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Vylit, the next app from ex-OnlyFans CEO, is here

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screenshots of vylit app

The self-proclaimed "HBO of social media" is here.

Vylit, the web-based app from ex-OnlyFans CEO Amrapali (Ami) Gan, is publicly launching today following beta testing last year. While Vylit doesn't allow explicit content like OnlyFans, it does allow topless photos, like a version of Instagram that allows softcore. The app is built for both creators and fans, its founders told Mashable, with multiple ways for the former to monetize content (such as subscriptions or tiers like "premium" and "VIP"), and different ways the latter can access creators, like through chats.

"I spent years watching creators build audiences on one platform and monetize on another. That fragmentation doesn't work. Vylit brings both together," Gan said in a press release shared with Mashable. Gan was the CEO of OnlyFans between Dec. 2021 and July 2023.

Scrolling Vylit does feel a bit like scrolling Instagram, with a twist. In an interview with Mashable, Gan and her cofounder, Kailey Magder (also COO), said that they didn't want to change what users are used to, such as left-hand navigation, but they wanted to give the app a unique Vylit feel. There's a photo-based feed complete with "Glimpses," or its version of Stories, at the top, but Vylit also has distinct features neither Instagram nor OnlyFans has.

"We created Vylit because we were frustrated with how social media works today," said Magder in the press release.

One element that Magder and Gan were frustrated with on other platforms is search and discovery. Famously, OnlyFans has basically no search function, and creators need to market themselves on other platforms. But Gan and Madger want fans and creators to find each other easily on Vylit, so you can search by aesthetics you're into or shared interests with "Vybe Match."

"Platforms are cluttered with ads, political content, and algorithm-driven noise. We wanted to build something that focuses on people, content, and real communities — not engagement at all costs," Magder continued.

There are also AI elements (of course, it being 2026 and all). Creators can generate "AI twins" of themselves, and fans can chat with an AI version of creators. AI chats can be trained on someone's unique personality traits, and they can range from friendly to flirty to "frisky." AI images, meanwhile, can be made topless, but no further nudity.

screenshot from vylit app asking user to make their own AI twin

Credit: Vylit

screenshot from vylit app showing AI chat conversation

Credit: Vylit

For the sake of transparency, a sparkle-like icon is placed on all AI-generated images. Chats between a real-life creator and their AI persona are explicitly distinguished, too.

As Vylit allows for topless photos, it's an adults-only platform. All users, creators or otherwise, need to be verified. When Mashable tried out Vylit ahead of launch, this was done through the third-party service Verifymy with an email address. The Vylit launch comes at a time of increasing age-verification laws, which require age checks beyond clicking "yes or no." When Mashable interviewed Gan in Nov. 2025, she said, "To us, the future of social media is very much 18 and over."

Vylit won't be on the App Store, as it takes 30 percent of earnings, the founders told Mashable. But you can sign up for Vylit on its website, and use the web-based app on either your phone or desktop.

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NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 19, 2026

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A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be a little easier if you love baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: East Coast

  • Green: Back end

  • Blue: They don't call it soccer

  • Purple: Past and present names

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: AL East Teams

  • Green: First Words of Football Positions

  • Blue: Premier League Managers

  • Purple: Nicknames for the Dodgers Franchise, Over Time

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #573 is…

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • AL East Teams — BLUE JAYS, ORIOLES, RAYS, YANKEES

  • First Words of Football Positions — DEFENSIVE, RUNNING, TIGHT, WIDE

  • Premier League Managers — EMERY, GUARDIOLA, MOYES, SLOT

  • Nicknames for the Dodgers Franchise, Over Time — BRIDEGROOMS, DODGERS, ROBINS, SUPERBAS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 19, 2026

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Connections game on a smartphone

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a sweet tooth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Lippy

  • Green: Gowns

  • Blue: Played in Vegas

  • Purple: Sweet treats

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Cheeky

  • Green: Dress measurements

  • Blue: Cards in Texas Hold 'Em

  • Purple: Last words of candy brands in the singular

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 #1043 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Cheeky: ARCH, FRESH, SASSY, WISE

  • Dress measurements: BUST, HIPS, LENGTH, WAIST

  • Cards in Texas Hold 'Em: FLOP, HOLE, RIVER, TURN

  • Last words of candy brands in the singular: CAP, DUD, KID, MINT

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.

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.

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NYT Strands hints, answers for April 19, 2026

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A game being played on a smartphone.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're constantly changing.

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.

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Small change

The words are related to changes.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe fine-tuning.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is There I Fixed It.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 19

  • There I Fixed It

  • Adjust

  • Modify

  • Alter

  • Improve

  • Tweak

  • Refine

Looking 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.

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