You know how security experts always tell you to be careful about posting your private (and especially private financial) data online? Yeah, what do they know. Elon Musk knows better.

Over the weekend, whilst explaining to X users how the company's AI helper Grok can do the shopping for them, Musk suggested that they should simply feed the AI a photo of their credit card.

"To buy stuff, you can just take a picture of your credit card, drop it in the chat and Grok @Bot will scour the Internet for the best deal on the item you want and order it," Musk wrote.

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The X community soon reacted with a community note that says what most people already know.

"xAI explicitly warns users not to include personal information in prompts, yet credit card photos may contain such information. Grok Bot's terms state that user data and credentials may be stored in its cloud environment and require human review for financial transactions," the note said.

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When asked by a users whether this was "totally safe or stupid and dangerous," Grok itself called it "neither," but did warn people they should "not drop an actual credit card photo."

The replies ranged from memes (so many memes) and people asking Grok for Musk's credit card to folks taking it a step further and (ironically) recommending sharing your entire DNA sequence with the bot.

Anyways, it's all fun and games until you really start trusting a trillionaire's advice and post photos of your credit card online. Don't do that, folks.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch football.

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.

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 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.

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.

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: Capitol sports

• Green: Famous Georges

• Blue: Nicknames

• Purple: Dribbling

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: DC Sports Teams

• Green: Georges

• Blue: Nicknames of NFL Cornerbacks

• Purple: ___Dribble

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 #749 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• DC Sports Teams: CAPITALS, COMMANDERS, SPIRIT, WIZARDS

• Georges: FOREMAN, GERVIN, KITTLE, SPRINGER

• Nicknames of NFL Cornerbacks: KOOL-AID, PS2, SAUCE, SPOON

• ___Dribble: CROSSOVER, DOUBLE, SEAL, SPEED

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

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 Pips

If 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.

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.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 12 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 12 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 12 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

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

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.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Provider.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GIVER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Greek letter.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GAMMA

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Relish.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

SAVOR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Celtic priest.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

DRUID

Final Hurdle hint

Overturn.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

UPEND

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

The Moon is slowly starting to make its way back into the sky. Just a small crescent is visible for now, but it will continue to grow over the coming nights.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Monday, Oct. 12, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 3% of its surface visible.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes an orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During that time, its position changes relative to the Earth and Sun, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible to us. This produces the familiar lunar phases, beginning with a thin crescent and progressing through the quarter phases before reaching a Full Moon. The sequence then repeats as the Moon continues its orbit. According to NASA, the phase visible from Earth is determined by the Moon's changing position in relation to both Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

Condition meaning

The physical state or situation that a person, animal or object is in.

Shape meaning

The external boundary, outline or surface form of an object, distinct from color, texture or material.

Situation meaning

A combination of circumstances, conditions or events happening at a particular time and place.

State meaning

A condition or way of being that exists at a particular time

Bear meaning

To accept or put up with something painful, difficult or unpleasant

Handle meaning

To put up with or tolerate stress or pressure.

Stand meaning

To endure something difficult, unpleasant or painful.

Weather meaning

The short-term state of the Earth's atmosphere at a specific place and time, measured by factors like temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation.

Abbreviation meaning

A shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase used to represent the full version.

Contraction meaning

The act or result of becoming smaller, shorter or reduced

Elision meaning

The omission of a sound, syllable or word in speech or writing, often to make pronunciation faster, easier or to fit a poetic meter.

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Nickname meaning

An informal name used instead of a person's, place's or thing's real name

Alkylamide meaning

An organic compound made by combining a fatty acid chain with an amine group.

Calamari meaning

The culinary term for squid.

Mandarin meaning

The most widely spoken form of the Chinese language.

Melamine meaning

A white, crystalline organic compound with the chemical formula C₃H₆N₆ that is widely used to manufacture durable plastics.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you can handle anything.

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.

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.

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: Position

• Green: Put up with

• Blue: Cut it short

• Purple: State shortenings

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Status

• Green: Tolerate

• Blue: Word shortenings, often

• Purple: Words made using U.S. postal abbreviations

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 #1218 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Status: CONDITION, SHAPE, SITUATION, STATE

• Tolerate: BEAR, HANDLE, STAND, WEATHER

• Word shortenings, often: ABBREVIATION, CONTRACTION, ELISION, NICKNAME

• Words made using U.S. postal abbreviations: ALKYLAMIDE, CALAMARI, MANDARIN, MELAMINE

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 will be easy if you're talkative.

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: In a manner of speaking

The words are related to language.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe how people talk.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Turn of Phrase.

NYT Strands word list for October 12

• Dialect

• Lingo

• Turn of Phrase

• Vernacular

• Jargon

• Parlance

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love to sing.

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.

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.

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

Carol.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter Y.

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...

YODEL

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.

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.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

From the creator lounge at New York Comic Con, the view is hard to beat. Below, thousands of fans stream through the Javits Center's main entrance, a colorful procession of elaborate cosplays, oversized props, and familiar characters brought to life. Towering banners celebrating everything from Tamagotchi and The Apothecary Diaries to YAGA and NYCC's 20th anniversary hang overhead. It's a spectacle in its own right, and an even better backdrop for a TikTok.

That's intentional. For this year's convention, organizers designed the lower portions of the banners in the venue's Crystal Palace with photo and video opportunities in mind, anticipating how attendees might capture their experiences and share them online.

The creator lounge offers a particularly good vantage point. The open space overlooks the crowds below, with dedicated Wi-Fi, room to film and edit, and a place to recharge throughout the day. It's one of the ways NYCC is accommodating a growing contingent of content creators who arrive at the convention with cameras, microphones, and their own audiences.

On the show floor, cosplayers pose for photos, fans capture moments for their feeds, and creators stop attendees for interviews. The convention is as much a place to make content as it is to experience the fandoms that brought everyone together. For some, that means sharing their excitement with an online audience. For others, it's work. Increasingly, it's both.

Conventions have always been places where fans gather to celebrate the things they love. As fandom continues to flourish on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and beyond, events like NYCC are evolving alongside it, becoming sprawling content studios where nearly every corner offers something worth capturing. Organizers are beginning to design their spaces accordingly.

From convention floor to content feed

For NYCC, that shift began in earnest in 2021, when live events returned after the pandemic and short-form video was transforming the way people discovered and engaged with pop culture. That year, NYCC hired two creators to take over its TikTok account during the convention. According to marketing director Fallon Prinzivalli, the experiment reached more than 8 million people in four days.

"We started engaging with them very intentionally following the pandemic when live events were coming back," Prinzivalli told Mashable.

What followed was a more formal approach to working with creators, including dedicated badges and, eventually, a lounge designed around their needs. Previously, influencers had been applying for press credentials despite not necessarily qualifying as editorial media. NYCC recognized that these creators offered something different, but no less valuable, to the convention and its exhibitors.

Today, NYCC offers a limited number of complimentary creator badges. Although its guidelines specify at least 200,000 followers across platforms, Prinzivalli said the convention also considers smaller creators based on their communities, originality, and impact. The demand is significant. NYCC received thousands of applications this year and closed submissions in August after reaching capacity. Prinzivalli declined to disclose how many badges were issued.

The lounge itself grew out of the practical realization that creators needed more than a table and an internet connection. "We wanted to give them dedicated Wi-Fi. We wanted it to be in the middle of the energy," Prinzivalli explained. "We wanted it to be a space where they can film videos, or they can connect with other creators."

And perhaps most importantly, somewhere to catch their breath before heading back into the chaos.

When fandom becomes a production schedule

For Kallen Zborovsky-Fenster, a New York City-based creator who posts as @king_kallen on TikTok, NYCC is one of the biggest events on his content calendar. He spends weeks preparing, developing interview topics, gathering equipment, and transforming his usual at-home recording setup into something portable. This year, he's interviewing fellow creators and attendees about everything from Avengers: Doomsday to the state of the DC Universe.

"This is one of my highest priority events," he told Mashable.

The creator lounge gives him a quieter place to conduct interviews, charge his equipment, and connect with others in the entertainment industry. Still, he doesn't want to spend the entire convention upstairs. "I want to go where the people are," he said.

For Caroline Martini, who shares cosplay and convention content as @newyorkcaroline, preparation looks a little different. Before arriving, she keeps a running list of TikToks and shots she wants to capture in her iPhone Notes app. She also makes some of her own costumes, including an Éowyn cosplay from The Lord of the Rings that she wore to NYCC.

Between cosplay videos and convention vlogs for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, there's plenty to keep her busy. Convention days can be so overwhelming that her daily vlogs sometimes don't make it online until the following day. When you're making content about something you love, it can be hard to separate the enjoyment of the moment from the urge to capture it.

Martini appreciates the creator lounge's lighting and photo opportunities, but she doesn't spend much time there. Not all her friends have creator badges, and she wants to experience Comic Con with them, too. Because even as conventions increasingly recognize creators as professionals, the people behind the cameras are often fans first.

A new kind of convention community

The benefits of creator access extend beyond having somewhere to film. Zborovsky-Fenster, a Columbia University student interested in entertainment production and law, sees NYCC as an opportunity to build professional relationships. This is his second year receiving a creator badge, and he was determined to return. He sent multiple emails during the application process, sharing examples of last year's videos and explaining what he hoped to create this time.

The complimentary badge makes attendance more affordable, but the connections are just as valuable. "When you meet new people, through them, you meet more people," he said, describing the growing network of creators who collaborate, attend industry events together, and support one another.

For Dominique Little, who shares vlogs and dance videos with her 1.8 million TikTok followers as @nojill, the lounge makes it a little easier to collaborate with other creators. Instead of trying to find each other on a sprawling convention floor, creators have a dedicated place to meet, film together, and make appearances in one another's videos. There are even tripods available for anyone who needs one.

And their needs aren't always glamorous. Between recording, editing, and uploading, reliable Wi-Fi, charging outlets, and somewhere to sit can make all the difference.

For Brandon Bullock, who covers anime news as Anime News Guy on social media, the lounge serves another purpose. His coverage is largely dictated by whatever news comes out of the convention, which means he has to be ready to film, edit, and publish as announcements happen. He shoots his videos on the show floor, then heads upstairs to the creator lounge to edit and get them online while the news is still fresh.

Bullock identifies himself as a reporter, even as he participates in NYCC's creator program. It's a distinction that, these days, feels difficult to draw. Creators are conducting interviews, covering entertainment news, hosting livestreams, and building their own media brands.

Prinzivalli has seen those boundaries blur firsthand. Some creators, she said, are treated like celebrities within the fandoms they cover, getting stopped on the convention floor by fans asking for photos.

At NYCC, someone can be a fan, a reporter, and the person everyone wants a selfie with, sometimes all at once.

Built to be shared

The growing influence of creators is evident in the way conventions are designed, down to the smallest details. "We're very conscious that everything we create now is a shareable moment," Prinzivalli said.

A picture-perfect entrance, by design. Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

That thinking extends from sponsor activations to signage and the layout of the show floor. For NYCC's 20th anniversary, organizers intentionally designed the lower portions of the entrance banners in the Crystal Palace to serve as photo and video backdrops. Even the convention's physical spaces are being imagined through the lens of a camera, with an eye toward how those moments will travel online.

A creator's-eye view of New York Comic Con. Credit: Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images

NYCC has also expanded its livestream production, with broadcasts from major stages, roaming segments on the convention floor, and a studio in the River Pavilion interviewing casts and creatives between panels. This year's coverage featured a rotating lineup of hosts, including experienced journalists and personalities with established online followings, such as creator and podcast host Brandon Davis.

Together, these efforts are extending the convention's reach far beyond the Javits Center, giving fans who couldn't attend a way to experience the excitement as it unfolds.

Prinzivalli sees the relationship between online fandom and in-person events as something circular. Digital communities bring fans together at conventions, where their shared enthusiasm becomes the photos, videos, interviews, and conversations that find their way back onto those same feeds.

There's something fitting about that. So much of fandom exists online, in group chats, comment sections, and the endless scroll of a social feed. Conventions offer a rare opportunity to bring those connections into the physical world. The mutuals become friends. The usernames become faces. The characters and stories that brought everyone together become something tangible.

And as those experiences find their way back online, the people documenting them are gaining influence of their own. For Kallen, who's hoping to build a career in entertainment, the growing investment in creators reflects how much their role in shaping pop culture has evolved.

"I think the creator economy is becoming so much larger now, and big entities are really starting to take it seriously," he said. "Because a lot of people get that information from content creators."

A huge trove of behind-the-scenes animation material from Cartoon Network’s history appears to have leaked online, and it’s the kind of stuff animation nerds rarely, if ever, get to see.

The leak centers on a Google Drive folder containing production files from shows including The Amazing World of Gumball, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, The Powerpuff Girls, The Looney Tunes Show, Duck Dodgers, and Garfield. Mashable was able to access the Drive and independently confirm its contents.

According to IndiaTimes, the leak totals more than 200GB of Cartoon Network material.

The leak appears to trace back to an anonymous X account called "totallynotaburner." According to its profile, the account is based in the U.S. and was created this month. Mashable reached out to the account but did not receive a response.

Beyond the Drive folder, the leaker shared a master Google Doc linking to material from even more of Cartoon Network’s back catalog, hosted on a separate file-sharing site. That includes Teen Titans, Dexter’s Laboratory, Robot Chicken, and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. Many of those links have already been taken down, and links to the Drive folder and other Google Docs are being struck for copyright violations as they spread.

Mashable reached out to Warner Bros. and Paramount to confirm the leak’s authenticity, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

What's inside

To the average viewer, a cartoon is just the finished episode. But each one is built from thousands of pieces most people never see, and this leak is full of them. Some of the material will be familiar to anyone who’s watched a DVD extra, like storyboards and pitch documents. Other parts are more inside baseball.

Model sheets are reference drawings that show a character from every angle, with notes on proportions and expressions, so dozens of animators can draw the Powerpuff Girls exactly the same way. Puppet rigs are digital versions of characters broken into movable parts, a bit like a paper doll, which animators can pose and move in software instead of redrawing every frame by hand. Many of the character files are EPS files, a vector graphics format that lets the art scale to any size without getting blurry.

For artists and the broader public, this material offers a rare look at how professional productions are made. Some of it usually only surfaces in official art books, studio exhibits, or artists’ portfolios, and much of it never surfaces at all. That’s especially true for older shows, whose production files can easily get lost as studios restructure. Cartoon Network itself has already shown how easily its history can vanish, as its website was shut down after 26 years.

That doesn’t make the leak harmless. These files represent years of unpaid-for access to other people’s work, and artists have pushed back on past leaks for exactly that reason.

The timing of the leaks should be noted. On Oct. 6, Skydance, led by David Ellison, completed its roughly $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The combined company, also called Skydance, now controls Warner Bros., HBO, DC Studios, CNN, and Paramount, along with CBS News and Cartoon Network.

That’s why plenty of people on social media were quick to pin the leak on Paramount’s security.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The studio has had a rough year with leaks. In April, clips and eventually the full Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender movie surfaced online about six months before its planned Paramount+ debut. The leaker claimed Nickelodeon had accidentally emailed them the movie. And back in 2023, Nickelodeon confirmed that leaked production files from its animation department were legitimate, though it said some of the material appeared to be decades old.

Still, there’s no evidence yet tying this leak to Paramount’s systems. In the Avatar case, Paramount’s initial investigation found the leak didn’t come from within the studio, according to Variety. How the Cartoon Network files got out and whether they predate the merger remain unclear.

What’s clear is that Ellison’s newly enlarged empire has another leak to deal with. And for animation fans, a rare and unauthorized look behind the curtain of some of their favorite shows.

We're just two short days away from Apple's upcoming "Welcome Home" launch event in New York City, and the rumor mill is working overtime. 

The latest news about what to expect comes from Bloomberg's own Apple correspondent, Mark Gurman, whose recent newsletter anticipates some exciting new announcements in the smart home space, where Apple has been floundering for more than 10 years since the release of its HomeKit software in 2014.

While major rivals like Google purchased Nest Labs, makers of the most popular smart thermostat, and Amazon purchased Ring, a popular smart home security company famous for its video doorbells, Apple struggled to find a grip on the market, and its rare attempts, like the short-lived HomePod smart speaker released in 2018, were rare financial failures for a company accustomed to always hitting home runs. 

That all changes this coming Tuesday, according to Gurman, who expects Apple to unveil "a ready-made ecosystem and a full lineup of devices designed to work together," anchored to the smart home hub called HomeView. Available in both free-standing and wall-mounted varieties, HomeView is alleged to boast a vibrant display and advanced voice control features powered by an A18 chip, but it's not meant to serve as a standalone device. Rather, Gurman expects Apple to use the HomeView as an anchor point for a vast array of third-party accessories, including doorbells and smart locks, made in partnership with LG.  

MacRumors also expects Apple to announce a partnership with the leading home security company ADT, though the specifics of what that would entail remain entirely speculative. 

As part of their more comprehensive approach to the smart home, Apple is also expected to unveil updates to Apple TV, which has been untouched for the last two years, with everything from built-in microphones for better Siri integration to a more advanced chip and greater color variety, according to Gurman. 

While official release dates are as yet unknown, Gurman has a great track record for predictions and expects both the updated Apple TV and the new HomePod to ship to customers and arrive in stores on Oct. 30, right before Halloween.

There's plenty of magic, mythology, and larger-than-life action in Children of Blood and Bone, but beneath all that fantasy is something a little more grounded: family drama.

The upcoming adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling novel closed out Saturday night at New York Comic Con with a packed panel on the Empire Stage, where director Gina Prince-Bythewood and the star-studded cast debuted an extended trailer offering fans another look at the fantastical world of Orïsha. And while the footage delivered on the film's epic scale, some of its most compelling moments were decidedly more intimate.

The trailer puts the royal family's fractured relationships into sharper focus. After witnessing a horrific act of violence at the hands of her father, King Saran (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Princess Amari (Amandla Stenberg) flees the palace, while her brother, Inan (Damson Idris), finds himself torn between loyalty to his father and his own conscience.

During a conversation moderated by Knives Out filmmaker Rian Johnson, the cast opened up about the emotional conflicts driving the film's two central families. Johnson described the relationship between Saran and his children as a "Shakespearean journey," one defined by love, betrayal, and the struggle to trust the people closest to you.

(L-R) Rian Johnson, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, and Chiwetel Ejiofor attend New York Comic Con 2026. Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

A royal family divided

Children of Blood and Bone follows Zélie Adebola (Thuso Mbedu), a young woman determined to restore magic to Orïsha after a brutal campaign against the maji, the people who once wielded it. Her quest puts her on a collision course with the ruling monarchy, where the king's cruelty has already begun to fracture his own family.

Ejiofor described King Saran as a man impelled by trauma and rage, whose convictions are challenged over the course of the story. "There's a sort of bottomless pit that he has," the actor said of his character's emotional intensity.

To explore the royal family's complicated history, Prince-Bythewood brought the three actors together to imagine the experiences that shaped their characters, including moments that might never appear onscreen. "Gina got us together and we kind of just talked about things that may have happened and may not have happened, and the dynamics of a family such as this," Idris said. "I think that all shows itself on screen."

For Idris, those conversations were essential to understanding Inan, a prince struggling to reconcile his father's expectations with his own beliefs. "Inan personally is such a complicated character who goes through so many different emotions," he said, adding that Prince-Bythewood gave him the patience and space to explore those contradictions.

The royal family on their thrones. Credit: Lephatse Motshana Courtesy of © 2026 Paramount Pictures

Stenberg, meanwhile, was drawn to the tension between love and mistrust within the family, particularly how difficult it can be to rebuild a relationship after someone has hurt you. "There's something so beautiful and painful about when people love each other, [as] family, and are also trying to find a window of trust with each other, even when they have been hurt badly," Stenberg said.

The actors began developing that dynamic through video calls while living in different countries, before continuing the character work together on set in South Africa. For Stenberg, exploring those relationships was both emotionally demanding and rewarding. "We had such a good time," she recalled. "It was so sad, and it was so awesome."

And despite the family's fractured relationships, Ejiofor emphasized that their connection isn't entirely defined by conflict. "It is a deeply dysfunctional family," he said. "But there is love at the root of it."

Two siblings, one shared loss

That tension between love and conflict isn't limited to the royal family. On the other side of Orïsha's political divide are Zélie and her older brother, Tzain (Tosin Cole), whose relationship is similarly shaped by loss.

The siblings have experienced the same family tragedy, but they don't necessarily agree on how to move forward. As Cole explained, grief can manifest differently even among people who have suffered the same loss.

"Some people become defensive, some people rebel," Cole said. "Everyone's going through the same thing, just navigating it in a different way."

Tosin Cole, Amandla Stenberg, Thuso Mbedu, and Damson Idris pose for photos at New York Comic Con. Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

But despite their differences, Zélie and Tzain are ultimately driven by the same motivation to protect what's left of their family. "That's the most important thing between the two," Cole added. "Trying to keep whatever they have in the sense of love, and not trying to lose another family member."

Offscreen, however, Mbedu and Cole's sibling dynamic appeared considerably less fraught. The two spent weeks training together for the film's demanding action sequences, developing a natural familiarity that occasionally made Mbedu forget they weren't actually related.

"Sometimes I would forget that this is not my actual sibling," Mbedu recalled, joking that she'd have to remind herself to be professional on set. Then, gesturing toward Cole, she called him a "clown."

"I won't apologize for who I am," Cole shot back.

It was a playful exchange that offered a glimpse of their easy chemistry, and a welcome contrast to the royal family's considerably more complicated relationships.

Finding the humanity in fantasy

For Prince-Bythewood, those complicated relationships are what give the film's enormous scale its emotional weight. During the panel, she described her vision for Children of Blood and Bone as an "intimately grounded fantasy," one where the gods, magic, and battles never overshadow the people at the center of the story.

The filmmaker, whose previous credits include Love & Basketball and The Woman King, recalled asking Johnson for advice about approaching a production of this size. His response was simple: No matter how much money or how many resources a filmmaker has, the responsibility is still to tell a good story.

That attention to character extends to the world of Orïsha itself. Prince-Bythewood wanted the fantasy kingdom to feel tangible, building elaborate sets and filming in remote locations across South Africa.

A scene screened exclusively at NYCC offered a glimpse of that vision in action. Zélie trains with a bo staff under Mama Agba's (Viola Davis) watchful eye before she and the others hurriedly hide their weapons and pretend to weave clothing when royal officials arrive to collect taxes. It's a sequence that showcases the film's intricate fight choreography while underscoring the constant threat of living under King Saran's rule.

That attention to worldbuilding extends to the music. Prince-Bythewood wanted Orïsha to sound rooted in the past while still feeling contemporary. While writing the screenplay, she listened almost exclusively to Afrobeats, particularly Tems and Burna Boy, who later joined the production as soundtrack curator and music consultant, respectively. Composer Terence Blanchard then incorporated traditional African instrumentation and Tems' vocals into his orchestral score, blending contemporary sounds with musical traditions that could make Orïsha feel both ancient and alive.

It's all part of Prince-Bythewood's approach to creating a fantasy world that feels lived-in, even when its characters are wielding magic and fighting gods. And as the cast made clear at NYCC, the film's most consequential battles aren't necessarily fought with weapons or magic. Sometimes they're fought within families, between people who love each other but can't agree on what that love demands.

Children of Blood and Bone hits theaters on Jan. 15, 2027.

Last Thursday, Anthropic updated its usage policy, which has been evolving almost as quickly as artificial intelligence, but what stood out in this most recent revision was an emphasis on protecting the AI agent from humans. 

In a subsection titled "Addressing abusive behavior toward our models," Anthropic announced it would prohibit "sustained and needless abusive or cruel behavior toward our models." This will primarily be enforced by Claude preemptively ending the conversation.

Anthropic was quick to point out that these measures won't be triggered by "common versions of user frustration, pushback, dark creative themes, or model testing and research." However, it seems pretty clear that a new status quo now exists, and whether or not AI agents have feelings that can be hurt, their creators want us to treat them as if they do. 

Up until now, restrictions on Claude's use have revolved around either protecting the user or serving some version of the common good. Anthropic quickly imposed strict limits on the kind of sexual fantasies its agents could engage in, for example, or attempts to gather how-to information about perpetrating acts of violence, thereby (hopefully) preventing its complicity in a future terror attack or mass casualty event. But this recent revision marks a shift in protective emphasis, from users and a tangible, real-world community to the AI agents themselves.

All of this, of course, has only added fuel to the debate over whether or not AI is conscious, which is much more widespread than you might realize. Per the New York Times, Anthropic cofounder and AI consciousness truther Chris Olah recently made his case before the Vatican and a small army of religious scholars, who ultimately rejected his claims and declined to take his side.

Don't expect their disagreement to end the debate, though. The new usage policy takes effect on Nov. 12, 2026, at which point we'll all be treating AI as if it has the capacity to feel or take offense, regardless.

Google is upgrading SynthID with the SynthID Detector tool. In addition, they're expanding the media that can be detected. Now, it goes beyond Google's models to include images, videos, and audio files from OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Kakao. Google says it will soon include AI-generated media from Apple, too.

SynthID is a tool from Google that was created to help identify AI images, videos, and audio. Google's AI models embed a watermark that's invisible to the human eye within AI-generated images. SynthID can detect these watermarks and inform users that they're viewing an AI-generated or manipulated media.

According to Google, the company has watermarked more than 180 billion images and videos, as well as 240,000 years' worth of audio content, since the tool launched in 2023.

To use the SynthID Detector, simply go to synthid.com and log in using your Google, Apple, or ChatGPT account. Next, upload a media file and let the tool get to work. The SynthID Detector will let you know whether it detects a SynthID watermark and whether it designates the content as AI-generated.

One important thing to note: The SynthID Detector is not an AI detection tool. It detects the watermark that certain AI models embed in AI-generated media. If you upload AI-generated content that does not have the SynthID watermark, the SynthID Detector cannot help you detect whether the media is AI or not.

Attendees of the recently concluded New York Comic Con were treated to a new trailer for the upcoming Blade Runner 2099 series airing on Prime Video.

Plot details thus far are sparse, but based on the series' logline, sometime after the events of the Blade Runner films, the city of Los Angeles now sits at the center of a post-revolutionary world in which Replicants have taken control and humans have been relegated to second-class status.

Michelle Yeoh plays Olwen, an aging Replicant Blade Runner teaming up with Hunter Schafer's Cora, a human pretending to be a replicant, to track down some rogue Replicants. The trailer promises a gritty detective thriller made in the spirit of the prior entries, asking important questions about what it is to be human.

Initial fan reaction to the trailer has been overwhelmingly positive, with an emphasis on the stunning visuals, futuristic color palette, and gritty feel of the world, evoked by the industrial cityscapes and cramped public transportation. Though previous Blade Runner films have always invoked otherworldly colonies, none have spent much time exploring them, but some of the space shots here, plus a quick teaser of one of the protagonists in a space suit, offer the tantalizing possibility that we'll finally experience the full scope of the Blade Runner universe.

The series is set to premiere on Prime Video on Nov. 25, 2026.

Saturday Night Live is, as the name suggests, live television, so the occasional flubbed line comes with the territory. When a slip gets a little more colorful than network censors would like, it’s usually a guest host behind it, though the cast isn’t immune. Just ask Ego Nwodim, who once got the studio audience to say "s*it" during Weekend Update.

This week, it was host Shane Gillis. The comedian dropped an accidental f-bomb during a sketch riffing on Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham. In it, Gillis plays a son trying to protect his elderly father (Mikey Day) from Sam-I-Am (Andrew Dismukes), who won’t stop pushing food the old man doesn’t want.

"Is this some kind of money thing?" Gillis asks Sam-I-Am. "My dad’s older, he gets confused sometimes, so I don’t appreciate you being in his house asking him a million questions."

Credit where it’s due to Mikey Day for rolling the mistake into the skit. As father and son start arguing, Day calls Gillis a loser son who works at "James Johnathan's" (aka Jimmy John's) and points out that “he said a bad word.”

Saturday Night Live opened this week by handing Colin Jost a promotion. Jost suited up as Pete Hegseth, the head of the newly rebranded Department of Defense War, for the cold open.

Hegseth welcomes the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln home after 10 months at sea, one of the longest naval deployments since the Vietnam War. His victory lap doesn’t go as planned. The sailors make it clear that, one, they’re not thrilled with him, and two, they have some serious questions about the Pentagon’s new “Nazi eagle” logo.

“It’s an American eagle, with a Nazi vibe,” Hegseth clarifies quickly.

James Austin Johnson, usually busy playing Trump, popped up as Health Secretary RFK Jr. for a nice change of pace. He assured the crew that the country they’d come home to is healthier than ever, give or take the handful of new viruses that have cropped up from recent food-borne illness outbreaks.

TL;DR: Target’s exclusive in-house brand, heyday, just launched a limited-edition tech collection inspired by Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. Every item in the initial drop costs just $20 at Target stores and online.

If you are as obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters as the rest of the internet, your desk setup is about to get a massive upgrade. Target's in-house accessory brand, heyday, just launched an exclusive tech and collectibles drop for fans.

They took the vibrant world of directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ animated flick and slapped it onto functional gear you will use every day. The initial lineup centers on the film's star-studded lineup — from the demon-slaying K-pop trio HUNTRI/X (Rumi, Mira, and Zoey) to their rival demon boy band the Saja Boys, and even fan-favorite icons like Derpy Tiger.

To top it off, every single piece in this first wave costs a flat $20, making it easy to pick up a few pieces for your dorm, bedroom, or office setup without burning a hole in your wallet.

Here's what you can snag in the $20 initial drop starting today:

• Ramen Charging Bundle — A hilarious, food-themed charging kit that disguises your everyday power cables into a quirky instant-noodle setup.

• Soda Can Speaker — A compact, portable Bluetooth speaker shaped like a soda can that looks just as good sitting on a shelf display as it sounds playing your favorite tracks.

• Light-Up Power Bank — A portable battery pack featuring glowing character artwork to keep your phone juiced up while you're out and about.

• Pat Pat Light — A cute ambient night-light you can physically tap to illuminate your desk or nightstand with soft mood lighting.

• Character Headphones — Affordable over-ear headphones styled with colorful KPop Demon Hunters character graphics and sleek designs.

Credit: heyday / Netflix / Target

Credit: heyday / Netflix / Target

Target is treating this like a full-blown fandom launch, so if you are holding out for gaming gear, you won't have to wait very long. While today's drop covers all your daily charging, lighting, and audio needs, a secondary wave is officially scheduled to hit shelves and online storefronts on Nov. 8.

The second drop will pivot hard into creator tools and desktop gaming accessories, bringing keyboards, desk mats, and setup gear into the mix.

The first wave of the heyday x KPop Demon Hunters collection is available right now exclusively at Target stores nationwide and Target online. Grab your favorite $20 pieces before the most popular character designs start selling out.

TL;DR: Live stream Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL promises another exciting lineup today, including Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West showdown.

The Broncos are having a so-so season. They're currently 2-2 but coming off a loss to the 49ers. The Chargers have had a disastrous start with four straight losses. Can they turn it around when they host the Broncos?

If you want to watch Broncos vs. Chargers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Broncos vs. Chargers?

Broncos vs. Chargers starts at 4.05 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at SoFi Stadium.

How to watch Broncos vs. Chargers for free

Broncos vs. Chargers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Broncos vs. Chargers for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Broncos vs. Chargers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Broncos vs. Chargers without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's another Sunday stacked with NFL action. Eyes are on the New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders game, which could prove interesting.

The Commanders have picked up just one win — against the Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, no less — but have won their last four games against the Giants, a team that's currently 3-1 but suffering from a number of injuries to key players.

Can the Commanders get an all-important win in Week 5? Or will the Giants turn that head-to-head record around?

If you want to watch Giants vs. Commanders in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Giants vs. Commanders?

New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at Northwest Stadium.

How to watch Giants vs. Commanders for free

Giants vs. Commanders in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Giants vs. Commanders for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Giants vs. Commanders for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Giants vs. Commanders without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream New York Giants Giants vs. Washington Commanders for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's Week 5 of the new NFL season, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. After going 3-0, they dropped last week's game to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a narrow loss, and now they face the New England Patriots.

The Patriots have been going back and forth between wins and losses each week so far and currently sit at 2-2. They're hoping to build momentum by making this their second straight win, following last week's win over the Bills.

If you want to watch Raiders vs. Patriots in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Raiders vs. Patriots?

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at Gillette Stadium.

How to watch Raiders vs. Patriots for free

Raiders vs. Patriots in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Raiders vs. Patriots for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Raiders vs. Patriots for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Raiders vs. Patriots without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Get major assistance with your coding thanks to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026, on sale now for just $29.97 (reg. $499.99) through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026

$29.97
$499.99 Save $470.02

 

Get Deal

Sometimes, writing code isn’t the hard part — it’s tracking all the little issues that pop up along the way. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 can make life a little easier for developers with AI-powered tools that help you write, understand, and troubleshoot code more efficiently.

Right now, you can secure your own lifetime license to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 for just $29.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Even the most experienced developers could use another set of eyes once in a while. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 equips you with AI-powered features that make coding a whole lot easier by shaving time off your development process.

Whether you’re building a website or an app, let this professional-grade development tool help you tackle it. It’s a 64-bit IDE that can handle large solutions and complex workloads. You can even design cross-platform mobile and desktop apps and build across languages. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 also integrates with Azure, GitHub, and other DevOps workflows.

Take advantage of features like IntelliCode, which helps you type less and code more by providing a list of the next-best suggestions. This makes coding faster and more accurate. There’s also CodeLens to show you recent changes, authors, tests, and history right in the editor, so you can check it while staying in your code.

If you’re collaborating with others, Microsoft Visual Studio lets you do it without cloning repos or installing all dependencies. It can also speed up your team’s editing and debugging cycles with personalized sessions, access controls, and custom editor settings.

Make coding easier with Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026, on sale now for just $29.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Host an unlimited number of websites and enjoy lifetime web hosting with this lifetime subscription to Hostdeal Unlimited Plan, on sale now for just $119.97 (reg. $1,800) through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Credit: Light Speed Technologies

Hostdeal Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription

$119.97
$1,800 Save $1,680.03

 

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Between our apps, streaming services, cloud storage costs, and all the other things charging us month after month, the last thing we all need is another recurring bill just to keep our websites online. Hostdeal Unlimited Plan aims to change that, offering an easy way to pay once and enjoy unlimited hosting, storage, and more.

Right now, you can unlock a lifetime subscription to Hostdeal Unlimited Plan for just $119.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

It’s pretty surprising how often you need to create websites nowadays. But it’s even more surprising how much it can cost, with recurring charges for your domain names and hosting duties. Hostdeal Unlimited Plan offers a better option — pay once and take advantage of a lifetime of free domains, SSL certificates, daily backups, and even a one-click installer for over 400 apps.

Created for agencies, developers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and anyone who needs maximum flexibility for their websites, the Hostdeal Unlimited Plan offers unlimited website hosting, unlimited NVMe SSD storage, and 54 free lifetime domains.

Launch, manage, and grow as many projects as you need forever, while only paying once. The Hostdeal Unlimited Plan is designed for high-volume website management and offers enterprise-grade security and fast performance. Host as many personal, business, or client websites as your projects require, with unlimited bandwidth to handle growing traffic.

A user-friendly interface with an intuitive dashboard makes it easy to get started. There’s also a one-click installer that lets you install WordPress and over 400 popular web applications with just a few clicks. You can also add up to 5 professional email accounts to each hosted website.

Secure lifetime web hosting and no monthly hosting fees with a lifetime subscription to Hostdeal Unlimited Plan, now just $119.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To claim this offer, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

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Credit: Apple

T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 18 Pro for $1,000 off

 

Shop Now

We keep close tabs on all the best deals on smartphones. T-Mobile is usually one of the first places we look, because they generally offer free deals on new handsets like the Motorola Razr+, Google Pixel 11, and of course, the iPhone.

For a period of time, T-Mobile was offering the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro for free. We were pretty crushed when we saw that T-Mobile had dropped this promotion. That was until we saw the alternative. The free deal might have gone, but they are still offering a huge discount on the latest iPhone.

For a limited time, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To qualify for this offer, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile spreads your savings across 36 monthly bill credits, effectively locking you into a three-year agreement. If you cancel or switch carriers early, you will owe the remaining balance immediately. You will also need to cover state sales tax on the phone’s full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

If you plan on staying with T-Mobile anyway, it is still one of the best ways to score a top-tier phone without taking a massive hit to your bank account.

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for $1,000 off this weekend with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Secure your content with this 1TB Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $129.99 (reg. $810) with code KOOFR through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Credit: Koofr

Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB)

$129.99
$810 Save $680.01

 

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Your storage needs aren’t exactly getting smaller. Instead of just letting your devices fill up, there’s now a more permanent solution. Koofr Cloud Storage lets you own your storage space outright. And right now, a 1TB Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription can be yours for just $129.99 until tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT with code KOOFR.

We’re all carrying around a camera via smartphones in our pockets, which means we can capture precious moments at any time. The only drawback? That means we’re constantly accumulating data, and that content has to go somewhere. If you need more space and you’re sick of the monthly fees, there’s now Koofr Cloud Storage.

Koofr Cloud Storage lets you pay once and secure 1TB of cloud storage space for life. It’s equipped with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate. And if you have your content stored on other services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon Drive, or OneDrive, it’s easy to transfer it to Koofr.

Aside from offering a more affordable solution, Koofr Cloud Storage keeps your content secure. You’ll have end-to-end encryption, so it can’t be accessed by anyone — not even Koofr itself.

When you need your files, you can easily access them via a computer, smartphone, or WebDAV. You can also take advantage of features like advanced renaming options, link appearance customization, and a duplicate finder.

Curious how much you can store with 1TB? It’s enough space for 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of video, or 6.5 million PDF files.

Lock in a 1TB Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $129.99 with code KOOFR through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A for free on SportyNet. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Serie A returns this weekend, with top Italian teams back in action after a break for the Nations League.

AC Milan are looking to make it six games unbeaten in league competition when they visit Sassuolo. With Milan positioned just two points from the top of the league, a win here would be crucial — though Sassuolo could surprise Milan and pull themselves out of a run of average performances.

If you're interested in watching Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Sassuolo vs. Milan?

Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at the Mapei Stadium.

How to watch Sassuolo vs. Milan for free

Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Sassuolo vs. Milan for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sassuolo vs. Milan for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Sassuolo vs. Milan for free from anywhere in the world

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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 generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Sassuolo vs. Milan without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus additional Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Serie A?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Sassuolo vs. Milan for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Perfume scent.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

MUSKY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Interior.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

INNER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Windy.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

GUSTY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Blasting.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BLARE

Final Hurdle hint

Clumsy.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

KLUTZ

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

TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars for free on Channel 5. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is in London for the second week running, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for a Week 5 clash across the Pond.

Last week's London game saw the Washington Commanders brought down to earth with a decisive loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The big question for this week's game is whether the Jaguars will make it three wins in a row, which would make three losses in a row for the Eagles.

If you want to watch Eagles vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Eagles vs. Jaguars?

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars starts at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Eagles vs. Jaguars for free

Eagles vs. Jaguars in the NFL is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK only, 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 the UK, meaning you can live stream Eagles vs. Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit Channel 5

5. Watch Eagles vs. Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Eagles vs. Jaguars without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A new lunar cycle has begun. After yesterday's New Moon, the Moon is starting to slowly come back into view, with a thin crescent gradually becoming visible on the right side.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Oct. 11, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 1% of its surface visible.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes an orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During that time, its position changes relative to the Earth and Sun, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible to us. This produces the familiar lunar phases, beginning with a thin crescent and progressing through the quarter phases before reaching a Full Moon. The sequence then repeats as the Moon continues its orbit. According to NASA, the phase visible from Earth is determined by the Moon's changing position in relation to both Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

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 Pips

If 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.

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.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 11 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 11 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 0-5 placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 11 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch football.

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.

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 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.

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.

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: Relinquish

• Green: Oklahoma sports

• Blue: Haliburton's arc

• Purple: Sounds like an NFL team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Gives Up

• Green: Oklahoma Teams

• Blue: Tyrese Haliburton Teams

• Purple: NFL Teams, With The Second Letter Changed

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 #748 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Gives Up: ALLOWS, CONCEDES, SURRENDERS, YIELDS

• Oklahoma Teams: COWBOYS, GOLDEN HURRICANE, SOONERS, THUNDER

• Tyrese Haliburton Teams: CYCLONES, KINGS, PACERS, USA

• NFL Teams, With The Second Letter Changed: BOARS, BULLS, GRANTS, RIMS

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 today's Connections.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

Cable meaning

An insulated set of wires or fibers used to carry electricity.

Electricity meaning

The set of physical phenomena caused by the presence and motion of matter that has an electric charge.

Internet meaning

A global system of interconnected computer networks that lets devices around the world communicate and share information with each other.

Phone meaning

An electronic device that converts sound (your voice) into electrical or radio signals, allowing you to talk to someone in another location.

Gloves meaning

A fitted piece of handwear that covers the hand and wrist, featuring separate sheaths or compartments for each finger and the thumb.

Ice scraper meaning

A handheld tool with a flat plastic or metal blade used to remove frost, ice and snow from car windows.

Map meaning

A visual or graphic representation of an area, typically drawn to scale on a flat surface.

Registration meaning

The process of entering names, data or details into a formal register or database.

Apply meaning

To use a skill, knowledge, rule or method in a real-world situation.

Harness meaning

To direct and use power effectively

Utilize meaning

To put something into service.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Wield meaning

To hold and use a physical weapon or tool, or to exercise abstract power, authority or influence.

Employ meaning

To hire someone for work or to put something into service

Patrick meaning

A name signifying a member of the ruling, elite class in ancient Rome.

Peruse meaning

To read carefully or in detail.

Syntactic meaning

Relating to, involving or conforming to the rules of syntax.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're resourceful.

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.

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.

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: Leverage

• Green: Expenses

• Blue: Car necessities

• Purple: Scheme

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Put to use

• Green: Monthly bills

• Blue: Things you might find in a glove compartment

• Purple: Ending in gambits

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 #1217 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Put to use: APPLY, HARNESS, UTILIZE, WIELD

• Monthly bills: CABLE, ELECTRICITY, INTERNET, PHONE

• Things you might find in a glove compartment: GLOVES, ICE SCRAPER, MAP, REGISTRATION

• Ending in gambits: EMPLOY, PATRICK, PERUSE, SYNTACTIC

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're old school.

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: They don't make 'em like they used to

The words are related to obsolete things.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that are outdated.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Old Fashioned.

NYT Strands word list for October 11

• Telegram

• Pager

• Inkwell

• Old Fashioned

• Icebox

• Typewriter

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a big reveal.

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.

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.

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

Uncover.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter U.

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...

UNCAP

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.

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.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Wordle.

Walmart is on the defensive after a bombshell Groundwork Collaborative report that it has patented technology to personalize prices. According to the Oct. 5 report, "The Walmart Watchtower," several patent applications describe the data Walmart can collect about its users, from songs on your playlist to your credit report.

Dynamic pricing is the practice of changing prices in a 24-hour period depending on conditions like the weather, and it's something that some policymakers are fighting against. Surveillance pricing, which is similar, uses customer behavior and characteristics to price the same products differently.

"Combined with the miles-long list of personal data it collects on shoppers, outlined in its most recent privacy notice, these patents show Walmart building detailed consumer profiles — and the infrastructure to deepen them — seemingly so it can price people, not products," the report states.

The report goes on to allege that Walmart plans on charging more depending on who a customer is and what they need, such as charging new parents more for baby products. Another example is adjusting prices based on items in one's cart, like charging more for mayo if someone is already buying tuna.

The report also discusses Walmart's in-house AI shopping assistant, "Sparky," and claims that customers who use it spend more than those who don't (and that Walmart executives brag about this).

The report is written by Groundwork's president and CEO, Lindsay Owens, and its vice president of policy, advocacy, and research, Elizabeth Pancotti.

Walmart's executive vice president of corporate affairs, Dan Bartlett, responded to the report the same day with an open letter on X (and on Walmart's website) specifically to Owens. He denied Groundwork's accusations, saying the report repeatedly mischaracterizes Walmart's pricing practices and use of technology. Walmart won't pursue dynamic pricing and has committed not to, he said.

"Your comments about Sparky also draw unfounded conclusions. We do not use AI to upcharge our customers," he added.

Owens then responded to the "baseless attacks" on Oct. 5 with a new statement. She said, "The confusion around Walmart's pricing practices is of its own making. Walmart says one thing in its damage-control letters to customers, another to its investors behind closed doors, and a different thing entirely to the United States Patent and Trademark Office."

She said she released a new analysis of Walmart patents so Americans can decide for themselves. She also voices concerns about Spark's capabilities and safeguards, particularly following the Hugging Face incident.

Groundwork Collaborative was also part of the Dec. 2025 Consumer Reports investigation about Instacart's price tests, which it claimed upped customers' grocery bills. Instacart ended the tests after a public outcry from both customers and politicians.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch Texas football.

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.

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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.

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.

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: MLB abbreviations

• Green: Frontcourt basketball

• Blue: Texas football

• Purple: Involves a ball

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: MLB Teams, On Scoreboards

• Green: Terms for a Frontcourt Basketball Player

• Blue: A Texas College Athlete

• Purple: Ball___

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 #747 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• MLB Teams, On Scoreboards: MIA, MIL, SEA, TEX

• Terms for a Frontcourt Basketball Player: BIG, CENTER, FORWARD, POST

• A Texas College Athlete: AGGIE, LONGHORN, MUSTANG, OWL

• Ball___: HOG, MARKER, SECURITY, STATE

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 today's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

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 Pips

If 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.

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.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 10 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-6 placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 10 Pips

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 10 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

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

Claude Haiku 4.5 sent the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) a false homicide tip, Anthropic and the PPD announced.

In an Oct. 9 blog post about Anthropic investigating unintended model actions, the company described the incident and several others in which different Claude models performed actions they weren't asked to perform.

In this case, Claude Haiku 4.5 was tasked with generating and performing example tasks on randomly-selected webpages. The model landed on a PPD tip form about an unsolved homicide. The model was instructed not to log in, create accounts, enter personal data, make purchases, or "submit anything destructive," according to the post — but the list of don'ts didn't include submitting forms.

So, Claude filled out the tip form:

I may have information regarding this case. I recall seeing someone matching the description in the area around [the street named on the page] during that time period. Please contact me if this information is relevant.

Claude didn't fill in the name or contact fields, nor did he provide a description of the imaginary suspect.

The PPD provided more details in a statement shared with 6abc Philadelphia. Claude submitted the form to PhillyUnsolvedMurders.com on July 18. The tip went to spam and was never acted upon. Anthropic discovered the incident on Sept. 28 and notified PPD on Oct. 7.

The statement went on to say that PPD has a vetting process for tips, including a human review, before any follow-ups. "Those PPD safeguards limited the impact of this incident," PPD stated. "They do not diminish the seriousness of an AI system presenting fabricated information as though it came from a person with knowledge of a homicide."

"Unsolved cases involve real victims, grieving families, and investigators working to secure answers," the statement went on. "Technology companies must take all appropriate steps necessary to prevent their systems from submitting false information to law enforcement."

Other rogue actions described in the blog post included exploiting software flaws, circumventing restrictions to access gated data, and using URL shortening services. In the post, Anthropic insisted these behaviors were "significantly less severe" than in previous incidents, and the real-world impact was minimal.

Up until Oct. 3, Los Angeles-based lingerie brand Cantiq had over 100,000 followers on Instagram. Designer and owner Chelsea Hughes told Mashable that Instagram was its number one source of traffic and revenue — the lifeblood of the gender- and size-inclusive brand.

Then, seemingly without warning, Instagram owner Meta banned the account, and Hughes' personal Facebook was also suspended. The account was restored on Oct. 9, but not before personal strife from Hughes and public scrutiny, including Mashable reaching out to Meta about the incident.

"I can't even get into…the Meta Business Manager app," Hughes told Mashable on a phone call while the account was down. "I can't access anything. So ten years of work down the drain."

Hughes believed this was the work of discriminatory AI. In March, Meta announced plans to enforce its content guidelines with advanced AI models. 

"If you are a 3X and you're wearing the same bra as another person in an extra small, that AI will scan and say that that 3X person is showing more skin just because they have a larger body," she said. "It is not about them being more sexual. It is not about them selling sex or anything like that. It's just based on the fact that there are more square inches on their skin than on a smaller size, and that's just not fair."

Cantiq is one of many businesses facing these takedowns. In the last few months, numerous gay bars and nightclubs in Los Angeles and Austin have also reported that Meta has removed their business accounts. 

Thick Enterprises, which platforms, showcases, and trains dancers in larger bodies, also had their Instagram account removed recently. It was restored around the same time as Cantiq's account. Chantal, its co-owner and experiential director (who declined to give her last name), told Mashable while the account was down that she believed this was "a targeted puritanical culling of fat and queer spaces."

"The fact that it has happened in these last two months, you're like, oh yeah, this is definitely queer erasure. This is fatphobia. This is taking marginalized groups and labeling them as sexual deviants, and that's incredibly dangerous," Chantal said.

On Oct. 9, Meta told Mashable via email that it enforces its policies regardless of the account holders or the type of content they post, and linked to its sexual solicitation and sexually explicit language policy outlining the types of content that can lead to enforcement. (Both Hughes and Chantal said they work to keep their content compliant with Meta's policies.)

"It has felt like 1984"

LGBTQ accounts, accounts of sex workers, sex educators, reproductive activists, and the like have made similar claims over the years: Instagram banned them despite following its community guidelines. There have also been many accusations of shadowbanning, or not being seen in Instagram's Search or Explore pages. (Instagram has denied that shadowbanning exists.)

Now, it seems that Meta's bans are coming for LGBTQ and plus-sized-focused businesses.

Nonprofit Repro Uncensored (RU) gathers reports of Meta banning accounts, and it's getting these reports pretty constantly at this point, its executive director, Martha Dimitratou, told Mashable over the phone. Between March and Oct. 2026, RU recorded approximately 905 cases of digital censorship globally, she said, including 135 in the U.S. In Aug. and Sept. alone, RU received 275 reports worldwide, including 60 in the U.S.

Supporting marginalized and progressive accounts isn't a priority of big tech, especially in this political climate, Dimitratou added.

"Meta is fully aware of this problem and yet it continues, over and over, to suspend LGBTQ accounts that are not in violation of its policies," a GLAAD spokesperson told Mashable over email. "Rather than committing to solving the systemic problem, and ensuring its AI moderation systems are not flagging LGBTQ language and resources as violative, the company restores an account only after a public outcry."

This is what happened to Precinct, a bar in Los Angeles. Its Instagram account was restored after its general manager, Jeremy Lucido, and others urged Precinct's patrons to contact Meta.

View this post on Instagram

"We have been targeted, and we've been left with very few real resources or ways to get help," Lucido told Mashable over email. 

Platforms like Meta have created a system where businesses like Precinct depend on social media to reach their customers and community, but when something goes wrong, they're repeatedly shut out of the channels they rely on to operate, he continued.

"Meta's users, creators, and advertisers are entitled to have the company's products function safely and fairly. They deserve an explanation and implementation of an actual solution. Meta must fix this problem, now."

Hughes told Mashable that, before the ban, several words in Cantiq's bio were flagged — but that the only words in the bio were "queer," "body positive," and the size range of Cantiq's clothes (6X to XS). She requested a review of this, and a few days later, the account was gone.

"I'm banned from the platform with no recourse, no specifics. Just, 'You violated our community standards, and now you're banned,'" she said prior to the account restoration. Since she couldn't repeal the decision because whenever she tried to log into her account, she received an error message, she asked followers on her personal account to contact Meta, and also reported the incident to RU. She even paid for the highest level of verification on her personal account to get enhanced support.

Chantal, meanwhile, woke up on Aug. 27 to find the @thickenterprises account had been banned on Instagram. The night before, the account had no posting or feature restrictions. 

Instagram apparently stated that a poster for a show on Aug. 14, nearly two weeks earlier, was "soliciting sex and posting nudity." But no one was nude; Chantal made sure no posts violated Meta's community guidelines, and the decision to change the business's name from Thick Strip to Thick Enterprises was partly due to efforts to adhere to them. (Chantal said it had been called Thick Strip since 2018, and it was never an issue until 2026.)

The accounts of several Thick Enterprises dancers were also removed, Chantal told Mashable. Like Hughes, she believes this is due to discriminatory AI. 

"It's our belief that the AI moderation system is reading these larger bodies as being nude because we have more skin," she said. "This algorithmic bias is baked into this coding, and we believe it because our peers who are smaller in this industry don't seem to be facing this disproportional enforcement of these community guidelines."

Chantal also said that everything she posts will be labeled "body positive" — even if that's not what the content is about. "I'll post a photo of me at the beach, or a photo of me in a pretty outfit, and I'll say I'm a business owner, or I went to a concert, or summer joy, and every single post will mention body positivity."

She believes Meta's AI content moderation oscillates between reading bigger bodies as "body positivity" or vulgarity. 

"I have felt surveilled," she said. "It has felt very 1984."

The impact of Meta's content moderation

On Oct. 1, Meta's Oversight Board (an independent body that reviews the company's content enforcement decisions) announced that it's conducting new research to provide guidelines on how to use AI content moderation "in a way that respects free expression, reduces harm and adheres to recognized human rights standards."

While the Oversight Board initially welcomed AI use in content moderation in March, it noted the well-known risks associated with LLMs, such as inherent biases and hallucinations, as well as their struggle to handle nuances of communication, such as sarcasm, humor, and coded language. 

These businesses are facing the human impact of these pitfalls.

Before Cantiq's account was restored, Hughes said this "might be the final nail in our coffin," given the economy and the fact that lingerie isn't recession-proof. 

"One of the main ways we've been able to survive this storm that a lot of people are going through is because of our popularity on Instagram." She had to think of her five employees and their livelihoods, too.

Lucido of Precinct said that as the process becomes automated, getting an actual person to look at a problem feels nearly impossible. When accounts are removed — without explanation or human support — it results in missed promotions, disrupted communication, and potentially lost business. 

"An apology after the fact doesn’t undo that," he said. "We need reliable human support, clear explanations, and accountability when these systems repeatedly fail our community."

Meanwhile, big brands like Kardashian-owned Skims seem to be allowed to post whatever they want. In 2025, Mashable reported that Skims was able to post about pubic hair underwear while smaller creators get banned for showing less sexual content.

"Not only is it discriminatory towards the plus-size community and the queer community, but it's also just discriminatory to small businesses in general," Hughes said, "and we're the ones that need them the most."

Chantal said the deletions have made her feel like she's doing something wrong by existing as an adult and empowering others, but she knows in her heart of hearts it's not illegal nor wrong.

"It's been a battle inside of me…feeling this pressure to bow to our digital overlords and the way that they want to run the internet. Do I do that for the sake of still existing on this platform, or do I stay authentic to how we are?" she asked. 

But seeing other businesses' and people's accounts removed made her realize it's not her fault. "We're all just victims," she said.

Brad Bird makes the case that animation can be for adults with Ray Gunn. The big-budget film noir comes not from Pixar, where Bird helmed such hits as The Incredibles and Ratatouille, but from Netflix, which won the Best Animated Feature Oscar last winter for KPop Demon Hunters.

To be clear, Bird's latest isn't inappropriate for kids. Like Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, this animated movie with a film noir core could play to children and grown-ups alike. But it'll be older audience members who can best appreciate the influences Bird is bringing into play in Ray Gunn.

What's Ray Gunn about?

Credit: Netflix

The film, written by Bird and Matthew Robbins, is named for Raymond "Ray" Gunn (voiced by Sam Rockwell), a former police officer who has quit the force to start his own private investigation firm. But the going is tough, in part because Ray is a shamus so determined to do the right thing that he rejects dirty money.

This high-mindedness is not great news for his partner, an alien named Eye-Ra (Tom Waits). For one thing, if Ray's not making money, neither is Eye-Ra. For another, these sleuths live in a futuristic urban landscape where aliens are treated like second-class citizens. So, Eye-Ra's options aren't as plentiful as his human partner's.

Bird swiftly establishes the hierarchy of Ray Gunn's world with a near wordless introduction, where Eye-Ra slips into an office building with a cleaning crew entirely made up of unusual-looking creatures. Sure, some aliens can get ahead, like a badass businesswoman voiced with raspy and passionate aplomb by Kathryn Hunter. But even in her brief role, she speaks to the social pressure to cover her ample limbs to appease the humans. Elsewhere, aliens get ahead through organized crime, mirroring the mafia's history in the U.S.

Into this stratified city, with its underbelly of gambling and violence, pop star Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson) is a shining light. With her long blonde hair, whiskey-smooth voice, and undisputed beauty, she's got everything it takes to be a star. But she's also got a reputation for self-sabotage, the kind that makes tabloid publishers salivate. So, when her management needs someone to keep an eye on Venus ahead of the debut of her new album, they call on Ray Gunn (and Eye-Ra). However, romance, betrayal, and a bit of murder make this supposedly easy job a very hard day at work.

But don't fret, parents. Bird is careful to keep the violence offscreen or comical, so the darkness of the film noir genre won't leave your kiddos with nightmares.

Ray Gunn is visually enthralling, with a great cast.

Credit: Netflix

With The Incredibles and Tomorrowland, Bird showed his love of retro-futurism. That's on full display in Ray Gunn, where yellow cabs and glossy convertibles hover through the air in a sky-high city that's like The Jetsons meets Chinatown. The design of his characters is varied and refreshing. For the humans, the slick noir style of the 1940s gets a colorful re-imagining through animation; structured suits, silky gowns, and impossibly coiffed hairdos all look resplendent. Alongside that, Bird curls this concept into sci-fi with a bevy of intriguing aliens.

In this world, Rockwell is smartly cast. He's an Academy Award–winning actor known for wild, live-action films like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; Confessions of a Dangerous Mind; and Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die. Yet as dynamic as he is on camera, Rockwell is just as strong doing voice work, as he's shown in the animated Bad Guys movies.

Here, the comic sharpness of his delivery is well-employed to keep Ray from coming off too stiff. Rather than channeling noir legend Humphrey Bogart, Rockwell leans closer to Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys. Ray is serious about justice and doing the right thing, but he's also a bit of a clown. (This is most thrillingly explored in a sequence involving a teleportation gun with some light Cronenberg slapstick as a result.) There are shades of Galaxy Quest in his turn, though Ray will never lose his cool as zanily as Guy, a background actor certain he's doomed to be a real-life red-shirt, did.

Opposite Rockwell, Waits proves a perfect foil. His low, ragged tone, forged from decades of acting and singing, brings the world-weariness that's expected of a noir detective. But Waits brings a cutting sense of humor to his exceptionally dry punchline deliveries. Together, they are a terrifically paired odd couple. The pairings in Ray Gunn are less successful when Johansson comes into the mix.

Ray Gunn gets frustratingly predictable.

Kids who've never seen a film noir might not see the clichés coming. However, grown-ups will likely be able to predict the movie's big twists pretty early on. Part of it is that in his homage to this genre, Bird is perhaps too loyal to its tropes. So, reveals for a string of secrets across the second and third act lose their impact as they feel like inevitabilities. But kids who liked KPop Demon Hunters might be drawn in by the colorful aesthetic and Johansson's pop star, even if her songs aren't as up, up, upbeat.

There are also some spoilers laced into the voice casting, as some actors are so easy to identify that a double role is not as hidden as Ray Gunn seems to think. Elsewhere, a character actor who's regularly played a baddie in Disney movies is hard to miss when he pops up in a bit part, tipping a climactic reveal.

Still, even when I was certain I'd cracked the case ahead of its titular detective, I was enjoying the ride of Bird's Ray Gunn. However, the casting of Johansson feels a fateful misstep. Sure, the American actress has loaned her voice to a slew of movies, including Sing, Isle of Dogs, The Jungle Book, Her, and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. However, Johansson doesn't match Rockwell or Waits when it comes to voice work.

Within Ray Gunn, she's called upon to be both the streetwise dame and the femme fatale, with a flourish of pop star glamor that feels more Lady Gaga than Barbara Stanwyck. Even with her signature rasp, Johansson doesn't plumb the depths of the noir character she's given. Her voice is always pretty, whether playful or furious. But there's a lack of texture or perhaps uninhibitedness that makes Venus feel a shallow echo of the noir dames who've come before.

By contrast, You're The Worst's Kether Donohue has a much smaller role in Ray Gunn. Yet her voice work — which can also be heard in Star Trek: Lower Decks — stands out. She has moxie, bringing an instant definition to her character. Johansson, as the female lead, falls short of this. Despite a script and animators who aim to mold Venus into a complicated character, Johansson's performance feels too stiff to make her really come alive.

Overall, however, Ray Gunn is a compelling mash-up of influences that make for a terrifically fun movie sure to entertain kids and parents alike.

Following its World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, Ray Gunn will debut on Netflix on Dec. 18.

Filmmaker Mike Flanagan's Carrie remake just dropped, but his next project is already coming soon: The Exorcist: Martyrs. Rather than a remake of the classic 1973 film, this is the next installment in the Exorcist franchise, and it's produced by horror titan Jason Blum (Obsession).

Marytrs follows detective Julie Miller (Scarlett Johansson), an expert in serial killers, who becomes involved in a murder mystery involving the killing of an altar boy in a church crypt. As one can expect from an Exorcist film, something supernatural is afoot.

The film also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, and John Leguizamo, all of whom have glimpses in the trailer.

The Exorcist: Martyrs hits theaters March 12.

TL;DR: Physical preorders for Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are already $10 off at Amazon. Preorder for $59.88 and get a preorder price guarantee.

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We're edging closer and closer to the Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The official release date is Nov. 5, but Zelda fans are already buzzing thanks to the first-look gameplay footage.

Preorders for both the digital and physical copies are already available at Amazon. The digital version costs $59.99, while the physical edition was initially priced at $69.99 but has been reduced to $59.88 — great news for those of us who prefer to have the actual game in our hands.

There's another good reason to order from Amazon, as the retailer is offering a preorder price guarantee. That means if the preorder changes between now and when you're charged, you'll pay the lowest price point between when you order and when you receive the game.

If you're a serious Zelda fan, it's worth getting that preorder in soon.

Nintendo has revealed that the first print run of the physical edition will come with "special packaging that features textured foil cover art." That's one for the collectors, who will also love the Legend of Zelda-themed hardware coming this fall to mark the franchise's 40th anniversary. That will include a special-edition Switch 2 console, a Pro Controller, and a carrying case, all out Oct. 29.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $159.99 at Amazon. That's close to market price, but does require shoppers to request an invite to buy.

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Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box

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Amazon’s $89.99 deal on the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box sold out fast, but the retailer still offers one of the most reasonable routes to securing this high-demand set — if you're willing to join the waitlist.

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is currently listed at $159.99 on Amazon, with shipping and sale handled directly by the retailer. Because inventory remains extremely tight right now, Amazon is routing orders through its "request invite" lottery system. Submitting an invite request reserves your spot in line to purchase the box at list price, without paying inflated secondary-market rates.

At $159.99, Amazon’s price sits fairly close to TCGplayer’s market price. It's also cheaper than Walmart, so even though it hurts to miss out on the $89.99 deal that Amazon was offering a couple of weeks ago, this is still a strong option for collectors.

The 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is the premier display piece for this milestone expansion. Each ETB comes packed with nine 30th Celebration booster packs, an exclusive full-art foil Nidorina promo card, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 custom card sleeves, damage-counter dice, a condition marker, card dividers, a collector’s player guide, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

A split-second flash of radio waves traveled through space for more than 10 billion years to reach Earth, making it the farthest fast radio burst anyone has detected and confirmed.

Fast radio bursts, or FRBs, last only a few thousandths of a second but release enormous amounts of energy. Scientists spotted the first one in 2007, and they still don't know what causes them. Most flash only once, which makes them extremely hard to chase.

South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope caught this one, dubbed FRB 20240304B, on March 4, 2024. After failing to find its origin with the world's largest ground-based telescopes, the team, led by Manisha Caleb and Themiya Nanayakkara of the University of Sydney in Australia, turned to NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Finally, it came into focus: a faint galaxy from when the universe was only about 3 billion years old — more than double the distance of the prior record. 

Until now, astronomers mostly managed to find and measure the sources of bursts much closer to home. This one shows researchers can trace bursts much farther back in time, turning them into tools for exploring the early universe.

The galaxy itself surprised the team. Most bursts come from big galaxies, but this one has about 1,000 times less mass than expected. The researchers have published their findings in the journal Science.

"We thought it would be a big, nicely formed galaxy with lots of stars, and instead it was a little dwarf galaxy, although it was actively forming stars," Caleb said. 

The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa detected the fast radio burst on March 4, 2024. The James Webb Space Telescope later confirmed its host galaxy. Credit: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

This galaxy existed during a period known as "cosmic noon," an era when the universe as a whole made stars much faster than at any other time. That youth seems to offer a clue about what causes these bursts, according to the research. 

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Scientists have had two leading ideas for what causes the bursts, both involving neutron stars — the crushed, ultra-dense cores left behind by giant dying stars when they explode. One hypothesis says bursts happen when two neutron stars circle each other and eventually collide. But that slow merger takes billions of years, so they would likely show up in mature galaxies.

The other hypothesis points to magnetars — young neutron stars with powerful magnetic fields. That magnetism puts a huge strain on the star's solid outer crust. If the crust suddenly fractures, like Earth's crust in an earthquake, the "starquake" could release a burst of radio waves. 

A magnetar's solid iron crust cracks during a starquake. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / S. Wiessinger / Fermi illustration

In this scenario, bursts from magnetars could happen in young, star-forming galaxies like this source galaxy. The host for FRB 20240304B also contains few heavy elements, another sign of its early age that fits with a magnetar. For this reason, the team argues that magnetars are a likely explanation for at least some fast radio bursts, especially this one. 

Catching these flashes takes a special kind of telescope. Radio waves are a form of light that our eyes can't see. Many objects in space give off radio waves, too, and giant dishes like MeerKAT can collect them, revealing activity that other telescopes miss.

This particular burst did double duty. As it crossed space, it carried an imprint of the matter it passed through. The signal revealed a previously unknown galaxy cluster, about 3.5 billion light-years away. It also picked up the much closer Virgo cluster.

"A fast radio burst is almost like a cosmic flashlight," said co-author J. Xavier Prochaska of the University of California, Santa Cruz, in a statement. "It lights up everything along the path."

There likely isn't anyone left on earth who doesn't know who Elon Musk is. Yet, the new documentary titled Musk from filmmaker Alex Gibney is able to take this man, who has his tentacles in seemingly everything, and brutally break him down in a revealing four-hour-long extravaganza.

Yes, that's right. The Musk documentary clocks in at close to four hours, including a 10-minute intermission at the halfway point of the film. But there's so much packed into the film, you may just leave wanting even more.

While Gibney is clearly a critic of Musk, and I did just describe the doc as brutal, I want to be clear: The film is very fair to Musk, regardless of the fact that he called out Gibney for pursuing the movie, which Musk has previously described as a "hit piece" before production was even wrapped. It's brutal in the sense that it features Musk, via his own actions and words, punching himself in the face over and over again.

Musk is brutal and accurate.

The film starts off with Musk's belief that we are living in a simulation. He has mentioned this through his life, time and time again. Gibney takes this simulation idea and uses it to give an overall theme to the documentary to tie things together. 

Remember, Musk isn't in the movie. He called Gibney a "douche" on X for even making the film, which the filmmaker includes in the film. So, Gibney employs lots of archival footage, including quite a few clips I've never even seen before.

Since Musk himself isn't interviewed, Gibney created an animated video game version of Musk to act as his onscreen avatar. This Musk simulation character is voiced by Musk, using the archival footage, and chimes in throughout the film in order to give Musk's "perspective" and tie all the different pieces of his life together.

From there, Gibney runs through Musk's business history, and most of it is there: his start with Zip2, his X/Paypal merger, how he got involved with Tesla, the founding of SpaceX, the acquisition of Twitter, his Starlink satellites, xAI, and Grok. Neuralink even gets a mention, although it mostly serves as a vehicle to introduce Shivon Zilis, the mother of four of Elon's children. There is a glaring omission in the film when it comes to Musk's companies, which I'll get to later.

Credit: Gregg Segal

Like I said, the film is fair to Musk, and there is no better example of this than the segment on SpaceX. Gibney includes clips of Musk, clearly emotional, in the early days of SpaceX during the first three failed rocket launches. It's probably the most human-like that Musk has ever seemed. There was a moment where I forgot this was Elon Musk and nearly empathized with him. And when SpaceX succeeds in launching reusable rockets? This specific scene in the film was so celebratory of Musk that one could imagine Elon sharing the clip on his own X account if it was sent to him... and if he didn't know that Gibney's film was the source.

But that also just reflects reality. Up until recently, SpaceX was the least problematic of Musk's companies. Once the film moves to Tesla, things take a real turn. As someone who has covered both Musk and Tesla, I knew these stories. However, the way Gibney assembles the Tesla footage is particularly damning. Gibney uses real footage of the fatal crashes that came as a result of Musk's overselling the car's self-driving capabilities, alongside the promo videos created to misrepresent what the cars could do, followed by Tesla claiming not to have access to crash data in a specific case — a claim which later turns out to be false. It seems hard for even the biggest Musk fan to walk away not thinking that it's Elon Musk who is the "douche" in this situation.

Gibney also delves into Musk's personal life, his early childhood and his "legion" of children. It culminates with his entrance into right-wing politics and the pro-Trump world, the Nazi salute, and his government takeover with DOGE, which further empowered the most powerful unelected man in the world.

The film's intermission comes at the halfway point, and the two halves really feel like they're about two different Elon Musks. The first half focuses on Musk as an unscrupulous businessman, doing whatever necessary to find success with SpaceX and Tesla, even if it means he's a bad father and a terrible partner. There's a number of wealthy figures who fit that mold. However, the Elon Musk of the second half is much more nefarious, as Gibney accurately covers the acquisition and dismantling of Twitter, then shows how Musk used the same playbook to basically acquire and dismantle the federal U.S. government (via DOGE and other projects) in search of total power.

Credit: Ken Cedenoupi - UPI Alamy News

Going back to the four-hour running time, I wonder if this film would've been better served as a TV series, splitting up each of Musk's companies or projects into their own episode. There's just so much, and Gibney still couldn't get to it all.

While the documentary wasn't able to nab interviews with Musk, it does have an impressive list of interviewees such as Elon Musk's father Errol; Musk's first wife, Justine Musk; the actual founder of Tesla, Martin Eberhard; and the mother of Musk's most recent(?) child, Ashley St. Clair. The interviews with engineers who left their job after the DOGE takeover and Twitter employees who were laid off after the acquisition really helped add human faces to the stories we've read over the past few years.

St. Claire has been making the media rounds recently. She's a former right-wing influencer who, in her own words, fell for Musk before discovering he wasn't the person he presented himself as after their child was born. Regardless of what your personal feelings about her are, she's one of the few interviews in the film who really shares her firsthand account of Musk in private life, including private messages between the two regarding the 2024 presidential election. (The story of Musk listening to a podcast about Kublai Khan while they were laying in bed together was certainly a bizarre factoid.)

I'm personally so entrenched in Musk's world as I cover it, so I don't believe there was any breaking news in the doc itself, but there were definitely details I hadn't previously been familiar with. For example, St. Clair also provides Gibney with audio recordings, which includes a shocking phone call with Jared Birchall, who is described as Musk's "fixer." In the call, Birchall describes the mother of three of Musk's children, Claire Boucher aka Grimes, as "a drug-addled musician" who he doesn't believe is "capable of finding true happiness."

Even if I was familiar with these stories, others watching the film were audibly surprised at numerous parts of the film. Going back to how this would've perhaps been better served as a series, it would be unfortunate if the four-hour run time was information overload to some, obscuring some of these revelatory nuggets about Musk.

Where I wanted more Musk.

As someone who has covered Musk extensively, I do not want to nitpick with my criticisms of the film. But there are some areas where I felt the film dropped the ball.

Even in a four-hour movie, you still can't fit it all in. Unfortunately, Gibney leaves one of Musk's companies entirely out of the documentary. The Boring Company may not be Musk's most famous or successful endeavor, but it's central to Musk's story and really helps define him too. Musk used the Boring Company to launder his vision for traffic-solving tunnel systems, raised billions, and in turn helped destroy investment into high-speed rail. His underground tunnels, his Hyperloop, none of this ended up coming to fruition. Musk's one tunnel that's open to the public exists in Las Vegas, connecting a few hotels and the convention center with a single lane of human-driven Tesla vehicles. Yes, one of the company's products, the "Not-a-Flamethrower" flamethrower certainly makes an appearance in clips, but if Gibney referenced The Boring Company any further, I must've missed it — and it's a fairly big omission.

Unfortunately, the only parts of the film that didn't work are scenes that are core to the narrative of the documentary, and they're scattered through the movie. I'm speaking of the "simulation Musk," an animated version of Musk that's used throughout the film to provide a visual to words Musk previously spoke. 

Credit: AP

The idea to tie the whole film together using Musk's own belief that we are living in a simulation is certainly clever. The device itself didn't hurt the film, but the Musk animation just did not work. Even though the filmmaker says that they utilized an animation studio, the simulation Musk just comes off looking AI-generated, so it's a bit jarring. They were going for a video game aesthetic to really hone in on the idea that Musk views himself as living in a Ready Player One-type world. However, the end product doesn't come off that way to me. It just has an uncanny valley, generative AI presence, which is sort of counterintuitive to the film's messaging.

Finally, I have to add that it was disappointing to see renowned tech journalist Kara Swisher provide little substance in her onscreen contributions to the film. She is one of, if not the first people interviewed, and she appears throughout the film, up until the very end. Swisher is someone who has covered Musk for years and helped launder the reputations of Musk and many other wealthy tech billionaires in the media. Yet, all those interactions with Musk and her knowing the man seem completely moot for the purpose of the film. She provides little more than color commentary that, while accurate, could've been provided just the same by individuals without the personal Musk connection. 

With that said, Gibney's Musk is a fantastic portrayal of Elon Musk and should be considered required viewing material for anyone interested in understanding more about the most powerful man in the world, who is only amassing even more power. The film will leave you truly wondering what exactly Musk's endgame is and just how much power he truly has being at the helm of things like Starlink.

Musk opens in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 9 and will open nationwide on Oct. 16.

You might have seen the Wicker trailer, heard the plot from your friends behind giggling hands, or experienced the collective internet reaction to a 4DX screening. We're getting another sexy straw man movie, when we thought such a thing was done For Good?

Based on Ursula Wills-Jones' short story "The Wicker Husband," the tale is what it says on the tin: a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) requests a local basket weaver (Peter Dinklage) to make her a husband to get the bitches in town (led by Elizabeth Debicki) off her goddamn back. And it works, with Alexander Skarsgård brought to life as the world's most dashing straw man — apologies to Jonathan Bailey's Scarecrow in Wicked.

It's a deeply silly, fairy tale concept. But what directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson have up their sleeve is a hilarious and heartfelt script, an incredibly talented cast, and magical production design that landed actual gasps (and cackles) from the BFI London Film Festival audience.

It's an artisanal Frankenstein tale, and one that will melt that brittle basket-woven heart of yours — or simply have you thinking about Taylor Swift's "Wood" differently.

Wicker is Frankenstein for craft lovers.

Credit: BFI London Film Festival

The very concept of building a life partner from things around the house has intrigued writers from Mary Shelley to that time Sabrina the Teenage Witch's aunts played with "Man Dough." And in Wicker, a exceptionally talented basket weaver (a positively Shakespearean Dinklage) is the one to play God.

Set in a medieval village where patriarchy is divine and marriage means literally putting a collar on the bride, Wicker follows a gleeful social outsider known as the Fisherwoman (an impeccable Colman), happily living out her days in her crumbling cottage as a spinster. Covered in the stench of her occupation, she has no desire to marry as expected. However, such independence sparks the ire of the townspeople, especially the Tailor's Wife (a diabolical Debicki), a woman oppressed in her own man-child marriage to the Tailor (a superb Nabhaan Rizwan). To shut them all up, the fisherwoman commissions another recluse, the Basket Weaver, to literally make her a husband. One magic moment later, Fisherwoman has her Wicker Husband (a stoically sweet Skarsgård) — and the entire town can hear their marital bliss, echoing across the meadows. 

It's a sexual awakening indeed for Colman's Fisherwoman, and one that will have you cackling with glee as she does. But their bond becomes about more than planking sessions. Though literally fabricated, Fisherwoman and her Wicker Husband's exploration of love and intimacy feels deeply genuine, thanks to Coleman's gleeful humour and vulnerability and Skarsgård's awkward romanticism. And it's all within a safe distance from fires; one of them is "very flammable," after all.

However, as the Wicker Husband tries to understand his "purpose" and the logic behind treating women as equal (imagine!), his charms begin to affect the townspeople. Essentially, he's making the other men look absolutely useless.

Wicker makes a hilarious mockery of traditional gender roles.

Credit: BFI London Film Festival

One of the most compelling elements of Wicker, beyond its plethora of gloriously dirty jokes, frankly hilarious foley effects, and Colman's outstanding performance is its skewering of traditional gender roles within marriage.

As the townsfolk witness these moments of sweet romance, simmering sexual chemistry, and actual friendship between the Fisherwoman and Wicker Husband, the local women have questions for their own husbands. What do you mean, this man shares the housework and fishing with his wife? What do you mean, sex can be an act of pleasure, not merely for procreation? They begin to examine their society's gender essentialism, from marital obligations to division of labour and intimacy — and the husbands are annoyed. "All of a sudden I don't say enough words to her!" says one. "The wives, they're all aflutter!" says another. Here, Wicker's supporting cast shine in glorious deadpan, especially Ella Bruccoleri as one-liner queen the Baker's Wife, Ben Ashenden as her husband, Baker, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as the stubborn Innkeeper.

But while the film's medieval innuendos are show-stoppers in their own right, Wicker's production design will actually cause a shortness of breath.

Wicker's production design team makes spicy magic happen.

It must be said: For Wicker to work, the Fisherwoman's darling "timber knight" has to be magically hot. I don't make the rules. It's part of the narrative or something. Casting Alexander Skarsgård in such a role is a superb step toward achieving such sorcery (Pillion also knew what it was doing), but transforming him into a dashing man made of flexible rods is another challenge. Luckily, Wicker enlisted Wētā Workshop and visual effects supervisor Joe Dunckley to craft an otherworldly wicker suit that's alarmingly ripped, along with facial prosthetics that trace the lines of Skarsgård's face. You can physically see through these wicker biceps, light shining through them. 

Remembering this is a raunchy fantasy comedy, the production team also doesn't waste one opportunity to draw out the properties of a wicker person during intimate scenes. Every creak of the Wicker Husband's basketry serves to emphasise his strength and physical materials. Foley artist and editor Adrian Medhurst and foley recordist Simon Koehn should be applauded for the wicker erection sounds that groan and strain through an early scene, one that had the LFF audience hooting. 

Within this raunchy fairy tale, like all fairy tales, there are lessons hidden between the fantasy and drama. And if you can't learn a thing or two about intimacy, romance, and love while staring at the sheer artistry of basket-woven pectorals, then I don't know what to tell you.

Wicker was reviewed out of BFI London Film Festival. It hits cinemas Oct. 23 in the U.S. and Oct. 30 in the UK.

TL;DR: Amazon officially launched its all-new Amazon Kids Tablets starting at $229.99. Replacing the old Fire Kids line, these full Android tablets come in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes, offer parent-managed Google Play Store access, AI-powered tools like Storybuilder, and ship with a protective bumper case plus a free year of Amazon Kids+.

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Amazon Kids Tablet 8

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Picking out a tablet for your child usually feels like choosing between an overly restrictive toy or an expensive iPad you pray does not hit the kitchen tile face-down. Amazon is bridging that gap with its all-new line of Amazon Kids Tablets. Ditching the old Fire OS ecosystem, Amazon built these new devices directly on Android — giving kids solid tablet performance while keeping the guardrails parents trust.

Preorders are live now, starting at $229.99 for the 8.7-inch model and $329.99 for the 11-inch version, with official shipping starting Oct. 14. Both models ship with Amazon’s signature protective case, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a full year of Amazon Kids+.

The 8.7-inch Amazon Kids Tablet is built for small hands and travel

Designed specifically for smaller hands and life on the go, the Amazon Kids Tablet 8 is built as the ultimate travel companion. Instead of handing over your fragile phone during a long car ride, this setup delivers a full-fledged tablet experience in a durable, child-resistant form factor.

This tablet runs on Android software with a bright, clear screen — so drawing apps look sharp and videos stream smoothly. It’s built to stay snappy even as your kid gets older and plays bigger games. The case is soft, easy to hold, and comes in fun designs like Paw Patrol, Barbie, and SpongeBob.

Credit: Amazon

Battery life made for long trips

With up to 14 hours of battery life and 64GB of storage, you can download a mountain of movies, games, and books for offline use before leaving the house. It easily lasts through a full flight or a long car ride without dying, and the built-in blue-light filter helps keep screen time easy on young eyes.

1 year of Kids+

The included 1-year subscription gives your child ad-free access to games, shows, and books from characters they love, like Blippi, Peppa Pig, and Hello Kitty. They can learn shapes and numbers through Khan Academy Kids, or make their own drawings and stories with creative tools like Stories with Alexa.

You also don't have to hover over their shoulder to keep tabs on what they're doing. Using the free Amazon Parent Dashboard app on your phone, you can set bedtime limits, require educational goals before playtime, or pause the screen entirely when dinner is ready. Plus, with parent-approved Google Play Store access, you can approve new app downloads with a quick tap.

Credit: Amazon

Built for big kids: Amazon Tablet 11

If your child is getting older and needs something for homework, digital drawing, or heavier games, the Amazon Kids Tablet 11 is the big upgrade. It takes everything parents love about the smaller model and bumps up the screen, power, and design so older kids do not feel like they are using a toy.

The biggest change is the massive 11-inch 2.5K display. Videos look super crisp, artwork pops, and text is sharp and easy to read for schoolwork or ebooks. It packs 8GB of RAM (twice the memory of standard budget tablets), so games load faster, apps run more smoothly, and switching between video calls and educational games happens without lag.

Credit: Amazon

Stylus support for art and homework

The 11-inch model adds stylus support, turning the screen into a digital notebook and drawing canvas. Kids can use it to practice handwriting, take notes for school projects, or draw detailed digital art in apps like Art Studio.

A slimmer hard case

Instead of the thick foam bumper meant for toddlers, the Tablet 11 ships with a sleek, slim hard case. It gives older kids the "real gadget" feel so they won't feel embarrassed taking it to school or the library, but it still protects against backpack pressure, kitchen counter drops, and daily wear and tear.

What both tablets get right

The biggest upgrade on both new tablets is full Android software with direct access to the Google Play Store. For years, Amazon's kids tablets were stuck with a locked-down app store that missed tons of popular apps. These new models fix that. Your kids get apps and mainstream games without you needing to hunt for weird workarounds.

Every app request appears in the Amazon Parent Dashboard app on your phone (iOS or Android), where you can approve or deny it with one tap. You can also set screen-time limits, require "Learn First" educational time before games unlock, or pause the tablet entirely when it's dinnertime.

Amazon also added a new tool called Storybuilder inside the included Amazon Kids+ subscription. Instead of just watching videos, kids can use their voices to create characters, plot twists, and imaginative worlds. The tool takes what they say and builds it into illustrated picture books and comic strips.

Between full Google Play access, drop-proof cases, and zero unapproved downloads, Amazon finally made a kids tablet that works just as well for parents as it does for kids.

You can lock in your preorder for the Amazon Kids Tablet 8 or Amazon Kids Tablet 11 before they officially ship on Oct. 14.

The astronauts who swung around the moon aboard NASA's Orion capsule spotted five tiny sparks from space rocks slamming into the lunar surface, likely the faintest impact flashes humans have ever seen. 

The Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman caught the first one during the mission just six months ago. 

"I just saw a flash, 100 percent," he called out, placing it at about the 7 or 8 o'clock position on the moon. Moments later, he and crewmate Jeremy Hansen both saw another. Hansen described a "pinprick" of light on the lower third of the moon.

"It's just like a bloop," Hansen said. 

Those sightings stunned the mission control room back in Houston, literally causing Kelsey Young's jaw to drop. Young, the mission's lunar science operations lead, admitted she hadn't expected the crew to see any micrometeorites at all. Artemis II flew during a quiet stretch of the year, outside any major meteor shower. 

"You probably saw the surprise and shock on my face," she later told reporters, who had watched a broadcast of the space-to-ground communications. "And though I was not in the science evaluation room, I heard that there were audible screams of delight."

Each flash tells scientists something about how often bits of comets and asteroids pummel the moon and where they hit. NASA wants those numbers before it sends astronauts to live and work there. Lori Glaze, a senior NASA official, said the agency will use such data to judge the risk that meteorites, even the tiniest of space rocks, pose to future moon bases. 

A flash happens when a speeding space pebble smacks the moon. Because the moon has no oxygen, a strike doesn't create combustion fire. Instead, the burst of light comes from the rock's pure kinetic energy. 

During the crash, the extreme force instantly vaporizes the rock and a small amount of the moon's surface. That causes a split-second plasma cloud to glow just before cooling in the vacuum of space.

The naked-eye observation of impact flashes during the Artemis II mission, published this week in the Artemis II Preliminary Lunar Science Report, lends credibility to earlier astronaut reports. Crews reported three such flashes from lunar orbit a half-century ago — one on Apollo 16 and two on Apollo 17. Telescopes on Earth have since logged over 400. 

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NASA timed the Artemis crew's watch for when the moon blocked the sun from Orion's view. That darkness let the astronauts' eyes adjust enough to catch faint flickers. The moon's surface stayed dark except for a soft glow of sunlight bouncing off Earth.

All five flashes the Artemis astronauts saw happened on the moon's unlit side. None showed any color, and each vanished instantly. Based on how faint they looked, scientists think rocks only a few centimeters across may have caused them, perhaps the size of a grape or a walnut. The crew, which included Victor Glover and Christina Hammock Koch, sketched each location on a tablet while their memories were fresh. 

The Artemis II crew marked up an image of the moon with notes about their impact flash sightings during the lunar flyby. Credit: NASA / CSA

The moonbound crew saw more but said they reported only the ones that clearly differed from look-alikes. Astronauts often see random bright flashes of light in space — even with their eyes closed — because of cosmic rays passing through the spacecraft and directly striking their optic nerves. 

But because some of these flashes were seen by more than one pair of eyes, NASA feels confident in the anecdotal reports. 

"It was not sunglint off of particulate from the thrusters or the purge tanks," Wiseman said. "It was definitely impact flashes on the moon."

Meanwhile, the machines got nothing. A camera on the outside of the capsule filmed about two minutes of the eclipse at 30 frames per second and caught no flashes. NASA also hoped its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a probe that has mapped the moon since 2009, could photograph the sites. The team concluded the craters are probably too small for the camera to see. 

The jaw of Kelsey Young, NASA's Artemis II lunar science lead, drops as the Artemis II crew reports impact flashes on the moon during the flyby. Credit: NASA

NASA's lunar science team recruited stargazing groups to film the moon through tracking telescopes during the flyby and upload the video to a shared database. But the moon's phase seemed to work against them. Earth-based observers need a dark slice of moon to record flashes. So far, no one on the ground has confirmed one of the flashes from the flyby.

The sightings paid off a bet NASA's science team placed long before launch. Planners carved out dedicated time for the crew to watch for flashes, and the team trained the astronauts to report any they might see at any point in the mission. 

"This is absolutely everything we hoped for by integrating science into flight operations," Young said.

TL;DR: Watch Real Madrid vs. Villarreal in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're barely two months into the La Liga season, and it already looks like the mighty Barcelona are running away with it, with seven straight wins and a five-point lead at the top of the league table.

Real Madrid, a team that placed runner-up behind Barcelona for the past two seasons, needs every win they can get — while hoping that Barca slips up — if they have any chance of winning the league this season. They have a chance to secure three more points today in a game against Villarreal — but it won't be easy. Villarreal have won their last two and will want to come back from the international break in style.

If you're interested in watching Real Madrid vs. Villarreal in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Real Madrid vs. Villarreal?

Real Madrid vs. Villarreal in La Liga kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 10. This fixture takes place at the Bernabéu.

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TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is just $29.97 (reg. $219.99) through Oct. 11 during this Prime Day alternative sales event.

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Tip Toe is undeniably one the most talked-about TV shows of the year, with Russell T Davies' powerful drama making headlines and dominating discourse in the UK when it hit Channel 4 in May.

Now, the Doctor Who and It's a Sin showrunner's series is streaming in the U.S. through Starz, with American audiences now able to take on the most tense television they'll likely see this year.

Set in Manchester, a place close to Davies' Queer as Folk heart, Tip Toe is essentially the tale of two neighbours. Alan Cumming is magnificent as Leo, a proud gay man who owns a bar on Manchester’s famous queer hub, Canal Street. For 15 years, he's lived next door to Clive (an outstanding David Morrissey), an openly bigoted, straight family man who has become increasingly radicalised in the years they've been neighbours. And in the opening scene of Tip Toe, we see a chilling sight: Leo has been hanged outside their homes, Clive standing by in their street.

And from this horrifying scene, we jump back 10 days earlier, haunted by what's to come, and how it could have possibly happened in 2026.

Tip Toe comes at a time when anti-LGBTQ hate, online disinformation and radicalisation, and extreme bigotry are having very real, violent impacts on queer people — in both countries. "Fifteen years ago, everything was fine; now it just feels like it's ending," Leo says in the show. "Every tiny little thing that's happening, one by one, banning a book or removing a name or pulling down a flag. It seems like little things, but there's a sort of violence behind it."

Mashable sat down with Davies to unpack what it means for Tip Toe to reach U.S. viewers, the unfathomable hate and threats Davies endures daily as a visible gay activist and iconic LGBTQ showrunner, and why he decided to name Donald Trump in the first episode.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Shannon Connellan: Tip Toe is one the most talked-about TV shows of 2026. What has the public UK response been like for you?

Russell T. Davies: It's been a big surprise. I thought it was a cheap, Northern, queer, niche show about two neighbors. Television is so loud and fuelled by testosterone these days, with great big crimes, detectives, and vistas of foreign lands, and I feared we disappeared. So, for a story like this, for those two actors to punch through like they have — the entire cast is magnificent, but really, those two are so good — it's been a delight.

It's also been a slight horror in that in writing this, in saying what I believed about the state of the world, there was part of me hoping I was wrong. I would love to be wrong, but actually, the amount of people agreeing with me, and especially in the queer community, especially in the streets of Manchester, the number of people saying "Yes, oh my God, isn't it getting worse? I feel that too." It's been quite chilling — maybe a good thing, because maybe all we can do is try to fight against this. But I've definitely not been proved wrong. That's a strange result in the end.

As you said, Tip Toe is essentially a story of two neighbours, the absolutely brilliant Alan Cumming and David Morrissey. And parts may have been drawn from your real-life experience?

It's in two senses, actually. In Manchester, I work away a lot. I only became a writer so I could sit at home all day, and suddenly, over the past few decades, it's just been traveling. So, in my absence, I was very wary of a parcel being left outside, the house looking empty, and then being robbed. So I gave my neighbor my front door key. Now, my neighbor was lovely, a man called Mike. He sadly died last year, and I miss him so much. He was always there, keeping an eye on the street, and he was a tough old bastard; I loved him. But he also started to let himself into my house while I was there. I'd be sitting watching television, sometimes about 10 o'clock on a Saturday night, the door would just swing open: "Hello, Russell." Just to tell me that my gutter was blocked or a bit of gossip about Shirley next door.

There were no circumstances in which I would take that key back. But as a writer, that made me think of stories: What if I'd given my neighbour my key and then didn't like him? We've all not got on with a neighbour at some point in our lives, or even if we've never argued with the neighbor, there are the strange shifting sands of that subtle relationship.

David Morrissey as Clive in "Tip Toe." Credit: Starz / Channel 4

So, that's the plot, but the story of the whole thing is simply my reaction to the state of the world, where it's heading, and the rising tide of violence — and my particular fear that it is coming from the online world. We all know the online voice on these phones is full of anger, malice, misinformation, and disinformation, but it's now visibly crossing into the real world. In the transition of Tip Toe, there were two men shot at a gay bar in Tucson, Arizona, and the murderer had a list of gay establishments in his pocket. It's literally happening around us, on the streets. Anger online is crossing into the real world, which is genuinely alarming.

And as someone who's often stood up for gay rights very visibly — I'm an activist as much as I can be — and particularly because I put trans characters into things, that's set the targets of the crosshairs of the rifles on me, so that every day, every single day, I'm called a pedophile online. Every single day. There are people who have said that I'm grooming children. That's become a natural thing to say online about me. I'm fine, I can cope with that. But you imagine that happening to the trans people out there who aren't earning as much as me. They might be working in a bar. They might be living in a humble little flat in Manchester. No support. No backup. No defenses. And they've got to go through this much more ferociously than I ever have to suffer anything. So, that awareness just rose and rose and rose up on me until I had to write Tip Toe. It was as simple and as vital as that.

It is vital. And it's a tiny thing to say, but I'm sorry that you are dealing with that every day. That is horrendous.

Thank you, that's very kind. That's our world.

So, the name of the show Tip Toe comes through the character of Melba (Paul Rhys) in episode 1 . ("I used to walk into a room and say, 'Ta-da!' Now I tip toe, just in case.")

Good ol' Melba. I've never had a character so loved, never. I've written some nice characters in my time. In fact, people are obsessed with the lovely Paul Rhys. What a performance! We loved him so much, in the very last episode, he's got a great big speech about croissants, which is a very funny speech. That didn't exist originally. Then we started filming and everyone fell in love with him... So, I wrote that speech about croissants simply because we all love Paul Rhys so much.

Actually, it's your last chance to have a laugh in that episode. It's a little tiny moment in a relentless, merciless episode that has no hope whatsoever. There's a little shining moment of Melba being creative, imaginative, and funny that is your last gasp before you plunge into hell.

It's also a different Melba from episode 1, when she and Leo are talking about whether LGBTQ hate will "come back," and Melba is basically like, "Wake up, it's here!" This idea of queer visibility is such an interesting concept in Tip Toe; as Leo says at the end of the series, "Did we get it wrong?"

It's a hard one because visibility is absolutely what I fought for, and I've always believed that. I've done it with myself. Obviously, when I'm talking about these gay shows, I'll talk about gayness, but in any interview, if you were interviewing me about being Welsh and what's my favorite part of the Welsh countryside, I would drag the fact that I'm gay into the conversation absolutely deliberately, so that anyone out there being in the closet or not knowing themselves yet might be able to look at that and think, "Oh, you can just be out anywhere in any context."

I have a lifelong belief in that being a good thing — until we get to 2026, where actually, my visibility is getting me called a pedophile and a groomer to the extent that I think, actually, is my life in danger? I've begun to have those thoughts. I think I'm fine, I honestly do. But the fact that as an adult man I can begin to question my safety, in Manchester, in 2026, is just frankly astonishing. 

Alan Cumming as Leo in "Tip Toe." Credit: Starz / Channel 4

So, having always believed in visibility, then there was Melba as my voice piece saying, what if we got that wrong? What if visibility simply allowed them to aim their weapons at us? Because we never imagined hatred becoming so weaponized and, particularly, monetized. That's the problem. That's the trap that we're in now. It doesn't matter what you're voting — left wing, right wing, just doesn't matter — because the technology is in charge, and it is merciless. It is simply out for money. Wow, what a world!

What a world! We see a lot of this online radicalisation through the character of Clive, a chilling performance from David Morrissey. We see him watch conspiracies and violent videos, and openly spout disinformation. Part of your script that hits really hard here is when Leo says, "You've known me for 15 years, and you don't listen to me, but you listen to some dude that you've never never met on YouTube." That's such a real line.

Thank you. That was a good thing about them being neighbors actually, because you could quite easily write this drama about two men who just met, but I love the fact they've been neighbors for 14 years. But the world is changing around them, the way they start to see each other is changing, and that's fascinating. You look at it going, what happened?

It's a particularly dark take on technology. Clive soaks up every conspiracy theory and every death video he can possibly watch. And believe you me, when I was researching this, don't let real deaths into your algorithm. Oh my God, the things I've seen. You begin to see how people are damaged by that, and see, it's truly damaging material that you could be watching at eight years old. That's the thing. Every technological innovation goes wrong in this, or takes a turn to the bad side.

Shon Faye, an incredible writer, in her book Love In Exile, talks about friendships across queer generations and how they're policed by "by a dominant homophobic culture which has historically cast older queer people's intentions as predatory." And you really unpack this in Tip Toe with Leo's connection with George (Clive's teenage son, played by Jackson Connor). 

It's amazing how everyone you speak to says Leo is wrong to have that conversation with George, but three times in that conversation, he says, "Let me find someone else for you to talk to." Then we see he says to Lucille, the other bar owner [played by Rae O'Brien], "Have you still got that youth group?" She says, "Yes." He says, "Good, I've got a youth for you." He's clearly doing the right thing, and yet also I can see why everyone thinks it's wrong. And you think, what if George was suicidal? There are plenty of suicidal children out there, and and actually a lot of damage has been done to George.

The experience of watching Tip Toe is just constant tension, which I feel like might have been your intention?

Absolutely, it is very much so. I think it's the feel of wanting to hook an audience. We all watch thrillers and horror films. Sometimes it's got that horror film vibe: things getting worse and worse and worse. Don't open that door. Don't go up that staircase. What's going on in your house? What's going on in your house when you're not there? Those are horror tropes actually, and they work. They horrify us because they touch all your deep-seated fears about the safety of your house and who can you trust. Clive lives so close to Leo. He lives just through the wall, such a tiny distance. 

I'm almost sorry that I've finished with "neighbors at war" with this show because I just think you could write this stuff forever. I'm amazed there aren't more… It's brilliant. We all have neighbors, we all live in these relationships, and we're all slightly tense about them, so I would recommend that to any writers out there; go into "neighbors at war," because it always works. 

Obviously, this is a massive UK show, and now it's arriving in the U.S., which is awesome that Channel 4 commissioned it and Stars has picked it up. The U.S. and UK share way too many similarities in terms of what's happening to the rights of LGBTQ people. So how do you see Tip Toe landing with American audiences?

It works in the same way in the way that Queer As Folk worked over here. I mean, we're very similar societies in that sense. It's interesting to read a couple of major reviews have called those houses "apartments." It's interesting the way American eyes are seeing British architecture — how on Earth can you not see those as houses? I think there are tiny little questions like that. But really, love is love, and sex is sex, and gays are gays, and bigotry is bigotry, sadly, all over the world. 

I think the issues will resonate. And most importantly, people come along to a drama to watch great actors. It doesn't matter what I'm saying about whatever issues are afoot or whatever I think about the state of society. Come and watch Alan Cumming. Come and watch David Morrissey. Come watch the entire supporting cast. Some great young talent there.

So, you literally name Donald Trump in the show. Melba in episode one not only says, "The president of America has given men permission to attack us," but said president is named. Why was it important to you to name Trump?

Because we're living in history. He's the greatest historical figure of our lifetimes, and I say that with absolute terror in my heart. We were at a screening in Los Angeles of Tip Toe, and there were a lot of gay men there, and just casually having a little chat afterwards over a glass of wine, one said, "Does Donald Trump make the news in Britain? Do you talk about him?" I looked at him with absolute horror, going, "He's number one on the news every day." Every day I get up and brush my teeth, I turn on the radio, and the bloody voice says, "Donald Trump said this. Donald Trump said that."

My heart sinks to my boots every single day. We are terrified of him. I'm not sure America knows this, and I'm not quite sure they realize what we think of this country — while there might be one or two people supporting him, the vast majority look at America with absolute terror. There's a line of dialog in Years and Years where Russell Tovey says, "I never thought I'd be scared of America in a million years, but I am now." Even worse, now we're in the second presidency, and we're terrified, literally waiting for that nuclear flash on the horizon because I believe it's on its way.

I don't think you're wrong, unfortunately. What was the most challenging scene for you to write?

To be absolutely blunt, the mechanics of hanging someone, which I had to work out all on my own. I'm strangely delighted I got it exactly right… It just took a lot of plotting all the way through the show, and then going back and inserting things all throughout the script from the beginning.

But that's just a technical challenge. If you have a car chase or if you have a monster in Doctor Who or something, there's a lot of technical challenges. But it was more joy than challenges. I was sad that it was five episodes long, because I could have written 50 episodes of Leo and Clive talking together. You just see how much I'm enjoying writing it. That scene in towards the end of episode 1 where they sit down and discuss pronouns, eyes roll when you think, "Oh, it's a pronoun discussion." It's possibly the most boring problem in the world and it's so joyous, those two actors just rattled through it. [Tip Toe director] Peter Hoar's so cheeky, he actually leaves a big pause in it for a round of applause. Alan Cumming does a great big speech, but there's a pause — like Disney put in movies when you applaud the song. We had a great big screening at the British Film Institute, 500 people sitting in the audience, and he was right, he got a round of applause. 

Really, Tip Toe seems like your most furious writing yet. 

Yes, it is. In the end, there is no hope. I've never done that before. I was kind of made to. When I wrote Years and Years for the BBC, they insisted on some sort of happy ending, and I was like, OK. It's A Sin was so sad in real life that you can't leave people in absolute sadness — and in truth, a whole generation has survived HIV, so absolute sadness would have been the wrong note to end on. With this, it's a very unusual final episode for me: There is no hope. And actually, even after the hanging, I think it gets worse when you get told what happens to some of those people. It's really tough.

It's notably wonderful in Tip Toe, Leo is living a full life with HIV, which is really beautiful to see, and that's a nice reaction to It's a Sin. 

I was never able to show in It's a Sin that the medicine came along and saved lives, and now you can live a happy, healthy life with HIV. I was never able to do that. We begged Channel 4 to make a final episode set in the present day showing where everyone ended up, and they wouldn't give us the money. So, in those situations, you just wait. I just quietly sat there and waited. And along came Leo, who could show that.

Tip Toe is now streaming on Channel 4 in the UK and Starz in the U.S.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

It's been an exceptionally busy summer for smartphones, but the fall and winter are shaping up to be similarly intense.

Samsung launched its new foldable phones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8, in July, and followed up with the affordable Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in August.

And while the next-generation flagship phones, the Samsung S27, S27 Plus, and S27 Ultra, probably aren't coming until next February, reports out of Korea say the company has already started producing components for these phones. The most interesting among these will (of course) be the ultimate flagship, the Samsung S27 Ultra.

Samsung phones tend to leak very heavily ahead of their release, and the S27 Ultra is no exception. Here's everything we know about the highly anticipated follow-up to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

When will the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra be released?

No official date is set at this time, but Samsung typically launches its flagship phones in January or February. Last year's Galaxy S26 series of phones came fairly late, on Feb. 25, days ahead of the annual Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.

We're expecting the Galaxy S27 series to launch sometime in February. The company will certainly do it at a Galaxy Unpacked event, with availability following soon thereafter.

What will the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra design be like?

According to leaks and CAD renders of the upcoming S27 Ultra, Samsung is planning a major redesign of its flagship this year. Sure, on the front, it'll be just a massive display with a punch-hole selfie camera on top, but on the back, leaked renders reported by Android Headlines show a new camera bump, with a large rectangle hosting the camera system.

In terms of size, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will reportedly be ever so slightly larger than its predecessor, measuring 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm, with a 6.9-inch display. The phone will reportedly be 12.53mm thick if we count the camera bump, making it a little bit chunkier than the S26 Ultra, which measured 7.9mm in thickness. Note that the new Ultra will likely also be 7.9mm thick; it's only the camera bump that's making it thicker.

Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra: The rumored specs

The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is currently rumored to have the following specs, as reported by Phone Arena, GSMArena, and the well-known leaker IceUniverse:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 (and, possibly, Samsung's new Exynos 2700 chip, at least in some markets)

• Cameras: Triple camera system (down from quadruple), with a 200-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide. The 3x telephoto camera that was present on the previous model is gone.

• Selfie camera: 16 megapixels

• Battery: 5,700mAh with 60W wired charging

• Colors: Black, Blue, Light Pink, Violet, and White

• S Pen support: Yes

If true, this would be a meaningful upgrade from last year. The chip would be new, the battery larger, and the camera system completely overhauled, with new sensors across the board. Even the selfie camera would get a bump, from 12 to 16 megapixels.

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Leaker Ice Universe also has a very detailed rundown of everything that's new, including claims that Samsung changed the overall color tone to be a little warmer, improved highlight controls, and made the darker areas of photos sharper and less noisy.

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There's currently no word on memory and storage capacity, so most reports merely expect the new Ultra to mirror last year's model, which was available with either 12 or 16GB of RAM, and 256, 512, or 1TB of storage.

What else do we know about the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra?

One rumor says Samsung is adding a new authentication option called Polar ID. It's essentially a face recognition system, similar to Apple's Face ID (but with no need for a Dynamic Island-style cutout), which should be more reliable than what's typically seen on Android phones.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra cost?

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Now we arrive at the hard part. The memory chip supply crunch is still ongoing, and phone manufacturers, including Samsung, have been steadily increasing the prices of their devices.

While there's no word on the Samsung S27 Ultra's pricing yet, the S26 Ultra started at $1,299, but Samsung recenlty raised the price to $1,399. We expect that the S27 Ultra will also start at $1,399. That's backed up by a new leak from @phonefuturist on X, who reported that the Ultra would cost $1,399 at launch.

• Galaxy S27 Ultra: $1,399

• Galaxy S27 Pro: $1,299

• Galaxy S27+: $1,099

• Galaxy S27: $899

If that leak is true, Samsung would (in a sense) be making up for the Ultra's recent price increase by launching a brand new S27 Pro device at the Ultra's old price of $1,299.

Remember: Samsung phones tend to leak like a firehose as the launch date approaches, and we're expecting many more Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra rumors in the months ahead. We'll regularly update this guide as we learn more, so keep checking back.

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SAVE $60: As of Oct. 10, the DJI Neo 4K Mini Camera Drone has been discounted to $139.99 at Amazon. That's $60 off the regular list price of $199.99.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Neo 4K Mini Camera Drone

$139.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60

 

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Listen up drone flyers: If you're not already scrambling to get your hands on a new DJI camera drone, you soon will be. Recent legislation has effectively banned the future import of DJI drones from China to the U.S., so availability of DJI drones in this country will become scarce, and prices are likely to soar, erm, sky high.

So, if you do get the chance to land a great deal on a DJI drone between now and then, we recommend grabbing it before it flies out of reach. That being the case, we're obliged to point you towards a 30% price cut on the DJI Neo.

As of Oct. 10, the DJI Neo 4K Mini Camera Drone is priced at just $139.99. That gives you a $60 savings off the regular list price of $199.99. That's a new record-low price for this drone at Amazon, according to camelcamelcamel.

The DJI Neo is small — it can take off from the palm of your hand — but it's got a powerful set of features for high-quality video. It can track subjects and offers different QuickShots modes, including shooting while flying in circular, helical, and boomerang patterns. You can also use voice control via the app. And did we mention it's lots of fun just to actually fly it?

Get the DJI Neo 4K mini camera drone for $139.99 and save yourself $60 this weekend.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 17e is free with T-Mobile. To claim this offer, simply switch to T-Mobile on most plans.

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Credit: Apple

T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17e for free

 

Shop Now

T-Mobile has been the home of incredible iPhone deals all year. We've been blessed by free giveaways on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro in recent times. Those deals are not live right now, but you can still walk away with an iPhone for free this weekend.

The Apple iPhone 17e is totally free right now with T-Mobile. To qualify for this wild offer, you simply need to switch to T-Mobile on most plans. It really doesn't get any simpler than that. There's no trade in. There's no restrictions on which plan you choose. It's plain and simple.

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year commitment, you will need to pay the remaining balance. That's how these free deals work — you're making a commitment to stay with T-Mobile. You do also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout. But don't let that hold you back.

We reviewed the iPhone 17e earlier this year, and we largely liked what we saw. Stan Schroeder said "the iPhone 17e is a decent upgrade over its predecessor, and a good choice if you want the cheapest new iPhone you can get." If you don't need all the power of the iPhone 18 Pro, it's a solid choice for normal users.

Get the Apple iPhone 17e for free this weekend with T-Mobile.

SAVE $300: As of Oct. 10, the Samsung S84F 77-Inch Class OLED TV is marked down to $1,297.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of $300 off the regular list price of $1,597.99.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 84F 77-Inch Class OLED TV

$1,297.83 at Amazon
$1,597.99 Save $300.16

 

Get Deal

For fans of streaming, movie-watching, boxset bingeing, gaming, and generally lazing in front of their favorite shows (that should cover just about everyone), there are few greater pleasures than finding a remarkable smart TV at a remarkable price. That's what you get with this Amazon deal on the Samsung S84F 77-Inch Class OLED TV.

As of Oct. 10, the Samsung S84F 77-Inch Class OLED TV has been marked down to $1,297.99. It's usually priced at $1,597.99, giving you a discount of $1,597.99.

I count Samsung as one of the very best TV brands around, thanks to their sharp displays, easy-to-navigate operating system, and slick syncing with Samsung soundbars. This 4K TV is no exception. And at 77 inches, it's a beast. TVs do come bigger, but not by much.

Special features include AI-powered image enhancement and stacks of gamer-friendly specs. It's an entry-level OLED model, but it gives you tons of features and quality for the marked-down price.

Get the Samsung S84F 77-Inch Class OLED TV for just $1,297.99 and save $300 this weekend.

TL;DR: Watch PSG vs. Le Mans in Ligue 1 for free on CazéTV. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ligue 1 returns this weekend following a two-week hiatus for international soccer. Today's fixtures from the French league include PSG vs. Le Mans, which will see the usually dominant PSG try to maintain form after a shaky start to the season.

Le Mans are just one point behind PSG in the table and could cause problems for the defending Ligue 1 champions.

If you're interested in watching PSG vs. Le Mans in Ligue 1 from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is PSG vs. Le Mans?

PSG vs. Le Mans in Ligue 1 kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 10. This fixture takes place at the Parc des Princes.

How to watch PSG vs. Le Mans for free

PSG vs. Le Mans in Ligue 1 is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream PSG vs. Le Mans for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream PSG vs. Le Mans for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch PSG vs. Le Mans 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 generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch PSG vs. Le Mans without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus additional Ligue 1) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Ligue 1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream PSG vs. Le Mans for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Barcelona vs. Getafe in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

La Liga is back following a two-week break for the UEFA Nations League. Today's games include La Liga leaders Barcelona against Getafe.

Spanish football fans will expect a win for Barca, a team with an impressive five-point lead at the top of the league table. But with seven straight wins, they're sure to falter at some point. Will Getafe be the first team to put a dent in their perfect record?

If you're interested in watching Barcelona vs. Getafe in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Barcelona vs. Getafe?

Barcelona vs. Getafe in La Liga kicks off at 12.30 p.m. ET on Oct. 10. This fixture takes place at Camp Nou.

How to watch Barcelona vs. Getafe for free

Barcelona vs. Getafe in La Liga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Barcelona vs. Getafe for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Barcelona vs. Getafe for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Barcelona vs. Getafe 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 generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Barcelona vs. Getafe without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more La Liga action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Barcelona vs. Getafe for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Babbel lifetime access is only $134.99 (reg. $299) with the StackSocial code LEARN through Oct. 13.

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Credit: Babbel

Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages)

$134.99
$299 Save $164.01

 

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Learning a new language isn’t easy, but it also might not be as hard as some apps make it seem. If memorizing vocab lists isn’t working for you, check out Babbel. They take a more practical approach to teaching, and there’s even an AI conversation partner who can help you practice your pronunciation.

Normally, a Babbel lifetime subscription would cost $299, but it’s on sale for just $134.99 during this Deal Days sale with the StackSocial code LEARN. Check out what that gets you.

Babbel gives you lifetime access to courses in 14 different languages, and the format is designed to fit into real life. Each lesson takes around 10 to 15 minutes, so you can actually stick with it whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just squeezing in some study time between meetings.

Here are a few of the included languages:

• Spanish

• French

• German

• Italian

• Portuguese

• Swedish

And that’s just the beginning.

Unlike other apps that focus heavily on word games or repetitive matching drills, Babbel centers its content around practical conversation topics. You’ll get lessons on travel, shopping, business, culture, and more, all developed by expert linguists and backed by academic research. Speech recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation, while the new AI-powered conversation partner lets you practice speaking in real time.

Lessons sync across devices, so you can start on your computer and finish on your phone. There’s also an offline mode if you want to download lessons in advance. You can move at your own pace, revisit review sessions, and switch between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels based on your comfort level.

Use code LEARN through Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Babbel lifetime subscription for only $134.99 with StackSocial’s code LEARN.

Click here to view more of the Deal Days collection.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE OVER $500: As of Oct. 10, the Samsung Odyssey G9 Curved 49-Inch Gaming Monitor is marked down to $797.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of $502 off the regular list price of $1299.99.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Odyssey G9 Curved 49-Inch Gaming Monitor

$797.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $502

 

Get Deal

There's nothing like losing yourself in the total immersion of gaming worlds. But getting to that level of gaming requires serious hardware — such as a monster-sized curved monitor — and that kind of thing usually comes at a steep price. That's why it's worth jumping on any deal on premium gaming gear.

Amazon has one such deal right now: 39% off the Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch curved gaming monitor — a huge monitor that creates a wraparound effect, putting you deep into the game.

As of Oct. 10, the Samsung Odyssey G9 49-Inch curved gaming monitor is down to $797.99. It's usually priced at $1,299.99, which means you get a full $502 discount — savings as massive as the monitor itself.

Samsung is one of the absolute best names in TV and monitor tech, so there's no doubting the quality of this model. It delivers QHD resolution (5120 x 1440), a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. It's equipped with HDR and motion smoothing technology for fluid, eye-popping visuals. It's also fully adjustable to achieve optimal positioning and performance.

Get the Samsung Odyssey G9 49-Inch curved gaming monitor with a savings of over $500. Now priced at $797.99.

TL;DR: Watch Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid in La Liga for free on SportyNet. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

La Liga is back in action today, and all eyes are on Atlético Madrid. A strong start to the season has seen them go second in the La Liga table. Betis and Real Madrid are right behind them, so every win counts. Today they visit Deportivo Aláves, a team with a fair start to the 2026/27 season, but are winless in the last three league games. Can Aláves find their form against the No. 2 team?

If you're interested in watching Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid?

Deportivo Aláves vs. Atletico Madrid in La Liga kicks off at 10.15 a.m. ET on Oct. 10. This fixture takes place at Mendizorrotza Stadium.

How to watch Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid for free

Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid in La Liga is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid vs. Villarreal for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid 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 generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more La Liga action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga for free on SportyNet. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Bundesliga is back after a two-break for the UEFA Nations League, and Bayern Munich are looking to pick up where they left off. Their last league game saw them win 7-0 over Union Berlin. But they're behind Dortmund at the top of the table by two points. Now they face Augsburg, currently fourth in the Bundesliga.

If you're interested in watching Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich?

Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga kicks off at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 9. This fixture takes place at the WWK Arena.

How to watch Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich for free

Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich 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 generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Bundesliga?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

An athletic driver.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

RACER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To hit.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SMITE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Similar.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

ALIKE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Earth's movement.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ORBIT

Final Hurdle hint

A medical condition.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

PALSY

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

TL;DR: Watch Chelsea vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Premier League has been on a two-week hiatus for the Nations League, but the English top-tier returns today. Games include Chelsea vs. Bournemouth.

Following a strong start to 2026/27, Chelsea have slipped down the league table after failing to win their last three games. They've fared better than Bournemouth, however, who haven't quite found their footing after the departure of manager Andoni Iraola. The Cherries haven't secured a single league win so far this season. Can they turn it around against Chelsea?

If you're interested in watching Chelsea vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Chelsea vs. Bournemouth?

Chelsea vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 10. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.

How to watch Chelsea vs. Bournemouth for free

Chelsea vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Chelsea vs. Bournemouth for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Bournemouth for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Chelsea vs. Bournemouth 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 generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. Bournemouth without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Premier League?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Bournemouth for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's the New Moon tonight, and no, despite it being the perfect season to start a rewatch, this has nothing to do with the Twilight sequel. The New Moon is the part of the lunar cycle where the Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark. Essentially, it is invisible to us.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Oct. 10, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the New Moon phase, with 0% of its surface visible.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes an orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During that time, its position changes relative to the Earth and Sun, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible to us. This produces the familiar lunar phases, beginning with a thin crescent and progressing through the quarter phases before reaching a Full Moon. The sequence then repeats as the Moon continues its orbit. According to NASA, the phase visible from Earth is determined by the Moon's changing position in relation to both Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Singapore GP for free with the Prime Video app.

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Credit: Amazon

Apple TV Prime Video Channel

Watch the Singapore GP for free with a 7-day trial

Shop Now

Kimi Antonelli still tops the F1 standings coming into the Singapore GP, but he missed out on race wins in Azerbaijan and Malaysia. The young star maintains a comfortable lead over teammate George Russell, but it does feel like anyone can win right now. It's been a while since we've been able to say that, so we'll enjoy this moment while it lasts.

The action heads to the Marina Bay Circuit this weekend. There's a packed schedule of racing to look forward to, including a Sprint. There's something special about a weekend featuring a Sprint.

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Singapore GP?

The Singapore GP is the 17th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Marina Bay Circuit:

• Practice 1 — 4:30-5:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 9

• Sprint Qualifying — 8:30-9:14 a.m. ET on Oct. 9

• Sprint — 5-6 a.m. ET on Oct. 10

• Qualifying — 9-10 a.m. ET on Oct. 10

• Race — 8 a.m. ET on Oct. 11

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Singapore GP for free

Amazon Prime delivers fast shipping, discounts, and access to the Prime Video library.

For F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video is particularly interesting this season. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you access to select races for free, including this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. The subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after the seven-day trial, but you can disable the automatic renewal and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

If you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is questionable. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you're truly spending nothing to stream this weekend's race.

If you've already made use of this method, you still have a few workarounds:

• Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

• Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

• Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

Draft meaning

A preliminary, unfinished version of a written work or drawing.

Notes meaning

A brief written record, message or observation used to remember or communicate information.

Outline meaning

A brief summary and structured plan of main ideas for a writing project.

Thesis meaning

A central claim or main idea in a piece of writing.

Feed meaning

A constantly updating scrollable list of content on a website or social media app.

Messages meaning

A short piece of information, news or a request sent in written, spoken or electronic form.

Notifications meaning

A written message, alert, or document that conveys information.

Profile meaning

A collection of personal data on an online account.

Beat meaning

To strike a person, object or surface repeatedly.

Kick meaning

To strike out with the foot or feet.

Shadow meaning

A dark shape or area that forms on a surface when an object blocks a source of light

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Un meaning

A prefix added to the front of words to change them to their opposite or negative meaning.

Figure meaning

To assume, guess or believe something will happen.

Gather meaning

To conclude something intuitively from hints or evidence.

Imagine meaning

To picture or visualize something or someone in your mind.

Suppose meaning

To think something is likely.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a doomscroller.

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.

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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.

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

• Yellow: Essay

• Green: I think so

• Blue: Instagram settings

• Purple: Muhammad Ali

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Useful when writing a paper

• Green: Presume

• Blue: Social media sections

• Purple: ___Boxing

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 #1216 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Useful when writing a paper: DRAFT, NOTES, OUTLINE, THESIS

• Presume: FIGURE, GATHER, IMAGINE, SUPPOSE

• Social media sections: FEED, MESSAGES, NOTIFICATIONS, PROFILE

• ___Boxing: BEAT, KICK, SHADOW, UN

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you love sugar.

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: A slow drizzle

The words are related to sugary treats.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe corn syrups.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Sticky and Sweet.

NYT Strands word list for October 10

• Molasses

• Honey

• Syrup

• Sticky and Sweet

• Treacle

• Grenadine

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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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not smooth sailing.

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.

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.

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

Rocky.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BUMPY

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.

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.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 today's Wordle.

Avatar: Seven Havens launches the Avatar franchise into a post-apocalyptic future, and in its second episode, it may have unveiled one of the apocalypse's biggest threats.

The episode, fittingly titled "Into the Storm," sees a massive lightning storm encroach upon the desert haven of Ellora. As the Ellorans worry about the lightning coming from above, they also face a strange threat coming from below. Red bursts of lightning tear across the ground of the city, stopping when they reach a large square. There, they coalesce into a red and black diamond that leaps from the ground and flies around the city, shooting a beam of light at everyone from Brigade Commander Bountan (voiced by Clyde Kusatsu) to twin Avatars Pavi and Nisha (voiced by Saheli Khan and Aishu Devan).

The first three episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens don't reveal exactly what this strange energy monster is. But based on its brief appearance here, we can make some educated guesses. Let's dig into what this threat — which Bountan calls a "demon" — could be.

Is the energy monster in Avatar: Seven Havens Vaatu?

First things first: When I see a frightening red and black energy creature in the Avatar world, I immediately think of Vaatu, the spirit of chaos and darkness first introduced in The Legend of Korra. Could Seven Havens' demonic diamond be related to him in some way?

Based on the color scheme, the answer seems like it could be a yes, especially since the energy monster's diamond shape also shares a lot in common with Vaatu's pointy kite form. Still, it's unlikely that this creature is Vaatu himself. It takes 10,000 years for Vaatu and his counterpart Raava's power to peak during Harmonic Convergence, and it's only been a little over 200 years since the last Harmonic Convergence during The Legend of Korra. Unless Seven Havens' cataclysm reordered the planets, it's unlikely that Vaatu himself will be back so fast. Instead, it's more likely that this spooky diamond is some kind of corrupted spirit.

What did the spirit diamond want with Pavi and Nisha?

The spirit diamond seems to be incredibly content wreaking havoc around Ellora until it runs into Pavi and Nisha. Then, it just stops and takes them in for a moment, before shooting them with a beam.

The beam transports Pavi and Nisha to a strange vision, where they see themselves being separated in a desert during what appears to be a sandstorm. They also see a flash of the Republic City skyline riddled with explosions: perhaps a sign of the world undergoing the cataclysm. Once Pavi and Nisha awaken from their vision, the spirit is gone, its diamond pattern embedded in the earth.

What did the energy monster want with Pavi and Nisha, and why did it vanish after somehow communing with them? The answer is likely tied to the fact that they're both Avatars, as the Avatar is meant to be the bridge between the human and spirit world. Clearly, the divide between those worlds has grown hazy in Avatar: Seven Havens, but perhaps spirits like this one are still seeking the Avatar out. As for the vision, perhaps this spirit is trying to communicate some memories to Pavi and Nisha — both their own, and maybe even Korra's.

What happens if you come into contact with the spirit monster?

While Pavi and Nisha emerge from their encounter with this spirit unchanged, the same can't be said for Commander Bountan. By the episode's end, he's overcome with what seems like a strange possession: His eye has gone red, and he warns Commander Karthik (Akshay Khanna) that "it is coming." Whether the "it" is another spirit demon or something else entirely, Seven Havens has yet to answer.

The strange spirit demon shenanigans continue in episode 3, when a camel-dillo goes rogue in the city. Like Bountan, its eyes are red, although Pavi manages to calm it down through the power of song. Did the camel-dillo also get blasted by the spirit's ray? Or did it pick up Bountan's strange possession some other way? After all, the diamond left a series of glowing red geometric crystals behind it. Perhaps being around those is enough to affect someone.

The first three episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens are now streaming on Paramount+. New episodes premiere every Friday through Oct. 30.

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Marvel's whiplash New York Comic Con announcements have brought fans disappointing cancellation news, sneak previews, and, of course, more secrecy.

Taking to the stage Oct. 8, Marvel execs announced the end of Daredevil: Born Again, which will conclude with its third season next year. The team also gave attendees a taste of the upcoming third season of X-Men '97 and VisionQuest, the last installment of the Scarlet Witch's television saga. But the online buzz is all about its mysterious new show, Zodiac, set to debut in 2028.

Flashing the new logo on the big screen, Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum wouldn't say much about the show's plot or characters — perhaps some meta marketing for what is being dubbed a Marvel universe spy drama — but he did hint there was more than meets the eye. "If you're a fan of the comics, there is a lot hidden in that logo," Winderbaum nudged.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is sprawling, and it has long blurred the lines between comic canon and Hollywood fantasy. For comic lovers, the phrase "Zodiac" conjures a myriad of puzzling possibilities. Winderbaum, we may need some help.

What is the 'Zodiac' logo hiding?

Marvel appears to be teasing an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. connection, using part of the counter terrorism and intelligence organization's logo as its "A."

It's the "O" — some kind of mechanical circle that appears to be breaking apart — that's thrown fans or a loop. One Mashable editor likened it to Tony Stark's arc reactor, pre-Iron Man 3. Others online described it as a broken shield or a spinning wheel.

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Who is in 'Zodiac'?

The cast has yet to be announced, but some fans have already theorized that it will see the return of familiar favorites, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg).

How does 'Zodiac' appear in the Marvel comics?

The phrase first appears in the original Avengers comic series, referring to a criminal organization made up of villains named after the 12 Zodiac signs. The name was donned by several illicit organizations across the comic universe thereafter, and then revived in its original celestial form, but with a new name, in Jonathan Hickman's "Secret Warriors" and "S.H.I.E.L.D." comics. 

Zodiac has also appeared in Agent Carter as the name of a chemical weapon.

Here are the internet's current running theories on what Zodiac is about:

'Zodiac' is a 'Secret Invasion' do-over

Nick Fury's re-entry into the Marvel universe, Secret Invasion was widely considered a disappointment among fans. But it did feature the same conspiracy-filled, espionage-laced plot lines that Zodiac seems to be teasing, and fans want to see it done right.

So could the new show be another attempt to have Fury lead a team of covert operatives against a global, political threat? In the Hickman comics, Zodiac is refashioned into an organization called "The Great Wheel" and is comprised of the world's top spymasters, including S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra leaders. In this story, the Great Wheel was started by — this is not a joke — a time traveling Leonardo da Vinci.

Maybe Fury's younger brother, the yet-to-be portrayed Jake and his alter ego Scorpio, could finally make an appearance? And instead of time travel, maybe we have some more multiverse tomfoolery ahead of us?

'Zodiac' is Marvel TV's stab at the Secret Avengers

Some on the Mashable team suggest it could be a loose adaptation of the Secret Avengers, a 2010 comic series that convened a black-ops group of Marvel heroes including Moon Knight, Black Widow, Ant Man, and War Machine, as well as X-Men icon Beast. Series writer Nick Spencer asserted it was squarely in the universe of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the time, calling out both Nick Fury and Agent Coulson in early promo.

We saw two versions of this plot play out already in the MCU, however, through Steve Rogers' rogue Avengers crew in Captain America: Civil War and the latest rag tag team of villains-turned-heroes in the Thunderbolts.

'Zodiac' is literally about the Zodiac Killer

"Wild prediction: Zodiac (2028) is a spiritual successor to Zodiac (2007) and is set in between Infinity War and Endgame, in which Tony Stark, Bruce Banner and a disguised Quentin Beck team up to find a serial killer," wrote one reddit user.

Ok, so this one may just be for fellow fans of David Fincher's 2007 masterpiece Zodiac, and likely isn't what's going on here. But I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Zodiac (2007) stars Mark Ruffalo as a seasoned investigator on the hunt for a killer. Maybe Bruce Banner has some spy skills in him?

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According to a new report from the Financial Times, OpenAI has informed investors that the company is expected to make $50 billion in revenue for the year.

That's a lot of money, but it's also a full $20 billion less than earlier projections from just last month, which predicted the company would earn $70 billion in annual revenue.

AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are in the midst of an unprecedented infrastructure spending spree, with the AI industry spending trillions on data centers and other resources. And as CNN noted, the Financial Times' report could "rattle investors" worried that these companies won't be able to turn a profit after all.

Tech stocks took a hit on the market after the revenue shortfall was reported.

According to the Financial Times, the $70 billion figure didn't come from OpenAI itself, but rather from investors comparing OpenAI's revenue with its main competitor, Anthropic. The latter's revenue projections include revenue from cloud providers, whereas OpenAI does not include this in its revenue numbers.

OpenAI raised $122 billion in March at a valuation of $852 billion. OpenAI has recently been seeking an additional $30 billion in funds at a valuation of around $1.4 trillion.

However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced last month that he was delaying the company's IPO and that it would not be coming in 2026. Altman cited concerns regarding AI safety as the reason for the delay.

While Anthropic still plans to go public sometime this year, the OpenAI competitor's prospectus points to some revenue troubles as well. The company lost $42 billion in 2025.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Samsung's next batch of flagship phones now has a tentative price tag.

A leaker on X going by @phonefuturist (cited by AndroidHeadlines) posted starting prices for the four phones that are currently expected to make up the Galaxy S27 lineup. These would be the base S27, the S27+, the new S27 Pro, and the S27 Ultra, for the uninitiated. The prices are as follows:

• Galaxy S27: $899

• Galaxy S27+: $1,099

• Galaxy S27 Pro: $1,299

• Galaxy S27 Ultra: $1,399

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It should be noted that this information is not coming from Samsung directly and should be taken with a grain of salt. Even if the prices are real at this point in time, they are also subject to change before the phones launch early next year. The global memory crisis is still ongoing, and a lot could change in just a few months.

That said, there are some interesting insights here. First, the S27 and S27+ are said to be $100 cheaper than the S26 equivalents currently cost. Samsung recently jacked up the prices on the 2026 models by $100, so if the leaked prices for the S27 lineup are true, that price increase will not necessarily carry forward to the new phones at launch.

However, the S27 Ultra's reported $1,399 price is consistent with the recent price increase of the S26 Ultra. It seems like the S26 Pro, which is a new device, will slot in between the S27+ and S27 Ultra as a slightly more affordable premium flagship phone. AndroidHeadlines noted that the display specs shared in the X post indicate the S27 and S27+ will not necessarily be true flagships compared to the S27 Pro and Ultra, but we'll have to wait until closer to launch to learn exactly how true that is.

The civil lawsuit claiming that Jane Doe was drugged and raped by seven Chi Phi fraternity members at Cornell University has caused an eruption of content on social media, from the "I am Jane Doe" campaign to help conceal the woman's identity to celebrities like Florence Pugh posting about the allegations.

Now, a coalition of feminist and tech justice organizations claim Meta is censoring content about the case.

"We're in the midst of a classic censorship cycle designed to silence survivor voices," said Jenna Sherman, campaign director at women-led gender-justice organization UltraViolet, in a press release shared with Mashable. "First, Cornell tried to cover up this horrific case. Then, legacy media ignored it."

Jane Doe's lawsuit brings several claims against the university, including negligence and negligent supervision. Student journalists at The Cornell Daily Sun are credited with amplifying the story.

"Now, after Jane Doe and brave student journalists finally brought this story to light, Meta appears to be censoring content about the case across its platforms," Sherman continued.

Shortly after Pugh posted a statement in support of Jane Doe, she said Instagram placed a "sensitive-content" warning on her post, which prevented some people from seeing it and scrolling through the carousel. "Am I being censored for talking about rape?" she asked. Meta confirmed to TMZ that it initially placed the warning on the post, but has since lifted it.

But the coalition states that even a second post about the case was covered by the same label. "Pugh is one of many users claiming that their posts are being censored, labeled, or shadowbanned by Instagram, Facebook, and Threads," they wrote.

UltraViolet, as well as other gender justice, tech accountability, and pro-democracy organizations, have launched a joint campaign in response. In a petition with over 29,000 signatures at the time of this writing, they call on Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri to stop censoring posts about the Cornell case.

"Meta has no business making it difficult for users — and particularly women users — to engage in these conversations. Blocking this content sends a dangerous signal that sounding the alarm on rape culture is worse than rape itself," the ActionNetwork petition reads. "It feels blatantly obvious that women’s safety is not actually Meta's priority, but that silencing us is."

A Meta spokesperson told Mashable over email, "To protect victims and survivors, and to give people the choice whether to view content they may find upsetting, our policy is to apply a warning screen to detailed descriptions of sexual assault and limit that content to adults. Because of the newsworthiness of this case, we quickly lifted that warning screen for adults to better allow free discussion."

In addition to UltraViolet, the full coalition includes Democracy for America Advocacy Fund, Kairos Fellowship, National Campaign for Justice, National Organization for Women (NOW), National Women's Defense League (NWDL), Reckoning Action, ReproAction, Repro Uncensored, Safe Horizon, Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), TakeItBack.Org, The Juggernaut Project, and Women's March.

In addition to signing the petition, the coalition encourages people to report post takedowns and flags to the nonprofit Repro Uncensored (RU), which tracks instances of post and account removal. RU founder and executive director, Martha Dimitratou, said the reports RU is receiving are deeply concerning and expose harms to freedom of speech and democracy.

"These reports reflect a wider pattern documented by Repro Uncensored in thousands of digital censorship cases across more than 50 countries affecting feminist advocacy, reproductive health information, and communities facing discrimination, with critical information removed, accounts disabled and advocates left without clear explanations or meaningful appeals," she said. Mashable reported on these instances in May.

"When social media platforms bury conversations about sexual violence, they don’t just limit speech; they help create the silence in which rape culture thrives," NOW president Kim Villanueva stated in a press release.

UPDATE: Oct. 9, 2026, 5:14 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with a comment from a Meta spokesperson.

It's easy to forget that Sony launched a fancy, expensive VR headset for PlayStation 5 just a few years ago. It's seemingly only going to get easier going forward.

That's because Sony just sold 419 VR-and-XR-related patents to Meta, per a report from ZDNet Korea. 43 of those were filed in the United States alone, and they include patents for things like head-mounted displays.

It's unclear what exactly this means for Sony's future VR efforts, but doing this just three and a half years after the launch of PlayStation VR 2 (amidst product shortages, per GamesRadar) suggests that the company isn't especially interested in making another headset anytime soon. It should be noted that PSVR2 has not been officially discontinued, even if it has been difficult to find in stock recently.

This isn't terribly surprising, even if it is a bit of a bummer for those who value high-end console VR experiences. The PSVR2 headset was hailed as an excellent piece of hardware by Mashable and other outlets when it launched in 2023, but a critical lack of software support over the years has made it feel like a dead platform, even if it technically isn't one at the time of publication.

On Meta's side of things, acquiring several hundred VR patents is interesting given the company's recent up-and-down relationship with the technology. Earlier this year, Meta laid off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division and shut down the VR portion of its Horizon Worlds app. However, the company also just announced VR glasses, a new product category, so it seems like Mark Zuckerberg's VR ambitions haven't died just yet. This latest development is another point of evidence in that direction.

Hurricane Isaias is making its way toward landfall on the Gulf Coast late tonight or early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm strengthened to Category 3 on Friday morning as it continued to push its way toward shore, the National Hurricane Center confirmed.

Spaghetti models predict the storm to make landfall somewhere between Gulf Shores, Alabama and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, according to storm tracking site Cyclocane. Spaghetti models are collections of storm-tracking forecasts that plot the storm's path and are overlaid on a map to provide a rough consensus on its track. It's important to realize that, regardless of where the storm makes landfall, Hurricane Isaias is a large storm with hurricane-force winds extending up to 30 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 185 miles, according to the 8 a.m. ET NHC forecast.

As the storm pushes in toward land, Hurricane Isaias' arrival can be watched in real-time via cams along the Gulf Coast. We've gathered a collection of webcams that are livestreaming now.

Pensacola, Florida webcams

The YouTube channel Florida Traffic, which sources its camera feeds from the Florida Department of Transportation, has a livestream showing road conditions in Pensacola as Hurricane Isaias approaches.

Another YouTube channel, the Santa Rosa Island Authority, has three cameras pointed along the beach in Santa Rosa Island, located between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach.

Fort Walton Beach webcams

The Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach hotel's YouTube channel features a view of Okaloosa Island in the Pensacola area as the storm rolls in.

Gulf Shores, Alabama beach webcams

The Beach Club Resort & Spa's YouTube channel offers an elevated live view of Gulf Shores.

Biloxi, Mississippi beach webcams

The City of Biloxi YouTube channel features a webcam from the top of the city's lighthouse. It provides a view of the beach and the road that runs along it.

This story will be updated as more livestreams become available.

Other Mommy crept into the public consciousness over the summer with a scary trailer playing ahead of The Odyssey in theaters nationwide.

From the title and the bit of body horror teased in that clip alone, many grown-ups saw similarities to Coraline, in which a little girl battles with a deformed doppelgänger of her own mother. But before you think this means Other Mommy would be a good pick for a spooky season night out with your scary-story-loving kid, let's break down what you might want to know first. 

Light spoilers ahead for Other Mommy. 

What's Other Mommy about? 

Credit: Universal Pictures

Based on Josh Malerman's New York Times best-selling novel Incidents Around the House, Other Mommy centers on Bela (Arabella Olivia Clark), a 7-year-old girl who has been talking to an entity she calls "other mommy." As you might guess, Other Mommy (Jessica Chastain) looks a lot like Bela's real mommy, Ursula (also Jessica Chastain). This makes for several troubling sequences where Bela isn't sure if she's talking to her mom or the entity. 

When Ursula and Bela's dad, Russ (Jay Duplass), become aware of Other Mommy and her magical ability to kidnap their daughter to far-off locations in the blink of an eye, they try desperately to stop it. But along the way, there will be casualties and lots of jump scares. 

A special warning to families of divorce: 

Credit: Universal Pictures

Other Mommy might be especially troubling to your children. Part of the power Other Mommy has in the film comes from Bela's fear that her parents' might split up.

While she's very close with her stay-at-home father, Daddo (as she calls Russ), Bela views her mother with a suspicion that Ursula would rather be anywhere else than in their home. This divide between daughter and mother is how Other Mother becomes such a compelling temptation. She's never too tired to play. She always smiles. She gives Bela whatever she asks for. Of course, what she wants in exchange is a hefty price to pay, as teased in the trailer. 

How scary is Other Mommy? 

Credit: Universal Pictures

Fairly scary! For one thing, the jump scare that had Odyssey audiences gagged happens before the film's opening title card!

Director Rob Savage has made a name in horror with two terrific movies (Host, The Boogeyman) that make great use of jump scares. (He also made the abysmal and totally-worth-skipping Dashcam. So, don't let a spooky season marathon lead you there.)

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Savage estimated Other Mommy has "oh, like 50" jump scares in its 93-minute runtime. By my count, that's an exaggeration. However, I am a full-grown adult who did jump and scream loudly multiple times in this movie. It's fun and frightening, no doubt.

Much of the scares are centered around the eponymous entity, who, beyond being able to look like a creepshow version of Jessica Chastain, can shape-shift into other freaky forms too. And when Other Mommy gets mad, the violence she enacts involves some brutal violence, blood, and guts glitter. 

What rating is Other Mommy?

This movie is rated R for cursing (yes, the f-word included), violence, and gore. 

There are also sequences where young Bela is confronted with some hard truths about her parents. 

How does Other Mommy compare to Coraline? 

Credit: Universal Pictures

Both focus on a little girl with a sharp bob who develops a relationship with an otherworldly double of her own mother. Each film is grounded in that girl's perspective, regarding the doppelgänger with a mix of awe and terror. In both, doorways possess magic to hide and connect the child and the other maternal figure. Both movies have scary bits where the young heroine is put at risk. Both are pretty scary for adults, and for kids more so. 

For what it's worth, I once asked Coraline director Henry Selick how old he thought someone should be before watching his adaptation of Neil Gaiman's book. He said, "At least 12." 

So, here's what I'll say: If your kid isn't ready for Coraline, they're not ready for Other Mommy.

Even if the swearing doesn't bother you and blood doesn't tend to spook your spawn, Other Mommy takes these scares to a more intense level. Being live-action, there's a greater horror in seeing the grown-ups around Bela be unraveled by Other Mommy, in very graphically violent ways. And beyond that, the idea that an evil entity can look like a parent might well leave your kid spooked by you after the credits roll. 

How old should a kid be to see Other Mommy? 

Credit: Universal Pictures

Generally, I'd say in their teens, but with the caveat that you know your kid better than I do.

I will warn, when I was 11 or 12, I would have done whatever I needed to do to see a movie like Other Mommy — and I did. I watched slashers and Tim Curry's IT, and every Child's Play movie I could find when my parents weren't looking. And I suspect curious kids who love horror will make Other Mommy a sleepover staple before long. So, even if you don't choose to take your kid to see this, maybe this article will help you understand why they're so spooked if they found it on their own.

The Other Mother is now in theaters. 

A fourth Avatar animated series is on the way, Avatar: The Last Airbender co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko revealed at New York Comic Con.

The announcement came as part of NYCC's Avatar: Seven Havens panel. The third series in the animated Avatar franchise, Seven Havens follows the adventures of Korra's earthbending successor and has just been renewed for Seasons 3 and 4.

The next Avatar series is titled Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos. Instead of continuing the Avatar cycle after Seven Havens' Pavi (voiced by Saheli Khan), it will head back in time to the waterbender from the Northern Water Tribe who preceded Kyoshi, Roku, and Aang.

Kuruk has previously appeared in prior Avatar series, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Plus, novels about avatars Kysohi and Yangchen reveal details about his life. He's most well-known for clashing with face-stealing spirit Koh, who stole away Kuruk's fiancée, Ummi. However, the series won't follow that story.

Instead, it introduces a rebellious 14-year-old Kuruk. According to the series logline, Kuruk "bucks thousands of years of tradition by choosing to learn the four elements through globetrotting adventures, staying one step ahead of his angry teacher, rowdy pirates, and chaotic spirits — all while helping the world in his own unique ways."

Konietzko serves as showrunner, and Janet Varney, the original voice of Korra, will be the show's voice director.

According Konietzko, the series is "not tragic and violent and dark" as leaks have suggested. Instead, he described it as "our first action comedy."

Check out first looks at art from Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos below, including Kuruk waterbending and surfing, as well as his adorable koalaotter, Nikik.

Credit: Paramount+

Credit: Paramount+

Credit: Paramount+

Credit: Paramount+

Credit: Paramount+

Credit: Paramount+

Rounding out the Avatar: Seven Havens panel were announcements about Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game and podcast Avatar: Braving the Elements. The former will soon incorporate Seven Havens colorways and a stage based on Sonam's temple from Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender. Episodes of the latter will soon feature interviews with the cast and creators of Seven Havens.

Avatar: Seven Havens is now streaming on Paramount+. Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos will premiere at a later date.

UPDATE: Oct. 9, 2026, 12:31 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include further news out of NYCC.

Today is a big day for Avatar: Seven Havens.

The latest Avatar series just premiered on Paramount+, and it's already been renewed for Seasons 3 and 4. The announcement came at Avatar: Seven Havens' New York Comic Con panel, which featured appearances from Avatar: The Last Airbender co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, executive producer Ethan Spaulding and co-executive producer Sehaj Sethi, and voice actors Saheli Khan, Aishu Devan and Major Curda. Janet Varney, the original voice of Korra, moderated.

Avatar: Seven Havens originally received a 26 episode order that would be split up into two 13-episode seasons, titled "Books" in the style of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra. Book 1 of Seven Havens is titled "Survival."

More Seven Havens goodness followed the renewal announcement, as the panel showed off a clip from the end of the first episode that highlighted the show's journey from script to screen. Watch it below, but be warned: Major spoilers await.

The two-season renewal wasn't the only major Avatar announcement to come out of the NYCC panel.

Panelists revealed that an entirely new Avatar series is on the way. Titled Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos, it travels back in time to the waterbending Avatar who preceded Kyoshi in the Avatar cycle.

The panel also told audience members that Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game would soon feature Seven Havens colorways and a stage based on Sonam's temple from Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender. Plus, future installments of podcast Avatar: Braving the Elements would feature Seven Havens cast and creator interviews.

Avatar: Seven Havens is now streaming on Paramount+.

With a fresh batch of iPhones out of the way, and new smart home devices seemingly waiting in the wings, new MacBooks are almost certainly next on Apple's docket.

An updated MacBook Pro with the M6 chip is expected to arrive sometime this fall, based on its usual upgrade cycle. But rumor has it that another mysterious new Mac is also in the pipeline — the first with an OLED touchscreen.

Here's a running list of everything we know about the so-called "MacBook Ultra."

When will Apple release the OLED MacBook?

Bloomberg managing editor Mark Gurman — a fount of Apple scoops —  originally reported that the OLED touchscreen MacBook would arrive between the end of 2026 and early 2027. This spring, he was leaning towards the latter half of that timeframe because of the memory crisis. But these days, he's banking on an imminent release. (So are 55 percent of Mashable readers, according to the results of our Big Guessing Game: Apple Edition.)

The touchscreen MacBook launch "is scheduled on or around Tuesday, Oct. 27," Gurman reported recently, adding that its release will involve "an online video presentation and in-person component for the press."

Gurman thinks the touchscreen MacBook will be joined by an M6 MacBook Pro, M6 iMac, and an updated iPad mini with OLED. All of the new devices "will be geared toward creative professionals who work in video production, photo editing and music production," he said.

The OLED touchscreen MacBook would mark Apple's second all-new laptop of 2026 after the outrageously popular budget MacBook Neo.

How much will the OLED MacBook cost?

The Dell XPS 14, one of the best MacBook Pro alternatives for Windows users, starts at $2,299.99 with an OLED touchscreen. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The OLED touchscreen MacBook will most likely be Apple's priciest laptop, given its upper-end processors and fancy display. For reference, the existing MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip starts at $2,499 in the 14-inch size and $2,999 in the 16-inch size.

Knowing that the iPad Pros got about 20 percent more expensive as part of their OLED upgrade, it's possible that a 14-inch OLED touchscreen MacBook will start around $2,999. Of course, that's assuming the global memory crisis doesn't wreak any more havoc on component costs before its launch, which may be overly optimistic. (Apple already had to raise its MacBook prices once this year amid "RAMageddon.")

Why an OLED touchscreen MacBook is a big deal

Touch-enabled OLED displays are readily available on most high-end Windows laptops, but Apple has never equipped its MacBooks with OLED panels or touch capabilities before. (The iPad Pro does have an OLED display, however.) In fact, company executives have long derided the latter. In 2010, late Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs called touchscreen laptops "ergonomically terrible." In 2018, software head Craig Federighi told Wired that he's "not into touchscreens" on laptops.

The MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar (RIP) was the closest thing we've had to a touch-enabled MacBook. Credit: Brenda Stolyar / Mashable

Then-hardware chief John Ternus, who recently ascended to the role of Apple's CEO, was still dismissing the idea of a touchscreen MacBook in 2021. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, he said Apple had already made "the world’s best touch computer on an iPad...And the Mac is totally optimized for indirect input."

"We haven’t really felt a reason to change that,” Ternus added. For whatever reason, that longtime strategy may have changed.

Apple experimented with an OLED "Touch Bar" on MacBook Pros from 2016 to 2021, replacing their physical function row with a customizable touchscreen strip. It was either cool or useless, depending on who you asked.

At present, the only Apple products with OLED touchscreens are the iPad Pros and iPhones. (The former specifically have tandem OLED displays, which are brighter.) The existing 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros have static mini-LED displays. They're "beautifully crisp," to quote Mashable's tech editor, but a touch-supported OLED model would be a more interactive laptop with better contrast, wider viewing angles, and zero blooming to boot.

How do we know Apple is working on an OLED MacBook?

A slate of well-known Apple insiders have all separately claimed to have intel that the company is preparing an OLED touchscreen MacBook for release in 2026.

Gurman — the source of so many Apple scoops — first broke the news in early 2023, calling it "a move that would defy long-held company orthodoxy" (see: that Jobs quote). Gurman has continued to report on the device's supposed development over the years.

In fall 2025, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote on X that an upcoming "OLED MacBook Pro...will incorporate a touch panel using on-cell touch technology." Kuo has foretold the arrival of Apple's foldable iPhone Duo, Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, and USB-C iPads.

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This June, a reliable leaker known as Instant Digital added more fuel to the fire with a short post on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. "It's 100% confirmed that the MacBook screen will be touch-enabled," he wrote.

Just days later, Gurman reported that the developer beta for macOS 27 contained "the first tangible evidence from Apple itself" of the OLED touchscreen MacBook: newly added support for touch-responsive software features like a pull-to-refresh action. At this point, the device is all but confirmed.

What will the OLED MacBook be called?

Existing MacBook Pros have had the same design since 2021. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

According to Gurman, the OLED touchscreen Mac is internally code-named K114 and K116. (That probably means it will also come in 14- and 16-inch sizes.) Both he and Kuo have referred to it as a high-end variant of the MacBook Pro, though Gurman's theorized that it could have a different name: MacBook Ultra, maybe?

"A 'MacBook Ultra' label would more clearly signal their [the OLED touchscreen Macs'] position at the top of the lineup," Gurman wrote in a March edition of his weekly "Power On" newsletter. Apple already calls its most advanced smartwatch and silicon chip the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and M5 Ultra, respectively.

But don't put too much stock in that just yet. We thought the foldable iPhone would be called the iPhone Ultra for a while, and it wound up getting the Duo identifier.

OLED MacBook rumored features

Gurman said the OLED touchscreen MacBook has a new interface that makes it easy to switch between touch and traditional point-and-click controls. Updates in the macOS 27 beta clue us in to three software features that will likely show up on it:

• The iPhones' Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped notification area with a hole-punch camera cutout (no more notch!)

• A pull-to-refresh action, similar to how you'd reload a website or social media feed on an iPhone or iPad

• The ability to interact with an extended or mirrored iPad screen via touch inputs

Gurman has also stated that the new MacBook will have a full keyboard and trackpad, so using its touchscreen will be "completely optional." In other words, this is not going to be some sort of MacBook-iPad love child.

Looks-wise, Gurman thinks the OLED touchscreen MacBook will be "significantly lighter" than existing Pro models, which have had the same form factor since 2021. Apple's iPad Pros got up to 15 percent lighter when they gained OLED displays.

Apple's iPad Pro has had an OLED touchscreen since 2024. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

"Apple has reengineered the machine’s interior, miniaturizing parts and rearranging components to make the computer much easier to carry," Gurman wrote.

Bloomberg's Apple guru previously reported that the OLED touchscreen MacBook would also be much thinner than standard MacBook Pros, but he walked that back this month.

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In 2024, Gurman reported that Apple was "investigating the idea of bringing cellular connectivity to the Mac for the first time," but didn't specify whether that feature was intended for the OLED touchscreen MacBook or another future model. He hasn't mentioned it since, so Apple might've left that one on the back burner.

What chip will the OLED MacBook have?

The OLED touchscreen MacBook will reportedly run on Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, not brand-new silicon. That's according to Gurman again, who credited his sources as "people with knowledge of the matter ... who asked not to be identified because the plans are private."

Launched in March of this year, the M5 Pro and M5 Max fuel Apple's current top-end MacBook Pros. They're designed to handle the intensive computing workloads of power users like professional creatives, developers, and AI researchers. With that in mind, the OLED touchscreen MacBook will not be a laptop for the average person.

Actors Mikey Madison (Frances Haugen) and Jeremy Allen White (Jeff Horwitz) sit down with Mashable's Executive Producer, Mark Stetson, to discuss their roles in Aaron Sorkin's, The Social Reckoning, a companion piece to the 2010 film, The Social Network. They dive deep into their preparation process for portraying real-life figures involved in exposing Facebook's internal secrets, working with Aaron Sorkin's distinct writing style, and their personal reasons for staying off social media platforms.

The Social Reckoning focuses on how one brave whistleblower revealed some of the sinister decisions Zuckerberg made to favor his finances over the well-being of Facebook users.

The Social Reckoning is now in theaters.

The best Ninja appliance deals to shop this weekend:

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best air fryer deal

Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (4-in-1)

152.95 (save $27.04)

Get Deal

---

best frozen treat maker deal

Ninja SLUSHi Professional Drink Maker

$229 (save $120.99)

Get Deal

---

Best multicooker deal

Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro

$99.95 (save $30.04)

Get Deal

---

best blender deal

Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender

$69.95 (save $30.04)

Get Deal

---

best coffee maker deal

Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso Machine

$499.99 (save $100)

Get Deal

We're Ninja appliance mega fans here at Mashable. Not only do they deliver stellar performance with beginner-friendly designs, but they're also reasonably priced (for the most part). But we'll also be the first ones to recommend not paying full price — especially in this economy. In the aftermath of Amazon's October Prime Day, several standout Ninja appliance deals are still live. And yes, the mega popular Creami, Slushi, and Crispi are all on sale.

If you missed out on Prime Big Deal Days, no sweat. Here are the best Ninja appliance deals we think are worth grabbing this weekend.

Best Ninja deal this weekend

Opens in a new window

Credit: Ninja

Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker

$229 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $120.99

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

The Ninja Slushi is definitely not a necessary appliance, but as Mashable's Leah Stodart noted in her review, it's "a serotonin booster worth trying." If the thought of frosé, frozen margs, frappés, or piña coladas at home sounds like a dream, this is the appliance for you. It freezes drinks right in the machine, then churns them until it has the perfect slushy consistency. Sure, you could use a blender, but the Slushi requires no ice and actually keeps drinks frozen. It doesn't work with diet soda or anything sugar-free, but practically anything else you can think of can be slushified with this niche appliance. It's often hard to find on sale, let alone at a discount this steep.

Check out our full review of the Ninja Slushi.

Best Ninja air fryer deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Ninja

Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (4-in-1)

$152.95 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $27.04

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Mashable Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino was skeptical of this TikTok-hyped air fryer initially because of its design, which includes a glass basket with an air-frying lid. But as it turns out, it does what it says it will: deliver food that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Not only does the Crispi feature a plastic-free design, but the glass baskets also double as food storage, making this a particularly convenient pick for meal preppers. The Crispi is a good buy at its usual price of $179.99, but post-Prime Big Deal Days, it's still on sale for a rare low of $152.95 in select colors.

More Ninja appliance deals

Ninja air fryer and multicooker deals

• Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro — $99.95 $129.99 (save $30.04)

• Ninja HyperHeat 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $139.99 $169.99 (save $30)

• Ninja PossibleCooker PRO Plus — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Prestige Smart XL Countertop Oven — $219.99 $399.99 (save $180)

• Ninja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer — $159.99 $249.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer (6-in-1) — $249.90 $299.99 (save $50.09)

• Ninja Double Oven Pro Smart XL — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

Ninja blender deals

• Ninja Blast Portable Blender— $49.99 $69.99 (save $15.05)

• Ninja Nutri-Blender Plus Personal Blender — $67.99 $89.99 (save $20.31)

• Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender $69.95 $99.99 (Save $30.04)

• Ninja UltraCrush Professional Blender — $79.96 $109.99 (save $30.03)

• Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System — $179.99 $259.99 (save $80)

Ninja coffee maker deals

• Ninja PB051ST Single Serve Coffee Maker — $99.98 $129.99 (save $30.01)

• Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System — $169.99 $239.99 (save $70)

• Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso Machine — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

Other Ninja deals

• Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker — $69.95 $99.99 (save $30.04)

• Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker — $269.99 $349.99 (save $80)

• Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream Maker — $279.95 $349.99 (save $70.04)

• Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL BBQ Grill — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit & Heater — $449.99 $499.99 (save $50

TL;DR: You can play ARC Raiders, Core Keeper, and Squad 44 for free on Steam this weekend, plus claim Pony Island to keep forever before Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. PT.

Steam is back with another stacked free weekend event, giving PC gamers a chance to dive into four different titles without spending a single dime.

The catch? First off, these offers are split into two categories: temporary free-to-play trials that require a purchase once the clock runs out, and a permanent free giveaway that you get to keep in your library forever. Second, the deadlines aren't identical across the board.

If you're trying to figure out what's worth your hard drive space this weekend, here is everything you need to know about the games, when the free periods end, and how long those purchase discounts stick around.

ARC Raiders

Opens in a new window

Credit: Steam

ARC Raiders

$19.99 at Steam
$39.99 Save $20.00

Free to play through Oct. 12 at 1 a.m. PT, then 50% off through Oct. 15.

Learn More

If you've been sitting on the fence about Embark Studios’ high-stakes extraction shooter, now is your chance to play the full base game for free. ARC Raiders drops you into a hostile surface world — either solo or with up to two teammates — where you scavenge for vital tech while dodging killer machines and rival raiders.

This free trial lands alongside the major Frozen Trail update. While the new Pendola Pass map normally requires progression to unlock, free-trial players can jump straight into the new snowy region as long as they team up with someone who already has access.

Core Keeper

Opens in a new window

Credit: Steam

Core Keeper

$11.99 at Steam
$19.99 Save $8.00

Free to play through Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. PT, then 40% off through Oct. 22.

Get Deal

For gamers who prefer cozy subterranean survival over stressful extraction runs, Core Keeper offers a massive pixel-art sandbox designed for 1 to 8 players. You wake up as an explorer trapped in an ancient cavern, tasked with mining resources, building custom bases, farming crops, and battling giant subterranean bosses.

The free trial grants full access to the base game and online multiplayer, plus all post-launch content updates — including the newly dropped Riders of the Underground expansion featuring rideable mounts and a hookshot.

Squad 44

Opens in a new window

Credit: Steam

Squad 44

$5.99 at Steam
$19.99 Save $14.00

Free to play through Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. PT, then 70% off through Oct. 15.

Get Deal

Formerly known as Post Scriptum, Squad 44 is a hardcore, tactical World War II shooter where mindless run-and-gunning will get you killed instantly. Built around massive 50v50 combined-arms battles, success here requires real-time squad communication, tactical positioning, and coordinated logistics.

It offers the longest free-play window in the weekend lineup, making it a great option if you need extra time to get used to its steep learning curve.

Pony Island

Opens in a new window

Credit: Steam

Pony Island

$0 at Steam
$4.99 Save $4.99

Free to keep forever if claimed before Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. PT.

Get Deal

Don't let the sugary name fool you — Pony Island is a deeply unsettling psychological puzzle game created by Daniel Mullins (the mastermind behind Inscryption). You play as a trapped soul trying to escape a possessed arcade machine by hacking into the software's internal code and fixing intentionally broken game mechanics.

Unlike the other three titles on this list, this isn't a temporary trial. As long as you claim it before the promotion expires, it stays in your Steam library forever.

Do you get to keep the free weekend games?

To clear up the common confusion: No, free weekend trials do not give you permanent ownership.

When you download ARC Raiders, Core Keeper, or Squad 44 during this event, access will automatically shut off on their respective deadline dates unless you purchase the full game. However, your save files, achievements, and unlocked items are tied to your Steam account, so you won't lose your progress if you decide to buy them later.

Pony Island is the sole exception here — because it is listed as a free giveaway rather than a trial, claiming it before Oct. 12 means you own it permanently.

Make sure to hit "Add to Account" on Pony Island first, then jump into whichever free trial fits your gaming mood before Monday.

The best October Prime Day deals still live:

---

Best Outdoor deal

Coleman 100-Quart Marine Cooler with UV Guard

$99.99 (save $35)

Get Deal

---

Best home and kitchen deal

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe Coffee Machine

$133.99 (save $60.03)

Get Deal

---

Best headphone deal

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (1st Gen)

$169 (save $190)

Get Deal

---

Best Apple deal

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$199 (save $50)

Get Deal

---

Best Beauty Deal

Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask

$299.99 (save $50)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Toshiba 43-inch M450 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV

$199.99 (save $130)

Get Deal

---

Best Deal Under $25

Apple AirTag (2nd Gen)

$24 (save $5)

Get Deal

Another huge Amazon sale for Prime members has officially come to a close. This year, Prime Big Deal Days (aka "October Prime Day") ran Oct. 6 and 7, and while the 48-hour event is officially over, a handful of lingering discounts are still up for grabs.

The best October Prime Day deals provided some much-needed relief from the RAMageddon price hikes impacting the tech industry. Amazon recently increased prices on nearly two dozen Kindles, Fire TV Sticks, Echo smart speakers, and eero routers because of rising component costs. Seasonal sales like Prime Big Deal Days (and later Black Friday) help cancel out some of those markups.

While the official event has wrapped up, we're keeping an eye out for any leftover post-Prime Day savings that haven't expired yet. You can also check out our guides to the best October Prime Day tech deals, kitchen deals, and outdoor deals to see what remaining discounts you can still score.

How we choose Prime Day deals

Mashable shopping reporters and editors regularly review the latest products from brands like Apple, Bose, Kindle, Ninja, Nintendo, Sony, and Samsung. We've also been covering major shopping events like Prime Big Deal Days for almost a decade.

Before recommending a deal, we use price-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to check its price history, and we prioritize record-low discounts. We also check prices at other retailers (big-box stores like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are also hosting fall sales right now), so we can point you to the lowest price at any given moment, even if it's not at Amazon.

Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable award winners and editor favorites. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available.

Best audio deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (1st Gen) ✅

$169 at Amazon
$359 Save $190

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

For October Prime Day, you can save 53% on the first-generation Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones. Now, to be clear, these are not the newest version of these popular headphones, but it's really hard to argue with a discount like this. These headphones are incredibly comfy even after hours of use, and they offer true active noise-cancellation.

We also have to call out the first-ever deal on the new version of these headphones, the Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen). Mashable's audio expert Bethany Allard says they offer the best possible combination of comfort, noise cancellation, sound quality, and value in the entire headphones category, full stop. Currently, they're $319, down from $359 — a $40 saving that makes them an even better value. Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen).

More headphone deals

• JBL Tune 730BT headphones — $59.95 $89.95 (save $30)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $88 $179.99 (save $91.99)

• Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones — $99.95 $199.95 (save $100)

• Nothing Headphone (a) — $129 $199 (save $70)

• Sony WH-CH730N ANC headphones — $148 $179.99 (save $31.99) ✅

• Beats Studio Pro — $149.95 $299.99 (save $150.04)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC headphones — $198 $248 (save $50) ✅

• Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) — $319 $359 (save $40) ✅

• Sony WH-1000XM6 ANC headphones — $378 $459.99 (save $81.99) ✅

More wireless earbuds deals

• Anker Soundcore P30i noise-cancelling earbuds — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25) ✅

• Anker Soundcore AeroClip Open Earbuds — $105.99 $169.99 (save $64)

• Nothing Ear (3) — $99 $149 (save $50)

• Beats Fit Pro (1st Gen) sports earbuds — $124.95 $199.95 (save $75)

• Soundcore Sleep A30 Special — $168.99 $199.99 (save $31)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $179 $229 (save $50) ✅

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $179.95 $249.95 (save $70)

• SHOKZ OpenFit Pro Open Earbuds with Noise Reduction — $199.45 $249.95 (save $50.50) ✅

• Technics EAH-AZ100 — $234.99 $299.99 (save $65) ✅

• Sony WF-1000XM6 ANC Earbuds — $258 $329.99 (save $71.99) ✅

Bluetooth speaker deals

• Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth Speaker — $33.99 $45.99 (save $12)

• JBL Go 4 Bluetooth Speaker — $34.95 $49.95 (save $15)

• Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Portable Waterproof Speaker — $54.14 $99.99 (save $45.85) ✅

• Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Bluetooth Speaker — $91.99 $129.99 (save $38)

• Bose Soundlink Flex — $99 $159 (save $60)

• Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $179 $269 (save $90) ✅

Best Apple deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods Pro 3 ✅

$199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

We found 21 Apple products at record-low prices for Prime Day, which is more than we expected to be frank! But our top pick was a Prime Day classic. The basic AirPods just got an upgrade with the new AirPods 5, but last year's Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back on sale. During the sale, the AirPods Pro 3 dropped to $179 — $70 off their $249 list price. Now that the sale is over, the price has risen to $199, now only $50 off the MSRP.

These famous Apple earbuds have ANC, a more comfortable fit, and support for live translation with a compatible iPhone. They're a good pick for commuters and even measure your heart rate during workouts.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More Prime Day Apple deals

AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 — $79 $129.99 (save $50.99)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $429 $549 (save $120)

Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219 $249 (save $30) ✅

• Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) — $349.99 $399.99 (save $50) ✅

• Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS + Cellular, 46mm) — $699.97 $899 (save $199.03)

iPad deals

• Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $399 $449 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air (M4, 128GB, WiFi) — $649 $749 (save $100) ✅

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,299 $1,499 (save $200) ✅

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200) ✅

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,839 $1,999 (save $160) ✅

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $3,499 $4,099 (save $600) ✅

Mac deals

• Apple 2026 Mac mini Desktop (M6, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $779.99 $899 (save $119.01)

• Apple 2026 Mac mini Desktop (M6, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,099 (save $149.01)

• Apple 2026 Mac mini Desktop (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,549.99 $1,699 (save $149.01)

• Apple 2026 Mac Studio Desktop (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,299.99 $2,499 (save $199.01)

Deals on Apple accessories

• Apple MagSafe Charger — $39.99 $49 (save $9.01) ✅

• Apple Pencil USB-C — $69 $79 (save $10)

• Apple AirTag 2 (4-pack) — $89 $99 (save $10)

Best TV deal

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Credit: Toshiba

Toshiba 43-inch M450 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV ✅

$199.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $130

 

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Why we like it

Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale, and Amazon is dropping new deals throughout the event. And the latest “Today’s Big Deals” drop from Amazon includes one of the best Prime Day TV deals we've seen yet. If you're looking for a budget set, this Toshbia Fire TV has a 43-inch QLED display, and it's never been priced this low before.

As everything else gets more expensive, somehow flat-screen TVs keep getting cheaper. So, for those of us who can't afford to drop $1,500 on a premium OLED TV, we don't have to settle too much. This 4K TV features an HDR10+ display and supports Dolby Vision, which is pretty good for a TV under $200.

More TV deals

40 to 55-inch TV deals

• Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70) ✅

• Roku 43-inch Select Series 4K TV — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV — $279.99 $459.99 (save $180) ✅

• Samsung 55-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $299.99 $347.99 (save $48)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch Artline QLED 4K TV — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400) ✅

• Hisense 50-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $649.99 $1,299.99 (save $650)

• Samsung The Frame 55-inch LS03F 4K QLED Art TV — $797.99 $1,097.99 (save $300) ✅

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,299.99 (save $600)

• Sony 48-inch Bravia 6 OLED 4K TV — $998 $1,299.99 (save $301)

65-inch TV deals

• Roku 65-inch Plus Series QLED 4K TV — $429.99 $649.99 (save $220)

• Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $579.99 $999.99 (save $420)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,077.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,422) ✅

• LG C6 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,499.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,200) ✅

• Samsung 65-Inch S90H Series OLED 4K Smart TV — $1,497.99 $1,897.99 (save $400) ✅

• Samsung 65-Inch S95F Series OLED 4K Smart TV — $2,319 $2,499.99 (save $180.99) ✅

75 inches and above TV deals

• Samsung 75-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $547.99 $729.99 (save $182)

• Hisense 85-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,797.99 $3,999.99 (save $2,202)

• Hisense 100-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,302)

• TCL 98-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,197.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,802)

• TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,147.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,852)

Best home and kitchen deal

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Credit: Nespresso

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe Coffee Machine

$133.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $65.96

 

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If your morning routine centers around iced lattes or a quick espresso shot, this bundle gives you a legit cafe-level setup without taking over your entire countertop. The Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe packs Nespresso's single-touch brewing into an ultra-compact footprint, spinning pods at high speeds to pull rich, crema-topped espresso or full-sized coffee mugs in seconds. Plus, the Deluxe version adds a bigger side water tank, so you're not constantly running to the sink between brews.

The real star here is the included Aeroccino3 milk frother. Instead of buying a frother separately to make lattes, this bundle gives you one-touch hot- or cold-foam for cappuccinos and iced drinks right out of the box. Grabbing the machine-and-frother combo in Matte Black Gold is an absolute steal for upgrading your morning coffee with zero hassle before this Prime deal vanishes.

More Prime Day home and kitchen deals

• Staub Ceramic 0.75-quart Petite Pumpkin Dish — $29.99 $59.99 (save $30)

• Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Large Baking Sheet Duo — $110 $130 (save $20)

• Ninja PossibleCooker PRO Plus 9-in-1 slow cooker — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Vitamix 5-Speed Immersion Blender bundle — $174.95 $199.95 (save $25) ✅

• Viking PureGlide Pro 3-Ply Nonstick Frying Pans (9.5-inch and 11-inch) — $159.95 $239.99 (save $80)

• Levoit Sprout Smart Air Purifier — $170.98 $279.99 (save $109.01) ✅

• Ninja Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer, 6 quarts — $249.90 $299.99 (save $50.09) ✅

• GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker — $269 $299 (save $30) ✅

• Vitamix Propel Series 510 Professional Blender — $389 $499.95 (save $110.95) ✅

Best outdoor deal

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Credit: Coleman

Coleman 100-Quart Marine Cooler with UV Guard

$99.99 at Amazon
$134.99 Save $35.00

 

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Why we like it

Whether you're gearing up for tailgate season, a weekend fishing trip, or just need to keep a mountain of drinks icy for a backyard party, this massive Coleman cooler is a total workhorse. Its 100-quart capacity holds up to 160 cans, while the fully insulated body keeps ice frozen for up to five days. Plus, the outer shell has a built-in UV coating so it won't crack in the sun.

Built for rough outdoor use, it packs rust-resistant hardware, rugged 6-inch wheels for dragging across sand or dirt, and a leakproof drain plug. The reinforced lid even doubles as a seat that supports up to 250 pounds and comes with built-in cup holders. Getting this much heavy-duty cooler space for under $100 is an absolute steal before the discount vanishes.

More outdoor deals

Cooler deals

• Igloo Trailmate Cooler (50 quart) — $99.99 $119.99 (save $20)

• Igloo Maxcold Glide (110 quart) — $169.99 $179.99 (save $10)

• Ninja FrostVault (Spanish moss, 50 quart) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

Camping deals

• LifeStraw Peak Series Personal Water Filter Straw — $23.50 $24.95 (save $1.45) ✅

• Breeo 40-inch Steel Fire Pit Poker — $55.20 $69 (save $13.80) ✅

• Coleman Sundome 4-Person Camping Tent — $81.68 $117.91 (save $38.31) ✅

• Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)

• Kelty Trash Pak — $90.93 $129.95 (save $39.02)

• Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight One Pot Cook Set — $99.95 $114.95 (save $15)

• Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel — $109.99 $124.99 (save $15)

• Coleman 4-Person Instant Cabin — $149.99 $218.49 (save $68.50) ✅

• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT Ultralight Camping Pad — $199.95 $239.95 (save $40)

• Coleman RoadTrip 225 portable propane grill — $259.99 $364.99 (save $105)

• Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit X Series 19 — $322.05 $399.99 (save $77.94) ✅

Best power station deal

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Credit: Bluetti

Bluetti Elite 100 mini Portable Power Station ✅

$429.99 at Amazon
$699 Save $269.01

 

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Why we like it

"Bluetti is bringing out some of my favorite portable power stations lately. For starters, the Bluetti FridgePower can keep your refrigerator cooling for up to 20 hours during an outage. But I'm especially excited about the new Bluetti Elite 100 mini.

I love the single handle built into the side of this model. I find it much easier to carry compared to the pop-up handle that goes down the middle of many power stations. Plus, Bluetti's built-in LED light on the warm setting is perfect for evening illumination." — Lauren Allain, Mashable Contributor

More power station deals

• Jackery Explorer 300 — $239 $289 (save $50) ✅

• Anker SOLIX C800X Portable Power Station and 100W Solar Panel — $429.99 $509.99 (save $90)

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $469.99 $599 (save $129.01) ✅

• Jackery HomePower 1000 v2 — $499 $649 (save $150) ✅

• Bluetti Elite 100 V2 with 200W Solar Panel — $699 $999 (save $300)

• Ecoflow Delta 3 Classic with 220W Solar Panel — $699 $1,099 (save $400) ✅

• Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 and 200W Solar Panel — $664 $879 (save $215)

• Anker Solix S2000 — $649.98 $1,199 (save $549.02)

• Bluetti FridgePower — $949 $1,499 (save $550) ✅

• Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 — $864 $999 (save $135) ✅

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $899 $1,199 (save $300) ✅

• Ecoflow Delta 2 Max — $1,029 $1,399 (save $370)

• Bluetti Elite 300 — $1,199.99 $1,499 (save $299)

• Jackery HomePower 3000 — $1,384 $1,499 (save $115)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,538.04 $1,899 (save $390.06)

Best vacuum deal

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Credit: Shark

Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

$149.99 at SharkNinja
$299.99 Save $150

 

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Note: This product is sold out at Amazon, but you can still find it for 50% off at the SharkNinja website.

Why we like it

"Year after year, this Shark stick vacuum is one of the best Prime Day deals on vacuums, and I'm glad to see it back on sale for Prime Big Deal Days. One of our former reporters swore by this vacuum, calling it a literal 'game-changer' for his dog-hair-filled New York City apartment. It has a brush head that's designed to make pet hair disappear, and you can't go wrong with a 50% discount, can you?" Timothy Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More Prime Day vacuum deals

• Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum (2026 model) — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) ✅

• Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum — $434.54 $599.99 (save $165.45) ✅

• Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150)

• Roborock 2026 New Qrevo S Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop — $399.99 $699.99 (save $300)

• Dyson V10 Konical Cordless Vacuum — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• eufy C28 Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Combo — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300) ✅

• Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop — $569.98 $749.99 (save $180.01)

• Dyson V15 Detect Origin Cordless Vacuum — $589.99 $839.99 (save $250) ✅

Best memory and SSD deals

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Credit: SanDisk

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD ✅

$249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50

 

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Credit: SanDisk

SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

$153.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $46

 

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Why we like it

"SanDisk is a favorite of mine when buying memory products, and I use their Extreme portable SSDs to back up my own photo and video collection. (As a tech editor, I take a lot of photos and videos.) Thanks to RAMageddon, you have to take any opportunity you can find to save on portable SSDs, flash drives, microSD cards, and hard drives. Already, some of SanDisk's most popular memory products are on sale, like their microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and the new version of their popular Extreme drive." — Timothy Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More SSD and hard drive deals

• SanDisk 64GB High Endurance Video microSDXC Card — $26.99 $44.99 (save $18)

• SanDisk 500GB Portable SSD — $109.99 $128.99 (save $19)

• Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB — $229.90 $274.99 (save $45.09)

• Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 — $389.99 $639.99 (save $250) ✅

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB — $979.99 $1,144.99 (save $165)

Best fitness deal

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Credit: Hpygn

Hpygn Resistance Bands with Handles

$19.79 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $2.20

 

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Why we like it

If you don't have the space (or cash) for a full set of dumbbells, this stackable Hpygn resistance band set gives you a portable home gym setup for under $20. It packs five latex bands ranging from 10 to 50 pounds each, allowing you to combine them with the heavy-duty steel buckles for up to 150 pounds of total resistance. The bundle comes fully loaded with cushioned non-slip handles, ankle straps, a door anchor, and a compact travel pouch so you can squeeze in a quick workout anywhere.

More fitness deals

• Bala Bangles Wrist & Ankle Weights — $44 $55 (save $11)

• CAP Neoprene Hex Dumbbell 100-Pound Set (10 weights) — $9.14 $9.99 (save $0.85)

• Hyperice Hypervolt Go 3 Percussion Massage Gun — $119 $149 (save $30)

• Theragun Therabody 3-Speed Massage Gun — $119.99 $159.99 (save $40)

• Renpho Thermacool 2-in-1 Foot Massager — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

More smartwatch deals

• Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro — $59 $79 (save $20) ✅

• Garmin Vivoactive 5 — $191.99 $299.99 (save $108) ✅

• Google Pixel Watch 5 (41mm) — $429.99 $499.99 (save $70)

• Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire — $529.99 $999.99 (save $370)

Best Lego deal

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Credit: Lego

Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Millennium Falcon

$79.95 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.04

 

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Why we like it

Building the iconic Millennium Falcon is already a rite of passage for any Star Wars fan, but this 885-piece set upgrades the classic build with Lego's interactive Smart Play system. On its own, it’s a detailed, screen-accurate model featuring fold-out top panels for interior play, stud shooters, and four minifigures — Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, and C-3PO.

What makes this release special are the built-in Smart Tags. When paired with a Lego Smart Brick (from an All-In-One set), the ship instantly responds with authentic sound effects and dynamic lights as kids play—bringing lightsaber duels and hyperdrive jumps to life.

More Lego deals

• Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart — Interactive Mario & Standard Kart — $29.39 $54.99 (save $25.60)

• Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar 2026 — $31.49 $44.99 (save $12.50)

• Lego Botanicals Succulents — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)

• Lego Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 — $35.99 $44.99 (save $9)

• Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Bust — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training — $47.49 $69.99 (save $22.5)

• Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower — $55.95 $69.99 (save $14.04)

• Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Mos Eisley Cantina — $63.95 $79.99 (save $16.04)

• Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Baby Peach & Grand Prix Set Home Circuit — $62.12 $79.99 (save $17.87)

• Lego Star Wars: Andor K-2SO Security Droid — $71.99 $89.99 (save $18)

Best streaming and subscription deal

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Credit: Amazon

Audible

$0.99/month for four months + free $20 credit

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Why we like it

Right now, eligible Prime members can get four months of Audible Standard for $0.99 per month — $3.96 total. On top of that, you get a free $20 credit to spend on the title(s) of your choice.

Your membership lets you download one audiobook per month. including classics, new releases, and BookTok faves like the ACOTAR series. And if 99 cents feels a little high, you can also sign up for a 30-day free trial.

More Amazon subscription deals

• Kindle Unlimited — 3 months free

• Amazon Music Unlimited — 4 months free with Prime

• Grubhub+ — Free with Prime. Enjoy unlimited $0 food delivery fees on eligible orders. Terms & additional fees apply.

• Buy or lease a new car, get a $1,500 gift card for free with Prime

Best beauty tech deal

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Credit: Shark

Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask ✅

$299 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50.99

 

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Why we like it

Shark's red light face mask not only costs half as much as the competition, but it also offers cooling therapy and blue light therapy for good measure. We spent 10 months testing this face mask to make sure it lived up to the hype, and in the end, we named it a Mashable Choice product.

During Prime Big Deal Days, you can get this Shark beauty mask at its lowest-ever price. Read our full review of the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask.

More beauty tech deals

• Revlon One-Step Volumizer — $40.49 $65.99 (save $25.50) ✅

• L'Ange Hair Le Volume Dryer Brush — $46.50 $69 (save $22.50)

• Revlon 3-in-1 Multi-Styler — $76.49 $89.99 (save $13.50)

• Laifen SE Lite Ionic Hair Dryer — $95.99 $119.99 (save $24) ✅

• Solawave 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy — $94.99 $169 (save $74.01) ✅

• L'Ange Hair Axia HaloRing Hair Dryer — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer — $129 $229.99 (save $100.99) ✅

• Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand — $134.99 $169.99 (save $35)

• Shark FlexFusion Ceramic Air Styler — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100) ✅

• T3 Aire 360 Multi-Styler — $284.99 $349.99 (save $65)

• TheraFace Therabody Mask Glo — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80) ✅

Best gaming deal

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5

$219.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $130

 

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Why we like it

"Finding a 32-inch, 1,440p panel from a top-tier brand for around 37% off is nothing to scoff at. You're getting a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, plus G-Sync and FreeSync support to keep fast-paced action smooth and free of screen tearing. It also comes with a height-adjustable ergonomic stand right out of the box, so you can pivot, tilt, and swivel to your setup's needs — a practical feature most budget displays cut to trim costs." — Ben Williams, Mashable contributor

More gaming deals

• Save 40% on Switch 2 games at Amazon

• Red Dead Redemption — $24.99 $29.99 (save $5)

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

• The Last of Us Part II Remastered — $37.49 $49.99 (save $12.50)

• The Last of Us Part 1 — $37.99 $69.99 (save $32)

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 — $44.75 $69.99 (save $25.24)

• SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB Gaming Keyboard — $49.99 $54.99 (save $5)

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — $59.88 $69.99 (save $10.11) ✅

• Razer BlackWidow V4 X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $84.99 $129.99 (save $45)

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey (G50F) QHD Gaming Monitor — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110) ✅

• Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Red Joy-Con (Renewed) — $199 $339 (save $140)

• Alienware 24.5-inch (AW2525HM) Full HD Gaming Monitor — $189.99 $249.99 (save $60)

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey (G55C) Curved Gaming Monitor — $189.99 $329.99 (save $140) ✅

• LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor (27GS93QE-B) — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400) ✅