in.

And that's it!

Don't worry about Elon

We should note that some accounts that Mashable tested this on did not yet have the passkey option yet. According to X's FAQ, new accounts will not be able to use this feature. However, the accounts in our test were not new, so it seems like passkeys may still be rolling out to all users.

And, perhaps the most important question that some of you may be asking is: Does Passkeys provide Elon Musk with my biometric data? Your fingerprints and facial biometric data all remain on your device, according to Apple. Third-party apps, in this case Elon Musk's X, never have access to this data.

Two new Roombas under $300: In early April, iRobot released two new budget-friendly Roombas: the Roomba Vac Essential for $249.99 and the mopping Roomba Combo Essential for $274.99.

iRobot doesn't participate in CES, which means iRobot isn't on the same "announce in January, release in spring" schedule that its competitors are. But that doesn't mean new Roombas aren't in store for 2024.

The first week of April 2024 brought surprise news from iRobot: two new cheap Roombas. The mopping Roomba Combo Essential debuted on April 4 at $274.99 and the Roomba Vac Essential followed (only at select retailers, though) on April 7 at $249.99.

SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The 2024 guide to deciding which Roomba to buy

The timing of these budget-friendly releases from iRobot is almost funny, considering Roborock, Eufy, and Ecovacs are in the midst of rolling out their new high-end flagship models. However, iRobot already covered that category when it dropped the Roomba Combo j9+ several months ago, along with overhauls of several mid-tier Roombas.

The most affordable end of the Roomba spectrum was the only one left that still needed attention, and we're finally getting it. Let's see what the new Essential Roombas are all about.

The simplest 2-in-1 Roomba to date Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo Essential at iRobot
Shop Now

The Roomba Combo Essential outdoes the previous go-to cheap Roomba, the 600 Series, in several ways. Even with a water tank and mopping capabilities brought on board, the Roomba Combo Essential still managed to debut at $274.99 — the same original price as the non-mopping Roomba 694.

It offers three mop water levels as well as three suction power levels, and implements iRobot's upgraded four-stage loosening and lifting cleaning system rather than the older three-stage system used by the 600 Series Roombas.

SEE ALSO: Tons of robot vacuums claim to mop, but only these 4 hybrids actually do the job

As the simplest mopping Roomba, the Combo Essential can't recognize carpets or rugs, so you'll have to roll those up if possible (or shut the door completely) when the tank and mopping pad are attached. The Combo Essential also can't memorize your home's layout, but uses iRobot OS to clean in neat rows.

The closest Combo Essential competitor is the Roomba Combo i5, which does utilize smart mapping to be able to clean specific rooms in your home on command. It debuted for $349.99, but if you can find it at Amazon for $297.99, get it over the Combo Essential.

Your new go-to cheap Roomba Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot Roomba Vac Essential at Best Buy
Shop Now

The Roomba Vac Essential replaces the Roomba 692 and 694 as the base tier Roomba. Unlike the Combo Essential, the Vac Essential still sticks to the same three-stage cleaning system that the older 600 Series models do. Compared to those older models, though, the Vac Essential utilizes iRobot OS to navigate more thoroughly in rows.

We're particularly thankful with the way that iRobot has streamlined spot cleaning here. Just set the Vac Essential down in the scene of the crime and it'll spin in place for up to two minutes.

The new Find My Device network for Android devices began rolling out on Monday. It's available for all devices using Android 9 or later. We're currently on Android 14, which covers a broad range of devices (Android 15 is coming out soon).

The updated Android equivalent to Apple's Find My network includes much of the same functionality as its competitor. But, there are a few extras, too.

Here's a few things you can expect from the newly updated Find My Device for Android.

The new Find My Device for Android. Credit: Google 1. Find offline devices

If you lose your Android device, Find My Device will help you locate it on a map and let you know as you get closer to its location. 

However, some Android devices can be located now even if they are offline or their battery is dead. According to Google, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro smartphones have this functionality.

2. Find nearby

Find My Device also comes with a new proximity feature that lets users how close they are to discovering their sought-after device.

Tapping "Find nearby" will let users know if they are getting closer to where their device is being pinged.

3. Track items with tags

Much like how Apple allows users to locate anything with an AirTag attached to it, Android devices will soon be able to do the same. 

Google says that Bluetooth tracker tags from companies like Chipolo, Pebblebee, eufy, Jio, and Motorola will be able to be tracked via the Find My Device feature starting in May.

In addition, Find My Device will work with cross-compatible Android and iOS unknown tracker alerts features in order to keep bad actors from weaponizing these tags.

4. Share tracked items with others

Once those Bluetooth trackers are out next month, users will be able to share the location of whatever items they want with their family and friends via Find My Device.

This could come in handy if you'd like the entire family to know where the house keys are.

And, of course, users can revoke access later on if need be too.

5. Nest interaction

Being that Android and Nest devices are Google products, Find My Device incorporates both into helping users find whatever item they are looking for. Find My Device will let users know where a located Android device is in proximity to Nest smart home products.

For example, if you left your tracked house keys by your Nest speaker, Find My Device will let you know.

SAVE $70.99: As of April 9, get the Google Nest x Yale Lock for $229 at Amazon. That's a discount of 24% off its normal price of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest x Yale Lock $229.00 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $70.99 Get Deal

If you enjoy enhancing your home with smart devices, add a smart lock to your home upgrades list. Your front door lock is the first line of defense between you and bad actors, plus you'll never have to deal with misplacing your keys again. We've picked some of the best smart locks that would make great additions to any home, but if you're looking to save a bit on a reliable brand, you might want to head over to Amazon.

As of April 9, the Google Nest x Yale Lock is $229 at Amazon, which is $70.99 off its normal price of $299.99. That's a discount of 24%. This discount applies to all colorways including Black Suede, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Satin Nickel, though you can expect to pay about $1 more depending on which one you choose.

SEE ALSO: Here's why a smart lock should be the first smart home device you own

This smart lock offers keyless entry for your front door and replaces your current deadbolt. You can lock and unlock your door from anywhere thanks to the accompanying app, so you don't have to wonder whether you left the door unlocked when you leave or you can let guests in even when you're away.

You can also set up a special passcode for friends and family that grants access to your home during specific timeframes. You can also turn on Privacy Mode so the keypad is disabled entirely; if you're taking a nap and don't want to be disturbed, set it up and forget the world for a while.

There are many great reasons to secure your front door with a smart lock — and saving some cash on the Google Nest x Yale Lock is top of the list.

SAVE $39.96: Get four months of free access to Amazon Music Unlimited with your purchase of select Amazon Echo devices. A four-month subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited typically costs $39.96.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Four-month subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited free with purchase of select Echo devices Get Deal

We're well into springtime backyard gathering season. If your music setup is lacking or your epic playlists keep getting interrupted by ads, you'll want to tune into today's deal at Amazon.

As of April 9, purchase select Echo devices and you'll get four months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free. The deal extends to Echo devices like the Echo Dot, Echo Show 8, and the Echo Buds. Amazon Music Unlimited typically costs $9.99 per month which means over the four months, you'll be saving a total of $39.96.

Bluetooth speakers can make a world of difference when it comes to ambiance. Take the Echo Dot for example. Next to your nightstand, the Echo Dot can play your favorite playlist while you get ready in the morning or stream your must-listen podcast while you get ready for bed.

If you prefer to have access to music and podcasts at all times like while on the train to work or while walking the dog, the Echo Buds could be ideal. And if you'd enjoy listening to music while baking in the kitchen and having the recipe clearly displayed in front of you, the Echo Show 8 is perfect.

Thanks to today's deal, all of those will come with the bonus of free access to Amazon Music Unlimited for four months. The service gives you freedom to stream music and podcasts with unlimited skips and zero ads. This means your backyard hangs with music will have purely uninterrupted tunes.

If you've been considering buying an Echo device, today's deal makes it a great time to upgrade. You'll be getting access to four months of free Amazon Music Unlimited, and there's no better price than free.

SAVE $50: As of April 9, get the Ultimate Ears Epicboom portable speaker for $299.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its normal price of $349.99 and a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ultimate Ears Epicboom portable speaker $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Planning on going camping or spending some quality time outside now that it's warmer? Why not take your favorite tunes with you? A portable speaker is a great way to make sure you can take the party with you wherever you go, even if said "party" is just you relaxing and listening to 1989 (Taylor's Version) while eating some trail mix. One particularly great option that can handle lumps and bumps of travel is on sale right now, and it offers some seriously excellent sound.

As of April 9, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom portable speaker is just $299.99 at Amazon, down from its normal price of $349.99. That's $50 off and a discount of 14%.

This is one of your best bets if you're planning on spending time outdoors where your speaker could take a tumble or two. It can weather that and a lot more thanks to its rugged exterior. It also sports a bass-heavy woofer with a 360-degree design and two high-frequency transductors that translate to excellent sound. In fact, Mashable's SaVanna Shoemaker praised the speaker for its "impressive sound quality" and simple setup in her review.

With a 17-hour battery life and thick, waterproof construction, this speaker can handle just about any situation, making it the perfect companion for outdoor treks. It's even better now that it's been discounted, so if you need a good outdoor guest to bring along on your next excursion, this could be the one.

GET A FREE $10 TARGET GIFT CARD: Purchase a $50 gift card to Panera Bread, AMC Theatres, or Regal Cinemas and get a free $10 Target gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target $10 Target gift card Free with purchase of select $50 gift cards Get Deal

As the cost of living creeps higher with each passing day, every bit of savings helps. During Target Circle Week you can save up to 40% on toys, tech, home goods, and more through April 13 — and there's a deal for today only where you'll score some extra funds for purchasing gift cards from some of your favorite retailers.

As of April 9, Target Circle members will receive a free $10 Target gift card when purchasing a $50 gift card to Panera Bread, AMC Theaters, or Regal Cinemas. Note that this deal is available today only. Target Circle membership is free to join and means you'll get special price offers and accrue rewards through Target purchases.

SEE ALSO: Get ready to save: Target Circle Week is back with discounts of up to 40%

If you're a cinephile, grabbing a $50 gift card to either movie theater chain will get you a couple of movie tickets and the necessary popcorn and candy to enjoy during your film. Alternatively, grab this gift card to give as a thoughtful present to the movie-lover in your life — and get a free $10 gift card to use on your next Target purchase as a little gift to yourself.

The deal also extends to $50 Panera Bread gift cards, a staple for a wholesome meal on the go, Panera has locations across the country should you be hungry for soup, sandwiches, or a combo of both.

Remember, this deal on some extra Target cash with the purchase of a $50 gift card ends today, but Target Circle Week deals will keep popping up through April 13.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still only in the early stages of the 2024 MotoGP calendar, but it's already looking like an exciting and unpredictable season. You never know who is going to win the next race (unlike F1), which is exactly what fans love. Every race weekend throws some surprises your way.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas?

The Grand Prix of the Americas takes place at Circuit of the Americas. The 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas race starts at 8 p.m. BST on April 14.

How to watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free

Every MotoGP 2024 race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, 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 Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By leveraging these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas without actually spending anything.

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

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking free streaming platforms like ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free with ExpressVPN.

Most apps have taken TikTok's lead, trying to imitate the winning vertical video format. But TikTok is also making its own attempts, developing a direct competitor to Instagram – and leaking the name of the forthcoming app in the process.

Users have discovered that the Instagram rival is likely named TikTok Notes, according to screenshots shared by eagle-eyed viewers. Some users have received pop-up notifications directing them to post photos on TikTok Notes, alerting TikTokkers that these will also be shown on "a new app for photo posts". However, users seemingly have the option to not share these posts on the upcoming app. The message from TikTok reads: "Your existing and future public TikTok photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes."

Tweet may have been deleted

News of TikTok's photo app came last month, through another leak. References to "TikTok Photos" came in the back-end code of the TikTok app. It seems now that the tentative name has been changed, as TikTok is launching its foray into the photo-sharing space more affirmatively.

SEE ALSO: LinkedIn is testing a TikTok-like video feed

As Mashable's Christianna Silva reported, "We don't know if TikTok's attempt to copy Instagram will work as well as Instagram's copycat playbook has. But the app is pulling out all the stops to maintain its hold — and relevancy — on U.S. users."

Millions of people made pilgrimage to the cities within the total solar eclipse track today, praying for clear skies at the moment the moon would briefly evict the sun from the heavens. 

But a few shadow chasers didn't want to risk the April showers, and instead booked a flight that all but promised an unobstructed view above the clouds.

SEE ALSO: That iconic Trump meme may save eyes this solar eclipse

When Delta Airlines offered me one of about 200 seats on its A321neo commercial airplane from Dallas to Detroit on Apr. 8, I agreed for the opportunity to report on this historical space event — the last total solar eclipse to touch the U.S. mainland for the next 20 years, according to NASA. But it wasn't an immediate "yes" from me. As a chronic sufferer of motion sickness, the idea of combining vertigo with a work deadline at 30,000 feet seemed like the recipe for a really memorable panic attack. 

Tweet may have been deleted

But my mind kept going back to a conversation with Jenna Samra, a solar physicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She had conducted research on an airplane during the 2017 solar eclipse and would be flying a telescope again this time to survey the sun's corona in infrared light. Her journey aboard a Gulfstream V jet, run by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, would take her even higher, to 45,000 feet. 

Despite having had this rare opportunity, Samra admitted she had not actually looked at the eclipse — not even once. In fact, instead of telling me about her own encounter with totality, she described the screams of other passengers ricocheting through the metal airborne tube while she locked her eyes on a computer screen. Those precious three minutes of data — captured in the darkness — gave her a thesis. 

Did she feel regret, I wondered, working through the peak moment, rather than experiencing it for herself? 

Shadow chasers avoided rainy weather by taking a Delta flight into the path of totality. Credit: Delta

"I think no," she told me. "I definitely want to be in the air because there will definitely be an eclipse in the air. As far as 'seeing' it or 'not seeing' it, that's somewhat under my control." 

A deep-seated desire for control? Yeah, I can identify with that.

Total solar eclipses happen somewhere around the globe about every two years, but it takes an average 375 years for one of these celestial coincidences to recur in the same place. 

This will be the last total solar eclipse to touch the U.S. mainland for the next 20 years. Credit: Delta

The main event is the milky light of the sun's corona. Because the face of the sun is a million times brighter, this swaddle of super-hot gas is normally bleached out of the sky. Only when the moon completely blocks the sun from Earth does the corona emerge, spilling beyond the moon's rim into space. 

Despite all that we've learned about the cosmos, there are still enigmas right here in our planetary neighborhood, like why the ever-present corona is so much hotter than the sun itself. These mysteries are what beckon humanity to look up. They unify us in our yearning for answers. They also remind us of our smallness — our fundamental blippiness in the universe. 

Never wanting to turn down a reporting assignment, I packed my motion sickness tablets and spent the entire weekend before the flight working myself into a frenzy. But if Samra could get a thesis out of her three minutes in darkness, surely I could cobble a good story out of four.

Tweet may have been deleted

As Delta passengers at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport arrived at the gate on Monday, the airline greeted them with a massive balloon archway and baskets of solar eclipse safety glasses. Jeanne Walker tried to balance a pair of the cardboard solar viewers on her dog Maddigan, who travels with her and her husband, John Walker. Jeanne, who came from Colorado, was glad she would have the window seat. 

"She's a good sharer," John said. 

"Not today," she said slyly. 

Julie Anderson, who brought along her three sons, James, Justin, and Jeffrey, said she sort of sprang the trip on her family. 

"I told their principals that we were missing school days for something epic, but I didn't say what it was," she said. 

Among the swag, Delta gave passengers SunChips and Moon Pies to enjoy during the eclipse. Credit: Delta

For the eclipse flight, Delta worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to design a flight path with special turns in the air allowing passengers on both sides of the aircraft to get optimal views. The plane ascended, and passengers broke out the complimentary snacks — SunChips and Moon Pies, of course — and watched the flight tracker on the seat backs to see where we were in the air. We would intercept the eclipse over Northeast Arkansas toward Southeast Missouri, said Warren Weston, a Delta meteorologist on the flight.

A boy enjoys the view with his protective solar eclipse glasses. Credit: Delta

After the so-called "first contact," when the moon began the great shuffle in front of the sun, the main cabin gradually fell dim. Passengers who had clutched their solar eclipse glasses like rosaries started to put them on. 

The mood shifted. Suddenly, I felt a primal urge to thump my chest and beat a drum as I scanned the sky with my eclipse glasses for bright light. The pilot, Captain Alex Howell, said he would tilt the plane so the sun would drop down into our field of view. 

There it was. I found the sun, but not totality. I could see an orange sliver peeking out, shaped like a fingernail. There was no glorious halo of white light.

Though passengers on the Delta flight that departed from Austin, Texas, saw the corona, most people on the flight from Dallas only saw a partial eclipse from the sky. Credit: Delta

"That was it," a woman from somewhere behind me said. "We've passed it." 

I didn't know what to do, other than laugh with Kasey Stiles, who sat beside me. Stiles told me she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a month ago. Since then, she had been traveling and crossing things off the proverbial bucket list. Seeing the eclipse was one of them.

She wasn't disappointed — life is full of things you can't plan for. Her mind was already somewhere else, thinking about her next excursion to Niagara Falls. She and her travel companion, Drew Heilman, were about to hop in a rental car and begin the drive.

"I mean, what can you do?" she said. "It's not for not trying."

You can watch Mashable Space Reporter Elisha Sauers on her solar eclipse flight on Mashable's X/Twitter or Instagram.

TL;DR: Stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women in a UEFA EURO 2025 qualifier for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

UEFA EURO 2025 will bring together some of the best international women's team in the world, but there isn't enough room for everyone. Qualification is always tough, and some very good teams will not make it. What's clear is that every qualification fixture is crucial.

If you want to watch Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women?

Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women kicks off at 7:30 p.m. BST on April 9. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free

Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women will be broadcast live on ITV1, with coverage starting from 7 p.m. BST on April 9. You can also live stream this fixture for free on ITVX.

ITVX 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 ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX to watch live football 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 ITVX

5. Stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free from anywhere in the world

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

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 ITVX without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking ITVX, 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 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.

Stream Republic of Ireland Women vs. England Women for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.