TL;DR: Watch Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are rolling through the knockout rounds, with Norway and Latvia set to battle it out for a place in the semi-final stage. There are some big names left in contention for the top prize, so things are heating up on the ice.If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.When is Norway vs. Latvia?Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 28. How to watch Norway vs. Latvia for freeNorway vs. Latvia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with accessConnect to IIHF.TVWatch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Norway vs. Latvia plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countriesEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is secureFast connection speedsUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).Live stream Norway vs. Latvia in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships quarter finals are finally here, with some massive matchups on the schedule. Switzerland vs. Sweden is a particularly interesting contest, pitting the hosts against a team that has been hit-or-miss in this competition.If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.When is Switzerland vs. Sweden?Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 28. How to watch Switzerland vs. Sweden for freeSwitzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with accessConnect to IIHF.TVWatch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Switzerland vs. Sweden plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countriesEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is secureFast connection speedsUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).Live stream Switzerland vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.It's day five of the 2026 French Open and the second-round action sees Ben Shelton return to the court. As the No. 5 seed, Shelton is the highest seeded U.S. star in the men's singles tournament. He's also the only U.S. men's player in the top 10 seeds, following the first-round exit of Taylor Fritz. Can the 23-year-old star go all the way and become the first American to win Roland-Garros since Andre Agassi in 1999? There's a long way to go and Shelton must now get past second-round opponent Raphael Collignon, a 24-year-old Belgian who showed some fire in getting to the third round of last year's U.S. Open. If you want to watch Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.How to watch Collignon vs. Shelton for freeCollignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now. 9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)Open up the app and connect to a server in AustraliaConnect to 9NowWatch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Roland-Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2026 French Open before recovering your investment.If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.What is the best VPN for sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countriesEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is secureFast connection speedsUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).Live stream Collignon vs. Shelton in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open for free on France TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.It's only the second round of the 2026 French Open and No. 4 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime has already had an eventful tournament. The 25-year-old French-Canadian had to battle his way through the first round in a five-set thriller against German star Daniel Altmaier. Now Auger-Aliassime faces Argentinian opponent Roman Andres Burruchaga, who's playing his first-ever Grand Slam second round. If you want to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.How to watch Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga for freeAuger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on France TV. France TV is geo-restricted to France, 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 France, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)Open up the app and connect to a server in FranceConnect to France TVWatch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Roland-Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2026 French Open before recovering your investment.If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.What is the best VPN for sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countriesEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is secureFast connection speedsUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).Live stream Auger-Aliassime vs. Burruchaga in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.Jannik Sinner is back in action today in the 2026 French Open. Unsurprisingly, the world No. 1 blazed through the first round against Clement Tabur in straight sets — now the Italian dynamo faces second-round opposition from Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo, a 24-year-old hopeful with a number of lower-rung titles to his name. There have been a few upsets in the men's singles so far — No. 6 seed Daniil Medvedev and No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz both took first-round losses to unseeded opponents — so there's always a chance of a major shock, but the smart money is on Sinner advancing to face the likes of Novak Djokovic later in the torunament. If you want to watch Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.How to watch Sinner vs. Cerundolo for freeSinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now. 9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)Open up the app and connect to a server in AustraliaConnect to 9NowWatch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Roland-Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2026 French Open before recovering your investment.If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.What is the best VPN for sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countriesEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is secureFast connection speedsUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).Live stream Sinner vs. Cerundolo in the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Skoove Premium Piano Lessons is available for $149.99 (reg. $299.99) and includes more than 400 lessons with AI-powered feedback. Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99 $299.99 Save $150   Get Deal Finding time for weekly piano lessons can be difficult. Between work or school, and everything else vying for attention, even the most motivated learners can struggle to stick to a schedule. Luckily, there’s a helpful program called Skoove and it offers flexible, guided piano lessons you can access anytime you’re ready to play, all for just $149.99 ($299.99).Skoove is all about helping you build real piano skills. Structured lessons, instant feedback, and a huge library of songs — from modern hits to classical favorites — make learning feel fun and effective. Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up! With more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos for every experience level, there’s always something new to explore. Instead of just watching tutorials, you get immediate feedback as you play. Skoove’s smart note-recognition technology listens and spots mistakes in real time, helping you improve right away.Skoove also adapts lessons to your progress and preferences, so beginners aren’t immediately overwhelmed! As your skills develop, the platform recommends new lessons and exercises that match your current level, creating a more personalized learning path.For learners who need extra guidance, Skoove also includes one-on-one support from music instructors. That added layer of assistance may be especially helpful for students who occasionally get stuck or want additional feedback beyond the platform’s automated coaching.Now for the exciting part … the songs! You’ll get to learn songs inspired by artists like John Legend, the Beatles, and Adele, plus classical masterpieces from composers like Beethoven. New songs and lessons are added regularly, so there’s always fresh material to keep your practice exciting.Skoove works with both acoustic pianos and digital keyboards, including USB and MIDI-connected instruments. Lessons can be accessed from smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it easier to fit practice sessions into busy routines.Skoove Premium Piano Lessons is currently available for $149.99 (reg. $299.99), so get your learning on!StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $100: As of May 28, the Dyson Airstrait is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price. Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airstrait $399.99 at Amazon $499.99 Save $100   Get Deal When it comes to hair styling tools, Dyson may be well known for the beloved Airwrap, but it's not the only tool in its arsenal. Products like the Airstrait still benefit from the same air technology, but target those who prefer a sleek, straight look over a bouncy blowout. And as of May 28, it's on sale for $100 less than normal. Right now it is down to $399.99, it's lowest price this year. Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up! The best aspect of the Airstrait is how it reduces your hair styling to one step. It's a wet-to-dry straightener, meaning it styles hair from wet to finished in one step, without the need for hot plates or extreme heat. Instead, it uses controlled airflow instead of direct heat, so it reduces damage to your hair while still smoothing and aligning hair.It works by projecting air at a 45° angle to create the tension needed for straightening, reducing drying and styling time by around 25%, according to Dyson. It even has a smart sensing system that detects when hair is placed between the arms and adjusts airflow automatically for more efficient styling.Find this Dyson deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $80: As of May 28, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on the list price. Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C300 $169.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $80   Get Deal The Anker Solix C300 is back on sale at Amazon and as of May 28, you can get it for $80 less than normal. It's a great option for powering your personal devices during an outage or camping thanks to its portable design, which is around 30% smaller than similar power stations, according to Anker. And right now it's down to $169.99.This portable power station has a 300W output and 288Wh capacity, so it's ideal for keeping essential devices charged wherever you go. It features fast dual 140W bi-directional USB-C ports for high-speed charging, so it's great for phones, tablets, and laptops. It includes multiple charging options with seven ports in total, including a car socket, several USB-C outputs, and USB-A ports. Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up! For recharging, you have different options available. There's USB-C fast charging, solar input (panel sold separately), and car charging. And it can reach 80% battery in just one hour when using dual PD USB-C input.It's built with a durable LiFePO4 battery system, smart temperature control, and an impact-resistant design, so it'll last for a long time. It's even backed by a three-year guarantee. Get this portable power station deal at Amazon now.

Apple has updated the average trade-in value for some of its iPhones, iPads, Watches, and MacBooks. You could now get an extra $10 to $35 off a new device when you trade in your old one, depending upon its model and condition. Here's how much you could save. SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly working on anti-phone snatching security feature The tech giant has run its trade-in program since 2013, launching in the same year as the iPhone 5s. That 13-year-old phone doesn't have any trade in value now, with Apple recommending users recycle them instead. However, if you have a more recent device to trade in, you may be able to knock a few dollars off a new purchase.As reported and compiled by MacRumors, all iPhone 16 models could now net you a higher discount. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, Pro, and Plus have been given a $10 bump in their estimated trade-in value, going from $685 to $695, $550 to $560, and $455 to $465 respectively. The base iPhone 16 saw a bigger $25 increase in trade-in value, going from $435 to $460.The trade-in value of iPads has increased as well, with the iPad Pro going from $670 to $690 ($20 increase), iPad Air from $445 to $460 ($15 increase), iPad from $220 to $235 ($15 increase), and the iPad mini going from $250 to $265 ($15 increase).Other devices that will net you more than they would have previously include the MacBook Pro ($5 increase from $685 to $690), MacBook Air ($35 increase from $485 to $520), and Mac mini ($35 increase from $340 to $375). Some Apple Watches also received adjustments, with the Ultra 2 and Series 9 both valued $10 higher ($295 to $305 and $120 to $130).However, it isn't all good news. Some devices' trade-in values remain unchanged, such as the iMac and Apple Watch Series 10. Meanwhile, others have actually decreased, with the Apple Watch Ultra's trade-in value dropping $10 from $215 to $205. The Mac Pro, initially priced at $6000 in 2019, will now net you a $2045 discount at trade-in —  down $45 from $2090. Apple has reduced the trade-in value of many Android devices as well, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ($230 to $200) and Google Pixel 8 Pro ($170 to $165).

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine. There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle. Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayIf you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered. SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintEarth. SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerGLOBEHurdle Word 2 hintQueen Elizabeth's favorite dog. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerCORGIMashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayHurdle Word 3 hintAn amenity. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerFRILLHurdle Word 4 hintTo guzzle.Hurdle Word 4 answerSWILLFinal Hurdle hintA tormentor. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerBULLYIf you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a skier.Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media. SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: Bend downGreen: JournalismBlue: Your HonorPurple: Hit the slopesHere are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Get lowGreen: Fourth estateBlue: Parts of a courtroomPurple: Ski ___Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.Drumroll, please!The solution to today's Connections #1082 is...What is the answer to Connections todayGet low: DUCK, HUNCH, SQUAT, STOOPFourth estate: MEDIA, NEWS, PAPERS, PRESSParts of a courtroom: BAR, BENCH, PODIUM, STANDSki ___: JUMP, LIFT, LODGE, SLOPEDon't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 28, 2026 Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you collect perfumes.Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Talking scentsThe words are related to smell. Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe pleasant smells.NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Fragrance.NYT Strands word list for May 28SandalwoodMuskNeroliFragranceJasminePearBergamotLooking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you golf.If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 28, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers. Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though. SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A chunk of grass.Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter D. SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.Drumroll please!The solution to today's Wordle is...DIVOTDon't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026 The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces. SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 28 PipsGreater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 28 PipsNot Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.Not Equal: Everything in this red space must be different. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 28 PipsNumber (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed verticallyIf you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Meta officially launched paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp on Wednesday, giving users the option to pay a few dollars a month for extra features across its flagship apps. The company made the announcement in an Instagram post, where head of product Naomi Gleit provided an outline of the new paid "Plus" plans.Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus run $3.99 a month, while WhatsApp Plus is slightly cheaper at $2.99, according to TechCrunch. The plans are now rolling out globally. View this post on Instagram For Instagram, the $3.99 gets you more control over your Stories and profile. Subscribers can see how many people rewatched a Story in aggregate, build unlimited audience lists, extend Stories past the usual 24-hour window, and preview a Story without registering as a viewer. There's also a weekly spotlight option, animated Super Heart reactions, custom app icons, customizable bio fonts, and additional profile pins.Facebook Plus mirrors much of that, with features focused on social expression and profile customization. WhatsApp Plus takes a different angle, adding app themes, custom ringtones, premium stickers, and extra pinned chats.As TechCrunch notes, none of these plans replace Meta Verified, which remains its own separate offering focused on account verification and protection against impersonation.For now, Plus plans are just the start. Meta is also testing a broader subscription umbrella called Meta One, which will eventually house AI-focused tiers and professional plans for creators and businesses, perhaps tied to Muse Spark, the company's new flagship AI model. That's still in early testing phases in select markets, though.

The Steam Deck OLED has been one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market for years, but it's not the value it used to be anymore.Valve announced that the OLED version of the Steam Deck has gotten a significant price increase, after months of being out of stock entirely. Well, it's back in stock, but you'll have to pay a lot more to get one now. The 512GB version, which used to cost $549, is now $789. The 1TB variant, meanwhile, has gone from $649 to $949. That's one of the most substantial price increases we've seen yet for gaming hardware, amidst the ongoing global memory shortage (aka RAMageddon) that's causing everything in tech to get more pricey. SEE ALSO: 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' is a clever, gorgeous Switch 2 adventure for all ages For reference, recent PlayStation 5 price hikes put that device anywhere from $150 to $200 higher than it cost at launch. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 (after less than a year on the market) got a $50 price increase earlier this month. Valve's price increases for the Steam Deck OLED are bigger than those, though they still pale in comparison to the nearly $700 price increase that Dell just applied to some of its XPS laptops. As IGN pointed out, you can still get a refurbished model for a little less than that. Refurbished 512GB and 1TB OLED models are now $629 and $759, respectively. Meanwhile, the discontinued LCD Steam Deck (which is largely the same device with a lower-quality display) can still be obtained refurbished for as low as $279, but that's with a measly 64GB of storage. It needs to be emphasized that, prior to the AI arms race that is driving up memory costs, it was normal for hardware prices to go down over time. Now, game consoles are cheapest at launch. Feels backward, doesn't it?

Before signing on as Mashable's tech editor, I reviewed the GoPro Hero12 and Hero13 Black for the site. They were both equally impressive cameras, while also being slightly underwhelming, with iterative upgrades to battery life and new software features like vertical video. Both cameras had the same GP2 processor and 1/1.9" CMOS sensor as the Hero11.This year, instead of dropping a Hero14 Black, GoPro is introducing an entirely new line of cameras with some exciting new abilities — the Mission 1 Series. Finally, we have a new GoPro sensor and processor to play with. GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera $699.99 at Amazon   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at GoPro I've just started testing the Mission 1 Pro, and like my colleague at CNET (both Mashable and CNET are owned by Ziff Davis), I'm not yet ready to render a final verdict. I can say that I've been impressed with this camera so far, and I'm excited to try and push it to the limits.I can also tell you that while the new Mission 1 cameras solve some of GoPro's recent problems, they don't solve them all. Meet the GoPro Mission 1 cameras Credit: René Ramos / Mashable The Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro (the model I've been testing) launch on May 28 for $599.99 and $699.99, respectively. In Q3, GoPro will also launch the Mission 1 Pro ILS, a mirrorless version of the Mission 1 Pro with an interchangeable lens mount, allowing creators to use professional lenses with GoPro's pocket-sized, ultra-durable cameras. I bet a lot of pro photographers and videographers are excited about that one, which will also be priced at $699.99.Both the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro introduce a new GP3 processor (finally), as well as a larger one-inch sensor with a native resolution of 7,680 x 5,760 pixels. For $100 more, the Mission 1 Pro also offers a headline-grabbing 960fps slow motion video, 8K open-gate recording, and improved low-light video. You can capture 44.2MP stills from video or take 50MP action shots.Both cameras are noticeably larger and heavier than the latest Hero13 Black, yet they still feel like action cameras and offer all the durability and motion stabilization you expect from a GoPro.GoPro Mission 1 Series: By the numbers Credit: René Ramos / Mashable The Mission 1 is available May 28 for $599 (or $499 for GoPro subscribers).New 1-inch sensorNew GP3 processorOpen Gate 4K120 video at 4:38K30/25 at 16:9Up to 8x Slo-Mo4K120 at 16:950MP Photo + RAWHLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)The Mission 1 Pro is available May 28 for $699 (or $599 for GoPro subscribers).New 1-inch sensorNew GP3 processorOpen-gate 8K30 video (50MP) at 4:3Open-gate 4K120 video (12MP) at 4:3 16:9 video up to 8K60/50960fps slow-motion video (up to 32x)Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)50MP Photo + RAWHLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery) The GoPro Mission 1 Pro with Dual Battery Charger and new Point-and-Shoot Grip. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable Along with the new cameras, GoPro is also introducing new accessories, including the new GoPro Wireless Mic Complete Kit (again, finally), a Point-and-Shoot Grip for the Mission 1 Pro, a new Media Mod, an ND Filter four-pack, Protective Housing (waterproof to 196 feet/60 meters), and a Vertical Mount Adapter.GoPro's Mission 1 Series has a lot to offer pros and creators GoPro provided this sample photograph shot on the new Mission 1 Pro. Credit: GoPro In a briefing ahead of the launch, GoPro representatives told me that the Mission 1 Series was specifically designed to support professionals and creators who want the highest level of control over their content. For example, the cameras offer a new 240Mbps high bit-rate mode, which just so happens to be Netflix's required specs for footage. Their reviewer's guide even helpfully includes recommended LUTs for video editing. And that's a nice and easy way to answer the question: Is the Mission 1 Series worth it for me? I'll put it this way: If you don't work with LUTs, know what GP-Log2 means, or mess around with color grading, then you probably don't need to spend the extra money to invest in the Mission 1 Series.The GoPro Hero and MAX cameras will do you just fine. GoPro visualization of the new one-inch sensor in the Mission 1 Series. Credit: GoPro For pros, creators, and near-pros, the Mission 1 Pro seems mighty impressive to me so far. It's competing more with Sony vlogging cameras and BlackMagic cinema cameras than the average action cam.The ability to shoot open-gate video in 8K and 4K will be a game-changer for a lot of folks, as will the larger sensor. So, even if I can't yet render a verdict on the new sensor and processor, if you implicitly trust GoPro, I think you can safely invest in these cinematic action cameras.My very early hands-on impressions Credit: René Ramos / Mashable Having shot with GoPro cameras before, the Mission 1's larger sensor does seem to give you more flexibility. The Hero13 Black already featured digital lenses that let you switch the field of view, but the Mission 1 has even more input to work with. It feels a little bit like a magic trick when you instantly switch from the broad field of view of the Linear (22-27mm) lens to the classic GoPro fisheye look of the Wide (16-24mm) lens.When editing, you can also switch back and forth from 16:9 to vertical video aspect ratios like 3:4 and 9:16. Again, that's not new with the Mission 1, but with a larger sensor and open-gate capture, you have a much larger and richer canvas to work on. It's as easy as ever to connect your camera and upload footage in the Quik app. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app Switch from 16:9 to 9:16 in an instant. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app Thanks to the larger sensor and new GP3 processor, the new GoPro cameras also have much improved low-light performance. And for adventure athletes, classic GoPro features like motion stabilization and horizon lock should also work better than ever, as will digital zoom and subject tracking. The touchscreen and voice controls, auto uploads over WiFi, and Quik app are all highlights for me as well.GoPro still faces serious competition, and the Mission 1 is only a partial fixThe name "GoPro" is still synonymous with action cameras, but the company is no longer the only name in the game. In recent years, the Chinese companies DJI and Insta360 have introduced some very impressive action cameras of their own, even offering better specs in some regards. The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offered a variable aperture, Leica optics, and 8K shooting (the Hero13 Black's maxes out at 5.3K). The DJI Osmo Action 6 Pro boasts better low-light performance than the Hero line thanks to its large sensor. On top of that, DJI also makes the hugely popular Mic Mini and Mic 3. The new Point-and-Shoot mount. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable In the last few years, I've seen DJI in particular become hugely popular with Mashable shoppers, and I've had great experiences working with the DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal, Osmo Pocket cameras, and the TikTok-famous DJI Mic Mini. And while GoPro is now releasing its own wireless mic kit, Insta360 just released a very cool-looking wireless mic with a customizable e-ink display. If you want to stick within a single product ecosystem, DJI now has a lot to offer beyond action cameras and drones.So, while the Mission 1 Pro (and especially the upcoming Mission 1 Pro ILS) offers a boundary-pushing option for professionals and creators, for the everyday consumer, GoPro still has some hard work ahead. For instance, I'm not sure why you'd buy the new GoPro wireless mic kit unless it was part of a bundle or you're deeply brand-loyal to GoPro.GoPro seems to be catering to its most hardcore customers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Should you buy the GoPro Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro? Credit: René Ramos / Mashable If you're a long-time GoPro fan looking to upgrade your camera, then the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro have a lot to offer. And with the $100 discount you get as a GoPro subscriber, these cameras are significantly more affordable.For now, I'll say this: The Mission 1 Pro is expensive for a GoPro action camera, but it's a great price for a cinematic camera. GoPro Mission 1 Cinematic Action Camera $599.99 at GoPro   Shop Now at GoPro GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera $699.99 at Amazon   See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at GoPro

A quick look at the May 2026 Sony TV releases Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB 4K TV starting at $2,099.99 (55 through 98 inches) Shop Now Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV starting at $3,599.99 (65 through 85 inches) Shop Now Sony Bravia Theater Trio $2,199.99 (9 speakers total) Shop Now Sony officially unveiled its highly-awaited True RGB TVs on May 27. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II enter the crowded arena of fresh RGB TV releases from Samsung and Hisense, as well as the LG Micro RGB TV that's currently available to preorder. (Tell me RGB was one of the biggest TV trends at CES 2026 without telling me.)Though Sony's flagship RGB TV announcement came later than those of the other big brands, the two new models are making up for lost time by skipping the preorder window. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II are both available for purchase at Sony.com and Best Buy, along with their new home audio sidekick, the Sony Bravia Theater Trio. Let's dive into the differences.How are the True RGB TVs different than other Bravia models?Not to be confused with the mini-LED Sony Bravia 7 or Sony Bravia 9 models without "II" on the end, the Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II use a new type of backlighting that we've never seen from a Sony TV. The Sony Bravia 7 II comes in six sizes. Credit: Sony The Sony Bravia 9 II comes in four sizes. Credit: Sony The traditional LCD panels behind those mini-LED Bravia models stream blue or white LEDs through quantum dots to create color. Those hues definitely beat what you'd see from a regular LED TV without quantum dots, but mini-LEDs still don't achieve 100 percent coverage of the color gamut (the full possible spectrum of colors visible to humans). Sony's True RGB TVs, however, draw their light from true red, green, and blue light sources — the best you could ask for in terms of color accuracy and saturation. Each of those red, green, and blue LEDs operates independently of one another, offering unprecedented picture quality across the screen. According to the press release, Sony's new RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro processor should improve brightness, reduce blooming, and produce purer color than conventional mini-LED displays. A Sony OLED TV on the left vs. Sony's new RGB TV on the right. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable This means that the screen should appear just as vibrant to the person sitting on the far edge of the couch as the person in the middle, OLED-style. But unlike OLED TVs, these RGB TVs should be much easier to see in a sunny room. SEE ALSO: Sony celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 1000X series with a new pair of headphones Both Sony True RGB Bravia TVs also include Ambient Optimization, which will automatically tweak picture and audio to the current environment. From there, the Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II have a few key differences. First, here's how much the Sony Bravia 7 II lineup costs:Sony 50-inch Bravia 7 II — $1,599.99 (coming this summer)Sony 55-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,099.99Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,599.99Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,099.99Sony 85-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,999.99Sony 98-inch Bravia 7 II — $8,999.99Compared to the RGB flagships from Samsung, LG, and Hisense, Sony will be the only brand to offer a 50-inch RGB model. Until that size launches, the 55-inch $2,099.99 price point isn't outlandish to kick off the tier — that's less than the new 9-speaker Bravia Theater Trio Dolby Atmos system, which costs $2,199.99. The Sony Bravia 9 II and Theater Trio. Credit: Sony The Bravia 9 II takes bright room performance up another notch with a special set of advanced backlight controllers and Sony's new glare-free Immersive Black Screen Pro (we saw it in person, and it genuinely is glare-free). The Bravia 9 II may not be an art TV by name or wall mount, but it certainly checks off the matte screen and ambient mode boxes. And yes, Sony has its own art gallery app.Here's how much the Sony Bravia 9 II lineup costs:Sony 65-inch Bravia 9 II — $3,599.99Sony 75-inch Bravia 9 II — $4,599.99Sony 85-inch Bravia 9 II — $6,499.99Sony 115-inch Bravia 9 II — $30,999.99 (coming this fall)Sony is no stranger to being the most expensive TV choice in any given category, but both Bravia models seem pretty reasonably priced compared to the competition. Samsung and Hisense's two RGB tiers are slightly more affordable than Sony's, with LG's Micro RGB evo leading the pack. Though operations under Sony and TCL's partnership aren't expected until April 2027, could we already be seeing a shift toward (slightly) more affordable Sony TVs?

YouTube is upgrading its AI labeling system, including a new automatic detection tool, as tech companies ramp up their investments in content provenance. Previously, videos featuring photorealist AI had to be tagged by their creators or face a strike — once it was tagged as AI, a disclosure label would be added to the description. Now, that label is moving up to the top, more prominently displayed for all to see next to the video's title and in the bottom corner of YouTube Shorts. SEE ALSO: What to do when your teen replaces you with a chatbot In a first since the platform introduced labels in 2024, YouTube will also begin scanning content and automatically adding labels to any unmarked videos with significant AI use. "It’s important to note that a disclosure label alone does not change how a video is recommended or whether it’s eligible to earn money," the platform wrote in a recent blog post. "In a world where AI is changing what’s possible, our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for creators and viewers to have the right information."YouTube has faced criticism for an abundance of AI "slop" and AI-generated advertising, and the platform has removed millions of channels and videos in response. YouTube CEO Neil Mohan stated that curbing AI slop is a top priority. Meanwhile, child safety advocates have recently called on the platform to address what they call a dangerous proliferation of AI-generated, animated content aimed at children. In an April letter sent to Mohan and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, a coalition of child advocacy groups urged the platform to ban AI-generated content on YouTube Kids, institute clear AI labels for all content, and implement new parental controls aimed at limiting AI videos. At the time, YouTube told Mashable it was working on developing labels for YouTube Kids. The company also explained that its current labeling approach doesn't apply to YouTube Kids because of other safety policies, including a lack of descriptions on Kids content. For now, the new labels only apply to the main YouTube website, not content found on YouTube Kids. In addition, the automatic labelling system will only scan for "photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated" content, a policy which so far has excluded animated or highly stylized video.

Google users are flocking to the alternative search engine DuckDuckGo.According to data provided to Mashable by DuckDuckGo, U.S. installs of the search engine's mobile app are up 18.1 percent week-over-week on average following Google's big I/O event, where the search giant introduced a slew of new AI features into its search product. DuckDuckGo app installs peaked at 33 percent growth on May 25.Just looking at DuckDuckGo's iOS installs, the growth following Google I/O is even more astonishing, with 33 percent week-over-week growth and peaking at a whopping 69.9 percent on May 25.According to DuckDuckGo, traffic also spiked to its AI-free search page, noai.duckduckgo.com. This DuckDuckGo search page has every AI featured turned off by default and saw an average of 22.7 week-over-week growth following Google I/O, with a peak of 27.7 percent on May 24.DuckDuckGo said it wasn't only the timeframe that was relevant, either. The growth happened mainly in the U.S. following Google's "U.S. centric announcement" and does not indicate a coincidental global trend.The alternative search engine said this growth held throughout the Memorial Day weekend, when traffic usually tends to drop as well.Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes. SEE ALSO: Ask Jeeves Returns, Gets a Facebook Page "Google is force-feeding AI with no way to opt out," DuckDuckGo Founder and CEO Gabriel Weinberg said in a statement. "As result, their results are getting worse, not better. We want to be the place that puts users in charge and allows them to decide how much or how little AI they want. That's why we're seeing a spike in people coming to DuckDuckGo this week, it's as simple as that.” For years, DuckDuckGo has enticed privacy-seeking users to switch from Google to its alternative with a focus on a pro-privacy feature set. Now, it looks like DuckDuckGo has found a market among users tired of AI taking over the internet as well.“Not only do we respect user choice, but also user privacy: everything you do in DuckDuckGo is private, we don’t collect search histories or chats and nothing is used for AI training," Weinberg said.DuckDuckGo has previously launched AI features for its search engine. Search Assist, for example, is DuckDuckGo's version of Google's AI Overviews. The search engine also has a Duck.AI product, which is similar to Google's AI Mode.However, DuckDuckGo has maintained that these AI features are optional and never forced on users. The company has also launched features that actively remove AI as well, such as AI Image Filter, which filters out AI images from DuckDuckGo's search results.Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.