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Both OpenAI and Google turned to transcribing YouTube videos to further train their AI models, which may violate creators' copyrights, the New York Times reports. The report details how the two tech giants, along with Meta, cut corners to access as much data as possible to train their AI models.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's Sora just dropped a trippy music video to fan the AI hype flames

According to the report, OpenAI used Whisper, a speech recognition tool, to transcribe more than one million hours of YouTube videos. It then fed the transcripts into GPT-4, the powerful AI system that the latest model of ChatGPT's chatbot runs on. Google, which owns YouTube, also transcribed YouTube videos to train its AI models.

The transcription of videos by both companies may infringe on creator's copyrights to their videos. Other uses of creator content to train AI has prompted copyright and licensing lawsuits.

OpenAI's use of YouTube videos also may violate Google's rules, which prohibits the use of its videos for "independent" applications and "automated means (such as robots, botnets or scrapers)" of accessing its videos.

Matt Bryant, a spokesperson for Google, told the New York Times that the company was unaware of any such use by OpenAI. But the report alleges that people at Google knew about OpenAI's unauthorized use of YouTube videos and neglected to take action because it was doing the same thing. Google also told the paper that it only trains its AI on videos from creators who have agreed for their content to be used in this manner.

In July 2023, Google changed its terms of service to allow the use public online material like Google Docs and Google Maps restaurant reviews to further train its AI models.

At the end of each month, I lie horizontally and swipe through the photos I've collected. I favorite the good ones and narrow them down to 10, curating a representation of the last 30 days of my life. It's a collection of randomness — selfies, close-ups of pasta, images of friends petting a dog, scenes from a concert, and a quote from a book — posted in an Instagram carousel and dubbed a photo dump. 

Photo dumps entered the cultural conversation in 2021. The Kardashians did it, the influencers did it, and our friends and lovers did it. It launched into popularity as a middle ground between those who posted constantly and those, particularly younger users, who had decided that posting on Instagram at all was no longer cool. This was, in part, a response to the unreachable Instagram aesthetic and perfection perpetuated by the app; photo dumps were a sort of messy alternative. At the same time, Instagram was changing its algorithm constantly, making it more difficult to find content from your actual friends or get the amount of likes and other quantitate popularity you were used to.

SEE ALSO: Long live photo dumps

So we began posting more sparingly but also more sprawlingly, participating in our own little work of self-surveillance so the rest of the internet could gather more information about each other in a dragnet fashion that seemed more serious than it was.

These photo dumps serve as a kind of map of my own life, the weft of my yarn, you might say. I can look back on my Instagram and see myself each month at my hottest or most interesting. However, our need for constant online validation is too transparent, and posting has become inherently embarrassing.

That weft? That weft is lame. 

Recently, the photo dump hasn't been as common on my feed. People are only posting on their Stories, if they post at all. Instagram Stories have a short lifespan that serves as an ameliorative salve to the anxiety of posting on the grid. But even posting on Stories has lost some of its luster.

The signs are clear: Posting at all is for suckers, especially on an app like Instagram which has become less relevant to young people. If you post, no matter how exciting your life looks, it's not cool to share it on Instagram. We now feel the need to start making moves in silence.

View this post on Instagram

Posting trends on Instagram are mercurial at best, their volatile nature always ensuring a feeling of unease. Not once in the past few years of online life have I posted something and not considered that perhaps I am doing it all wrong. I have concluded that's a good thing, and I should trust my intuition; I am likely doing it all wrong. The only people doing it right on social media are solipsists, and I probably wouldn't vibe with Descartes anyway.

Is posting an Instagram photo dump lame and cringe, or is it an aberration — a departure from what is expected of us?

SEE ALSO: Photo dumps are the no makeup-makeup looks of Instagram

At times like this, I am reminded of Jemima Kirke's response to the question, "Any advice to unconfident women," in which she said, "I think you guys might be thinking about yourselves too much."

That's the beauty of the photo dump: It's inherently personal. As Instagram trends evolve and posting habits shift, the photo dump may fade into obscurity, replaced by new forms of digital self-expression. Seeking validation online may be out, but I'm going to keep dumping anyway.

TL;DR: Through April 7, you can score a lifetime license to Winxvideo, an AI-powered video editing software, for only $34.97, no coupon needed.

Experiencing FOMO because your TikTok videos or Instagram reels aren't cutting it? Maybe it's not you or your editing skills; maybe it's your editing app. It's no secret that editing videos, from cutting footage short to adding background music to removing undesirable objects in the background, is a time-consuming task. Templates exist, sure, but they're not much better than editing from scratch.

If you're at your wits' end trying to edit a video that meets your vision, let AI do the work. The AI-powered Winxvideo app can do much of the heavy lifting on your behalf on up to 5 computers, with a Family plan on sale for under $40 through April 7.

Winxvideo AI touts itself as a one-stop video toolkit for all your editing needs. It combines AI-based workflow and traditional video conversion tools to make short work of typically tedious tasks, including converting videos, compressing large files, recording screens, and more. It even boasts the ability to upscale media to 4K or 8K, stabilize shaky footage, and elevate frame rates from 24fps to a smooth 60 or 120fps with a mere click.

If your footage isn't all that great to begin with, the app can improve its overall quality with CineAI and full GPU acceleration, turning it into content of near-cinematic caliber you'll be proud to post on the 'gram. You can make it 5x smoother and 4x crisper, complete with the option to overlay subtitles.

Winxvideo also boasts a large toolbox of various editing functions you can tinker with. From changing video speed to enhancing audio to significantly reducing noise, it packs the tools you need to edit your videos to perfection.

Whether you're editing a vlog, a tutorial, or maybe even a dance challenge, WinxAI can help you put together shareable quality content with ease.

A lifetime subscription to Winxvideo AI normally goes for $119, but you can get it for only $34.97 through April 7. This Family license is installable on up to five computers.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Digiarty Software Winxvideo AI Family: Lifetime Subscription (5 PC) $34.97 at the Mashable Shop
$119.90 Save $84.93 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, never lose your keys again with the Nut Mini Tracker, on sale for $11.99 with code SECURE20.

You know when you’re already running late, and to make matters worse, you can’t find your keys? With The Nut Mini Tracker, you can forget the stress of misplacing things and instead, always know where your belongings are. Or better yet, use the Nut Mini to prevent your most prized possessions from being lost in the first place. 

Attach the Nut Mini Tracker to your wallet, luggage, car keys, etc., and get alerts when the items are left behind. Easily track your lost items using your smartphone by utilizing the anti-loss feature and bidirectional alert. The one -touch function makes it simple to set off an immediate alert so you can find a missing item right away.

The Nut Mini Tracker is lightweight, classy, and will complement any aesthetic. You’ll love its discreet nature, measuring slightly bigger than a quarter. The lost and found network is useful for sharing appeals on the WeChat app so you can track down your missing item faster.

This innovative tracker is compatible with a wide variety of devices including Apple, Android, Samsung, and more. Rest assured, you can still keep tabs on your belongings even when the Nut tracker is running on ultra-low power consumption. 

If you’re notorious for those frantic wallet searches, the Nut Mini Tracker could be a lifesaver when running out the door. 

Get the Nut Mini Tracker for only $11.99 (reg. $19). Use code SECURE20 to take advantage of this price drop until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nut Technology Nut Mini Tracker $11.99 at the Mashable Shop
$19.99 Save $8.00 with code SECURE20 Get Deal

TL;DR: As of April 7, make using your Apple TV easier with the Function101 button remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, on sale for $29.99.

The Apple TV remote has been known to be quite annoying and not so user-friendly. If you’re looking for a remote that’s simple to navigate so you can watch your favorite Apple TV programs with ease, we have a solution for you. The Function101 button remote has the features of a traditional remote but with more advanced technology. It’s great as a primary or second remote for your Apple TV.

The Function101 remote uses infrared technology to access a direct line of sight to your Apple TV. So sit back, relax, and enjoy not having to get off of the couch to change the channel because this remote connects up to 12 meters away.

This innovative remote was designed with convenience in mind and has no swiping, cursor pointer, or voice command functions. The silicone buttons are easy on your fingertips and laid out with a common sense approach.

Synchronize the Function101 button remote with your Apple TV in a matter of seconds and immediately control power, volume, play, pause, mute, etc. You might wonder why you waited so long to get a simpler remote.

If you don’t have an Apple TV, the Function101 remote is compatible with most other TV sets. Say goodbye to your overcomplicated remote (or multiples), and enjoy a user-friendly alternative to the Siri remote.

Watching TV shouldn't be complicated.

Get the Function101 button remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K for only $29.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Function101 Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K $29.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: As of April 7, level up the way you listen with the wireless Beats Solo3 on-ear headphones (open-box) for only $89.99 (reg. $199). 

Finding a pair of headphones that delivers both high-quality sound and comfort can be a challenge. These open-box Beats Solo3 wireless on-ear headphones were designed to immerse you in rich, clear sound. The finely tuned acoustics help balance playback and deliver a surround-sound experience. 

The Apple W1 chip is meant to provide extended range and fewer dropouts when on a run or walking around your house. The on-device controls allow you to take calls, control tunes, adjust volume, or skip tracks. Beats Solo3 headphones have adjustable ear cups so you can customize your settings for your comfort. 

Whether you’re listening to a podcast, watching movies on a plane, or participating in a work call, Beats Solo3 can help cancel out the noise around you and enhance the sound you want to focus on. 

Compatible with both Apple and Android products, these headphones can simultaneously connect multiple devices via Bluetooth. They are built to provide up to 40 hours of battery power on a single charge, and for those extra hectic days, Fast Fuel allows you to power up your headphones in about 5 minutes for a 3-hour boost.

Open-box items are excess inventory from store shelves or items returned from retail stores back to the warehouse. These may have had customer contact or been repackaged, but this gives you the advantage of getting a verified new item at a discount due to its packaging not being in pristine condition.

Get the wireless Beats Solo3 on-ear headphones (open-box) for only $89.99 (reg. $199). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats by Dre Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones (Open Box) $89.99 at the Mashable Shop
$199.95 Save $109.96 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 14, update your car’s technology with a foldable touchscreen car display that's compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it’s on sale for $74.97 (reg. $159). 

If you have an older car, you may be longing for some modern technology for your ride. This 6.8-inch foldable touchscreen car display that's compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can give you a nice tech update without having to trade in your car. 

Modernize your dashboard by adding this touchscreen display so you can have access to your favorite apps from your phone. It has multiple connectivity options including Bluetooth capabilities, a built-in FM transmitter, and an AUX jack. You can tap into your favorite playlists and view maps directly from the screen. 

With the touch of a button, the voice command feature makes for a hands-free driving experience. Use Siri or Google Assistant to safely start navigation, make phone calls, read text messages, or play music so you can keep your eyes on the road. If your car has a backup camera, this display even has rearview camera support to assist you in reverse.

Check out the screencast option and mirror your phone in 1024x600 HD resolution.

This simple foldable touchscreen could be an affordable way to level up the way you ride. 

Until April 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the 6.8-inch foldable touchscreen car display compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on sale for only $74.97 (reg. $159).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay 6.8" Foldable Touchscreen Car Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Support $74.97 at the Mashable Shop
$159.99 Save $85.02 Get Deal

The best streaming deals to watch 'The Greatest Hits': BEST FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Hulu (with ads) trial Free for 30 days, then $7.99/month (save 16%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $9.99/month (save $5.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Hulu (with ads) Free on Go5G Next T-Mobile plans (save $79.99/year) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Free one-month trial, then $5.99/month (save up to $12.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR LONG-TERM SUBSCRIBERS Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

It's no secret that music holds memories, but in The Greatest Hits, those memories quite literally pull Harriet (Lucy Boynton) back in time. It's a compelling concept, albeit a slight remix of an older trope (think The Time Traveler's Wife or About Time). Throw in some rom-com gooeyness and we've got ourselves a fun new flick.

Writer/director Ned Benson's The Greatest Hits also stars David Corenswet as Harriet's late boyfriend Max, Justin H. Min as her new love interest David, Parks and Recreation's Retta as her therapist, and Austin Crute as her best friend. The film has already brought in some mixed reviews from critics, but we'll let you watch and decide for yourself. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch The Greatest Hits online (and maybe even for free).

What is The Greatest Hits about?

After a tragic accident took the life of her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet), Harriet discovers that certain songs can transport her back in time for as long as the music plays. She uses the music to literally travel the timeline of their relationship, seeking an opportunity to change his fate. As she navigates her grief, her past collides with a new love interest in the present.

Billed as a rom-com, The Greatest Hits is also a portrait of grief and the arduous path of moving forward — not to mention, the transformative power of music.

Read our full review of The Greatest Hits.

When is The Greatest Hits streaming?

Originally premiering at SXSW 2024 and opening for limited release in theaters April 5, The Greatest Hits is set to make its streaming debut on Hulu on April 12. Already a Hulu subscriber? Amazing — come April 12, The Greatest Hits will be gracing your screen. Not yet a subscriber? Keep reading to learn the best ways to sign up for Hulu, including a generous trial period that may allow you to watch The Greatest Hits for free.

How to watch The Greatest Hits: The best Hulu streaming deals

If you'd rather skip the quick theatrical run and watch The Greatest Hits at home, you're going to need a Hulu subscription. There are monthly and annual options, ad-supported and ad-free tiers, free trials, third-party deals, and even bundle options to choose from. Lucky for you, we've broken down all the nitty gritty details to help you make the best decision for your streaming needs.

Best for new (or returning) subscribers: Hulu 30-day free trial Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free 30-day trial, then starting at $7.99 per month Get Deal

If you're completely new to streaming on Hulu or you're returning after cancelling a previous subscription, you can score a free 30-day trial and watch The Greatest Hits (and plenty more) without paying a cent. Just remember to cancel before your 30 days are up if you want to avoid being charged. If you choose to keep your subscription going, it'll cost you $7.99 per month with ads or $17.99 per month without.

Best for long-term viewing: Hulu (with ads) annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

Don't qualify for the free trial? You can still save some money by opting for an annual subscription to Hulu instead of paying monthly. It typically costs $7.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, but if you pay annually, that monthly fee drops down to just $6.67 per month. Sure, you'll have to pay $79.99 up front, but in the long run, you'll end up saving about 16%. If you plan on sticking around long term, this is your best bet.

Best for T-Mobile customers: Hulu (with ads) included for one year Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free with T-Mobile Go5G Next plan Get Deal

If you're not on a T-Mobile Go5G Next plan, this incentive may convince you to make the switch. T-Mobile customers on this plan can get Hulu with ads included for free as of Jan. 24 — and that's on top of the already stacked lineup of Netflix, Apple TV+, and MLB.tv. Just navigate to the T-Mobile website, choose "redeem now," and claim your offer. You'll have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu. And after your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll have to take action in order to keep your Hulu subscription going. Otherwise, this deal is pretty straightforward.

Best for students: Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify / Hulu Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Free 30-day trial, then $5.99 per month Get Deal

College students have a couple different ways to sign up for Hulu for free or at a huge discount. First up, there's Spotify Premium for Students, which gives students access to Spotify Premium and Hulu with ads for only $5.99 per month. If you're new to the streamer, you'll also get your first month for free. The only requirement is that you can prove you're a student through SheerID's verification.

Don't need another music streaming service? No worries. You can also just sign up for a Hulu Student account for $1.99 per month — that's 75% off the usual monthly cost. Unfortunately, there's no free trial, but at that cost, it's forgivable. Like the first option, you'll also have to prove your student status through SheerID to claim the deal.

Best bundle deal: Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Hulu + Disney+ (with ads) $9.99 per month (save 37%) Get Deal

Full disclosure: if you're simply looking to watch The Greatest Hits and bounce, this is not the best option. However, if you're looking for a well-rounded streaming deal (and one of the best ways to access Hulu), it doesn't get much better than the Disney bundle. With the Disney Duo bundle, you'll get access to Hulu with ads and Disney+ with ads for only $9.99 per month. That's just $2 more per month than paying for only Hulu (or 37% in savings). If you're also a sports person, you can toss ESPN+ in the mix with the Disney Trio bundle for only $14.99 per month. That's a total savings of 44%.

The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 will bring some solar system worlds into view.

For those in the 115-mile-wide path of totality — wherein the moon completely blocks the sun for a few minutes or so — the sky (weather-permitting) will darken to deep twilight. When that happens, millions of Americans will be able to see a number of planets.

Two will be especially radiant. You can't miss 'em.

"Jupiter and Venus will jump out," Aileen O'Donoghue, a radio astronomer at St. Lawrence University, told Mashable. O'Donoghue added that both of these objects will be brighter than Sirius, which is the brightest star in our night sky.

SEE ALSO: Solar eclipses were once extremely terrifying events, experts say

Here's how to spot these celestial objects during the rare total solar eclipse.

"Jupiter and Venus will jump out." The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Credit: NASA Science Visualization Studio Featured Video For You The planets you can see during the 2024 solar eclipseVenus

"Venus will be blazing," O'Donoghue emphasized.

During the total solar eclipse, it will be located below the sun, about 15 degrees down to the right. You can use your fist, held out at arm's-length, to measure this distance. A held-out fist measures about 10 degrees.

Venus is bright because it's relatively close to Earth and is blanketed in extremely thick, heat-trapping clouds. These clouds reflect much of its sunlight back into space.

Jupiter

The gas giant Jupiter will be conspicuous, too. "Jupiter is going to be pretty obvious," O'Donoghue explained.

The planet, which is eleven times wider than Earth, will be up and to the left of the eclipsed sun, at about 30 degrees away (three fists).

Other Planets

Although Jupiter and Venus will be the planetary stars of the show, you will potentially be able to see some other planets, too. Both Saturn and Mars will appear near the horizon in the southwest. They'll be quite low, just about 10 degrees above the horizon. "They might pop out," O'Donoghue said.

A time-lapse of the moon eclipsing the sun in August 2017 during a total solar eclipse. Credit: NASA / Aubrey Gemignani Tweet may have been deleted The Devil Comet

Comet 12/P Pons-Brooks, amid a trip to the inner solar system, may potentially be visible during the eclipse. But unlike the planets, you'll need binoculars to see this smaller, fainter object. It will be just to the right of Jupiter, and maybe be visible if it has an outburst of dust and gas as it nears the sun.

But remember, you can only use normal binoculars to view the sun (or near it) if you're in the path of totality, and only when the moon has completely blocked the sun. Mashable goes deeper on when to wear your protective eclipse glasses here.

Enjoy the cosmic vista above.

TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from MIT are available for free on edX.

You can find a wide range of free online courses from some of the most famous educational institutions in the world on edX. It's a gold mine for lovers of learning.

We have checked out everything on offer from edX, and lined up a selection of standout online courses from MIT. Ever heard of it? Of course you have. It doesn't get much bigger than MIT, and you could become a student without stepping foot outside your home. And without spending anything. You don't need to be a student of MIT to know that that's a good deal.

These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:

• Becoming an Entrepreneur

• Biochemistry: Biomolecules, Methods, and Mechanisms

• Cell Biology: Transport and Signaling

• Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis

• Circuits and Electronics 2: Amplification, Speed, and Delay

• Circuits and Electronics 3: Applications

• Collaborative Data Science for Healthcare

• Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications

• Derivatives Markets: Advanced Modeling and Strategies

• Energy Economics and Policy

• Financial Accounting

• Foundations of Modern Finance

• Fundamentals of Statistics

• Genetics: Analysis and Applications

• Genetics: Population Genetics and Human Traits

• Genetics: The Fundamentals

• Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life

• Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science

• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

• Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning

• Management in Engineering: Accounting and Planning

• Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance

• Supply Chain Analytics

• Supply Chain Fundamentals

• Sustainable Building Design

• Sustainable Energy

• Understanding the World Through Data

• World Music: Global Rhythms

It's important to note that these free courses do not come with a certificate of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unrestricted access to all the course materials, so you really don't have anything to lose. Seriously, what are you waiting for?

The best free online courses from MIT can be found on edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at Udemy Get Deal

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage (20TB) is on sale for £71.08, saving you 93% on list price.

Those low storage warnings are no fun, but it's hard to get rid of them for good when you're working with less and less space on your devices. You may have deleted everything you can delete, but sometimes there are files you don't necessarily use that you also don't want to get rid of. Whether they're family photos, old homework files from school, or important work documents, not every file has to be something you use every day. If you have one place to keep all your extra files, then you can clear some space on your devices and save everything you want. 

That's where Prism Drive comes into play. This lifetime cloud storage service gives you 20TB to use as you please, and it's only £71.08 for a limited time.

Prism Drive is a secure solution for backing up your files. Whether you're using it for yourself or for the whole family, Prism Drive lets you keep all your files in one secure location that's all yours for life. 

Uploading your pictures isn't the same as locking them away in an old album. Prism Drive makes it easy to share your files with shareable links, so you can send anyone access to the photos you want them to see. 

This cloud service also makes it easy for you to do your own file management with tools like file previews. You can view photos or watch videos without downloading them, so they remain safely locked behind the 256-bit AES encryption. 

Stop letting pictures and old files clog your phone, tablet, or computer. Get a Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage 20TB lifetime subscription for just £71.08. That's the best price online, too. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Prism Drive Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: 20TB (Lifetime Subscription) £71.08 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

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 7'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: Clean your room

• Green: Well-built; stocky

• Blue: Well-known molasses flavored snack

• 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: Disorderly Place

• Green: Sturdy

• Blue: Found in Cracker Jacks

• 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 #301 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Disorderly Conduct: DUMP, MESS, PIGPEN, STY

• Sturdy: FIRM, SOLID, SOUND, STABLE

• Found in Cracker Jacks: CARAMEL, PEANUTS, POPCORN, PRIZE

• ___Horse: CHARLEY, CRAZY, DARK, GIFT

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.

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 7'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:

The French way of having a brain blast.

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 V.

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 #1023 is...

VOILA.

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.

Iowa women's basketball squeaked by UConn — a blue-blood giant of the sport — in the NCAA Final Four on Friday night. Led by superstar Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes bested the Paige Bueckers-led Huskies by a score of 71-69.

SEE ALSO: Iowa vs. LSU delivered memes, jokes, and a great game from Caitlin Clark

In case you missed it — which is increasingly unlikely considering how the sport is rocketing in popularity during this tournament — it was an amazing game. UConn did about as good a job as a team can in containing Clark, but the star's teammates stepped up under the big lights.

It was tight the entire game and the chatter online was fantastic. It was fascinating to see Iowa — a No. 1 seed but a historically weaker program elevated by a single great player — take on the legendary UConn. People online loved it.

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There was some controversy, however. A late offensive foul call against UConn helped decide the outcome. Most folks didn't argue there wasn't a foul on the play — UConn set a pretty straightforward moving screen — but rather people thought the call shouldn't have been made in the final moments of the game. In the end, though, it was a foul and the call was made. It all but sealed things for Iowa.

Some folks joked and hypothesized that ESPN wanted Clark in the final. Others pointed out that there was a foul and the call was correct. Even into Saturday afternoon, the arguments kept on going.

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Up next? Iowa will play the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday to decide a champion. It'll certainly be an interesting game. The Hawkeyes have Clark, sure, but South Carolina hasn't lost a game all year. It'll be a heck of a matchup and you can rest assured folks will be arguing about it online.

Meta blocked, then apologized for blocking, a local news organization that published a column criticizing Facebook.

The Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news org, published an op-ed about Facebook this week that criticized the tech giant for refusing ads promoting a documentary about climate change. The Reflector and its readers soon after realized links from the paper were not working on both Facebook and Threads.

SEE ALSO: https://mashable.com/article/facebook-video-format-vertical-tiktok

This, of course, led to concerns that Meta was stifling criticism of its platforms. In response to those concerns, the website The Handbasket republished the op-ed under the headline, "Here's the column Meta doesn't want you to see." Links to the site were then blocked, falsely labeling it as spam or malicious, The Wrap noted.

Meta, however, has said this was all a big mistake and that it never intentionally blocked folks from sharing the column. It claimed that a security error was to blame.

"Due to a security error, links to the @kansasreflector were blocked for a period of time," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone wrote on Threads. "The same security concern mistakenly prompted the blocking of links to News From The States and The Handbasket. The incorrectly applied blocks have now been lifted from all three domains, but it does take time for our system to fully repopulate all the links. This is undoubtedly frustrating and we sincerely apologize to all who have been impacted. We will continue to monitor the situation."

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This all could be a misunderstanding. On the one hand, it's difficult to believe a tech giant's explanation for blocking a news organization. On the other hand, Facebook is criticized all the time — even more pointedly than the column in the Reflector — and Meta doesn't block those news organizations.

No matter what the case, the column is once again shareable on Facebook for those who are so inclined.

Elon Musk, as the billionaire head of X and Tesla is wont to do, fired off a tweet announcing major business news without providing further clarification.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X pushed a fake headline about Iran attacking Israel. X's AI chatbot Grok made it up.

Musk tweeted Friday, "Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8." That was shortly before 5 p.m. ET after the stock market had closed.

This post was almost assuredly a response to a detailed report from Reuters about Tesla's Robotaxi plan. The news service had published an in-depth feature reporting that Tesla wanted to scrap its plan to manufacture a low-cost vehicle in favor of the robotaxi.

In response, Musk posted, "Reuters is lying (again)." Musk did not refute anything specific about the Reuter's report, however. Then, not much later, Musk posted the tweet saying Robotaxi would be unveiled on Aug. 8, seemingly in line with Reuters' reporting.

As is often the case with the Tesla CEO, it's tough to parse what is real and what is bluster because Musk has such a knack for it. Even if the Robotaxi is unveiled in August, that doesn't mean we'll suddenly have them all over the road. Dropping the curtain on a car is relatively easy when compared to having functional, safe, and legal automated cars on the road.

Remember when Tesla unveiled a robot with a guy dancing in a robot suit then later unveiled a robot that couldn't stand? Keep that in mind when thinking about what we'll actually get in August.

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 6 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 6

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, April 6, 2024:

AcrossDefeat by a large margin

• The answer is Drub.

Accident-___ (clumsy)

• The answer is Prone.

Painter Monet

• The answer is Claude.

Ironic name of Elle Woods's chihuahua in "Legally Blonde"

• The answer is Bruiser.

Track athlete

• The answer is Runner.

Double-___ sword

• The answer is Edged.

Intoxicating substance sometimes called "bud"

• The answer is Weed.

DownTotally out of energy

The answer is Drained.

Stirred from slumber

• The answer is Roused.

Opposite of over

• The answer is Under.

Intoxicating substance sometimes called "Bud"

• The answer is Beer.

Polar bear ___ (cold swim)

• The answer is Plunge.

Having a potty mouth

• The answer is Crude.

Make, as 4-Down

• The answer is Brew.

The biggest digital camera on Earth is finished — and it will soon revolutionize our grasp of the cosmos.

The Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California announced the completion of its LSST Camera, short for "Legacy Survey of Space and Time." The giant-lensed instrument is the size of a car, the lab said, and in 2025 it will begin snapping deep space images at the much-anticipated Vera C. Rubin Observatory located in the lofty Chilean mountains. You can view images of the unprecedented camera below.

"With the completion of the unique LSST Camera at SLAC and its imminent integration with the rest of Rubin Observatory systems in Chile, we will soon start producing the greatest movie of all time and the most informative map of the night sky ever assembled," Željko Ivezić, director of Rubin Observatory Construction and an astronomer at the University of Washington, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The camera and the telescope it's mounted to will pack a potent punch. Engineers will attach the big camera — which weighs three metric tons (about 3.3 U.S. tons) — to the observatory's 27.5-foot-wide (8.4-meter) Simonyi Survey Telescope, itself a revolutionary instrument: It will be the fastest large telescope on Earth, with the ability to swivel 180 degrees in just 20 seconds.

The goal is to create an unprecedented catalog of the cosmos. It'll be "the first time a telescope will catalog more galaxies than there are people on Earth," the lab explained. Every 20 seconds, the giant digital camera will capture a 15-second exposure. The camera is so big that each image covers a zone of sky over 40 times the area of a full moon.

With a front lens of over five feet wide, the camera has extremely high resolution. "Its images are so detailed that it could resolve a golf ball from around 15 miles away, while covering a swath of the sky seven times wider than the full moon," Aaron Roodman, the Rubin Observatory deputy director, noted in a statement. "These images with billions of stars and galaxies will help unlock the secrets of the universe."

Travis Lange, a deputy project manager for the LSST Camera, inspects the car-sized instrument. Credit: Olivier Bonin / SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory A view looking down upon the the LSST Camera. Credit: Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell / SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory A graphic showing the size of the LSST camera. Credit: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

It's a 21st century-camera on a truly 21st century-telescope.

"Its images are so detailed that it could resolve a golf ball from around 15 miles away"

"I think of us as building the 'crawler and Google search for the sky,'" Mario Juric, a professor at the University of Washington who's working on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, told Mashable in 2023. "Now, rather than going to a large telescope (which sometimes can take months to propose, approve, and execute), a scientist will be able to go to a website, run a query, and get to the data in seconds. Huge improvement in efficiency and a democratization of access to best possible datasets."

How the telescope will change our understanding of space

- Over the past couple centuries, astronomers and space agencies like NASA have found some 1.2 million asteroids in our solar system. After three to six months of observations, Rubin will double this number. In 10 years, a whopping 5 million asteroids will be known, Juric said.

- The number of icy worlds beyond the distant planet Neptune ("trans-neptunian objects" and dwarf planets) will increase around tenfold.

- There are two known interstellar comets today. Ruben will identify between 10 and 50 times more.

- "And — should 'Planet X' exist— there's a high chance Rubin would find it (we cover the entire area on the sky where it's likely to be)," Juric explained. Planet X is a speculative world in our solar system that may exist well beyond the orbit of Pluto.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory isn't the only huge, futuristic telescope soon to start surveying the night sky. The Giant Magellan Telescope, researching the universe's evolution and the nature of planets beyond our solar system (exoplanets), comes online in the late 2020s. The Extremely Large Telescope, with a mirror 128 feet wide, will become the largest optical telescope on Earth later this decade.

There are many options for smartwatches on the market. From more “traditional” smartwatches from Apple and Samsung to fitness-focused options from brands like Fitbit and Garmin, choosing your perfect smartwatch can be overwhelming — especially if you want something with form and functionality. 

Personally, I’ve been an Apple Watch user for several years, but — while I love the convenience of my Series 4 — I’m kind of tired of wearing it. The appearance of my Apple Watch was never my favorite, but many other options on the market sported the same problems. They’re either too square, too clunky, too sporty, or too big — which is why I was thrilled to see that Garmin had released its new Lily 2 smartwatch. 

SEE ALSO: The best fitness trackers of 2024: Tested and reviewed

Billed as a fashion-forward smartwatch for women, the Garmin Lily 2 ticked a lot of the boxes I didn’t know I was looking for. With a smaller watch face, a hidden display, and six different color options available, it certainly looks better than most of the smartwatches I’ve seen on the market — but is it worth the $249 price tag? 

I decided to try it out for myself, and here’s what you need to know: 

The Garmin Lily 2 smartwatch looks absolutely stunning 

Straight out of the box, the Lily 2 is one of the prettiest smartwatches I’ve seen. I chose the Garmin Lily 2 Classic in cream gold with a tan leather band, and I was impressed by how well-made this watch is. The patterned watch face isn’t something I thought I’d appreciate, but it’s a subtle feature that lends an Art Deco feel to what is already a beautiful watch.

The watch face itself is small and sturdy, with two different finishes on the cream gold exterior, and the Italian leather band is a far cry from the silicone bands I’ve used in the past. The watch itself also holds a water-resistant rating of 5 ATM — up to a depth of 50 meters — which Garmin says should withstand splashes, rain or snow, showering, swimming, and more. (However, the band you choose might impact how you treat the watch around water.)

The watch also features a hidden display, which is beautiful in theory, but I found the lack of analog watch hands slightly disappointing. Other Garmin watches sport physical watch hands — allowing you to tell the time without “activating” the digital display — and I felt like this feature would’ve given the Lily 2 a little bit more polish. Plus, the display itself is grayscale and somewhat pixelated, making the experience feel slightly less luxe than the physical watch.

The Garmin Lily 2 looks great on the surface, but the digital display was lackluster. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

The swipe functions were also a little slower than those on my Apple Watch, which meant the experience of using the Lily 2 didn’t quite match the way it looked. It’s a beautiful accessory, yes, and it packs a powerful punch with health tracking — but the smartwatch functionalities were a bit lacking compared to other options on the market. It does include Garmin Pay, and it’s compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones, so you can receive texts, emails, and calendar alerts on your watch. However, it’s also highly tethered to your phone — so you’ll need to carry your phone with you to get features like GPS data on workouts, weather data, etc. 

Most of Garmin’s tracking features were incredible

While I was impressed by the Garmin Lily 2 out-of-the-box, many of the tracking features were even better than I expected. The Lily 2 boasts a suite of Garmin’s best health tracking features — including the sleep score — allowing you to track everything from your heart rate, steps, workouts, respiration, stress levels, and more. As someone new to Garmin watches, I was particularly impressed by the “body battery” score, which estimates your energy levels throughout the day by utilizing your heart rate variability (HRV), stress levels, sleep quality, and exercise activity. 

Compared to my Apple Watch — which also tracks things like steps, exercise activity, respiration, and heart rate — I found that the addition of the stress score, sleep score, and body battery gave me deeper insight into the data I was tracking. Not only did this help me monitor my stress and energy levels throughout the day, but it also helped me better interpret my own health data.

My Apple Watch Series 4 compared to the Garmin Lily 2. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

Because the stress score is based on physiological stress not just emotional stress, for example, I started discovering which things contributed to a high-stress score — like a heavy meal, an intense workout, or my tendency to pace on phone calls — which allowed me to adjust my habits throughout the day. If my body battery was depleting faster than I wanted it to, for example, I’d switch my workout for a meditation session (or a nap). As someone who is an avid proponent of energy management, this made the Lily 2 an incredible companion for structuring my day to maintain optimal energy. 

SEE ALSO: Tracking your stress may be more stressful than you imagined

And surprisingly? Most of the data seemed pretty accurate. I don’t love wearing watches or bracelets at night, but I did sport the Lily 2 for a week of bedtimes, and the sleep score was a helpful piece of information. That being said, I wasn’t quite health-obsessed enough to want to keep wearing it at night, but the rest of my information — like my Stress Score and Body Battery — still felt pretty accurate even without tracking my sleep. 

What I liked about the Garmin Lily 2: Tracking, aesthetic, connectivity

Obviously, the Lily 2 gave me a lot to love. The aesthetic of the watch was incredible, aside from minor disappointment with the display, and the tracking features were a great asset. I loved being able to use the watch to manage my energy levels, understand how different choices impacted my well-being, and change my habits accordingly. Plus, the battery life held up to the five-day estimate, and — since it charged incredibly fast — I was able to take the watch off during a shower and put it back on, fully charged. 

Not only is it a stunning smartwatch packed with some great tracking functionalities, but the Lily 2 also paired easily with my Apple iPhone 11 Pro, meaning I could receive text messages, notifications, weather updates, and more. Whether I was working out, going for a walk, or deep in my workday, the watch was cute, comfortable, and surprisingly convenient — except for a few key features.

What I didn’t like about it: Activity UX and the Garmin Connect app

While the Garmin Lily 2 worked great most of the time, it fell flat in a few key areas: activity tracking and the Garmin Connect app. 

With activity tracking, the watch generally performed okay, but certain activities offered some serious issues. Treadmill activities, for instance, didn’t log any distance — everything else was tracking just fine, including my step count and heart rate — but after half a mile on the treadmill, I glanced at my watch and saw it had registered a distance of zero feet. 

I hopped off, opened the app to troubleshoot, and spent the next thirty minutes battling with the Garmin Connect App. I tried searching for solutions on Garmin’s support forms, restarted my phone and watch, and even reset the watch back to factory settings, but nothing seemed to work. I could modify the distance in the Garmin Connect online portal to match my treadmill’s reading — and the distance seemed to work just fine on outdoor walks and runs — but treadmill workouts continued to be a source of frustration. 

SEE ALSO: The TikTok girlies are right: You need a standing desk and treadmill

Other activities seemed to function fine  —  distance logged correctly on outdoor walks and runs — but it felt like the “activities” feature on the app was surprisingly lacking for a fitness-focused smartwatch. Once I started an activity, for example, I was locked into tracking it. I couldn’t access anything else on the watch without stopping the activity, and I couldn’t find the option to even pause and resume an activity once it was started. 

Take a look under the hood. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

Again, it felt like the data I was receiving was incredible — aside from my hiccups with the Treadmill activity — but the actual experience of using it fell short. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but it just didn’t feel quite as good compared to other smartwatches I’ve tried. 

Unfortunately, my experience with the Garmin Connect app was also somewhat lackluster. The app worked fine, but it was cluttered, overwhelming, and confusing — even for someone who is fairly tech-savvy. Some settings were buried under multiple menus, while others seemed to be accessible only on the Garmin Connect online portal, not the app itself. 

While I’m rarely a fan of companion apps, especially when they’re unnecessary, the Garmin Connect app is necessary — which made the lack of user-friendliness even more frustrating. Some days my information wouldn’t appear on the “my day” window at all unless I refreshed my watch’s connection several times, and trying to understand the different settings under the “more” section felt impossible. That being said, it wasn’t necessarily a deal-breaker for me — the app’s functionality didn’t seem to impact my experience with the watch, aside from the issue with distance measurements on treadmill workouts — it just felt unnecessarily complicated.

Is the Garmin Lily 2 worth it?

If you’re looking for a small, beautiful watch with some simple everyday health-tracking functionality, the Lily 2 might be the perfect smartwatch for you. Garmin has clearly built an amazing piece of hardware with this watch, but as I mentioned above, it’s the software that feels a bit lacking. However, not everyone will notice (or care) about those things, making the Lily 2 a great option for someone who wants a stylish, simple smartwatch to track activity without a ton of bells and whistles. 

As a smartwatch for the fitness-obsessed, however, I found myself wishing for more. The watch is stylish, yes, but it doesn’t stand up against more powerful sports watches — and it’s certainly not as “smart” as other smartwatches. So if you’re looking for a great workout companion — or you want to try out more advanced smartwatch features — you might want to look elsewhere.

Opens in a new window Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Garmin Lily 2 $249.00 at Amazon
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TL;DR: Through April 7, learn multiple languages with a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone for only $179.99 (reg.$399) with code ROSETTA. 

Whether you’re looking to learn a new language for career advancement or an upcoming vacation to a foreign land, being bilingual can be beneficial in a plethora of ways. This lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone gives you award-winning interactive software that has 25 different languages to choose from. 

Rosetta Stone uses an immersive training method that’s fit for language learners of all levels. The advanced speech-recognition technology analyzes your words and provides real-time feedback. The program’s instant response helps improve your accent, pronunciation, and cadence to discourage any bad habits from forming. 

You’ll start with basic conversational skills and gradually move on to intermediate language skills. Before you know it, you should be reading, writing, and conversing in your newly learned language. Book that trip abroad with the confidence that you can communicate with the locals.

With a one-time purchase, this lifetime subscription is accessible immediately upon download. It enables you to go at your own pace and squeeze in short lessons on your own time. Rosetta Stone is available on mobile and desktop, so you can learn at home or on the commuter train to work. It’s like having a private tutor at your disposal.

Get a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone (all languages) for only $179.99 (reg. $399) with code ROSETTA until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $179.99 at the Mashable Shop
$399.00 Save $219.01 with code ROSETTA Get Deal