IT General

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

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 17 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this red space must add to 12. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically, 6-4, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 17 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this orange space must be less than 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this orange space must be less than 5. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 17 Pips

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

Equal (4): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (30): Everything in this space must add to 30. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

SAVE $103: As of Oct. 17, the LG 45GR75DC-B Ultragear curved gaming monitor is on sale for $696.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

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$799.99 Save $103   Get Deal

Your gaming setup just called, it needs an upgrade.

It's time to treat yourself to a great new monitor. And you can find just the thing at Amazon for a discounted rate. As of Oct. 17, the LG 45GR75DC-B Ultragear curved gaming monitor is reduced by $103, taking the price down to $696.99. It's a big, 45-inch screen ideal for all setups. This deal is only available for a limited time, however, so don't miss out.

SEE ALSO: Grab the ASUS ROG Strix gaming monitor for its lowest-ever price at Amazon

If you're a stats person, here's what you're getting: a 5120 x 1440 resolution screen with a 32:9 aspect ratio, so there's plenty of screen space to stream and game. It also supports up to 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR 600 for better colors, contrast, and brightness. The OnScreen Control feature also includes Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes, so you can view content from two input sources at once. It's fast, too, running at a 200Hz refresh rate with a 1ms (GtG) response time.

The design also includes a three-sided borderless display, LED backlighting, and adjustable height, tilt, and swivel settings, to minimize any neck discomfort. For connectivity, you'll get HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C connections, as well as a four-pole headphone jack that supports DTS Headphone:X.

Ready to upgrade? Get it at Amazon now.

SAVE $72: As of Oct. 17, the DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo is on sale for $327 at Amazon. That's an 18% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo $327 at Amazon
$399 Save $72   Get Deal

If you're a vlogger or content creator, chances are you've heard of DJI. Known for its incredible portable cameras and drones, it's one of the best names in the field. And as of Oct. 17, you can get a great bundle deal on the DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo that includes the Osmo Action 4, three Osmo Action Extreme Batteries, as well as other handy accessories. And right now, it's $72 off, bringing the price down to $327.

This is a great camera for all types of filming, but it comes into its own with more adventurous activities (as the name would suggest). And as it's made for adventure, it's robust, and can last in temperatures as cold as negative four degrees Fahrenheit for up to 150 minutes. For dramatic shooting, you'll feel the benefit of the camera's three stabilization modes that keeps your footage smooth.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station has never been cheaper — save over $300 at Amazon

For quality, you won't be disappointed. It has a large 1/1.3-inch sensor so it can still take amazing images, even in low or harsh light. It also has 10-bit and D-Log M color, so your shots will always look vivid and bright.

With this combo, you'll get: one Osmo Action horizontal-vertical protective frame, one Osmo Action quick-release adapter mount, one Osmo Action quick-release adapter mount (mini), one Osmo Action curved adhesive base, two Osmo locking screws, one Type-C to Type-C PD cable, one Osmo Action multifunctional battery case, one Osmo 1.5m extension rod, one Osmo Action lens hood, one Osmo Action anti-slip pad, and one DJI logo sticker.

Get this DJI deal from Amazon now.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Oct. 17, 2025:

Across"The Naked Gun" or "Scary Movie"

• The answer is Spoof.

___ cut (short hairstyle)

• The answer is Pixie.

Napoleon's punishment after the Battle of Waterloo

• The answer is Exile.

Surrendered

• The answer is Ceded.

They travel up and down snow-covered hills

• The answer is Sleds.

DownGlasses, informally

• The answer is Specs.

Dot on a computer screen

• The answer is Pixel.

Nitrous ___ (laughing gas)

• The answer is Oxide.

De-squeaked, as a bike chain

• The answer is Oiled.

Scrollable features of social media

• The answer is Feeds.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Oct. 17, the ASUS ROG Strix 32-inch 4K HDR gaming monitor is on sale for $449 at Amazon. This is 25% off its list price of $599 and marks its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix 32-Inch 4K HDR Gaming Monitor $449 at Amazon
$599 Save $150   Get Deal

A high-quality monitor is key to a great PC gaming setup. If you've had your heart set on picking up something new, or you're simply in need of an upgrade, there are some great deals available on select models at the moment, particularly at Amazon. One that's caught our eye is the ASUS ROG Strix 32-inch 4K HDR gaming monitor, which is currently down to its best-ever price.

Get 25% off the ASUS ROG Strix 32-inch monitor at Amazon with the new price of $449. Considering it's down to its lowest-ever price right now, why wait to grab it? Not to mention, it's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so don't think too long before making a move.

SEE ALSO: Mashable readers know best — here's what our readers bought during October Prime Day

This ASUS ROG Strix 32-inch monitor is sure to make your games pop with vibrant colors and detail thanks to its 4K (3840x2160) resolution display. It even has a dual-mode feature that allows you to swap between 4K at 160 Hz or FHD at 320 Hz, so you can choose to play at 1080p with a much higher frame rate instead, if you prefer. The games you play will run smoothly with the help of a 0.3ms response time and ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync technology.

Don't wait to pick up a new gaming monitor — score the ASUS ROG Strix 32-inch 4K HDR gaming monitor at its lowest-ever price right now at Amazon.

Looking for even more PC gaming deals? Walmart has a wide variety of PC gaming deals at the moment, whether you want to check out more monitors, prebuilt gaming PCs, gaming keyboards, and more.

Well, viewing enthusiasts, another weekend is here, and with it arrives some well-deserved time off from your hard week at work. As you settle into and relax on that comfortable couch of yours, don’t forget your popcorn and snacks. This week on Amazon Prime Video, we’re going hunting with Maggie Q, exploring the night sky and its mysteries with JK Simmons, and learning how to hide in plain sight with the lovably mouthy Kristen Bell.

Hulu is one of the biggest streaming services in the U.S., and now that it's gone global, replacing the Star tile on Disney+ in international markets, more people are going to get the Hulu experience ... and that means more folks than ever trying to decide what to watch.

I subscribe to every streaming service under the sun, but I've been a member of Netflix the longest. That means I've watched many of its shows. Unsurprisingly, not all of them are good, but I'm happy to dish out three recommendations that are actually worth your time.

We're on day 26 of the lunar cycle which can only mean one thing: it's nearly the New Moon. Over the next few nights, the moon will fade from view as it moves between Earth and the Sun, as we transition into a new lunar cycle.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Oct. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 14% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Visibility is decreasing significantly each night. Tonight, you'll only be able to see the Aristarchus Plateau without a visual aid. However, if you have binoculars, you'll also see the Grimaldi Basin. A telescope will also bring the Reiner Gamma into sight. This is a lunar swirl on the moon's surface.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.

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.

Microsoft just dropped the PowerToys 0.95 update, code-named "Eclipse." and it's absolutely packed with quality-of-life improvements and performance boosts. This release addresses a ton of long-standing community requests.

The best NBA streaming deals at a glance: Best for ESPN and ABC games ESPN Unlimited annual plan $299.99/year (save $59.89) Get Deal Best for NBC and Peacock games Peacock Premium annual plan $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Best for Prime Video games Prime Video only $8.99/month (save $6/month compared to Prime subscription) Get Deal BEST FOR OUT-OF-MARKET GAMES NBA League Pass starting at $16.99/month Get Deal

For the first time in more than two decades, the NBA has new broadcast partners. That means that, like other sports leagues, watching games is about to get even more complicated.

A new NBA season is about to begin, and whether or not you still have cable, you're going to need a streaming service or two to catch the action live. Between regional sports networks, blackout games, and national broadcasts, we have a lot to cover. Buckle up, basketball fans. We've got your guide to watching the 2025-2026 NBA season, including all of the best streaming deals.

When does the 2025-2026 NBA season start?

The NBA season officially tips off on Oct. 21 with a primetime double header — Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers. The 82-game regular season wraps up April 12, 2025.

What channels do I need to watch live NBA games this season?

The NBA's long-standing contract with TNT has officially concluded. This season, you'll need NBC instead. After 23 long years, the league struck up a new deal with NBC — the network and its streaming counterpart, Peacock, will air up to 100 regular season games on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights. It will have been 8,532 days between NBC's last NBA broadcast and the 2025-2026 season opener. In addition to the games broadcast on NBC, there will also be several games exclusively streaming on Peacock.

Besides NBC, the NBA has also struck up a landmark deal with Amazon this season. For the first time, Prime Video is getting a slice of the basketball schedule. It was only a matter of time, TBH. Prime Video will present exclusive global coverage for 66 regular season games, as well as a new Black Friday NBA game, all games from the knockout rounds of this year's NBA Cup, the play-in tournament, and select playoff games.

In addition to NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video, you'll also need ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and, of course, your regional sports network, as in years past. Here's a breakdown of the general TV schedule for national broadcasts:

• Sunday — ABC/ESPN and NBC/Peacock

• Monday — Peacock

• Tuesday — NBC/Peacock

• Wednesday — ESPN

• Thursday — Prime Video

• Friday — Prime Video and ESPN

• Saturday — ABC/ESPN and Prime Video

How to watch NBA games this season without cableNational broadcasts

There will be 247 national broadcasts this season, with games airing on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video, compared to last season's 172. As noted above, even if you have cable, you'll still need Peacock and Prime Video in order to watch those exclusive games. No cable? No worries. Peacock has you covered with NBC broadcasts as well as Peacock exclusives, and ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming service has you covered with ESPN and ABC broadcasts. You can watch nearly 250 games this season with Peacock, ESPN Unlimited, and Prime Video alone.

Local broadcasts

Unfortunately, national broadcasts only make up a small fraction of the full slate of games. Most games are broadcast locally via regional sports networks (RSNs). For these games, it will largely come down to whether or not the team you want to watch is in-market or out-of-market.

In-market games:

In order to watch in-market games, you'll need access to your local RSN. Many of these networks (but not all) offer their own streaming subscriptions, like FanDuel Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network, or Gotham Sports. If you're unsure which RSN you need to watch your local team, you can check out the FAQs below.

The most direct way to access these RSNs is through their individual subscription offers, but not every RSN has its own streaming counterpart. For those that don't, you'll need a cable alternative like Fubo or DirecTV Stream, which can cost a pretty penny.

Out-of-market games:

If you're a fan of an out-of-market team, you'll need NBA League Pass. League Pass streams practically all regional broadcasts for teams that aren't in your local market. For example, if you live in New York City, you'll be able to watch every team via NBA League Pass except the Knicks and Nets. NBA League Pass costs $16.99 per month to watch on one device with commercials or $24.99 per month to watch on up to three devices with in-arena streams (no commercials).

What is an RSN, and which one do I need?

Unlike the NFL, which offers national broadcasts of most games with specific in-market choice games, the NBA (as well as the NHL and MLB) complicates things with regional sports networks (RSNs). These are essentially sports-specific TV channels dedicated to a local market or geographic area. If you live in the same region as your favorite team, you'll need to know which RSN broadcasts your team's games. Some examples of RSNs are FanDuel Sports Network (which replaced Bally Sports), NBC Sports, and Altitude Sports. Head over to the NBA schedule if you aren't sure which network your team plays on. For a complete list of each team's RSN, see the FAQs below.

If you really only care about your local team, many RSNs offer subscriptions for you to tune in without cable. For example, Fan Duel Sports Network Southeast (which includes Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies games) is $19.99 per month or $124.99 for the whole NBA season. Monumental Sports Network (which includes the Washington Wizards) is $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. A quick Google search for your team's RSN will let you know if there's a separate subscription available. Of course, these RSN subscriptions will not include nationally broadcast games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, or NBA TV.

The best live TV streaming deals for NBA gamesBest for ESPN and ABC games: Save 16% on the ESPN Unlimited yearly plan Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited annual plan $299.99/year (save $59.89) Get Deal

ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service, launched this past summer, unlocks access to the entire suite of ESPN networks and services in one subscription. You'll get to stream NBA games from ESPN and ABC (as well as plenty of other sports and leagues). It typically costs $29.99 per month, but if you commit to a full year, you'll save about 16% or nearly $60. Of course, you can watch more than just NBA games, making the yearly plan worth it, particularly for fans of multiple sports.

Best for NBC and Peacock games: Save 17% on Peacock annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

When Peacock isn't running any sort of special (which it does a few times per year — keep an eye out around Black Friday), the best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription plan. When you pay upfront for the year, you'll end up getting 12 months for the price of 10. A monthly subscription with ads usually costs $10.99 per month (which adds up to $131.88), but paying upfront drops that price to only $109.99 (which breaks down to $9.17 per month). That's a total savings of 17%.

The Peacock Premium Plus plan costs $169.99 per year (which breaks down to about $14.16 per month instead of $16.99) and offers ad-free content. Live sports, however, will still include ads. If you're subscribing to Peacock specifically for NBA games, you might as well go for the cheaper option.

More Peacock deals:

• Free Peacock Premium for eligible Xfinity customers

• Free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers

• Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ subscribers

• Students save $8/month on one year of Peacock Premium

• First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers save $7/month on Peacock Premium

Best for Prime Video games: Save $6 per month on Prime Video only Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video only $8.99 per month Get Deal

If you're only interested in Prime Video for the NBA games, you probably don't care about all the extra perks of being a Prime member. In that case, you don't need to pay $14.99 per month for Prime. You can simply subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone service for only $8.99 per month instead and save yourself $6 per month.

Of course, Amazon makes it unnecessarily complicated to sign up for Prime Video on its own. When you go to sign up for a subscription, be sure to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plans." Then, navigate to the option for Prime Video on its own. You can still cancel whenever you want, just as you would a full Prime membership.

More Prime Video deals:

• Save 22% on an Amazon Prime annual membership

• Students save $7.50 per month with Prime for Young Adults

Best for out-of-market games: Save over 40% on NBA League Pass annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: NBA League Pass NBA League Pass annual plan $109.99 per season with ads, $159.99 per season without ads Get Deal

Similar to NFL's Sunday Ticket, minus the outrageous fee, NBA League Pass gives fans access to live out-of-market games. Plus, you'll get to enjoy games from the NBA's archive, analysis, documentaries, highlights, and more. Local games on NBA TV, as well as nationally broadcast games, will be blacked out live. You can tune into locally blacked-out games three days after the live broadcast and nationally broadcast games three hours after. It costs $16.99 or $24.99 per month, but if you pay for the whole season upfront, it'll only cost you $109.99 or $159.99. The more expensive option unlocks ad-free viewing and the ability to stream on three devices at once.

SAVE $900: As of Oct. 16, get the Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station for $699, down from its usual price of $1,599. That's a discount of 56%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station $699 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $900   Get Deal

How many times have you found yourself without electricity after a storm? Or maybe you like to go camping and stay off-grid for a while, but you need some power to use appliances? Whatever the case may be, a portable power station is a great thing to have, and you can get an excellent one right now for a significant amount of money off thanks to this Amazon deal.

As of Oct. 16, get the Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station for $699, down from its usual price of $1,599. That's a discount of 56%.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the go

This model boasts a 2,048Wh capacity and a 2,400W output (including a 3,600W Power Lifting mode) that means it's capable of running up to 99% of home appliances, like your microwave, toaster, and even a fridge. You can add more batteries to it for it to run longer if need be as well, so you'll have even more electricity to play around with.

Once your power station is depleted, it only really takes about 45 minutes to get it back up to 80 percent as long as it's plugged into a wall outlet or via solar panel. That means you can get it juiced back up significantly quicker than most of the other power stations you might have in your repertoire.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to get everything charged up and ready when you're in various electricity-less situations, this is a fantastic power station to pick up.

The thing about sticking with an old phone or old hardware for years on end is that, eventually, it's gonna get phased out. And when it happens, everything will slowly start breaking. If you have an Android 8.0 device, you'll have to move to a newer phone if you use Android Auto on your car.

SAVE $500: The 85-inch Hisense Class U7 QLED 4K TV is on sale at Walmart for $998, down from the normal price of $1,498. That's a 33% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 85-inch Hisense Class U7 QLED 4K TV $998 at Walmart
$1,498 Save $500   Get Deal

Welcome to indoor season. Unless you're one of the few people who thrive in chilly weather, you're probably switching out your outdoor activities for inside ones these days. Inevitably, that means more movies, TV shows, and gaming. If your current living room TV is no longer offering an impressive viewing experience, consider upgrading to this 85-inch model that's on a sweet discount.

As of Oct. 16, the 85-inch Hisense Class U7 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $998 at Walmart, marked down from the standard price of $1,498. That's a 33% discount that takes a whopping $500 off.

Hisense consistently makes some of the best budget TVs which means it's a great brand to check out if you're hoping for an 85-inch model. The Class U7 QLED 4K TV uses a bright QLED display that will be great for daytime viewing of sports as well as evenings spent rewatching your favorite Apple TV series. Peak brightness reaches 1,000 nits.

SEE ALSO: The Hisense U8 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV has dropped to an all-time low price at Amazon

This Hisense is also suitable for gaming since it comes with a 144Hz native refresh rate. Another major benefit is the built-in Google TV which gives you access to your favorite apps in a user-friendly display.

Before this deal sells out, upgrade to the 85-inch Hisense Class U7 QLED 4K TV for under $1,000 at Walmart. Your holiday gatherings with Christmas films or cozy fireplace scenes will thank you.

Windows 10 has reached end of life, which means it won't receive any more major feature updates, and even security updates will only be available to users that make a special effort to opt in. However, just because we're leaving Windows 10 behind doesn't mean the things it gave us are getting left behind. Here are the five best things Windows 10 introduced to the Windows PC world.

Don't worry—your computer won't spontaneously combust, but you do have to act in order to make sure your computer remains secure going into the future. Here are the most important things to know about your security now, what you can do to stay secure in the future, and your other options.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 16, shop the Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for just $499. That saves you $100 off its usual $599 list price for 17% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100   Get Deal

We're seeing lots of discounts on the Apple products today, maybe no surprise considering it's following the brand's product drop on Oct. 15. Apple debuted new silicon, the M5 chip, which is coming to the Vision Pro, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro. That means the previous M4 chip is no longer the latest processor, however, it doesn't mean it's obsolete.

The M4 chip is still the best silicon we've tested from Apple, given that we haven't gotten our hands on the M5. However, we've been finding discounts on the Apple's M4 products since the launch, including on the Mac Mini.

As of Oct. 16, the Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is down to $499. That saves you $100 off its MSRP of $599. Is this the lowest price ever on the Mac Mini? No. It's lowest price was $469, but we didn't even see this desktop return to that price during Amazon's July or October Prime Day, meaning $499 is the next best price.

The Apple Mac Mini, is an affordable desktop from Apple. This little computer has 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD but tucks away next to a monitor where you can enjoy the devices quick and efficient power. It's built for Apple Intelligence, if that's your thing, and has a variety of ports including a Thunderbolt, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet ports, front-facing USB-C ports, and a headphone jack.

Shop the Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) now for just $499 at Amazon and save $100 on the desktop computer.

TL;DR: If you’re in the market for a powerful laptop, this MacBook Pro is on sale for just $429.97 (reg. $1,999) through Nov. 2, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch i5 2GHz 2020 (Refurbished) $429.97
$1,999 Save $1,569.03   Get Deal

When it comes to laptops, you can’t do much better than Apple’s MacBook Pro. This device provides the power and performance we’ve come to love from Apple, while managing to fit it into a sleek and lightweight casing that you can take anywhere.

These devices typically come with a steep price tag, but right now you can bring home a MacBook Pro, complete with 1TB of storage, for only $429.97 (reg. $1,999) through Nov. 2.

SEE ALSO: The 11-inch Apple iPad is still $70 off at Amazon well after October Prime Day

Get ready to get more done with this sleek and speedy MacBook Pro. It may weigh in at only 3.1 pounds, but don’t be deceived by its lightweight status. This laptop has a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a 2GHz base speed, with an impressive 3.8GHz Turbo Boost. An impressive 1TB of SSD lets you keep your important files stored locally.

The 13.3-inch screen has a 2560×1600 native resolution, so you’ll be able to answer work emails or stream your favorite show with vibrant colors and sharp details. This model’s display also includes Apple’s True Tone Technology, which adjusts to your lighting and helps reduce eye strain. And you can tackle a full workday thanks to this MacBook Pro’s ten hour battery life.

This MacBook Pro features Apple favorites like the Magic Keyboard, which allows comfortable typing for hours, and the Touch Bar, which provides helpful shortcuts at the top of the keyboard. Four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports also make connecting easy.

You’re saving over $1,500 thanks to this model’s grade A refurbished status, and it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition.

Act fast to bring home a MacBook Pro for just $429.97 (reg. $1,999) through Nov. 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Apple just unveiled its new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro earlier this week and reports are already coming in about the next line of MacBooks powered by the M6 chip. But, that M6 line of MacBook Pros will come with another huge, potentially game-changing upgrade — a touchscreen. 

According to a new report from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple is finally working on a high-end touchscreen MacBook Pro to be released in late 2026 or early 2027. 

This would place the touchscreen MacBook's release around the same time Apple would unveil its new Silicone chipset, expected to be the M6.

Gurman reports that Apple's touchscreen display would use OLED technology, similar to that of the iPhone and iPad Pro. The use of these thinner displays would mark the first time a MacBook Pro utilized the technology.

Apple would also develop a "reinforced hinge and screen hardware" in order to solve a problem existing touchscreen laptops face, where the display gets pushed back or bounces when touched.

SEE ALSO: Preorder the iPad Pro with M5 chip now — Apple's most advanced tablet yet

In addition, the touchscreen MacBook Pro would get rid of the controversial notch at the top of the display. A "hole-punch design" similar to the iPhone's Dynamic Island would take its place. 

The touchscreen display would make this model of MacBook Pro the high-end version of a non-touchscreen model. The new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro currently retails for $1,999. The touchscreen version of Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro should be released at a price point of "a few hundred dollars more."

As Gurman notes, Apple founder and former CEO Steve Jobs had come out against vertical touchscreen surfaces before his passing in 2011. The company had seemingly stood by that stance until a 2023 report from Gurman noting that Apple engineers were seriously looking into a touchscreen MacBook for the first time.

Apple attempted to downplay reports of a touchscreen Mac in 2024 when Tom Boger, Apple's vice president of iPad and Mac product marketing, told the Wall Street Journal that the company wasn't planning to release a touchscreen MacBook.

Apple attempted to find a touchscreen middle ground with the touch bar, which debuted in October 2016. However, the touchscreen bar sliver integrated above the MacBook's keyboard and replaced a whole row of physical keys, never really caught on. Apple retired the touch bar in 2023.

Touchscreen laptops have become fairly standard across the industry, with most laptop manufacturing offering some type of touchscreen model. Much like Apple's late entry into the AI space, the company would be well behind its competitors in this area too.

Up until now, Xbox was the only major platform left out of the gaming handheld space. Valve’s Steam Deck lets players play their Steam library on the go. Nintendo has the hugely successful Switch and Switch 2. And Sony recently made a comeback into the handheld space — harkening back to the PSP and Vita days — with the disappointing PlayStation Portal.

Now, Microsoft has finally stepped up to the plate with the ROG Xbox Ally X, a collaboration between ASUS ROG and Microsoft’s Xbox division. The new Xbox handheld promises to let you play your Xbox and PC games on the go, and it even features a new processor, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, which offers more power than previous ROG models. It’s also a whopping $1,000.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft ROG Xbox Ally X $999.99 at Best Buy
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So is it worth it? Here are my first impressions after unboxing the gaming handheld and spending about half a day playing.

How does ROG Xbox Ally X feel? While it's powered by Windows 11, you'll spend most of your time in the Xbox gaming mode. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

Right out of the box, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a bit on the heavier side, more similar to the Steam Deck rather than the lighter Switch 2 or PS Portal. Its size is comparable to the Steam Deck and PS Portal. However, the Switch 2 is superior with its slightly more compact design, especially when its Joy-Cons are detached.

I do love the ergonomics of the ROG Xbox Ally X, though. The integrated grips simulate the feel and comfort of a standard Xbox controller. Previous ROG Ally iterations didn’t have these kinds of grips, so that makes this a step-up already in that aspect.

Clockwise, from top left: ROG Xbox Ally X, Nintendo Switch 2, Playstation Portal, Steam Deck Credit: George Yang / Mashable SEE ALSO: ROG Xbox Ally pre-orders start now: Where to buy the new handheld

The buttons are perfectly spaced out and have a satisfying, clicky feeling when pressed. The direction pad is excellent as well, which makes this gaming handheld a great way to play platformers. The thumbsticks are slightly diagonal from each other, similar to an Xbox controller. Overall, the ROG Ally X will feel very familiar to gamers in the Xbox camp, in a good way. The device even has a fingerprint reader, adding a layer of security while providing an easy way to jump right back in and play.

Playing the ROG Xbox Ally X: First impressions The controls really feel like Xbox controllers. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

When booting up the Ally X, it wastes no time telling you that it’s primarily a Windows PC handheld. The familiar blue Windows user interface had me select a language, install some updates, and then finally took me to the Xbox app. It looks strikingly similar to the Xbox app on PC. I wish the gaming UI was more unique to the Ally X, something the Steam Deck does well, but it is simple to navigate. However, so far, the Xbox UI suffers from a bit of lag and is prone to freezing. Sometimes, I’d try to open up the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass, and the handheld would remain unresponsive. 

At the menu on the right, you’ll see your three primary sources of games: Game Pass, your current library, and Cloud Gaming. Game Pass is Xbox’s signature gaming subscription model, which recently saw a price hike. I’m an Ultimate tier subscriber, so I have access to Microsoft's first-party games. Through it, I downloaded several games, including Doom: The Dark Ages, Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I also downloaded several games I already own — Lies of P and Hotel Barcelona — both of which are Play Anywhere games.

The new Xbox handheld also has a touchscreen display. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable SEE ALSO: Snag a 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription before the price hike

It’s important to note that the only games that can be directly downloaded are ones available through Game Pass and Play Anywhere titles. The latter is a program that allows you to buy a digital game once through Microsoft, and play it on both an Xbox console and a Windows PC. Normally, you’d have to have to pay twice if you want to play a game on different platforms, but the Play Anywhere program is a convenient and consumer-friendly initiative. Unlike the Steam Deck, you can’t carry your entire library on the go, unfortunately.

When it comes to playing games, I've found so far that performance between titles is wildly inconsistent. Expedition 33 and Avowed had framerate and stuttering issues. Expedition 33’s battles require precise timing to dodge enemy attacks, so when I missed button presses due to these performance problems, it negatively impacted my gameplay. Avowed is a real-time action game, where a more stable framerate would allow me to react faster.

On the other hand, games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle performed flawlessly. Doom is the fastest-paced game out of all of the ones I’ve tried on the handheld so far, and having the power to kill demons in the palm of my hands felt immensely gratifying. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s framerate held steady and was buttery smooth, making it the most immersive experience I’ve had yet.

The ROG Xbox Ally X launches with 1,000+ titles optimized for the handheld experience. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable SEE ALSO: Playing the Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld made me yearn for the simplicity of my Switch 2

I also tried out the Cloud Gaming capabilities for a bit and played about 30 minutes of Borderlands 4. With a solid WiFi connection, Borderlands 4 performed just fine with minimal hiccups. Borderlands 4 is not available on Game Pass, and it’s also not a Play Anywhere title. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, using Cloud Gaming is a fantastic way to circumvent the ROG Xbox Ally X’s library limitations by letting you directly stream games from your Xbox account.

Credit: George Yang / Mashable Credit: George Yang / Mashable

It seems like the optimization of each game will be on a case-by-case basis. In my limited day one experience, I've found that certain games seem to work better than others. I’m still testing it out, but it's certainly a capable handheld from what I’ve played so far, with a gorgeous display and solid ergonomics.

However, does the ROG Xbox Ally X justify its hefty $1,000 price tag? That remains to be decided, and I'll reserve judgment until I complete my full Xbox Ally X review, when I’ll be back with a more in-depth answer for Mashable readers.

ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld: By the numbers Where to buy the ROG Xbox Ally X BEST BUY ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld $999.99 Shop Now MICROSOFT ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld $999.99 Shop Now

The new ROG Xbox Ally X launched on Oct. 16 for $999.99. You can purchase the handheld at Best Buy, Microsoft, and ASUS.

This gaming handheld has some impressive specs:

• Processor: New AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor

• RAM: 24GB

• Storage: 1TB SSD

• Operating System: Windows 11

• Refresh rate: 120Hz

• Ports: Dual USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD

• Display: 1080p LED

• Weight: 1.58 pounds