IT General

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

Incapable.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

UNFIT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Boundary.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LIMIT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Malice.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 23, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SPITE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Boat transport.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FERRY

Final Hurdle hint

Stop it.

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

BRAKE

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

TL;DR: This Drime Secure Cloud Storage Advanced Plan lifetime subscription sets you up with 10TB of permanent cloud storage, and right now it’s on sale for just $359.97 (reg. $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Drime Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (Advanced++ Plan/10TB) $359.97
$1,299 Save $939.03   Get Deal

Is your digital life in need of some serious organizing? If you’ve got files on your smartphone, some on your laptop, and even more stored away on a hard drive, there’s an easier way to keep tabs on your content. Drime Secure Cloud Storage lets you secure an ample 10TB of space with this Advanced Plan lifetime subscription — on sale now for just $359.97.

If you’re looking to get your digital world in order, look no further than Drime Secure Cloud Storage. This convenient service lets you upload, sync, and share files from any device, so you can finally get all your files in order. And this Advanced Plan lifetime subscription includes 10TB of storage to keep it all safe.

Drime Secure Cloud Storage lets you pay once and enjoy your cloud storage space for life — so you no longer have to rent month after month. It also offers 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption, so you can rest easy knowing your content is secure and accessible only to you. It’s also hosted in Europe and GDPR compliant, so none of your data is even routed through the United States.

You’ll have 10 TB of cloud storage and can upload files of any size. Drime Secure Cloud Storage is also centralized, so your files are synced and updated across your devices and accessible in real time when you need them.

Once your files are in the cloud, you can use a built-in media and document editor to edit, comment, and make changes without leaving Drime. You can also easily share files with custom links, with options to set passwords and expiration dates.

Lock in a Drime Secure Cloud Storage Advanced Plan lifetime subscription for only $359.97 today.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a Grade A refurbished iPad 9th Gen for $209.99 (reg. $479).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 2021 (Refurbished) $209.99
$479 Save $269.01   Get Deal

If you’re looking for an iPad that can handle streaming, browsing, video calls, or schoolwork, you don’t need to splurge on a Pro model. The refurbished Apple iPad 9th Gen, currently $209.99 (reg. $479), offers impressive value.

Powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, the 2021 iPad handles everyday apps, multitasking, and crystal-clear video calls. The 10.2-inch Retina display offers generous screen real estate for streaming your favorite shows, catching up on reading, or tackling assignments. Touch ID, stereo speakers, and an all-day battery round out a feature set designed for both productivity and fun.

Video calls are very user-friendly thanks to the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and Center Stage, a convenient feature that keeps you in frame even if you move around. Whether you’re a student attending virtual classes, catching up with family, or just spending lots of time on calls, it’s a handy upgrade.

Choose between 64GB or 256GB of storage, and pick your style — Space Gray or Silver. If you love to keep a library of photos, videos, and apps at your fingertips, the 256GB model has you covered. Just keep in mind: this is a Wi-Fi–only iPad, so you’ll need a wireless connection or hotspot when you’re away from home.

Its Grade A refurb rating means it arrives in near-mint condition, with minimal to no scuffing, so it feels almost like new, without the new-device price tag.

And while newer iPads and iPad Pro models offer more advanced hardware, those extras aren’t necessarily essential for someone who primarily wants a tablet for everyday entertainment, communication, and productivity. If that’s your use case, this older generation can cover the basics without taking as big a chunk out of your budget.

Get the Apple iPad 9th Gen 2021 while it’s available on sale for just $209.99 (reg. $479).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Few things in the history of cinema are as consistently satisfying as watching Julianne Moore let loose a barrage of curse words. Be it her saucy adult film star in Boogie Nights, her Transatlantic-accented artist in The Big Lebowski, her shattered trophy wife in Magnolia or its playful recreation on Billy on the Street, Moore can make the most out of a four-letter word. Now, in the bouncy yet twisted comedy The Debut, she lays out her most hilarious litany of expletives yet. But that's just one reason you can't miss her latest. 

As a follow-up to his Academy Award–winning movie A Real Pain, actor turned writer/director Jesse Eisenberg offers a follow-up that's even funnier and more ferocious. The Debut stars Moore in a mousy role that might recall her work with Todd Haynes at first. But as Eisenberg's hilarious send-up of theater culture gains steam, this comedy pitches Moore into a satirical space where she soars in absurdity. A bellowing Paul Giamatti is her perfect scene partner, and it's easy to imagine both are readying for an another award season run. 

What is The Debut all about? 

Distributed by A24, The Debut centers on Mona Friedman, a New Jersey housewife so introverted she's practically invisible to her husband and teen twins. With her nest about to be emptied by high school graduation, Mona's eager to find a new place to devote her attention, and maybe even get some of her own. So, the auditions for the local university's production of an New York City-set musical farce called Nosy Neighbors seems an absolute dream. 

Approaching the audition with all the stage presence of a damp napkin, Mona earns only a sneer from the director Jerry (Giamatti), who is regarded as a god by the jubilant, nattering theater kids, led by ingenue Stef (Halle Bailey). But when regional theater legend Serena Cherry (Bernadette Peters, popping in to belt her heart out) bails on the production, Mona will have a chance to make her big debut — if she doesn't ruin her life first. 

With a frantically farcical tone reminiscent of Only Murders in the Building, Eisenberg's comedy has elements of a psychological thriller, as Mona's quest to understand the role of building super Miss Danielle leads her to a version of method acting that is utterly deranged. Jerry becomes her antagonist and an unhinged ally in this pursuit, pushing her to understand the unwritten backstory of the super through urban field trips and outlandish escapades. Together, these rightfully esteemed dramatic actors prove to be a crackling comedy duo, imbuing each scene with a savage earnestness and laughable absurdity. 

The Debut is an absolute crowdpleaser.  Credit: A24

Ahead of its theatrical release, The Debut premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, then the Toronto International Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival. An NYC crowd will surely go wild for Eisenberg's musical-within-the-movie, which parodies urban archetypes like the lonely finance bro, the naive new girl in town, and the surly super. However, the audiences in Toronto roared with laughter and even cheers over his send-up of theater culture, which includes an overzealous intern (Eldar Isgandarov), a much-tread-upon assistant (Susan Blommaert), a two-faced pianist (K. Todd Freeman), and an avalanche of giddy, over-the-top enthusiasm for their newest member. 

The screenplay is smart and irreverent, without losing touch with empathy. So, while we witness Mona descend into madness as she chases the dream of the local theater spotlight, we cringe in fear that she'll fail. This is in no small part due to Moore's ability to be a clown and a raw nerve, all at once. She marvelously plays a bad actress, moving from a stifled whisper to an atonal shout as Mona fumbles a lesson on projecting. Then, as she becomes determined not just to shine but to upstage the whole ensemble, Moore plunges into physical comedy involving janky plumbing, horrendously awkward dancing, sketchy hotel rooms, dubious binge-drinking of a booze called "monkey blood," and a makeover that is so atrociously awful that I couldn't look away. 

Alongside her, Giamatti transforms from Mona's tormenter to mentor to overwhelmed wrangler. The cast around her varies in portrayals from bubbly to bewildered, each adding dimension to this Sunset Boulevard send-up, ignited by a brilliantly saturated color palette of reds, teals, and golds. This brightness in tone and color reflects Mona's resolutely cheerful facade. As her journey grows dark, the visual contrast keeps the comedy playful. 

All of this energy, charisma, chaos, and color barrels into a climax that is jubilant, odd, and undeniably exhilarating. Eisenberg not only captures the unfettered outrageousness of being a theater kid, but also the thrilling spontaneity of live theater. Moore, who previously starred in his muddled directorial debut When You Finish Saving The World, shines in The Debut, expertly delivering comedy with a steady stream of desperation. Giamatti brings grit and grumble, as might be expected, but with a salty vulnerability that surprisingly sweet in the third act. Altogether, they create a movie that's not only hilarious and cringe-inducing, but also brilliantly life-affirming. Don't just see it. See it in theaters, where you can be swallowed by the raucous laughter of strangers. 

The Debut was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. It will open in theaters on Dec. 11. 

Sometimes, the customers love a product so much that they don't want to see it change. And sometimes, the customers are right.

The massive multinational companies that build all these products we love aren't too keen on admitting they made a mistake. But sometimes they admit it in the best possible way: by giving customers the product they wanted all along.

In 2018, Mashable's Matt Binder wrote about the "death" of the mid-2015 Retina MacBook Pro, calling it "the best laptop ever made."

That particular MacBook Pro became known amongst Apple fans as "the one with the ports," as it came with two USB-C ports, two Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe 2 connector, an HDMI connector, and an SDXC card slot. It was a workhorse for professionals who actually needed all that connectivity, and it had a wonderful keyboard and enough power to satisfy the most demanding user.

The MacBook Pro with the Touch ID was alright, but the people still yearned for the physical keys. Credit: Apple

Then, Apple changed it all up with the dreaded Touch Bar MacBook Pro. That one came with a Touch Bar instead of function keys, unlocking new features that appeared cool, but weren't actually very useful. Its Butterfly keyboard was a downgrade, and it only had four Thunderbolt 3 ports, forcing professionals who used (and still do to this day) memory cards and HDMI cables to use dongles to connect their peripherals. It was a thin, elegant, sleek machine, but Apple sacrificed too much functionality to make it so.

The rest is history. After years of user complaints, Apple redesigned the MacBook Pro in 2021, and the 16-inch model in particular was the one professionals wanted. It had a massive display, a wonderful keyboard, physical function keys, and (nearly) the same array of ports as the good, old 2015 Retina MacBook Pro.

SEE ALSO: Was the 6S really the peak iPhone?

So yes, that old workhorse from 2015 was, in a way, the best laptop ever. More than a decade later, the new MacBook Pro models still inherit most of its design and connectivity traits, wireless connection be damned. Chalk this one a victory for everyone.

Credit: Mashable "RIP mid-2015 MacBook Pro, the best laptop ever made," published July 12, 2018.

Anyone who knows anything about the online dating world has surely heard of AdultFriendFinder. It's one of the OGs of online hookups, having launched in 1996 — the early days of the internet — and becoming a top 100 website in the U.S. by the late 2000s. Pretty much everyone is horny from time to time. But despite that undeniable popularity, AdultFriendFinder has never quite managed to establish itself in the mainstream like Tinder or Hinge.

There’s a very good reason for that.

AFF, as it’s known among its users, is explicitly an “adult” dating site. And trust us when we say that we do mean explicit. Anything goes on AFF, where users are encouraged to fly that freak flag and indulge in all their kinks and desires. AFF is proud of that fact, but it's also the reason it's never gone fully mainstream. After all, users are unlikely to talk about their AFF activity over the water cooler as they might discuss their Tinder hit rate. The NSFW content (it's chock full of nudity) means there's no dedicated app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Those platforms won't allow that kind of content.

But what if you’re curious about how AFF works and whether it's a good fit for you? What if you’ve always wondered whether you’re missing out on the best-kept online dating secret and want to join the NSFW party? Or maybe you’re worried it’s more hype and chatbots than seriously spicy fun. If that all sounds familiar, there's no need to fret about AFF FOMO because we've done the work for you.

Here's a breakdown of the AdultFriendFinder experience and what you can realistically expect to get from it if you decide to dip your toe into these naughty waters.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More AdultFriendFinder isn’t a traditional dating site

If you sign up for AdultFriendFinder for a standard online dating experience, you’re sure to be disappointed. It’s not that AFF members aren’t interested in serious dating; it’s more that AFF isn't necessarily the place to go looking for that. Sex and sexuality are front and center, and everything else comes from there, so to speak.

You'll see that for the first moment to log on. Unlike mainstream dating sites, which ban nudity from profile photos, AFF allows it, so that regular dating-app selfies sit side-by-side with full-on full-frontal nudity and live webcam feeds. It might be too hot for some would-be daters to handle, and it's certainly jarring when you first sign up. There is a content filter, accessible in your profile settings, but it defaults to "off," so if you would rather not see any nudity (in which case, AFF might not be right for you), navigate to this setting ASAP. That will mean you only see NSFW content when you actively click on it.

For some people who aren't looking for a bare-all experience, this might sound off-putting, but to those who are looking for exactly that, it’s refreshing. (And if we're not using AFF to gawk at a little nudity, what are we even doing with our lives?) Unlike traditional dating apps, where early conversations revolve around figuring out what the other person actually wants, AFF members tend to be refreshingly upfront and direct about their intentions. Kinks and sexual preferences are the whole point. Plus, getting to the point is a welcome time-saver with online dating.

How to meet people on AdultFriendFinder

Every online dating site lives or dies by its algorithm, with new platforms constantly rolling out novel ways to connect singles. AdultFriendFinder, however, takes a maximalist approach to interacting with strangers.

You can search for members the conventional way, using specific criteria like gender, sexual orientation, age, location, and more, but you can also jump into themed chat rooms or follow other members’ live streams. There's also a “Who’s Hot” tab that highlights popular members and trending photo and video uploads. This helps you easily discover someone you might never have come across through regular searches.

One thing you’ll notice quickly, however, is the presence of obviously fake profiles. When I searched for singles near me, I encountered a surprising number of stunningly beautiful women in a small rural town near my city. My excitement was quickly spoiled by their obviously airbrushed photos and vague, AI-sounding profile descriptions.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Tinder subscription

The issue is that AFF makes it very easy to sign up and create a profile, requiring just a username, password, and basic personal info. It's very easy for scammers to exploit this, so you'll see lots of bots. But don't be put off. You can navigate around them easily enough. All you need to do is stay vigilant on AFF and use some good old-fashioned common sense.

To help counter this, AdultFriendFinder offers a blue checkmark verification system. It even rewards users by boosting their visibility once they've completed it. Verification requires a government-issued ID, which AFF uses to confirm your age, photo authenticity, location, and gender. It's an optional step, but one worth completing since it helps you signal to others that you are who you say you are.

If avoiding scammers and catfishers is a priority, just look for that blue checkmark before you make any moves.

What kind of success rate can you expect from AdultFriendFinder?

It all sounds good so far, but there is a catch with AFF. While you can browse and explore AFF for free, meaningful one-on-one interactions require you to fork out for a paid Gold membership, which is available in either one-month ($35.95/month), three-month ($26.95/month), or one-year ($19.95/month) packages, all of which renew automatically.

Understandably, most people hesitate to pay for a dating site from the outset. They want to be sure the site is a good fit for them first. But with AFF locking its best features behind a paywall, it takes a leap of faith to enter those credit card details. If it makes you feel better, we find that a premium AFF membership largely justifies its cost — the benefits are good enough to make the fee worthwhile.

Indeed, with an AFF Gold membership, you unlock a range of features, including unrestricted messaging, high-resolution member videos and webcam streams, expanded profile galleries, and advanced filters that make it far easier to narrow down potential matches. You'll quickly see the benefits when you take the plunge with AFF's paid tier.

Does paying guarantee attention from everyone you message? Of course not. The usual dating-app dynamics still apply — heterosexual men, for instance, should expect to work harder for responses than heterosexual women. Being attractive, fit, or witty helps. Being all three helps even more, though we're not all lucky enough to possess that particular threesome of qualities.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

What will work in your favor, regardless, is the size of the AFF community. It's huge, with members spanning a diverse range of ages, body types, orientations, and interests. That fact alone makes it easier to find someone. And you'll find all kinds of people you'd never have come into contact with otherwise. Especially if you’re hankering after something a little more casual and fun than serious and long-term.

Based on my personal experience of using AFF, as well as the limited statistics AFF has released, the platform skews male (roughly 60:40 in my area) and slightly older. That male/female ratio mirrors that of most dating sites, which tend to skew towards more men. The older skew can actually be an advantage if, like me, you prefer connecting with people closer to your own age.

Here's one parting piece of advice: Don’t ignore AFF’s broader community features. If you rely solely on search results and direct messages, you’ll face roughly the same odds as any other dating app. But if you explore the themed chat rooms — which can span everything from erotic fiction to body modification (whatever gets the juices flowing) — you’re more likely to find a connection that turns you on.

Best early Walmart Fall Days deals: Best Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30.99) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones $149 (save $20.95) Get Deal Best TV deal onn. 65-inch 4K UHD Smart TV (65S4V4) $258 (save $20) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day event is right around the corner, which means every other major retailer is currently scrambling to steal your attention with competing sales. (Honestly, in this economy, I definitely don't blame them.)

SEE ALSO: Target will host a Circle Deal Days sale on the exact same days as Amazon's fall Prime event

Walmart is taking on the retail giant with its own "Fall Deals" event that officially kicks off on Oct. 5 and runs for a full week until Oct. 11. The best part about Walmart's event is that you don't have to be a paid member to shop, though Walmart+ members will get first dibs on the discounts.

While the main event hasn't technically started, it's already teasing up to 50% off home goods, 40% off tech, and 30% off toys. Even better, there are a handful of early deals you can add to your cart right now.

Best Walmart TV deals

• FPD 40-inch 1080P Smart Google TV — $188.96 $322.98 (save $134.02)

• onn. 65-inch 4K UHD Smart TV (65S4V4) — $258 $278 (save $20)

• VIZIO 65-inch Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV (VQD65R-10) — $328 $498 (save $170)

• TCL 55-inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K TV (55QM6K) — $598 $649.99 (save $51.99)

Best Walmart headphones and earbuds deals

• JBL Tune 520BT — $34.95 $59.95 (save $25)

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $51.97 $79.99 (save $28.02)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129.99 (save $30.99)

• Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones — $149 $169.95 (save $20.95)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

Best Walmart gaming deals

• PNY GeForce RTX 5070 OC — $679 $779 (save $100)

• MSI Cyborg 15 (RTX 5070) — $1,299 $2,099 (save $800)

• ASUS ROG Strix G16 (RTX 5070) — $1,599 $1,999.99 (save $400.99)

• ASUS ROG Strix G18 (RTX 5070) — $1,849 $2,699.99 (save $850.99)

Best Walmart Lego deals

• Lego Botanicals Daisies — $9.89 $14.99 (save $5.10)

• Lego Editions Cristiano Ronaldo — $87.73 $109.98 (save $22.64)

• Lego Marvel Spider-Man vs. Oscorp — $110 $139.99 (save $29.99)

TL;DR: Eight Sleep just launched the Pod 6, featuring a completely redesigned Hub that fits under most bed frames, 18 biometric sensors, and new single-sleeper Solo sizes. Prices start at $1,999 for Solo and $2,699 for Standard sizes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eight Sleep Eight Sleep Pod 6   Shop Now

When we reviewed the Eight Sleep Pod 5, we called it a spendy miracle for hot sleepers. Having a water-cooled cover that actively chills or warms your bed based on real-time biometric tracking is game-changing. But for all its luxury, every Pod generation we’ve tested carried two massive design headaches: a tower-sized Hub that sat next to your nightstand like a mini-fridge, and the complete lack of smaller or single-sleeper mattress sizes.

The newly announced Eight Sleep Pod 6 directly tackles those long-standing complaints. Rebuilt from the ground up, this sixth-generation release slims down the hardware footprint, vastly upgrades internal sensing, and introduces the most accessible pricing structure in the line's history.

The bulky box finally hides under your bed

The biggest upgrade you'll notice right away is the central Hub. Eight Sleep halved its size and gave it a sleek, low-profile design built to slide completely out of sight under most bed frames. No more tripping over a plastic tower next to your nightstand.

And even though the box is half the size, the tech inside works faster:

• 20% faster cooling and heating — Redesigned internal coolers mean you get relief from sudden night sweats or chills way faster than on older models.

• True split-temp controls — Each side of the bed runs on its own separate water loop. You can freeze your side down to an icebox while your partner keeps theirs nice and warm, with zero bleed-over.

Credit: Eight Sleep

Older models like the Pod 5 used just two sensors inside the cover to monitor your body. The Pod 6 jumps to 18. That extra density means the system knows exactly where you are on the bed, so it won't get confused if you and your partner cuddle up close or if your dog decides to sleep at your feet.

Eight Sleep’s AI engine that tracks your heart rate, breathing, and sleep stages at near-medical accuracy — no Apple Watch or Oura Ring required. Autopilot then uses that real-time tracking to adjust the bed's temperature automatically throughout the night based on your body and bedroom environment.

SEE ALSO: Forget baby monitors, Hatch built a sleep coach for your newborn — where to buy

The Pod 6 also finally addresses the sizing problem by releasing single-sleeper options:

• Pod 6 Solo (starts at $1,999) — Built for single sleepers, these cover just one side of a Queen, King, or Cal King mattress, or fit standalone Twin and Twin XL beds.

• Pod 6 Standard (starts at $2,699) — Covers the entire bed for two sleepers across Full ($2,699), Queen ($2,899), King ($2,999), and Cal King ($2,999) sizes.

Keep in mind that, as before, using the Pod 6 still requires an Autopilot subscription (starting at $17 per month or $199 per year). The subscription covers two user profiles, unlocks all the automatic temperature shifts, and includes warranty protection (two years on the base plan, or five years on higher tiers).

By hiding the Hub under the bed and giving single sleepers an entry point under two grand, the Pod 6 solves the issues that held back older models. The Eight Sleep Pod 6 is available to order today at Eight Sleep.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 23, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor is available for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a $30 saving on the list price of $229.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal

If you're anything like us, you'll check out the best gaming deals when a sale event like October Prime Day rolls around. That's because gaming hardware doesn't come cheap, so it's always worth scoping out the chance to upgrade for less.

October Prime Day is still two weeks away, officially running Oct. 6-7, but we've already spotted some early deals, including a good discount on the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor. Alienware deals don't come around too often.

As of Sept. 23, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor is available for $199.99 at Amazon. That’s a $30 discount from the regular list price of $229.99.

At 27 inches, this is a great monitor for everyday gaming and compact gaming stations. It's not the biggest or highest spec monitor you'll find, but it's an excellent mid-level offering from Dell's dedicated gaming hardware range. Features include AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync for fluid gameplay, as well as 2,560 x 1,440 QHD resolution.

Pick up the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor and save $30 — now just $199.99 ahead of October Prime Day.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

TL;DR: As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's well under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

For Pokémon fans, there are few greater pleasures than finding product at way below market price. And that's exactly what you'll get with Amazon's current price on the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box.

As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available on Amazon for just $89.99. According to the market price listing at TCG Player, that's a total saving of $88.64 vs. the current market price of $178.63.

The catch is that you can't just rock up on Amazon and buy one. It's so in-demand that Amazon requires potential buyers to click the "request invite" button, which puts you in a random ballot to actually purchase one.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin is under market price at Walmart — buy for under $60 while stocks last

If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that will be valid for 72 hours. But don't wait around — at this price, there's no guarantee that this Elite Trainer Box will still be in stock.

If your invitation request isn't selected, Amazon will keep it on file, and you may receive an invitation after restocks. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Don't miss the chance to grab the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box at $89.99 — almost half of the current market price.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 23, the LifeStraw personal water filter is available for $14.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 16% on the list price of $17.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $14.99 at Amazon
$17.95 Save $2.96   Get Deal

It's almost time for Amazon's October Prime Day, which runs for two days over Oct. 6-7, and that start means deals are popping up already — deals on TVs, tech, and all kinds of other goodies.

One discount that caught our attention is 16% off the LifeStraw personal water filter, a must-have accessory for anyone who loves the outdoors — whether you're into hiking, camping, or survivalist activities deep in the wilderness.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day deals on power stations are already live: Shop the best deals on Jackery, Anker, Bluetti, and more

As of Sept. 23, the LifeStraw personal water filter is available for $14.99 at Amazon. Usually priced at $17.95, that's a neat saving of $2.96.

The LifeStraw personal water filter is a survival kit essential. It uses a microfiltration membrane that removes 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and parasites, so you can drink water directly from streams and lakes. The water purification system lasts for up to 4,000 liters.

Pick up the LifeStraw personal water filter for just $14.99 at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad 11-inch — $399 $449 (save $50)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

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Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who know Raiders history.

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: Around the New England

• Green: Raiders

• Blue: Golfers

• Purple: Movies

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Teams/Schools in Massachusetts

• Green: Raiders QBs, Past and Present

• Blue: Women's Golf Major Winners

• Purple: Last Words in Football Movie Titles

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 #730 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Teams/Schools in Massachusetts: BRUINS, CELTICS, HARVARD, UMASS

• Raiders QBs, Past and Present: CARR, COUSINS, GANNON, STABLER

• Women's Golf Major Winners: INKSTER, KO, KORDA, PARK

• Last Words in Football Movie Titles: BLUES, LIGHTS, TITANS, YARD

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 September 23, 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 September 23, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 23 Pips

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

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 23 Pips

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

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 23 Pips

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-2 placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, 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.

Earlier this year, Apple settled a class-action lawsuit by agreeing to pay $250 million divided among U.S. iPhone owners. Here's how to claim your share.

SEE ALSO: Apple reaches $250 million settlement over exaggerating Apple Intelligence's capabilities

Apple launched its iPhone 16 series in 2024, marketing it as introducing an enhanced, next-generation Siri as well as AI tool suite Apple Intelligence. The tech giant further stated at the time that such features would be coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. 

However, a class-action lawsuit claimed not only that these features failed to materialise when promised, but also that Apple knew it was incapable of delivering them on its advertised timeline.

An updated Siri recently launched in beta, two years after customers were told to expect it. As such, the class-action lawsuit alleged that Apple's marketing breached consumer protection laws, enticing people to buy new iPhones on the basis of features that didn't exist.

Apple hasn't admitted any fault, but has agreed to pay a $250 million settlement to impacted parties. If you bought an iPhone within the past few years, you may be one of them.

Are you eligible for Apple's $250 million class-action lawsuit payout?

However, not all iPhone owners in the U.S. will have a claim to a piece of the pie. In order to get a share of the $250 million settlement, you must first meet a few requirements:

1. You must live and have purchased an iPhone in the U.S. (and not just to onsell it);

2. You must have purchased the iPhone between Jun. 10, 2024 and Mar. 29, 2025; and

3. The iPhone must be one of the eligible devices, namely the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model. That is, the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max.

You also can't be an Apple representative or employee, though that isn't a criterion that the vast majority of iPhone owners will have to worry about.

If you fulfill these requirements, you may be entitled to a payout of approximately $25. This payout may change depending upon how much is deducted for legal fees, as well as how many people submit claims. (The class action complaint claims that there were approximately 37 million pre-orders for iPhone 16 series devices within the first weekend they opened, with that number subsequently continuing to grow.) However, while your individual payout could decrease, it could also increase to a maximum of $95.

How to claim a payout from Apple's $250 million class-action settlement

To claim your settlement from Apple, you can submit a claim via the dedicated website Smartphone AI Settlement. Simply click on the "Submit Claim" button and fill out the form, including selecting the method by which you'd prefer to be paid. 

You'll also have to have your iPhone's serial number on hand so it can be verified as part of the relevant class. In order to find it, simply open your iPhone's settings, tap "General," tap "About," then locate your serial number. You can also press and hold on the number to copy it, so you don't have to try to type it out manually.

The deadline for submitting a claim is Dec. 21, 2026, though it's best to do it sooner if you're interested so you don't forget. Making a claim binds you to the settlement, meaning you won't be able to bring any future case against Apple regarding the specific issues in this case.

Dec. 21 is also the deadline for excluding yourself from the settlement. Doing so means that you'll get no money, but you keep the right to bring your own lawsuit against Apple about the delivery of Siri and Apple Intelligence features to the impacted iPhones. If you do nothing, you won't get a payout but will still be bound by the settlement, so it's best to decide which route you'd prefer now.

When will you receive Apple's settlement payout?

Once all claims have been received, the Court will have a final hearing on Feb. 24, 2027 to determine if Apple's settlement is fair, with payments expected to be made at some time after that. Unfortunately, you may have to wait a while, as such payments typically take several months. As such, while you won't have the cash for Christmas, you may have better luck by Memorial Day.

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 September 23, 2026 Age verification meaning

A technical process that determines a person's age before granting them access to view content or a website.

Captcha meaning

A security test used on websites to verify that a user is a real human, not an automated computer program or bot.

Cookie consent meaning

The permission a website obtains from the visitor before placing tracking cookies on their device.

Paywall meaning

A digital security or software system that blocks internet users from viewing website content unless they pay.

Keys meaning

Small metal items that unlock doors and other locked items.

Phone meaning

A device used to call or text someone.

Sunglasses meaning

An accessory that protects the eyes from the sun.

Wallet meaning

A small case that holds money, credit cards, identification, and other small personal items.

Bitcoin meaning

The first digital currency that allows transactions without a bank or government.

Record label meaning

A company that finances and distributes recorded music.

Rub-a-dub meaning

A saying used to describe getting clean while bathing.

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.

Suriname meaning

A small, diverse country on the Northeastern coast of South America.

Condensed milk meaning

A thick, sweet cow's milk made by removing most of its water.

Paint meaning

A thick colored liquid used to coat something, typically a wall or building.

Shaving cream meaning

A soft foam applied to the skin before removing hair with a razor..

Spam meaning

A canned assortment of meat.

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 always prepared.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 23, 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: What's in my bag

• Green: Pop-ups

• Blue: Canned goods

• Purple: It has a name

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: Things you grab before leaving the house

• Green: Website hurdles

• Blue: Things that come in cans

• Purple: Ending in synonyms for "term"

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 #1199 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things you grab before leaving the house: KEYS, PHONE, SUNGLASSES, WALLET

• Website hurdles: AGE VERIFICATION, CAPTCHA, COOKIE CONSENT, PAYWALL

• Things that come in cans: CONDENSED MILK, SHAVING CREAM, SPAM

• Ending in synonyms for "term": BITCOIN, RECORD LABEL, RUB-A-DUB, SURINAME

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're a historian.

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 September 23, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Practically paleolithic

The words are related to time.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things in the past.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Thats Old News.

NYT Strands word list for September 23

• Ancient

• Archaic

• Bygone

• Thats Old News

• Primeval

• Timeworn

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

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always ahead.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 23, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 23, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Onward.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FORTH

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

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

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

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 Wordle.

Los Santos has a new way to get you in trouble, and you don’t even have to commit a crime.

A new Grand Theft Auto V mod from artist Morry Kolman, who goes by WTTDOTM online, installs 235 virtual Flock license plate reader cameras around the game’s fictional city. Called Grand Theft Automated License Plate Reader, or GTALPR, it brings an extra layer of surveillance to your next drive. And because this is GTA, you can destroy the cameras and collect in-game cash from their wreckage.

But the opportunity to blow them up is only part of the point. Kolman wants players to feel what happens when a familiar environment becomes a place where they’re constantly being watched.

"I’m an artist, and much of my practice is based around giving people interesting and engaging ways to learn about the technological and political world around them," Kolman told Mashable. "GTALPR is very much in that vein." For Kolman, a game modeled on an American city, and familiar to millions of players, offered a way to make surveillance tangible.

"Suddenly, you're always watched," he added. "With the simple addition of some cameras, the entire environment gains a new passive layer of hostility."

Bringing Flock’s camera network to Los Santos

In the real world, Flock’s automated license plate readers capture vehicle images and enable police to search for vehicles and receive alerts about those on watchlists. Flock pitches the technology as a way to help law enforcement locate wanted vehicles. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, argue that these networks enable mass surveillance of people going about their everyday lives.

Kolman’s virtual version draws directly from the geography of the real network. "I chose 235 for the number of cameras to use in GTALPR because it is 1/10th the amount of Flock cameras currently in LA County, and Los Santos is about 1/10th its real counterparts size," he told Mashable.

His project page identifies the community mapping project DeFlock as the source for the camera count. The placements aren’t random, either. Kolman built himself a tool to compare the real and fictional maps, then used it to place cameras in corresponding locations. "The closest comparison is probably the area around Santa Monica Pier vs. Del Perro Pier," he said.

Credit: Morry Kolman

The result brings a real-world surveillance footprint into a place players may already know street by street.

One of the mod’s most pointed feature kicks in when players haven’t committed a crime. Each time a player passes through a camera’s field of view, there’s a 1-in-20 chance it will trigger an unprovoked police chase to "represent this pattern of false reports, and show that living with this surveillance is not a matter of 'having nothing to hide'... it is simply a matter of 'when will it happen to you,'" Kolman described.

Why bring the surveillance state to GTA?

His broader argument is that avoiding wrongdoing doesn’t eliminate the risks of being surveilled. He described the mechanic as a challenge to the familiar reassurance that people with "nothing to hide" have nothing to worry about.

Players can also dismantle the virtual network. Destroy a camera and collect its remains, and the mod awards $600 in game currency. The reward price is based on the estimated value of the parts inside a real Flock camera, after the group Eyes Off Cedar Rapids took one apart to examine its hardware.

There’s also built-in speedrun tracking for destroying the cameras, plus an option to render and save the images they capture — including pictures of players destroying them.

It’s an absurd addition to a game already full of opportunities for mayhem, but a fitting one in a country where Flock cameras have made everyday drives part of a searchable surveillance network.

As Kolman puts it, "I put Flock cameras in GTA V as a way to highlight and make tangible the pervasive intrusion of Flock and other ALPR cameras into daily American life via a game that is based on an American city and that millions of my fellow citizens are intimately familiar with."

The mod and its installation instructions are available through Kolman’s website.