IT General

You'll be hard-pressed to find a PlayStation 5 Pro in stock right now. Major retailers, including PlayStation Direct, Best Buy, Amazon (including bundle offers), Target, and Walmart, are sold out. With the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI, the reseller market has gotten a little ridiculous (as has everything else).

Why is the PS5 Pro out of stock?

Beyond the obvious hype for Rockstar's next release, Sony is dealing with broader supply chain bottlenecks. The global AI boom is squeezing the semiconductor market, which means Sony can't build consoles fast enough. According to distributor reports, these supply constraints could keep stock tight well into 2027.

Should you buy a PS5 Pro from a third-party seller?

Naturally, scalpers are having a field day. We've seen third-party listings on reseller sites (and even GameStop's official pre-owned page) gouging buyers for $1,300 to $1,500+ for a console that retails for $899. Sony is taking the issue so seriously that in Japan, they're forcing buyers to enter a lottery — and prove they've clocked at least 60 hours of PS4 or PS5 playtime over the last two years — just for a chance to buy a PS5 Pro.

If you absolutely have to buy one today and have money to burn, here's what the third-party market currently looks like:

• GameStop: A pre-owned unit will currently run you $1,329.99.

• Swappa: This is a legitimate, verified marketplace for used tech. However, verified PS5 Pro listings are currently sitting at $1,338.

• StockX: The popular resale bidding site currently has the console hovering around $1,290.

• Macy's and Walmart: Don't be fooled by third-party sellers on major retail sites. A low-rated seller on Walmart is currently asking $1,644.99 (open-box units are already sold out), while a third-party seller on Macy's is asking a staggering $1,749.99.

• Mercari: We found a listing here for $800. Since this is $100 below the official MSRP for a highly coveted, sold-out item, it's almost certainly a scam. Avoid it.

How to find a PS5 Pro in stock before launch

If you're set on securing a Pro before launch day, here's how to play the restock game without burning a hole in your wallet:

• Sign up for stock alerts. Restocks happen in small, sudden waves. Set up notifications through stock-tracking accounts on X (like @PS5StockUpdater) or apps like HotStock to get pinged the second inventory hits.

• Bookmark and refresh product pages. Keep direct product pages saved for PlayStation Direct, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. PlayStation Direct in particular occasionally drops invite-only or queue-based stock.

• Check local inventory. Sometimes brick-and-mortar stores (like local GameStops or Target stores) receive small physical allocations that don't always show up online right away. It never hurts to ask an associate in person.

• Preorder the game now. Don't hold your breath for a last-minute GTA 6 PS5 Pro console bundle. Secure your physical or digital preorder now so you're ready to go, no matter which console sits under your TV on day one.

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

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.

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Whoops

• Green: East Coast basketball

• Blue: Tennis manufacturers

• Purple: Soccers stars

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Mistake

• Green: Big East Schools

• Blue: Tennis Ball Brands

• Purple: NWSL MVPs

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 #750 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Mistake: BLUNDER, ERROR, FLUB, HOWLER

• Big East Schools: CREIGHTON, DEPAUL, PROVIDENCE, VILLANOVA

• Tennis Ball Brands: BABOLAT, DUNLOP, PENN, WILSON

• NWSL MVPs: CHAWINGA, FISHLOCK, HOLIDAY, KEROLIN

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 13, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 13, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 13 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 13 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. 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 2-4, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 13 Pips

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

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

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

TL;DR: The Champions League is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, and Prime Video. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Winning your domestic league is great, but winning the Champions League is on another level.

PSG are looking to secure an incredible third consecutive title. That's going to be a mammoth task in the face of giants like Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, all desperate to lift the iconic trophy.

If you want to watch the 2026-27 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single-leg final.

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2026-27 Champions League?

The 2026-27 Champions League is the 72nd edition of the competition (and the 35th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament starts on July 7 and runs until the final on June 5.

How to watch the 2026-27 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2026-27 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media

• Turkey — tabii

• UK — Prime Video (free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Champions League by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2026-27 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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

• Up to eight 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 a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Lille in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage is all about consistency. Arsenal secured an important three points in the opening round of games, but they'll be desperate to continue winning to secure a place in the top eight. Next they face Lille at the Emirates Stadium, a game that fans will expect to win.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Lille in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Lille?

Arsenal vs. Lille in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Lille for free

Arsenal vs. Lille is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Arsenal vs. Lille for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Arsenal vs. Lille 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 most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Arsenal vs. Lille (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, 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 Arsenal vs. Lille in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Lens vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League showcases a number of interesting fixtures this week, including Lens vs. Sporting. Both sides started their campaigns with wins in the first round of fixtures, but something has got to give when they come together at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

If you want to watch Lens vs. Sporting in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lens vs. Sporting?

Lens vs. Sporting in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

How to watch Lens vs. Sporting for free

Lens vs. Sporting is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Lens vs. Sporting for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Lens vs. Sporting 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 most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Lens vs. Sporting (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, 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 Lens vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League returns with a string of high-profile fixtures this week, including Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United at the Metropolitano Stadium. There isn't much room for error from Michael Carrick's team. They've made a sluggish start to the new season, and they won't relish a trip to face Diego Simeone's side.

If you want to watch Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United?

Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.

How to watch Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United for free

Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United in the Champions League is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK.

You don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

5. Live stream Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United for free on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, 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 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.

Stream Atlético Madrid vs. Manchester United in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you enjoy professional sports.

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 October 12, 2026 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: Style

• Green: Attach

• Blue: Winning

• Purple: Same first word

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: Discernment

• Green: Fasten

• Blue: Sports championship prizes

• Purple: Loose ___

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 #1220 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Discernment: EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE

• Fasten: HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE

• Sports championship prizes: BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING

• Loose ___: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS

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.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 13, 2026 Eye meaning

An organ used for seeing.

Lash meaning

To tie things together.

Lips meaning

A body part possessed by some vertebrates.

Jacket meaning

Outerwear designed to keep you warm, looking stylish, or both

Tie meaning

To lash things together.

Sense meaning

An awareness of something.

Change meaning

To alter the state or condition of something.

Belt meaning

A clothing item often used to hold up trousers.

Ring meaning

An item of jewelry, often worn on fingers.

Taste meaning

A sense that allows us to determine the flavor of something.

Cup meaning

An item used for beverages or as part of a trophy.

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.

Hitch meaning

A variety of knot.

Cannon meaning

An archaic weapon using gunpowder to fire a variety of ammo types at the enemy.

Tether meaning

To attach something to something else.

Flair meaning

To have style or do something with style.

Ends meaning

The limits of something.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you've ever experienced an awkward moment.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 13, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Well, this is awkward

The words are related to uncomfortable experiences.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe awkward moments.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cringeworthy.

NYT Strands word list for October 13

• Cringeworthy

• Embarrass

• Appall

• Chagrin

• Mortify

• Nonplus

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 know how to size things up.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 13, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Broader.

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 W.

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...

WIDER

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.

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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.

So you've found an old CRT PC monitor, or maybe you inherited it from your grandpa. Either way, it's just a heavy old piece of junk, right? Best to just send it off for recycling, because there's no good use for these anymore. Wrong!

A fake cobweb and a few carved pumpkins won't do. Having the best Halloween display on the block means hunting down unconventional and highly interactive pieces that give your neighbors a good scare — or a good laugh. (Let's hope your HOA is a fan, too.)

After covering and monitoring all of the biggest launches of the year so far, we've put together a definitive list of the best Halloween decorations and animatronics of 2026. There's still time to put some up if you haven't already, and as a bonus, many are on sale at this point in the season.

An upgraded 12-foot skeleton Credit: The Home Depot

Skelly can talk now! The Home Depot went high-tech in updating its beloved 12-foot skeleton for 2026. Using a companion mobile app, you can now chat with trick-or-treaters though the animatronic in real time or record up to 30 custom voice lines for it to play. It also has a new moving head, a light-up ribcage, and 20 different eye effects. This marks Skelly's biggest upgrade since it launched with fanfare back in 2020.

This new app-controlled Skelly costs $80 more than the standard version, which continues to be a hit on social media. A video of two Skellies dressed up as characters from the Chicks' song "Goodbye Earl" amassed more than 12 million views on TikTok this fall. Another clip of a fully rhinestoned Skelly is at nearly 2 million views. No bones about it: He's still the reigning king of spooky season.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 12-foot Giant-Sized Animated LED App-Controlled Skelly $379 at The Home Depot
  Shop Now An even taller headless skeleton Credit: Lowe's

Is there anything scarier than the surveillance state? Lowe's new talking, overall-clad Skeleton Watcher holds its glowing skull in the air for a better view of the neighborhood. (Note: It doesn't actually have cameras in its eyes, but they do light up.) It's the largest Halloween animatronic on the market this year, towering over Skelly at 15 feet tall. This one was on clearance, and on the verge of selling out, at the time of writing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lowe's Haunted Living 15-foot Talking Lighted Skeleton Watcher Motion-Activated Animatronic $343.20 at Lowe's
$429 Save $85.80   Shop Now A talking zombie parrot Credit: The Home Depot

The Home Depot's new five-foot Rotwing Parrot is an oversized blue-and-gold macaw that fell off the perch. It can say 20 different phrases and answer yes or no questions, sort of like an undead avian Magic 8 Ball. It's one of the most popular items from the home improvement retailer's 2026 Halloween collection, selling out several times over the past few months. It was back in stock the last time I checked, but there weren't many left.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 5-foot Dead Water Animated LED Rotwing Parrot $179 at The Home Depot
  Shop Now A head-banging skeleton DJ Credit: Lowe's Credit: Lowe's

I think I read somewhere that DJs transport their equipment in protective cases called coffins? Anyway, that's very apt for Lowe's new Bluetooth-enabled DJ skeleton animatronic, which can sync its head-banging to any song on your Halloween party playlist. He's still pretty underground but seems to be on the come-up: A video of him posted on Instagram a few weeks ago has hit almost 2 million views.

The DJ skeleton was out of stock on the Lowe's website in early October, but you might have luck finding it in person at a Lowe's store, or on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lowe's Haunted Living 5.7-foot Motion-Activated Bluetooth DJ Lighted Skeleton Animatronic $299 at Lowe's
  Learn More A salacious singing jack-o'-lantern This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

A crooning pumpkin decoration called Jabberin' Jack went viral on TikTok in September after one perturbed mom pointed out that it included a suggestive song called "Wicked for One Night." (Some lyrics: "How would you like to scream all night? I'll fill you full of fright. / I'll spoil you with my roasted pumpkin seeds." Sir, this is a pumpkin patch.) On second thought, I don't know if I'd necessarily call this one of the "best" Halloween decorations of 2026, but it's definitely one of the most memorable.

The president of Mindscope Products, the company that makes Jabberin' Jack, apologized for the song and told Business Insider that it won't be included on next year's version — so if you want a piece of brief internet history, order one soon. It's currently $5 off on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mindscope Products Jabberin' Jack Talking Animated Pumpkin with 8-inch Screen and Built-in Projector + Speaker $39.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $5   Shop Now Honorable mention: Homemade Captain Clark animatronics

Halloween creators Wicked Makers, Terror Hauntz, and Haunted Halloween Guy turned some old zombie props into sick DIY animatronics of the deformed pirate monster from Backrooms, A24's hit horror movie based on creepypasta. You can't buy them anywhere, but mark my words: Big-box stores will be selling some versions of these within a year.

Does it really matter what brand or model of GPU you buy? Regardless of who the board partner is, the GPU on the card still comes from AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel, right? So why are you paying more for a "premium" card?

Brand deals usually pay influencers to post. But Jack Doherty says his latest agreement pays him to stop.

The controversial YouTuber and livestreamer says he signed a contract with cryptocurrency casino Shuffle.com without fully reading it, only to discover that its terms prevent him from posting online. Shuffle co-founder Noah Dummett says the agreement is real and has a six-month term. But without the full contract, the scope of the restriction — and whether it can be enforced — remains unclear.

The arrangement appears to have started with a less-than-friendly exchange on X. In late September, Doherty asked whether he should livestream himself trading meme coins. Shuffle’s official account responded: "At this point we will pay you to shut the f**k up."

For anyone unfamiliar with Doherty, his content revolves around stunts, public pranks, and confrontational livestreams. His videos include titles like "I crashed into a cop car" and "I got banned from Disney." Earlier this year, he was removed from the Phoenix Open after appearing to pay a spectator to shout during a golfer’s pre-shot routine.

Recently, Doherty went looking for sponsors. In an Oct. 7 post, he said his $JACK meme coin wasn’t performing as well as he’d hoped and invited brands to contact him. Shuffle resurfaced its earlier response, adding, "legit offer btw."

By the end of the week, Doherty was telling followers he wanted out.

"Hey guys, I think I actually f**ked up," he wrote in a statement shared on X. "I recently signed a contract with a casino called shuffle.com but I didn't read the contract fully... One of the terms is that I'm not allowed to post online anymore, which I thought was a joke but now they're enforcing it."

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

Doherty said he was working with his lawyer to resolve the situation, adding: "This might be my last post for a while, I'll try and be back soon."

Dummett’s response suggested the company had little interest in reconsidering. In an Oct. 10 post, he described the agreement as "money well spent to get this mf off the internet." He also said Doherty’s lawyers were pushing to scrap the contract, but Shuffle intended to stand firm.

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

I do a lot of writing on my laptop, but it's far from ideal. The problem is that my laptop is full of distractions that can steal my focus, including access to the entirety of the internet as well as highly addictive games such as Slay the Spire. I decided to turn my old Kindle into a distraction-free writing terminal, and it worked better than I was expecting.

We're getting to the point in October where it's perfectly reasonable to put the tombstones, skeletons, and giant spiders on the lawn in anticipation of Halloween. But if you're like me, you'll still want a couple of comedies on your pre-spooky season movie night list to keep things light before all the horror arrives.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 20+ AI models, side-by-side comparisons, AI image generation, and unlimited monthly messages (subject to fair use) for $59.97 through Oct. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $59.97
$619 Save $559.03   Get Deal

One AI model might nail your prompt, while another offers a completely different approach. Why choose just one without seeing what the others can do? ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan is just $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 15 during the extended Deal Days sale, giving you lifetime access to 20+ AI models in one workspace.

ChatPlayground AI brings ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, Perplexity, and more together in a single interface. Enter a prompt once, compare responses side by side, and decide which answer works best for your project.

That’s very useful when you’re drafting content, brainstorming ideas, writing code, or working through a complicated question. Rather than relying on one model’s response, you can see how several approach the same task.

And there’s more here than a collection of chatbots.

Upload PDFs and images to ask questions about your files, use built-in prompt engineering tools to refine your requests, or generate AI images without leaving the platform. Saved chat history also makes it easy to revisit previous conversations and pick up where you left off.

The Unlimited Plan includes unlimited monthly messages (subject to a fair-use policy), plus priority customer support and early access to new features and future models. Available models are regularly updated and may change.

For anyone who regularly experiments with different AI tools, having everything in one place is a practical way to simplify the process.

Get lifetime access to ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan for a one-time $59.97 payment (reg. $619) through Oct. 15 and put multiple AI perspectives to work with one purchase.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A portable charger is a staple of plenty of travel bags. But a power bank reportedly caught fire aboard an IndiGo flight on Sunday, forcing the plane to change course and make an emergency landing in Hyderabad, India.

IndiGo Flight 6E 6115 was traveling from Delhi to Chennai on Oct. 11 when the fire broke out in an overhead luggage compartment. Around 180 passengers and seven crew members were aboard, according to a statement carried by local outlets. Cabin crew extinguished the fire, and the aircraft landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

Footage shared online shows passengers responding to the IndiGo power bank fire in midair, as reported by People. The video shows passengers standing in the aisle and attempting to contain the flames in the overhead compartment. No injuries were reported.

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

IndiGo said smoke had been detected from a passenger’s "personal electronic device." (Local reports identified that device as a power bank.)

"The cabin crew responded promptly, and the situation was brought under control," the airline said. IndiGo arranged another aircraft to continue the journey to Chennai. Authorities have launched an investigation.

Can you bring a power bank on a plane?

The incident puts a familiar travel accessory — and the rules around packing it — back in the spotlight.

IndiGo’s published baggage policy states that power banks must remain within a passenger’s reach, such as under the seat, in a seat pocket, or on their person. They cannot be stored in overhead compartments or checked baggage. Its cabin baggage guidance also prohibits using, charging, or recharging them during a flight.

Those restrictions are part of a wider push to address battery risks aboard aircraft. In March, the International Civil Aviation Organization introduced new specifications limiting passengers to two power banks and prohibiting passengers from recharging those banks during flights.

For U.S. travelers, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration require power banks to travel in carry-on baggage. If your bag gets checked at the gate, the power bank needs to come out and remain with you in the cabin. Battery terminals also need protection against short circuits. Airline-specific restrictions can be stricter, so check your carrier’s policy before packing.

SEE ALSO: Airlines are cracking down on portable chargers over fire risk concerns Why can power banks catch fire?

Power banks typically use lithium-ion batteries, the same rechargeable battery technology found in phones and laptops. According to the FAA, these batteries can overheat and undergo "thermal runaway," a process in which temperatures rise uncontrollably and can produce gases and flames. Damage and short-circuited terminals can also cause battery fires.

The risks have prompted recalls, too. In June 2025, approximately 1.16 million Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks were recalled in the U.S. because their batteries could overheat. That recall covered model A1263 units with qualifying serial numbers.

Reporting on Sunday’s IndiGo power bank fire did not identify the charger’s brand or model.

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When Valve released the Steam Deck in 2022, it wasn't a cutting-edge device by any means, and that was a deliberate choice. Valve carefully balanced performance, power consumption, and cost to create a machine that was almost perfectly suited for its intended purpose.