IT General

More people are buying dumbphones, and I support this—but having ditched a smartphone for a dumbphone for years, I know firsthand the challenges that may arise. Before swapping out your phone, first consider changing how you use the one you have.

Every year, Apple releases new versions of iOS and macOS, and a ton of new features get added to your iPhone and Mac. It's all too easy to lose track of some of the new features that have been added. You're probably not even using a Safari feature that was added more than a year ago with the release of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. If this is the case, however, then you're missing out, as it's one of the most satisfying features Apple has to offer.

I rarely regret my tech buying decisions, but this one power bank purchase was so bad that I can't move on from it. It's not that the product itself is bad. I didn't think clearly enough to understand that what I'm about to buy would only increase my pain instead of serving its purpose.

Amazon's Echo Show 5 is an affordable smart display, but the lock-in with Amazon's own ecosystem makes it far less useful as a smart home device than it could be. Some very clever people have figured out a way to unlock the first-generation Echo Show 5, and using this exploit, it's possible to turn it into a genuinely useful Home Assistant control panel.

Ready to try Linux but confused by the hundreds of distros out there? Wondering which one will actually suit your needs without wasting days testing and tinkering? I've narrowed down your search to three distinct distros that cover the needs of most new Linux users.

Spotify hosts a wide range of personalization features that help listeners customize how they stream and interact with music, podcasts, and audiobooks. A stellar personalization feature that many users enjoy is Spotify's AI DJ.

Syntax Highlighting makes your code look pretty, right? But is it just an aesthetic nicety, or does it have a more functional impact? And are there ways to improve it?

It's common knowledge that you can't just plug your Steam Deck into your PC with a USB cable and transfer files between the two machines. Actually, you can—with the right software. All it takes is installing Decky Loader and changing a few options in the Deck's BIOS.

Most guys have a love-hate relationship with dating apps. But between work and life, meeting someone organically can feel nearly impossible. That's the promise of online dating — an unlimited number of meet-cutes right to your phone, no serendipity required.

We get it, though. Dating as a man in 2025 is tough. It's not just the pressure to make or the fear of rejection if you do — it's the endless swiping through fake profiles, scammers, AI-generated thirst traps, bots posing as potential matches, relentless Instagram models trying to lure you into their OnlyFans scam, and matches with impossibly high expectations (yes, the "6-6-6 rule" is a real thing).

But despite the challenges, dating apps do work. A 2025 SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus survey found that nearly 39 percent of all U.S. adults have used a dating app at some point. The numbers are even higher for young people and the LGBTQ+ community.

Don't get discouraged — plenty of men and women are looking for love, friendship, and lust online. Credit: Zain Awais / Mashable

While the experience isn't always perfect, plenty of guys find success. According to an older, 2023 Pew Research survey, 53 percent of people who've used a dating app said they had a positive experience, with 14 percent rating it as "very positive." And there's more good news — 57 percent of guys reported positive experiences and results compared to 48 percent of women.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know The best dating apps for guys who know what they want

This guide is your cheat sheet for the best dating apps for men in 2025. We've done the research and found the apps that are actually worth your time. Whether you're looking for something casual or something serious, we have a dating app to recommend.

Pro tip: Don't be afraid to experiment. Try out a few different apps and see what works for you. And most importantly, don't get discouraged! Sometimes, the occasional bad date or disappointing flirtation is just the price you pay to meet the match of a lifetime.

Anker’s latest SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 portable power station has quite a bit to offer. With increased AC output, faster USB-C charging, and a quicker 0% to 100% charge time, a lot has changed here—but not all the changes on this power station are for the better.

TL;DR: Live stream Bills vs. Chiefs in the NFL for free on 5Action. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

There were whispers at the start of this NFL campaign that the Kansas City Chiefs were finished. Those voices aren't so loud now that the Chiefs have recovered to 5-3. Next up they face the 5-2 Buffalo Bills. This one is going to be epic.

If you want to watch Bills vs. Chiefs in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bills vs. Chiefs?

Bills vs. Chiefs in the NFL starts at 4:25 p.m. ET on Nov. 2. This game takes place at Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Bills vs. Chiefs for free

Bills vs. Chiefs in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 5Action.

5Action is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock 5Action from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: Get Paramount+ for half price just in time for NFL Sundays

Live stream Bills vs. Chiefs for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like IPVanish)

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 the UK

4. Visit 5Action

5. Live stream Bills vs. Chiefs for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (2-Year Plan) $52.56 at IPVanish (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 Bills vs. Chiefs in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 5Action?

IPVanish is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 5Action, for a number of reasons:

• 3,100 servers in 145+ locations including the UK

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

• AES 256 encryption and operates with a zero-logs privacy policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to IPVanish is on sale for just $52.56 — 83% off for a limited time. This plan includes advanced privacy features, threat protection, unlimited connections, 24/7 support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Bills vs. Chiefs in the NFL for free with IPVanish.

Editor's Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company. Any products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

TL;DR: Live stream Giants vs. 49ers in the NFL for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

There are a number of really interesting NFL matchups taking place this weekend, including Giants vs. 49ers. The New York Giants are trying to fight back after falling to a 2-6 record and losing electric running back Cameron Skattebo to a heartbreaking injury.

If you want to watch Giants vs. 49ers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Giants vs. 49ers?

Giants vs. 49ers in the NFL starts at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 2. This game takes place at the MetLife Stadium.

How to watch Giants vs. 49ers for free

Giants vs. 49ers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Giants vs. 49ers for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like IPVanish)

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 New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Live stream Giants vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (2-Year Plan) $52.56 at IPVanish (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 Giants vs. 49ers in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for TVNZ+?

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

• 3,100 servers in 145+ locations including New Zealand

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

• AES 256 encryption and operates with a zero-logs privacy policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to IPVanish is on sale for just $52.56 — 83% off for a limited time. This plan includes advanced privacy features, threat protection, unlimited connections, 24/7 support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Giants vs. 49ers in the NFL for free with IPVanish.

Editor's Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company. Any products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

TL;DR: Live stream Raiders vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

There are a number of fascinating matchups in the latest round of NFL fixtures, including Raiders vs. Jaguars. The Raiders are struggling to gain any real momentum this season, and they a tough test against a much-improved Jacksonville outfit.

If you want to watch Raiders vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Raiders vs. Jaguars?

Raiders vs. Jaguars in the NFL starts at 4:05 p.m. ET on Nov. 2. This game takes place at the Allegiant Stadium.

How to watch Raiders vs. Jaguars for free

Raiders vs. Jaguars in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Raiders vs. Jaguars for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like IPVanish)

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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Live stream Raiders vs. Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (2-Year Plan) $52.56 at IPVanish (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 Raiders vs. Jaguars in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

IPVanish is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• 3,100 servers in 145+ locations including Australia

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

• AES 256 encryption and operates with a zero-logs privacy policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to IPVanish is on sale for just $52.56 — 83% off for a limited time. This plan includes advanced privacy features, threat protection, unlimited connections, 24/7 support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Raiders vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free with IPVanish.

Editor's Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company. Any products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

TL;DR: Live stream Lions vs. Vikings in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

The NFL is back this weekend with a bunch of interesting matchups, including Lions vs. Vikings. The Detroit Lions come into this game with a 5-2 record, and will be confident of overcoming the 3-4 Minnesota Vikings.

If you want to watch Lions vs. Vikings in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lions vs. Vikings?

Lions vs. Vikings in the NFL starts at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 2. This game takes place at Ford Field.

How to watch Lions vs. Vikings for free

Lions vs. Vikings in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Lions vs. Vikings for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like IPVanish)

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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Live stream Lions vs. Vikings for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (2-Year Plan) $52.56 at IPVanish (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 Lions vs. Vikings in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

IPVanish is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• 3,100 servers in 145+ locations including Australia

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

• AES 256 encryption and operates with a zero-logs privacy policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to IPVanish is on sale for just $52.56 — 83% off for a limited time. This plan includes advanced privacy features, threat protection, unlimited connections, 24/7 support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Lions vs. Vikings in the NFL for free with IPVanish.

Editor's Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company. Any products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

TL;DR: Want high-quality products, but have a strict budget? For a limited time, you can grab a 2017 refurbished 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Air for only $179.97 (reg. $999).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3-Inch 2017 (Refurbished) $179.97
$999 Save $819.03   Get Deal

When quality technology costs as much as rent these days, it’s not always in your best interest to pour thousands of dollars into something that could break if you spill a cup of coffee on it. Fortunately, you can sport a new-to-you Apple MacBook without breaking the bank. This 2017 MacBook Air is currently on sale for just $179.97 (reg. $999) — that’s 80% off one of Apple’s best-selling laptops.

Let’s cut to the chase — this Apple MacBook Air is a refurbished model with a Grade A/B rating, meaning you’ll receive a laptop with light scuffs. Don’t let that deter you, though! A little cosmetic issue can be easily covered up with a cool case or stickers. By saving hundreds of dollars, you could even invest the cash you save into laptop cases that match your fit.

SEE ALSO: Samsung XR battery life: How it compares to Meta Quest 3, Apple Vision Pro

With this deal, you can enjoy all the benefits of an Apple MacBook Air at an affordable price, including:

• Intel Core i5, 1.8GHz: Experience enhanced processing power to accomplish any task on the go with minimal lag.

• Intel HD Graphics 6000: Enjoy high-quality image renderings and stream videos without glitches.

• 13.3-inch Widescreen Display: Get crystal clear visuals with 1440×900 native resolution.

• 8GB RAM + 128GB SSD: Gain solid performance and reliable storage for everyday use.

• Wi-Fi + Bluetooth: Go online anywhere and transfer files from other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

• 12-hour battery life: Enjoy surfing, streaming, and browsing the web on a single charge.

So, what are you waiting for?

Grab this refurbished 2017 Apple MacBook Air while it’s on sale for only $179.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping. No coupon code required!

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a runner.

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 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Go the distance

The words are related to running.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a race.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Marathon.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 2

• Start

• Runner

• Hydration

• Marathon

• Pace

• Timekeeper

• Finish

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

TL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's obviously really difficult to win the NBA, but it's arguably much harder to defend your title. Everyone is going to up their game against the champions, which is the challenge facing the supremely talented Oklahoma City Thunder. And they're facing that challenge with ease so far, racking up early-season wins and making a huge statement of intent. Next up they face the New Orleans Pelicans, a team struggling to win anything this year.

If you want to watch Thunder vs. Pelicans in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Thunder vs. Pelicans?

Thunder vs. Pelicans in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 2. This game takes place at the Paycom Center.

How to watch Thunder vs. Pelicans for free

Thunder vs. Pelicans in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK and U.S., 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 or U.S., meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like 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 or U.S.

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free 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.

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

A stuffed animal.

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

TEDDY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

The sound a bird makes.

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

CHIRP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To pull.

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

HEAVE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A nickname for a father.

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

DADDY

Final Hurdle hint

Perspective.

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

ANGLE

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 Full Moon is just around the corner, so there's plenty of things to spot on the surface, with or without visual aids.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Nov. 2, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. There will be 87% of the moon lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Even without any visual aids, there’s plenty to spot tonight, including the Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Imbrium, and the Kepler Crater. With a pair of binoculars, you can make out the Gassendi Crater, the Apennine Mountains, and the Mare Nectaris. If you have a telescope, pull it out to see the Rima Ariadaeus, the Apollo 15, and the Gruithuisen Domes.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the moon moves through its phases as it completes a 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The phases we see are caused by the changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. From Earth, the moon can appear full, partly lit, or seem to disappear entirely, but it’s always the same side facing us. What changes is how much sunlight reflects off its surface, depending on where it is in orbit. This pattern is known as the lunar cycle.

The eight main moon 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're into astrology.

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.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 24, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: A shipment

• Green: Bronze tones

• Blue: What one might do after exercising

• Purple: Astrological

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

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

• Yellow: Goods to be transported

• Green: Light brown shades

• Blue: Show signs of physical exertion

• Purple: Starts of zodiac signs

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 #875 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Goods to be transported: CARGO, FREIGHT, HAUL, LOAD

• Light brown shades: CAMEL, FAWN, KHAKI, TAN

• Show signs of physical exertion: CRAMP, PANT, REDDEN, SWEAT

• Starts of zodiac signs: AQUA, CAPRI, GEM, SAG

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 24, 2025

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

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

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