IT General

Google Messages works fine until you start wanting more from it. It feels so outdated because it's plain and basic. I guess that's good because you don't need to learn a bunch of different settings and features. Still, plenty of apps can add great features to Google Messages.

It's a frustrating situation when your gadgets become useless long before the hardware actually fails. You may have old devices stuffed in a drawer that are no longer supported or are simply outdated. Open-source software could give you a reason to pull them out of the drawer again.

TL;DR: Physical preorders for Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are already $10 off at Amazon. Preorder for $59.99 and get a preorder price guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Digital Download for Switch 2) $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' for Switch 2 $59.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

Early October Prime Day tech deals at a glance: Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $37.99 (save $22) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin vívoactive 6 (42mm) $229.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 (save $600) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 55-inch Ember QLED Series Fire TV $489.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best gaming deal "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 (save $10.11) Get Deal Best Memory Deal SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $256.98 (save $43.51) Get Deal Best Deal Under $50 Ugreen Nexode Pro 10000mAh 45W Mini Power Bank $37.97 (save $17.02) Get Deal Best Deal Under $25 Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 (save $5) Get Deal Best Subscription Deal Audible $0.99 for 4 months (+$20 Audible credit) Get Deal

Mashable's discerning reporters and editors are constantly testing the latest gadgets, from e-readers to headphones, laptops, phones, power stations, smart rings, and portable speakers. This year, many of our favorite products have been besieged by price hikes as a result of the ongoing memory crisis. Fortunately, Amazon is about to bring tech shoppers some relief in the form of Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day.

Set for Oct. 6 and 7, Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale for members of Amazon's Prime program. Often referred to as "October Prime Day," it serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. We've been covering the event since its inception in 2022, back when it was still called the Prime Early Access Sale. And this year, we'll be keeping an extra close eye on the best early Prime Day tech deals.

SEE ALSO: Try Amazon Prime for free for 30 days to get access to October Prime Day 2026

In the lead-up to the sale, Amazon is already offering some steep discounts on select devices from brands like Apple, TCL, Garmin, Beats, and Sony. After spending hours poring over these deals, we've identified the best early Prime Day deals that are so good, we'd buy them ourselves.

How do we pick these deals? We look for products we recommend at record-low prices (or close to them). We use price-tracking tools like camelcamelcamel to see if Amazon's discounts are actually better than usual, then cross-check them with other retailers' listings to make sure they're not cheaper elsewhere. (Walmart and Target are both gearing up to host their own October sales, FYI.) You can add our picks to your cart with confidence. And if we expect prices to drop lower in the days ahead, we'll be sure to tell you that.

So, without any further ado, these are the best early October Prime Day deals we've spotted so far.

$99 AirPods (a Prime Day classic)

It wouldn't be an Amazon Prime event without some $99 AirPods. But, ironically, before the sale officially begins, you can also grab these earbuds for $99 at Walmart. That could change come Oct. 6, as Amazon may be holding back some inventory for Prime Big Deal Days.

Apple's fourth-generation earbuds have excellent audio quality, a comfortable fit, and a five-hour battery life. The newer AirPods 5 sound even better and add ANC, but this pair is still a great option for iOS users on a budget. (Read Mashable's review.)

Note: The AirPods 4 dipped down to $69 last Black Friday, but $99 is their lowest price so far in 2026. Plus, they probably won't be in stock much longer now that their successors have launched.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Take $600 off Apple's most powerful laptop

If you're a professional creative, developer, or AI enthusiast who needs a compact new laptop for work, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than the 14-inch, M5 Max-powered MacBook Pro. (The M5 Max is Apple's most powerful laptop chip to date.) The "base" configuration with 36GB of RAM and 2TB of storage got a $500 price increase back in June, which bumped it from $3,599 to $4,099. But right now, Amazon has it on sale for just $3,499 — a $600 savings. It's even cheaper than before.

I should mention that Amazon's MacBook Pro discounts have capped out around $400 during its past Prime events. Suffice to say, this is a very good deal that probably won't last long.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $600   Get Deal Cheaper-than-ever Fire tablets

Two of Amazon's own Fire tablets are already on sale for record-low prices ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Take your pick from the compact Fire HD 8 with 64GB of storage — our favorite Fire tablet overall — or the big-screened Fire HD 10 with 32GB of storage, nicer cameras, and a sharper display. (Both have 13-hour battery lives.) They're now up to 53% off for Prime members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 (64GB) $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00 Prime membership required. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) $72.99
$154.99 Save $82.00 Prime membership required. Get Deal Get 46% off a 4K streaming stick

Amazon's Fire tablets have been safe from price hikes so far, but the retailer raised the prices of all its Fire TV streaming sticks by at least $5 in August. The 4K Plus model went from $49.99 to $69.99. Nevertheless, Amazon will sell it to you for just $37.99 right now. (You can also try the coupon code STREAM4K, as we've seen it work at times this week.)

FWIW, this is Amazon's cheapest media player with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Nvidia Geforce Now, and Alexa Home Theater (a surround sound feature that works with Echo devices).

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $37.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $32.00   Get Deal A new all-time low on an Apple Watch alternative

Garmin's vívoactive 6 is a lightweight fitness smartwatch with an AMOLED display and an 11-day battery life. It supports features like constant heart rate readings, stress tracking, and sleep coaching. Our friends over at Lifehacker, one of our sister sites, gave it a stellar 4.5/5 review, calling it "a great watch for somebody who wants to track their steps and activity."

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 6 (42mm) $229.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $70   Get Deal A huge discount on a huge QLED TV

The 65-inch TCL QM8L is the best QLED TV for most people, according to Leah Stodart, our former TV expert. She praised its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling." (QLED TVs in general "are ideal for people whose TV usage happens mostly in the daytime, especially watching sports," to quote her TV specs guide.)

Right now, the 85-inch QM8L is available for $2,797.99, which is a good price. However, we do expect this TV to go on sale for $2,497.99 or less once October Prime Day begins Oct. 6, so hold out if you can.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502   Get Deal Affordable Fire TVs

The best early Prime Day tech deals always include savings on Amazon's own devices, like the affordable 40-inch Ember Fire TV. This TV has a high-definition HDR10+ display and doubles as an Alexa smart speaker for your home. The 28% discount drops the price to a very affordable $179.99, its lowest-ever price.

And if you're looking for a cheap TV with a little bit more oomph, the 50-inch QLED Ember Fire TV is currently $100 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 55-inch QLED Series Fire TV $489.99 at Amazon
$589.99 Save $100   Get Deal Save $10 when you preorder the 'Ocarina of Time' remake

Nintendo's upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2 will be one of the year's biggest gaming releases (after GTA 6, obviously). Preordering the physical edition will normally cost you $69.99 — it's $10 more than the digital version — but Amazon has it on sale for $59.88 ahead of its Nov. 5 launch. The first print run has special packaging with foil cover art, so don't dawdle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.11   Get Deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo

Our tech editor reviewed this classic DJI vlogging camera when it first came out. At the time, we called it the perfect camera for social creators, and we were right. Since then, this camera has become a very common sight at tech events, conferences, and anywhere else streamers and creators get together.

The new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 can be hard to find in the United States, but the previous-gen version is hardly out of date. This gimbal camera shoots gorgeous 4K vertical and horizontal video, and uses the built-in gimbal for tracking and motion stabilization.

Read our review of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 at Amazon
$629 Save $80   Get Deal Best deal under $50: Ugreen power bank

Whether you're on team Android or iOS, this power bank will give your smartphone a second life. This has not been a good year to buy a new phone, thanks to rising prices, so if your battery is holding on for dear life, just slip this power bank into your purse or backpack and avoid low-battery anxiety. It charges your phone via an included USB-C cable at a speedy 45W.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ugreen Ugreen Nexode Pro 10000mAh 45W Mini Power Bank $37.97 at Amazon
$54.99 Save $17.02   Get Deal Best deal under $25: Apple AirTags

Apple released a new generation of AirTag trackers this year, the AirTag 2. The popular Apple tracker is already at an all-time low price, and we don't expect it to get any cheaper in the days ahead. You can also grab the 4-pack on sale for $89, though we're hoping that price drops to $79.99 soon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 at Amazon
$29 Save $5   Get Deal Best deal under $15: Amazon smart plug

This little gadget always goes on sale during Amazon sales, and so we're hardly surprised that it's one of the retailer's early Prime Day deals for October 2026. You can add this smart plug to your cart for just $12.98, a nearly 50% discount. If you're trying to spend every last penny of an Amazon gift card, go ahead and add it to your shopping cart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Plug $12.98 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $12.01   Get Deal Deals on SanDisk memory products

The global memory crisis has led to rising costs for smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, but it's been a disaster for SD cards and hard drives. So, while the discounts aren't as huge as they were in past years, you can find savings on these memory products during October Prime Big Deal Days. We've found a bunch of early Prime Day deals on portable SSDs and hard drives, and we expect even more savings to come.

Case in point: The SanDisk Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Card Express is currently $40 off. Likewise, you can save $40 on the popular SanDisk Extreme portable SSD with 1TB of storage.

Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk microSD Express Card for Switch 2, 512GB $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $256.98 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $43.01   Get Deal Best subscription deal

This exclusive deal is for Prime members only, and it's a good one. For a limited time, Prime members can sign up for four months of Audible for just $0.99. You'll also get a $20 Audible credit to spend as you like.

Our advice? Take advantage of this deal and set a calendar reminder three months and 29 days in the future.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible $0.99 for 4 months + $20 Audible credit Get Deal Cheap wireless earbuds for under $25

If you're hoping to buy flagship-quality noise-cancelling earbuds, then wait for Prime Big Deal Days to begin, as we're expecting big discounts on Apple, Sony, and Bose earbuds. However, if you're prone to losing earbuds and just need something simple for everyday use, the popular Anker Soundcore P30i Earbuds are already at a record-low price of $24.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P30i Noise-Cancelling Earbuds $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Deals to watch: Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds on sale

We've made no secret of the fact that we love Bose headphones and earbuds here at Mashable. The brand makes the most comfortable headphones we've ever tested, and the brand's popular QuietComfort line recently got refreshed.

Earlier this week, you could get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) for $50 off, but this deal has ended. However, we are very confident these products will get even bigger discounts when the Prime Big Deal Days sale starts on Tuesday, Oct. 6

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) $399.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $50   Get Deal More Apple deals to watch

Some of the best early Prime Day tech deals so far are on Apple's iPads — or, at least, they were. As of this weekend, Apple's iPads are no longer on sale. That's the bad news. The good news is we fully expect the base iPad, the M4 iPad Air, and hopefully the M5 iPad Pro to get discounts in the coming days.

In the meantime, check out our guide to all of the October Prime Day iPad deals we expect this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M4), 11 inches $649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100   Get Deal

TL;DR: Master piano from the comfort of home with this five-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App, on sale now for just $79.99 (MSRP $899) through Oct. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flowkey flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription) $79.99
$899 Save $819.01   Get Deal

You don’t have to monetize every hobby. Sometimes, side hustle culture makes it feel that way, but you’re still allowed to do things for fun. If you’re in need of a new entertaining pastime, flowkey Piano Learning App makes it easier than ever to play piano.

Right now, you can lock in a fivef-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App for just $79.99 — less than $16 a year — until Oct. 4.

Learning piano isn’t how it used to be. Gone are the days of scheduling far in advance and learning boring songs in a classroom. There’s now an app for that — and with flowkey, you don’t even have to change out of pajamas. You’ll get a year’s worth of unlimited lessons for less than an hour of in-person instruction.

All you need is a keyboard or piano and a device to get started with flowkey Piano Learning App, then choose courses that range from beginner to intermediate, advanced, and pro levels. AI-powered learning gives you real-time feedback as you practice notes and chords, as it can listen as you play.

flowkey is filled with smart features to help you learn — like a loop function that repeats tough sections until you master them and slow-motion mode that slows playback so you can take your time learning. Wait mode only allows you to progress after playing the right notes, and hand selection lets you practice your left and right hands separately.

You can watch expert pianists play as you follow along on flowkey. The interactive lessons teach you chords and music theory as you play, so you get a good foundation, with over 1,000 classical and public-domain songs, including tunes by Beethoven and Bach.

Secure your own five-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App for just $79.99 (reg. $899) through Oct. 4.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office for life on your Mac while it’s on sale for $89.97 (reg. $219).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $89.97
$219 Save $129.03   Get Deal

It costs $99.99 per year to get Microsoft 365. That’s a bill you’ll never be done with. If you want the apps without the constant cost, a simpler option is to switch to a Microsoft Office lifetime license. Instead of dropping nearly $100 every year forever, you can buy this license outright on sale for $89.97 (reg. $219).

There’s no need to explain why an Office license still matters. Most people have been using Microsoft Office long before cloud apps and browser-based alternatives became the norm. With this deal, you can install the full Office suite on a single device for lifetime use at home or at work without worrying about monthly renewals, annual price hikes, or surprise charges down the line.

This license includes all the core apps most people actually rely on: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. That means drafting documents, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing email, and organizing notes using the full desktop versions of each app. Unlike free alternatives or web-based tools, you get access to the complete feature sets, which makes a difference when you’re working on longer documents, detailed spreadsheets, or presentation-heavy projects.

Once you make your purchase, your license key and download links are delivered instantly, so there’s no waiting around to get started. Microsoft also includes lifetime customer support, which can be helpful if you ever need assistance with installation or troubleshooting.

Cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription. Get a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license for Mac for $89.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts for free on Channel 5. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is making it annual trip to London today, with the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts facing off as part of the Week 4 action.

The Commanders and Colts lost their first games, then bounced back last week. The Commanders sneaked a surprise win against Super Bowl champions the Seahawks, while the Colts beat the Texans with a field goal with just 16 seconds to go.

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

When is Commanders vs. Colts?

Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts starts at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Commanders vs. Colts for free

Commanders vs. Colts in the NFL is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Commanders vs. Colts for free from anywhere in the world.

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit Channel 5

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The new NFL season has already delivered plenty of big action and results. But one of the big talking points so far has been the performance of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who's had a pretty much perfect start to the season. Pundits are already predicting that he'll be this year's MVP. The 49ers Quest for Six has become the stuff of legend, but is this the year it actually becomes a reality?

The 49ers will now host the Denver Broncos, a team that's looking good thanks to a two-game winning streak. Can they upset the undefeated and in-form 49ers?

If you want to watch Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Broncos vs. 49ers?

Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Levi's Stadium.

How to watch Broncos vs. 49ers for free

Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream Broncos vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world.

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Broncos vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Broncos vs. 49ers without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's another Sunday stacked with NFL action, including New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills. The Bills are currently 3-0, which suggests they're the favorites against the Patriots, who have shown up-and-down form so far and are currently at 2-1.

The Patriots scored a heavy win over the Steelers in Week 2, but suffered an even heavier loss this past week to the Jaguars. But there's no such thing as a foregone conclusion in the NFL. The Bills might look dominant on paper, but they were lucky last week to come back against the Los Angeles Chargers, who had the Bills on the ropes at various points in the game. The Bills also suffered a few injuries.

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

When is Patriots vs. Bills?

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Patriots vs. Bills for free

Patriots vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream Patriots vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world.

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit 7Plus

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Apple's budget MacBook Neo is becoming a go-to laptop for kids and early education. Social media videos show parents trekking to the Apple Store to pick one out in their child's favorite color. Meanwhile, K-12 school districts are swapping Neos for clunky old Chromebooks and Windows PCs in droves.

As Mashable's resident laptop expert, I personally endorse the MacBook Neo as a great choice for youngsters. It's affordable, well-made, powerful enough for any basic task, and small enough to fit in a backpack. The fact that it comes in fun colors doesn't hurt, either. (I'm partial to blush and citrus.)

If you recently purchased a MacBook Neo for your own kid (or any MacBook, for that matter), then you should know that Apple rolled out new child safety tools with the launch of MacOS 26 in September, including upgrades to its existing parental controls.

So, learn how to set up parental controls on a MacBook Neo.

1. Set up their Child Account Credit: Apple Credit: Apple

Apple's Child Accounts are mandatory for children under age 13 and available for those up to age 18.

To create an Apple account for your kid, you have to set up Family Sharing first. Once that's done, follow these steps:

• Go to the System Settings app on the MacBook Neo

• Click your name at the top of the sidebar (make sure you're logged into your own Apple account)

• Click Family > Set Up Family. In the pop-up window, click the button that says, "Create Child Account"

You'll be asked to enter your child's name and birthday before agreeing to some terms and conditions. Apple needs their birthday to determine what kind of content they can access.

You'll then create an iCloud email address for your kid and choose a password for it.

2. Turn on Ask to Buy Credit: Apple

As soon as you create your child's Apple account, you'll be asked if you want to turn on Ask to Buy, a feature that lets them request your permission to download or buy an app.

If you don't enable this one right away at setup, you can turn it on later by going to System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Ask to Buy > Require Purchase Approval.

3. Turn on Find My Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

MacOS will also ask you if you want to turn on Find My when you create your child's account. Find My is Apple's built-in device tracking service, and countless toddlers already have water bottles and shoes outfitted with AirTags. With Find My on, you can locate missing water bottles in the Find My app on the MacBook Neo or at cloud.com/find. (Alternatively, you can see the location of a lost Neo if they leave it behind at school or on the bus.)

To set up Find My later, you first need to turn on Location Services. Go to System Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services, then hit the toggle at the top of the window.

In the same System Settings app, click the account name in the top-left corner of the window. Go to iCloud > See All > Find My Mac to turn on the feature. If you see a little yellow triangle next to the green Find My icon, that means you haven't enabled Location Services yet.

4. Set screen time limits Credit: Apple

Apple's Screen Time tool lets you control when and how long your child has access to their MacBook Neo. To set a Screen Time schedule, go to System Settings > Screen Time and hit the toggle for Schedule. You can choose specific days and time windows.

You can set a four-digit passcode to make sure your child can't change their screen time limits by going to System Settings > Screen Time > Change Passcode, then verifying your identity. If your child manages to figure out the code, you can change it anytime.

5. Set Time Allowances for apps and games Credit: Apple

A new Time Allowances feature within the Screen Time tool lets you set daily limits for your child's app usage. Go to System Settings > Screen Time > Time Allowances > Manage Categories to choose how much time they can spend per app type (Entertainment, Games, and Social Media).

6. Turn on Ask to Browse Credit: Apple

Ask to Browse is another new tool that lets you manually block access to websites. (It's on by default if your child is under 13 years old.) You'll find it via System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Filtering. Your child can request your permission to visit sites that aren't on your "Approved" list.

7. Choose which contacts they can communicate with (and when) Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

You may want to let your child message or FaceTime certain friends or family members from their MacBook Neo. To do this, head to System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Allowed Contacts. There, you can manage their contacts yourself or give them the option of sending you new contact requests. You can also choose who they can communicate with outside or during their Screen Time hours (i.e., you might want to make sure they can reach you anytime in case of emergencies).

8. Turn on Communication Safety Credit: Mashable screenshot

Communication Safety is an AI tool that automatically blurs inappropriate content and repeatedly warns your child before they view or send it. (As of September 2026, that includes nudity, gore, and violence.) If your child is under 13, they won't be able to view the content unless you enter your Screen Time passcode first.

Communication Safety works on Messages, Contact Posters, shared photo albums, and in certain third-party apps. You can turn it on by going to System Settings > Screen Time > [select your child's name] > Communication Safety.

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799 at Best Buy
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TL;DR: The Google Pixel 11 is free right now with T-Mobile. To claim, activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google T-Mobile: Google Pixel 11 for free   Shop Now

Apple's new iPhones have naturally dominated the headlines in recent weeks, but don't let that distract you from the fact that you can get the Google Pixel 11 for free this weekend.

For a limited time, you really can get your hands on the Google Pixel 11 for free at T-Mobile. To claim this offer, you simply need to activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans. It's that easy. There's no complicated sign-up process. No trade-in required. It's about as straightforward as these mobile carrier deals come.

The total cost of the phone is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the end of your contract, you’ll need to pay the remaining balance. You are committing to stick it out with the Google Pixel 11, but you're getting best-in-class Android hardware, so that shouldn't be an issue.

The Google Pixel 11 packs the same next-gen Tensor G6 silicon and on-device Gemini AI processing as its more premium siblings. It delivers about 90% of the flagship experience at a far more approachable starting price.

The only catch is that you need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection charge when signing up. That's always the case with these free deals, and it shouldn't stop you from securing this generous deal.

Score the new Google Pixel 11 for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Watch Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League for free on RTP. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is producing some really entertaining football. Portugal and Norway are competing in a really interesting group, with three teams tied on three points. Portugal are leading the way with three wins from three games, but Norway will pose a threat.

If you're interested in watching Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Portugal vs. Norway?

Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at the Estádio do Dragão.

How to watch Portugal vs. Norway for free

Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTP.

RTP is geo-restricted to Portugal, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Portugal, meaning you can live stream Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Portugal vs. Norway for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit RTP

5. Watch Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

What is the best VPN for RTP?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Portugal

• 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 Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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

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

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

Soppy.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SOGGY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Clasp.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CLAMP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Panic.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 4, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TIZZY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Ranges.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

RADII

Final Hurdle hint

A springtime flower.

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

TULIP

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

The Moon is now past the Third Quarter phase, meaning more than half of its visible surface is in darkness. It will continue to wane over the coming nights as we get closer to the New Moon. Here's what you can see tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Oct. 4, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 42% of its surface visible.

With just your naked eye, tonight you can see the Oceanus Procellarum, the Kepler Crater and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, you can also spot the Grimaldi Basin and the Mare Humorum. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 14 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, and as it moves through this cycle, we see different amounts of its sunlit side from here. That's what creates the Moon's different phases, from a thin crescent through to a half Moon and, eventually, the Full Moon. Once it reaches the Full Moon, the cycle starts over again. NASA explains that the phase we see depends on the Moon's position in relation to Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TL;DR: The Bahrain GP in Malaysia is free to viewers on F1’s exclusive U.S. home Apple TV this weekend — no subscription required.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV   Shop Now

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was everything that's great about F1. We had electric racing, dramatic incidents, and a nail-biting race to the chequered flag. Can the Bahrain GP in Malaysia compete with that? We believe.

George Russell's win last weekend has narrowed the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli, but the young Italian still looks like the favorite to end up on top. Lando Norris had been the man to beat coming into the last race weekend, but he ended up with a dreaded DNF. There's plenty of time to turn things around, and that starts at the Sepang International Circuit.

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Bahrain GP?

The Bahrain GP is the 16th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Sepang International Circuit:

• Practice 1 — 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 2

• Practice 2 — 4-5 a.m. ET on Oct. 2

• Practice 3 — 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 3

• Qualifying — 4-5 a.m. ET on Oct. 3

• Race — 3 a.m. ET on Oct. 4

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Bahrain GP for free

It's at the stage where we usually suggest using free trials to access F1 race weekends, but that's not necessary this time around. Instead, fans can watch every session live on Apple TV — including practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix — with no subscription required.

Not for the first time, Apple TV has made an entire F1 race weekend available to live stream for free to viewers in the U.S. Live coverage of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia runs from Oct. 2-4. You simply need to visit Apple TV and tune in. It's that simple.

We don't know why Apple TV has chosen this race weekend, but we're not going to ask too many questions. We're just going to sit back and relax all weekend with live action from the Sepang International Circuit.

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

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

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

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

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: Tracking a receiver

• Green: Iconic NFL moments

• Blue: Greatest pitcher of the modern day

• Purple: Wild cat teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Stats for a Receiver

• Green: Famous Football Plays

• Blue: Associated with Randy Johnson

• Purple: Panthers

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 #741 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Stats for a Receiver: RECEPTIONS, TARGETS, TOUCHDOWNS, YARDS AFTER CATCH

• Famous Football Plays: MINNEAPOLIS MIRACLE, PHILLY SPECIAL, THE CATCH, WIDE RIGHT

• Associated with Randy Johnson: 2001 WORLD SERIES, ARIZONA, BIG UNIT, SEATTLE

• Panthers: CAROLINA, FIU, FLORIDA, PITTSBURGH

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 4, 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 4, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 4 Pips

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically;5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 4 Pips

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 4 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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 4, 2026 Bunch meaning

A group of similar things bound together.

Heap meaning

A large, messy pile of things.

Lot meaning

A large quantity.

Stack meaning

A neat pile of objects placed on top of one another.

Ball meaning

A round, spherical object used in sports or games.

Net meaning

An open meshed fabric used for catching things.

Paddle meaning

A handheld tool with a long handle and a flat blade used to row a boat or participate in a sport.

Table meaning

A piece of furniture with a flat top and legs.

Collar meaning

The part of a garment that fits around the neck.

Gavel meaning

A small wooden mallet used by a judge.

Robe meaning

A long, loose-fitting outer piece of clothing.

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.

Wig meaning

A head covering made of natural or synthetic hair.

Auction meaning

A public or private sale where goods, services or property are sold to the highest bidder.

Film meaning

A series of moving images projected on a screen to tell a story.

Partner meaning

A person or organization that shares an activity, business or intimate relationship with another.

Treatment meaning

The manner is which you deal with, behave toward or manage someone or 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're familiar with the law.

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 3, 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: So much

• Green: Mini sports

• Blue: Your Honor

• Purple: "Shhh!"

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: Considerable amount

• Green: Table tennis needs

• Blue: Parts of a judge costume

• Purple: Silent ___

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 #1210 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Considerable amount: BUNCH, HEAP, LOT, STACK

• Table tennis needs: BALL, NET, PADDLE, TABLE

• Parts of a judge costume: COLLAR, GAVEL, ROBE, WIG

• Silent ___: AUCTION, FILM, PARTNER, TREATMENT

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you love to play.

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 4, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Grab your tokens

The words are related to play.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe fun pastimes.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

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 Willothewisp.

NYT Strands word list for October 4

• Asteroids

• Frogger

• Arcade Games

• Centipede

• Scramble

• Pong

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.