IT General

The full moon is tomorrow, but for now, we're still in the previous phase of the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is the process of the moon's visibility. There are eight phases, and the whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA.

Keep reading to find out what's happening tonight, October 6.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Oct. 6, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 99% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

So, what can you see tonight? With no visual aids (and a clear sky) you should be able to catch glimpses of the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. With binoculars, you'll also see the Apennine Mountains, the Mare Nectaris, and the Gassendi Crater. If you have a telescope, you can also spot the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 7. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

The eight main moon phases are as follows:

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.

Last Quarter (or Third 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.

Happy Saturday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Today's games are harder than they initially seem, but we have all the tips you need to navigate them.

Released in August 2025, the 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 onto 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 for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 4, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 4, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 6 Pips

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

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 6 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 6 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add to 6. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're a music fanatic.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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: Musical equipment

• Green: Worn in cooler weather

• Blue: They're wound up

• Purple: Ways to address someone

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a record player setup

• Green: Kinds of coats

• Blue: Things that come on spools

• Purple: Starting with homophones of greetings

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 #849 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a record player setup: AMP, PREAMP, SPEAKER, TURNTABLE

• Kinds of coats: CAMEL, DUFFLE, PEA, TRENCH

• Things that come on spools: FILM, TAPE, THREAD, WIRE

• Starting with homophones of greetings: HAIKU, HAYSTACK, HELONIUM, YEOMAN

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 29, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will help you understand the flavor of today's puzzle.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you're a homebody.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In for the evening

The words are related to clothing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe comfortable clothes worn at home.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Loungewear.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 6

• Pajamas

• Robes

• Nightgowns

• Loungewear

• Longjohns

• Joggers

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 features a couple things that might trip people up regardless of their favorite starting word.

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.

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you love to entertain.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To cheer up.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

AMUSE

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

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.

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

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Separately.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ASIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

The sound a bird makes.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TWEET

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Revealed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SHOWN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An underground vault.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CRYPT

Final Hurdle hint

More mature.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

OLDER

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

Using just the built-in features in the iPhone's Photos app, you can make your videos play in a loop for as long as you want. You can also do the same for YouTube videos using the native app. This eliminates the need to manually replay your videos, and we'll show you how to do that.

When shopping for a new laptop, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by those long lists of specs and features that retailers throw at you. However, there’s one spec every laptop has that you should never overlook: system memory, also known as RAM.

Summer camps became a new scare location after the slasher franchise of Friday the 13th changed them forever. Born from tragedy, the slashing Jason Vorhees took out his revenge on the camp counselors who wronged him. Inspired by his mother, the masked man brutalizes any visitors to his grounds of dark lakes and creaky cabins.

Laptops are pretty essential as on-the-go computers, but don’t always come with all the USB ports you need. That's why USB hubs have become a go-to solution for so many of us, turning a single port into a command center for all our gear. We plug in our external hard drives, keyboards, mice, and card readers without much thought.

The Windows 11 widgets panel can be handy, but its out-of-the-box setup often feels messy. You’ll find widgets you may never use, others placed or sized inappropriately, and some that don’t display the correct information. Luckily, Windows lets you personalize this panel—and here’s how you can do it.

The third season of Netflix’s true crime anthology Monster dives into the life and crimes of serial killer and grave robber Ed Gein. The Wisconsin-born farmer gained national infamy in 1957 after police, investigating the disappearance of local store owner Bernice Worden, discovered her body — and the remains of nine others — inside his home. Many of those bodies had been exhumed and turned into grisly keepsakes, including lamps, bowls, and masks.

Gein ultimately confessed to one additional murder and was suspected in as many as seven others, including the deaths of his brother and a missing babysitter from a nearby town. Though never charged beyond the two murders, the horrifying details of his crimes turned him into a macabre household name. His story would go on to inspire some of horror’s most iconic villains: Norman Bates (Psycho), Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and Buffalo Bill (The Silence of the Lambs). Gein was later convicted of first-degree murder but found legally insane, leading to his confinement to a series of mental institutions. He remained there for the rest of his life, passing away in 1984 at the age of 77 from lung cancer and respiratory failure.

Given America’s obsession with true crime, it was only a matter of time before Netflix — and producers Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan — turned their lens toward the man who inspired so many fictional monsters.

Released on Oct. 4, the new season has been met with largely unfavorable reviews. Critics have taken issue with its unfocused storytelling and what they describe as a grotesque, "pulpy and sloppy" portrayal of Gein’s crimes and personal life. The show also takes significant creative liberties, depicting graphic acts that Gein was accused of but never proven to have committed.

With Monster’s history of blurring fact and fiction in its dramatizations of real-life killers, the question remains: what’s true, and what’s invented, in the story of Ed Gein?

Who was Ed Gein? Ed Gein, 51, stands with his attorney William Belter at the Wabsara County Court. Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Ed Gein was born in Plainfield, Wisconsin, in 1906, the youngest of two sons to George and Augusta Gein. According to Harold Schechter’s book Deviant, Augusta was a "devoutly — even fanatically — religious" woman who often preached to her sons about the evils of the world, particularly the corrupting influence of women. Schechter writes that Augusta viewed her husband as "feckless and worthless" and believed sex — indeed, the very act of it — was a “loathsome duty to be tolerated for the sake of procreation.” When she gave birth to Ed, her second child, and learned he was a boy, she reportedly "felt bitter and betrayed." Determined to protect her sons from temptation and sin, she devoted herself to raising them into what she considered "good" men—at least as good as men could be in her eyes.

Growing up, Ed idolized his mother. “In his eyes, she was no less infallible than God,” Schechter writes. Other accounts describe George Gein as a violent alcoholic who regularly beat his sons, while Augusta was also known to physically harm and humiliate Ed.

The only time Ed left the family’s isolated farm was to attend school. Augusta used their remoteness to her advantage, keeping outside influences away and punishing Ed whenever he tried to befriend other children.

George Gein died of heart failure in 1940 at the age of 66. Four years later, Ed’s brother Henry died at 43, also from what was ruled heart failure—though the circumstances around his death remain murky (more on that later). The following year, Augusta suffered a stroke, leaving Ed to care for her. According to The Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, about a year later, Augusta suffered a second, fatal stroke after flying into a rage upon seeing a neighbor with a woman who wasn’t his wife.

After his parents’ deaths, Ed stayed on the farm and supported himself with odd jobs around town. During this period, as described in Laurence Rickels’ The Psycho Records, he began reading pulp magazines and lurid adventure stories — many focused on cannibalism and Nazi war crimes, particularly crimes committed by Ilsa Koch.

It’s unclear how Gein first encountered these materials or his connection to Koch, though Monster suggests he was introduced to them by a woman named Adeleine Watkins — a detail that, like much of the show, shouldn’t be taken as fact.

Who is Adeline Watkins? Suzanna Son as Adeline Watkins. Credit: Netflix

In Netflix’s Monster, Suzanne Son portrays Adeline Watkins, Gein’s love interest and the woman who introduces him to the lurid pulp magazines that supposedly inspired his later crimes. In reality, though, Watkins appears to have been nothing more than a longtime friend and neighbor.

In a 1957 interview with the Minneapolis Tribune (now the Wisconsin State Journal), Watkins — then 50 years old — claimed she had dated Gein for about 20 years. She described how the two would often go to movies and taverns together and shared a fondness for reading. In that same interview, Watkins reportedly called Gein “good and kind and sweet,” adding that he had once proposed marriage, but she turned him down.

However, just two weeks after the story was published, Watkins walked back much of what she had said. She told reporters that the article had exaggerated both the nature and duration of their relationship. While she confirmed she’d known Gein for more than two decades, she clarified that they had only been romantically involved for about a year. According to Watkins, during that brief time they dated, Gein would occasionally stop by her home (she claims to have never been to his home) and they'd go to shows at the theater. Watkins also denied ever describing Gein — or her mother’s opinion of him — as “sweet.”

Did Gein kill his brother?

While Ed Gein ultimately confessed to only two murders — Mary Hogan in 1954 and Bernice Worden in 1957 — the gruesome discovery of flesh lamps, masks, and other human remains led authorities to suspect him in several unsolved cases in the area. Gein denied any further killings, and lie detector tests at the time cleared him of additional charges — though, as always, the reliability of polygraph results is questionable.

Netflix’s version of Gein, however, takes a different stance. The series implies he was also responsible for the deaths of local babysitter Evelyn Grace Hartley (portrayed by Addison Rae), a deer hunter named Victor Travis, and even his own brother.

As mentioned earlier, official records state that Gein’s brother, Henry, died at age 43 in 1944 from heart failure after going missing during a brush fire on the family farm. According to reports, Gein had been burning marshland when the flames spread out of control. After the fire was extinguished, he told firefighters that Henry was missing. They later found Henry lying face down, with no significant burns or visible injuries. Authorities ruled the death as heart failure, though many — including some investigators —found the circumstances suspicious.

Gein’s biographer, Schechter, later noted that Henry’s body was found with bruises on his head — an odd detail that didn’t align with the official story. Despite this, no autopsy was ever performed. The county coroner ultimately listed the cause of death as asphyxiation.

Adding to the mystery, although Gein told authorities his brother was missing, he led them straight to Henry’s body. While theories vary about what might have motivated him, most center on the brothers’ strained relationship over their mother. Henry reportedly wanted to leave the farm and move in with the woman he was dating — a plan that clashed with Gein's deep, almost fanatical devotion to Augusta.

I spent $10 on a smart home remote on the off-chance that I’d find some use for it. Now I’m sad I only bought one, since I’ve found so many good uses for it in my Home Assistant smart home.

There are a lot of VPN services out there, and many of them claim to be the cheapest. We went through our VPN reviews to find the services and make sure you get the best value.

Amazon’s October Prime Day — also known as Prime Big Deal Days — is nearly upon us, officially running on Oct. 7 and 8, but early Pokémon deals and bargains are already appearing faster than an Abra’s Teleport. Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon TCG collector, a nostalgic anime fan, or someone just looking to add a bit of Pikachu sparkle to your wardrobe, there are already plenty of ways to save.

Right now, along with Amazon’s best early Prime Day deals across all categories, the retailer has quietly rolled out a surprising range of Pokémon discounts — covering everything from trading card booster bundles and plush toys to specially made figures, apparel, and even official binders to keep your rare pulls pristine. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on cards, since they’re currently below market value, and are expected to sell out quickly.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

These early deals cater to all kinds of trainers, whether you’re a competitive card collector seeking the latest Scarlet & Violet expansions, a parent hunting for kid-friendly toys, or an anime enthusiast looking to complete your DVD collection with Ash & Pikachu’s classic adventures.

Mashable has spotted a handful of stand-out offers that blend genuine value with collector appeal, and we’ll continue to update this list once Amazon’s Big Deal Days begin in earnest. So, keep an eye on this space as more Poké-savings evolve over the next few days.

Best Pokémon deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon TCG Black Bolt Binder Box $47.99 at Amazon
$67.89 Save $19.90 Get Deal Why we like it

Packs of Black Bolt & White Flare cards have been in short supply in the world of the Pokémon TCG lately, but getting 29% off this Black Bolt Binder Box is a fantastic early Prime Day deal. You can potentially get some solid pulls and store your special rares all in one go.

Priced at $47.99 (down from $67.89), it offers solid savings on a premium bundle that combines both functionality and Gen-V fun. Inside, you’ll find a themed 9-pocket binder capable of holding hundreds of cards, plus five Black Bolt booster packs from the Scarlet & Violet expansion and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

Each pack gives you the chance to pull striking cards, including rare Zekrom variants worth hundreds of dollars, a practically priceless Victini, and a picturesque Special Illustration Rare of N’s plan. While pull rates vary, fans of the Pokémon Black and White games will still love even the common cards from this set, dedicated to the franchise’s fifth generation. 

The binder’s tight-fit sleeves and elastic closure add an extra layer of polish too — making this a tidy, display-ready set that’s great value for collectors and gift-givers alike.

More Pokémon deals

• Re-Ment Pokémon Swing Vignette Decorative Miniature Figure (Pikachu & Altaria) - $11.99 $23.99 (50% off)

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box - Mega Gardevior - $121.48 $128.50 (5% off)

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Booster Bundle - $54.99 $59.99 (8% off)

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet 10.5 Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box - $84.99 $95.49 (11% off)

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet 10.5 Black Bolt Booster Bundle Set - $54.97 $58.95 (7% off)

• Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Booster Pack (Random Art) - 10 Cards - $12.93 $18.99 (32% off)

• Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Stellar Crown Booster Pack - 10 Cards - $11.44 $11.99 (5% off)

• Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle - $67.95 $72.96 (7% off)

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolutions Mega Heroes Mini Tin Display (10 Tins) - $219.84 $249.45 (13% off)

• Pokémon Advanced Complete Collection (DVD) - $33.46 $49.99 (33% off)

• Pokémon-Themed (Off-Brand) Collectable Trading Card Album - $7.49 $13.99 (46% off)

• Pokémon Boys 5 Pack No Show Socks - $8.19 $9.99 (18% off)

• Charizard Costume for Kids - $29.99 $64.99 (54% off)

• Pokémon Women's 5 Pack No-Show Socks - $9.34 $10.99 (15% off)

• Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Nintendo Switch) - $52.49 $59.99 (13% off)

• Pokémon Violet (Nintendo Switch) - $52.46 $59.99 (13% off)

• Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! (Nintendo Switch) - $51.49 $59.99 (14% off)

• Pokemon Shining Pearl (Nintendo Switch) - $48.00 $59.99 (20% off)

• Nintendo Switch Lite - Pokemon Sword and Shield Edition - Light Gray (Renewed) - $182.87 $229.99 (20% off)

Like any other piece of software, Microsoft Word is prone to bugs and other technical issues. Usually, these issues are nothing more than minor inconveniences, but some of the more severe glitches can have terrifying consequences.

SAVE 35%: As of Oct. 5, the Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects kit is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon — down from $45.99 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crest Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects – Teeth Whitening Kit $29.99 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal

We’ve seen plenty of the best early Prime Day deals, even before the Big Deal Days event starting on Oct. 7 and 8, but this Crest 3D Whitestrips discount is one that literally shines.

In honor of Amazon Prime Day, the fan-favorite whitening kit is back down to $29.99, a 35% savings off its usual $45.99 price tag. For anyone who’s been eyeing an at-home smile refresh before holiday season selfies kick in, now’s the time to stock up.

The Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects kit comes with 22 treatments total (20 regular and two bonus 1-hour express treatments) and 44 strips overall. It’s designed to whiten like a $400 professional treatment, using the same hydrogen peroxide ingredient that dentists rely on, while staying gentle and enamel-safe.

SEE ALSO: Some of Amazon's early Prime Day Apple deals are already add-to-cart worthy

Thanks to Advanced Seal Technology, the strips grip securely to your teeth so you can still sip water or talk without worrying about them sliding off. That’s a small but meaningful win for multitaskers. 

Crest has also advised that you can achieve whitening results of up to 19 levels brighter, with a noticeably whiter smile after just a few uses. Altogether, you’re being promised a 100% visibly whiter smile, guaranteed.

Each treatment takes about 45 minutes, with the 1-Hour Express strips offering faster touch-ups when you need a last-minute glow-up. Whilst some customers on Amazon left reviews mentioning mild sensitivity, most agree it’s a small trade-off for how effective these strips are at erasing coffee, tea, and wine stains that have built up over time.

Crest is still the #1 dentist-recommended at-home whitening brand, and this kit has more than 98,000 five-star ratings on Amazon to prove it. Prime members can snag free delivery and lock in this limited-time price while it lasts.

In Taylor Swift's newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, she has an oft-debated new song, "CANCELLED!" The biggest argument about the song is who it's about (Blake Lively? Brittany Mahomes? Sophie Turner?). But one specific lyric has some wondering whether a viral TikTok meme apparently referenced in the song could earn a payout for the creator who coined it.

In the pre-chorus, Swift sings, "Did you girlboss too close to the sun? / Did they catch you having far too much fun?"

If that first line feels a bit familiar to you, it might be because of a viral 2021 TikTok in which influencer and comedian Caroline Timoney said: "Listen, I can’t give any more information, but I fear I may have girlbossed a bit too close to the sun." It currently has 7.5 million views, and Timoney told Mashable she "couldn't be more excited."

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' is here, and the internet is divided

Timoney is "total Swiftie," so when her friends started texting her ahead of Swift's album release, saying her iconic turn of phrase was in one of the songs, she didn't really believe it.

"The next morning I woke up first to like 100 text messages on my phone," she said. "I'm from the East Coast, so most of my friends were already up. It was a really insane day... [She's] been my Spotify number one for the past five or so years. I went to the Eras Tour. I'm a huge Swiftie, so I was just so excited by it more than anything. Just truly so, so excited and really shocked."

Later that day, she posted a video to TikTok saying she "woke up this morning to discover that my TikTok audio that I made as a sophomore in college — 'I girlbossed too close to the sun' — was in a Taylor Swift song. Am I her Shakespeare? Yes. Do I see us as co-writers? As fellow songwriters? Yeah, all of it, all of the above. But I haven't changed. I've forgotten a few names of friends and family because I'm blowing up. These kinds of things happen. But I am genuinely so shocked."

While Timoney is not interested in taking legal action ("It's so public. I'm so proud of my little phrase that I wrote. And I do think I have some ownership over the fact that I came up with that. And I think it's cool, but I don't think I trademarked it or should or could trademark it."), many of the comments encourage her to "lawyer up" and "get that money."

However, one commenter pointed out that the line "girlboss too close to the sun" is a reference to Candace Owens, who said as much in a YouTube video from earlier this year about Swift's alleged involvement in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. "But I came up with the phrase," Timoney wrote in a comment in response.

One copyright lawyer on TikTok, Rocky Retrograde, drew parallels between this and the situation between Lizzo and Mina Lioness, who tweeted "I did a DNA test and found out I'm 100% that bitch" before Lizzo released her album Truth Hurts. Lizzo ended up giving Lioness a writing credit on the song. Retrograde — along with many of Timoney's fans and commenters — recommended that Timoney reach out and try to do the same with Swift.

Timoney, for her part, just isn't interested in that.

"I feel like the phrase 'I girlbossed too close to the sun' became such a public phrase. I've had friends say it to me, who maybe first heard it from my TikTok audio or from a friend repeating the phrase to them, and they don't necessarily know that it's me," she said of its evolution. "It's cool to have contributed to the public lexicon."

The best early October Prime Day Apple deals at a glance: Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) $169.99 (save $79.01) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + cellular, 42mm) $329 (save $170) Get Deal Best iPad Deal Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (A14 Bionic, WiFi + cellular, 256GB) $449 (save $150) Get Deal Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,199 (save $200) Get Deal

Apple fans should circle Oct. 7 and 8 on their calendars: That's when Amazon is having its fourth annual Prime Big Deal Days sale. This "October Prime Day" event (an informal Black Friday kickoff) typically prompts record-low prices on AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and MacBooks, marking one of the absolute best times of year to upgrade any older Apple gadgets that just aren't cutting it.

This year, Prime Big Deal Days comes hot on the heels of Apple's "Awe Dropping" launch of new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. I doubt the new iPhone 17 series or iPhone Air will go on sale once the event starts, but I'm pretty confident we'll see some initial discounts on the new Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3, as well as the updated AirPods Pro 3.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

At the time of publication in early October, the Series 11 was already $10 off (normally $399, now $389). I'd personally wait to see if it dips even lower, but if you're jonesing to have it right away post-release, this is a fine excuse to add it to your cart. An even better pre-Prime Day Apple Watch deal stars its predecessor, the Series 10, which is a whopping $170 off if you opt for cellular connectivity. That blows past its previous all-time low price.

Two other Apple gadgets that I'd go ahead and buy now without hesitation are the 10th-generation iPad with 256GB of storage and cellular connectivity, and the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 512GB of storage. Amazon currently has on sale for record lows of $499 and $1,199, respectively. I can't see them getting much cheaper once Prime Big Deal Days begin. (Happy to be proven wrong, though!)

If you're in the market for new AirPods, the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 are already seeing steep discounts. While neither has dropped to its best price on record, we don't see prices this low on either option very often. You could hold off until the shopping event starts, but there's no guarantee they'll get any cheaper.

Below, I've rounded up over two dozen of the best early October Prime Day Apple deals. I'll continue to monitor prices and flag record lows (marked with a 🔥) in the lead-up to the sale, so check back often.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) $169.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like them

The second-generation AirPods Pro offer top-tier sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and a battery life of about seven hours per charge. They're our current favorite earbuds for Apple users, though that may soon change once we finish testing the newer AirPods Pro 3, which have a different design and five swappable ear tips (up from three), even better active noise cancellation, Live Translation, and extra health features. They're a pretty significant upgrade on paper, but if price is your biggest concern, the AirPods Pro 2 are $79 cheaper. While this isn't the cheapest they've ever been, it's still a hefty discount compared to its usual $199 sale price.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C).

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 — $89.99 $129 (save $39.01)

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $139.99 $179 (save $39.01)

• Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $519 $549 (save $30)

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + cellular, 42mm) 🔥 $329 at Amazon
$499 Save $170 Get Deal Why we like it

While the Apple Watch Series 10 is virtually identical to its successor in terms of features and design, its battery life is worse. That's not ideal if you plan to regularly use tracking tools like Sleep Score, which get less accurate in Low Power Mode, but it's an easy sacrifice at a price like this. The rose gold Series 10 with cellular connectivity and a light blush sport band is now just $329 — a 34% savings and a new all-time low. Before this month, it never dipped below $370.

This deal is so good, I almost think it might be a fluke on Amazon's part (either that or an inventory-clearing clearance discount). The non-cellular version is on sale for the exact same price there.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

More Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (GPS, 44mm) — $199 $279 (save $80)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) — $329 $399 (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $389 $399 (save $10) 🔥

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (A14 Bionic, WiFi + cellular, 256GB) 🔥 $499 at Amazon
$649 Save $150 Get Deal Why we like it

If you care more about storage capacity and cellular connectivity than processing power, this is a stellar deal on a 256GB 10th-gen iPad from late 2022. (It's a carbon copy of the 11th-gen model from early 2025, just with an older A14 Bionic chipset.) It usually retails for $649, but Amazon's dropped the silver variant down to a record-low price of $449 in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days. The other colors are either sold out or only available from a third-party seller.

More iPad deals

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) — $449 $499 (save $50)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) — $399 $499 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $449 $599 (save $150) 🔥

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $649 $799 (save $50) 🔥

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $899 $999 (save $100

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,099.99 $1,299 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB, 512GB SSD) 🔥 $1,199 at Amazon
$1,399 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

The latest MacBook Air is an absolute powerhouse, outperforming 89% of the laptops in our current testing database (many of which cost significantly more). Compared to the previous-gen M3 model, it offers a 24% speed boost along with an improved 12MP Center Stage camera and added open-lid support for two external displays. The 15-inch model with 512GB of storage (twice that of the base model) is on sale for $1,199 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, or $200 off. It's currently the only MacBook that's sitting at an all-time low.

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4).

More MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $897 $999 (save $102)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,869 $3,199 (save $330)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,099 $3,499 (save $400)

It's a common joke that Python makes a great calculator in its interactive mode. You can make it an even better one with the built-in math module, which contains a lot of the same math functions you would find on a handheld scientific or graphing calculator.