IT General

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're obedient.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 21, 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: Cease

• Green: Servant

• Blue: Facial hair

• Purple: Animated roles

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Classic children's games

• Green: Important person

• Blue: Famous paintings

• Purple: Double misnomers (neither word is an accurate description)

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 #1227 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Classic children's games: DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG, MUSICAL CHAIRS

• Important person: ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT, TOP BANANA

• Famous paintings: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS, THE SCREAM

• Double misnomers (neither word is an accurate description): ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP, SWEETBREAD

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 hoarder.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On a higher level

The words are related to storage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe storing things at home.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is In the Attic.

NYT Strands word list for October 21

• In the Attic

• Luggage

• Boxes

• Decoration

• Trunks

• Yearbooks

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 carry spare change.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 21, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

One cent.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter N appears twice.

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 P.

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...

PENNY

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.

Zigbee is still the only mesh network protocol I use in my smart home. Though I know a switch to Matter over Thread is inevitable when I run out of IKEA’s color-changing bulbs, I’m still very much of the opinion that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

SAVE $11: As of Oct. 21, the Crest Whitening Strips are on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crest Crest Whitening Strips $34.99 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $11   Get Deal at Amazon

Coffee lovers, tea drinkers, and red wine fans know that keeping teeth stain-free isn't always easy. At some point, even the strongest whitening toothpaste is no longer up to the job, and help from teeth whitening strips is needed. But not all strips are the same, and some are much more effective than others.

Crest's whitening strips are among the most popular brands, beloved for their at-home whitening that doesn't require booking a professional treatment.

And right now (as of Oct. 21), a box of Crest Whitening Strips costs just $34.99 at Amazon, down from $45.99. That's the same price the strips hit during Prime Day. Each box contains 22 treatments, so there are plenty of applications included.

Crest says its whitening strips can brighten teeth by up to 19 shades in 22 days. They use a whitening ingredient also used by dentists and are designed to be enamel-safe when used as directed. There's also Advanced Seal Technology to help the strips stay put during treatment, meaning you won't have to spend the entire application time worrying about them slipping out of place.

You can find this Crest deal on Amazon right now.

SAVE $112: As of Oct. 21, the Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale for $637 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 $637 at Amazon
$749 Save $112   Get Deal at Amazon

Looking for a premium fitness tracker but without the premium price? You're in luck, because the Apple Watch Series 10 is currently discounted at Amazon, dropping from $749 to $637. The deal applies to the 46mm model with GPS and cellular connectivity, but only the slate titanium case with black sport band is at this price.

For race training or for staying active in general, the Series 10 is a great fitness tracker for monitoring your progress. It monitors everything from running sessions to swims, with advanced workout metrics and training load insights to help you better understand your performance. Not to mention the classic Apple activity rings. This watch also comes with three months of Apple Fitness+ for free, so you'll have access to a library of guided workouts and fitness programs.

It's also equally useful as a smartwatch. Built-in safety features include Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Check In notifications. For everyday health monitoring, you'll also get ECG readings, blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate alerts, sleep tracking, and menstrual cycle tracking.

This Amazon discount on the Apple Watch Series 10 is only available for a limited time, so don't miss out.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Oct. 21, the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $249.98 at Amazon. That's $110.01 off its full price of $359.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q7 M5+ Robot Vacuum and Mop $249.98 at Amazon
$359.99 Save $110.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Vacuuming is an important chore on a home cleaning to-do list, but carrying an upright vacuum from room to room can make it feel like a hassle. That's where a robot vacuum comes in handy. These devices take care of the cleanup for you, with some even able to mop the floor. The Roborock Q7 M5+ falls into that category, and it's even on sale right now on Amazon.

As of Oct. 21, Amazon has slashed $110.01 off the full cost of the Roborock Q7 M5+, bringing it down to $249.98. That's not far from its lowest-ever price at the retailer.

SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026

The Roborock Q7 M5+ offers 10,000Pa of suction that lifts fur, dirt, debris, and more from carpets and hard floors. It even comes with dual anti-tangle brushes that help keep hair from wrapping up inside and slowing it down. Plus, its mopping system features three adjustable water flow settings for scrubbing.

When it comes to navigating your home, it uses PreciSense LiDAR technology to map each room, helping the robot vacuum find the best cleaning path. And on top of that, its 2.7-liter sealed dust bag can last 7-9 weeks before it needs to be emptied.

If you're in need of extra clean-up help ahead of the holidays, don't miss out on this deal on the Roborock Q7 M5+ at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is on sale for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its $2,099.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,099.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal at Amazon

Having two 4K monitors on your desk is great for gaming and multitasking, but it's better when you’ve got the same amount of screen space across one enormous display. And you can have just that for less with a massive price drop on Samsung’s beast of a gaming monitor upgrade. 

As of Oct. 21, the Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) is down to $1,499.99 at Amazon, taking $600 off its $2,099.99 list price.

With that 29% price cut, this monitor’s now only $50 from the $1,449.99 price we found in August, and $100 off its lowest-ever Amazon price (confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel). If you’re after an immediate upgrade so you’re ready for GTA 6 from the get-go — including whenever it’s out on PC — now’s a great time to pull the trigger. 

Samsung’s 57-inch panel for the Neo G9 delivers a whopping 7,680 x 2,160 resolution, equivalent to two 32-inch 4K monitors placed together. You won't have an irritating gap down the middle, whether you're playing an ultrawide-compatible game or juggling multiple applications.

SEE ALSO: This Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor is $1 away from its lowest-ever price on Amazon — save $100

All the while, Samsung's Quantum Mini-LED technology uses 2,392 local dimming zones to improve brightness and contrast, complemented by VESA DisplayHDR 1,000 certification. Plus, the 1,000R curve brings the edges closer to your field of view.

This monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro should make for a responsive experience, provided your PC has enough power to handle the demanding resolution.

TL;DR: Walmart’s official 2026 Holiday Gift Guide is live. Shop top picks from the catalog — ranging from $50 off Apple AirPods Pro 3 and the $499 Nintendo Switch 2.

Walmart’s 2026 Holiday Gift Guide is officially live, giving shoppers an early look at what the retail giant expects to be the season’s biggest hits. Rather than a fast-moving doorbuster event, Walmart’s Gift Guide functions as a complete holiday roadmap — curating top picks across every age group and budget tier.

Whether you want to score major savings on flagship Apple gear, hunt down the new Nintendo Switch 2, or grab budget-friendly blind boxes under $15, the blog maps out the best places to spend your money wisely. You can check out the full ad scan directly over on BlackFriday.com to browse every page.

Below, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best picks from Walmart's lineup, ranging from budget stocking stuffers to premium, splurge-worthy tech.

The internet’s favorite stocking stuffer hits Walmart

Blind boxes are taking over TikTok for a reason, and the Sad Baby Animals figures are almost illegally cute. Each box holds a surprise palm-sized vinyl creature — featuring capybaras, highland cows, and axolotls — with big, dramatic eyes that beg you to adopt them all. They’re an instant serotonin hit, a perfect stocking stuffer, and a dangerously fun addiction if you end up hunting for that ultra-rare 1-in-128 secret figure.

Opens in a new window Credit: STARBOX Store Sad Baby Animals Series 1 Blind Box Figurine $12.97 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Ditch the Keurig: Fresh coffee for under $25

You don’t need to drop triple digits on a massive, space-hogging countertop appliance just to grab a quick cup of coffee before rushing out the door. The Mainstays Single-Serve Coffee Maker handles both standard K-Cups and loose grounds with its included reusable filter. It brews up to 14 ounces straight into a travel mug, automatically shuts off after every cycle, and takes up minimal counter space — making it an absolute no-brainer gift for college dorms, small apartment kitchens, or home office setups.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mainstays Mainstays Single Serve Coffee Maker $24.68 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Stop 'NeeDoh hunting': The viral fidget cube is right here

If you tried tracking down this squishy cube earlier this year, you know it was practically impossible to find. As we reported during the height of the craze, demand was so intense that Schylling sold through a year's supply in nine weeks — triggering long lines, sold-out shelves, and wild reseller prices. What makes the NeeDoh Squish Toy worth the hype is its unique texture: soft when squeezed slowly, firm when compressed quickly, and always snapping back to its original square shape. Snagging one at regular retail is an instant holiday win for kids and desk-bound adults alike.

Opens in a new window Credit: NeeDoh NeeDoh Nice Cube Squish Toy $29.99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Self-care season made easy (and deeply discounted)

Gifting self-care shouldn't require a loan. For $45.99, this 24-day advent calendar gives you 24 individual daily treats packed with natural bath and body essentials that leave your skin feeling soft through the cold winter months. It takes all the guesswork out of holiday gifting for moms, friends, or co-workers — or gives you a perfect excuse for a little daily self-care as Christmas gets closer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Body & Earth store Body & Earth 2026 Beauty & Spa Advent Calendar (24 Days) $45.99 at Walmart
$89.99 Save $44.00   Get Deal at Walmart Physical photos are back (and this kit includes the film)

Instant cameras are a holiday staple for almost anyone, but buying the camera and film separately is annoying. This Walmart-exclusive bundle packages the sleek, pastel-hued Instax Mini SE together with a starter 10-pack of Instax Mini film. It features manual exposure control dials so you can tweak brightness for indoor lighting versus sunny outdoors, making it an easy, ready-to-shoot gift that lets anyone start printing physical memories the second they tear open the box.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fujifilm Fujifilm Instax Mini SE Instant Camera Value Pack (Pink) $64 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart The sleekest co-op upgrade for your PS5 setup

Upgrading your console setup doesn't have to mean sticking to basic white. The Sony DualSense Cosmic Red Wireless Controller brings a sleek, vibrant look to your PlayStation 5 or PC setup while delivering the top-tier features that make the DualSense iconic. With precise haptic feedback, dynamic adaptive triggers, built-in motion sensors, and an integrated microphone, it offers incredible immersion whether you're picking up a secondary pad for local co-op or replacing a worn-out main controller.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony DualSense Cosmic Red Wireless Controller for PS5 $74 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Apple’s best earbuds are officially $50 off

Earning a 4.75-star Mashable Choice Award, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are our top earbuds of 2025. In his review, Adam Doud found that the upgraded Active Noise Cancellation creates an unmatched "cone of silence" that shuts out background noise. Add in workout heart rate tracking, Live Translation via Apple Intelligence, and 8 hours of battery life, and catching them for $199 makes them an absolute slam-dunk holiday deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Walmart
$249 Save $50   Get Deal at Walmart Salon-worthy blowouts without the Dyson price tag

Winning a Mashable Choice Award with a stellar 4.5-star rating, the Shark FlexStyle doesn't just copy the Dyson Airwrap — it actively outperforms it for a fraction of the cost. In our hands-on testing, we loved how the base physically twists to transform from a powerful multi-styler into an ultra-compact hair dryer. Packed with Coanda auto-wrap curlers, smoothing brushes, and heat monitoring that checks temperature 1,000 times per second, it delivers salon-worthy, heat-safe blowouts at home without requiring a huge investment.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System $349.99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart The ultimate $99 AI assistant for your living room

Moving past rigid, robotic commands, the Google Home Speaker brings conversational Gemini AI right onto your nightstand or kitchen counter. You can chat naturally with Gemini Live, brainstorm ideas, and control Matter-compatible smart devices in a single breath. Wrapped in room-filling 360-degree sound, a physical privacy mute switch, and a sleek underglow light, it delivers next-gen smart home help for under $100.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Home Speaker with Gemini $99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Say hello to 4K Zelda and magnetic Joy-Cons for $499

The Nintendo Switch 2 takes everything we loved about the original hybrid console and gives it a massive hardware upgrade. You get a larger, stunning 7.9-inch 1080p display with HDR support up to 120Hz in handheld mode, crisp 4K TV output through the upgraded dock, and magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers with new mouse-like precision controls. With 256GB of internal storage and full backward compatibility for your existing Switch library, it’s the ultimate crown jewel gift for any gamer this holiday season.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Store Nintendo Switch 2 $499 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon, down from its $164.70 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box $129.99 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $34.71 Get Deal at Amazon

It’s been almost six months since MTG’s Secret of Strixhaven came out, but you can now catch up for less money than ever thanks to Amazon knocking the 30-pack Play Booster Box under market price. 

As of Oct. 21, the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box is down to $129.99 at Amazon, taking $34.71 off its $164.70 list price.

This 21% discount means you’re only paying around $4.33 per pack for the 30 included packs. That new price not only beats the $134.99 deal we covered in May, but it’s also the best price this box has ever seen on Amazon (confirmed by camelcamelcamel). 

SEE ALSO: Magic: The Gathering's Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle is way below market price on Amazon

Unlike some trading card bargains that rely on third-party sellers, this one is sold and shipped directly by Amazon, with free delivery currently set for Oct. 30, or Oct. 23 for Prime members.

This deal is majorly beating Walmart’s price ($161.95), the lowest-priced TCGplayer listing ($139.58), and even the trading card selling platform’s estimated market price of $139.25. Now that's a good deal.

Each Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster has 14 cards, including one to five rares or higher and at least one Traditional Foil. A fifth of packs also contain a Traditional Foil Land, while the set's biggest draw is a Mystical Archive card in every booster, featuring an instant or sorcery spell with special artwork and a showcase frame.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle is on sale for $44.63 at Amazon, down from its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $44.63 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15.36   Get Deal at Amazon

If grabbing 30th Celebration cards or preordering the Pokémon TCG’s new Delta Reign expansion is out of your trading card budget right now, you can pick up cheap Perfect Order packs at Amazon. 

As of Oct. 21, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle now costs just $44.63 at Amazon. This 26% price drop means you’re now paying around $7.44 per booster pack, and it's even cheaper than the last deal we found for this box in September. This $44.63 option comes from third-party seller Bleacher Seats Sportscards & Collectibles, with free delivery set for Oct. 28. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box hits best-ever price at Amazon — save over $20

Walmart has undercut Amazon’s Pokemon TCG price — letting you score the booster bundle for $39.95 with free shipping. TCGplayer is nearly identical at $39.99 including shipping for an unopened bundle, just $1.10 above its $38.89 market price.

Inside the box are six Perfect Order boosters, each with 10 trading cards, a Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

That gives you 60 cards from the Legends: Z-A-focused Mega Evolution lineup featuring the likes of Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, and Mega Starmie ex among its most popular chase cards (also available to buy individually at TCGplayer).

TL;DR: GameSir has teamed up with Epic Games to launch officially licensed Fortnite mobile controllers (starting at $49.99), featuring drift-resistant Hall Effect sticks, console ergonomics, and free digital in-game emotes or gliders with every purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: GameSir GameSir G8 Plus — Fortnite Edition $89.99 at GameSir
  Shop Now at GameSir Opens in a new window Credit: GameSir GameSir X5 Lite — Fortnite Edition $49.99 at GameSir
  Shop Now at GameSir

If you've ever lost a final-circle 1v1 on your phone because your thumb slipped off a greasy virtual joystick, you already know the pain of mobile touch controls. Touch controls have always held mobile Fortnite back from feeling like a proper competitive game, but GameSir is giving mobile players a legit way to fight back.

The peripheral brand partnered with Epic Games to launch an officially licensed Fortnite Mobile Controller Collection, bringing real console ergonomics and physical controls straight to your phone.

The lineup features two distinct models: the full-sized, feature-heavy GameSir G8 Plus Fortnite Edition and the compact, plug-and-play GameSir X5 Lite for Xbox Fortnite Edition. Both pads feature custom Fortnite artwork and come bundled with a digital code for a free in-game loot, so you can claim exclusive emotes or gliders while upgrading your setup.

GameSir G8 Plus — Fortnite Edition

If you treat mobile drops with the same intensity as a ranked console match, the G8 Plus is built for your playstyle. It uses an extendable spring-loaded bridge that stretches to fit standard smartphones and smaller tablets, with smart clearance built into the frame so oversized camera bumps won't force your device to sit at an awkward angle.

Credit: GameSir

The hardware inside is where this pad shines for competitive play. GameSir built it with Hall-effect thumbsticks and analog triggers, using magnetic sensors instead of traditional contact switches. That means zero stick drift over time, keeping your micro-adjustments sharp when you're tracking a target jumping out of a Launch Pad.

The two remappable back buttons are a massive upgrade, letting you bind jump, crouch, or build mode so you never have to lift your thumb off the right stick mid-fight. You can even swap out the magnetic faceplate, thumbstick caps, and ABXY buttons to tweak the physical feel, while built-in rumble motors and a 6-axis gyroscope give you precise motion-aiming support across iOS, Android, and PC.

GameSir X5 Lite for Xbox — Fortnite Edition

For players who want a lightweight, zero-fuss controller that easily fits in a backpack, the X5 Lite strips away extra bulk for pure portability. It plugs directly into your device via a built-in USB-C connector, eliminating Bluetooth pairing hassles and input lag, and delivers a fast 250 Hz polling rate.

Credit: GameSir

Being officially licensed by Xbox and MFi-certified means it works natively across iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, with an ultra-wide stretch design that expands up to 213mm to hold larger phones effortlessly. Even at its lower price point, GameSir kept the essential performance hardware intact by including drift-proof Hall Effect thumbsticks and precision analog triggers for smooth driving and weapon control.

While it trades away the G8 Plus's rumble motors, gyro controls, and wireless freedom, it gains massive travel points for being ultra-light and offering USB-C pass-through charging so your phone won't die right before the storm closes in.

Whether you need the rear paddles and wireless freedom of the G8 Plus or the zero-latency USB-C portability of the X5 Lite, both pads finally bring real console accuracy and free digital loot to mobile Fortnite.

SAVE $70.99: As of Oct. 21, get the Shark FlexStyle for $279 at Amazon. That's 20% off its $349.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle HD430 $279 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $70.99   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been scrolling past the Shark FlexStyle and wondering whether it lives up to the hype, this is your sign to make the jump: the Shark FlexStyle HD430 Air Multi-Styler and Drying System is marked down to $279 at Amazon. That's a solid 20% savings off its usual $349.99 list price, and way cheaper than a Dyson Airwrap while delivering nearly identical salon-level results.

Unlike most generic beauty tools claiming to be "dupes," the FlexStyle actually matches the Airwrap where it counts. But Shark didn't just copy Dyson's homework; it added a clever swiveling base that bends into a traditional L-shaped blow dryer with a single quick twist. So you can rough-dry your roots in classic hair-dryer mode before clicking on your styling heads.

SEE ALSO: Dreame just launched a phone-sized travel hair dryer that's built for your carry-on — here's where to buy it

In her hands-on testing, Bethany Allard spent months putting both multi-stylers through their paces to see if the budget option could actually hold its own. She found that the performance gap between the two is virtually nonexistent. In a direct comparison between the Dyson Airwrap and the Shark FlexStyle, the FlexStyle shines by offering a built-in diffuser attachment that makes it more versatile for wavy and curly hair textures right out of the box — something Dyson completely overlooked in its original release.

The fully loaded HD430 kit comes stocked with two 1.25-inch auto-wrap Coanda curlers, an oval volumizing brush, a smoothing paddle brush, and a rotatable styling concentrator nozzle. The tool constantly measures its temperature 1,000 times per second to prevent extreme heat damage, giving you three airflow settings, four heat levels, and a cool shot button to set your style.

Grab the Shark FlexStyle HD430 to get high-velocity drying, auto-wrapping curls, and damage-free styling for less than half the cost of a Dyson.

You couldn't walk very far at New York Comic Con this year without running into Dungeon Crawler Carl. The bestselling fantasy series was everywhere on the convention floor, from merch booths to an author signing with Matt Dinniman. Even I couldn't resist picking up a Princess Donut sticker. And while the premise of a man and his ex-girlfriend's cat fighting their way through an apocalyptic, video game-inspired dungeon created by aliens might sound absurd, its popularity points to something much bigger happening in the world of books.

Welcome to LitRPG, a genre that combines the immersive storytelling of fantasy with the mechanics of role-playing games. Characters level up, earn experience points, and unlock new abilities, much like they would in World of Warcraft or Dungeons & Dragons. It's a genre that's been thriving in online communities for years, but now it's having a mainstream moment, thanks in part to the runaway success of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

According to The Atlantic, the first eight volumes of the series have sold more than 17 million copies, with a TV adaptation currently in development for Peacock.

SEE ALSO: Comic conventions are becoming content studios. NYCC is embracing the shift.

And the publishing industry is taking notice. After years of building audiences through self-publishing and online fiction platforms, LitRPG titles are now finding their way onto bookstore shelves.

Penguin Random House's Ace imprint began publishing Dungeon Crawler Carl in 2024, while Harper Voyager acquired four books in pirateaba's sprawling web serial The Wandering Inn earlier this year, bringing the series to print for the first time. Meanwhile, independent publisher Aethon Books partnered with Vault Comics to launch a new imprint dedicated to bringing popular indie fantasy titles into bookstores, including deluxe hardcover editions of He Who Fights with Monsters.

For years, the biggest trend in fantasy publishing has been romantasy, with dragons, shadow daddies, and morally gray love interests dominating bestseller lists and BookTok feeds. But LitRPG represents another side of fantasy's growing audience, one shaped as much by video games and internet communities as by traditional publishing.

It's also raising an interesting question about who's reading. Could a genre that feels so familiar to gamers be introducing an entirely different audience to books?

What is LitRPG, exactly?

LitRPG stands for Literary Role-Playing Game. At its most basic, it's fiction in which the rules and mechanics of a role-playing game are part of the story itself. If you've ever played World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, or Dungeons & Dragons, the concept will probably sound familiar. Characters have levels, attributes, abilities, and inventories. They complete quests, defeat enemies, and earn experience points that help them become stronger.

What distinguishes LitRPG from the broader GameLit genre is that those mechanics are explicit parts of the narrative. A character might receive a notification that they've leveled up, discover a new ability, or inspect their stats to determine whether they're strong enough to survive their next encounter.

SEE ALSO: How 'Children of Blood and Bone' is bringing one of BookTok's biggest fantasy worlds to the big screen

In some stories, characters are literally trapped inside video games. In others, they're transported to fantasy worlds that operate according to game-like rules.

In Dungeon Crawler Carl, Carl and Princess Donut, his ex-girlfriend's cat, find themselves navigating an elaborate, alien-controlled dungeon after Earth is transformed into the setting for a brutal intergalactic reality show. They must fight monsters, collect loot, and level up while their increasingly absurd adventures are broadcast to an audience.

It's part science fiction, part fantasy, part dark comedy, and unmistakably influenced by video games. But LitRPG isn't necessarily about being good at games. Like any compelling fantasy story, its appeal ultimately depends on its characters, worldbuilding, and emotional stakes. The mechanics simply provide another way to tell that story.

LitRPG isn't new. So why is it suddenly everywhere?

Despite its growing mainstream visibility, LitRPG has been around for years. The genre draws inspiration from tabletop role-playing games, massively multiplayer online games, and Japanese and Korean fantasy fiction. But its recent popularity may have something to do with how familiar gaming language has become.

In an interview with Audible, Dungeon Crawler Carl author Matt Dinniman pointed to games like Baldur's Gate as helping introduce RPG mechanics to audiences beyond traditional gaming communities. "We saw a huge demographic shift with games like that, and we're seeing a similar shift among readers of LitRPG," he said. "We have more representation from all sorts of walks of life. My readers, I've noticed, are so much more diverse than they were just two years ago, so I think it's leaking out the edges of what people used to think LitRPG is, and that's fantastic."

Part of LitRPG's appeal is the satisfaction of watching characters grow stronger in ways readers can actually measure. During a 2025 New York Comic Con panel, Aethon Books president Steve Beaulieu described what makes that progression so satisfying.

"You actually get to watch the character progress tangibly throughout the series, as opposed to just reading that it happens," Beaulieu said. "We get to see things like stats, we get to see things like levels up, we get to see the tangible changes in the character. And that ends up being really fun for the reader."

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next.

But the appeal goes beyond watching numbers increase. In a September 2026 interview with Dragon Con's Daily Dragon, Magetank author Cornman compared the experience to playing a game — with considerably less responsibility.

"Playing the game requires active participation," Cornman said. "In LitRPG books, you're along for the ride, and there's this person, or these characters — this group — who are making these choices, and you’re getting the satisfaction of seeing them work on the world and synergize and do cool things without having to be wholly responsible for everything that's happening. It also feels like you’re there with a friend or are a part of the group."

The Dungeon Crawler Carl effect

If LitRPG has a breakout mainstream star, it's arguably Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Dinniman originally published the series independently, building an audience before transitioning to traditional print publishing through Ace, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Its success illustrates how a genre that developed largely outside the traditional publishing system can become a major commercial force.

There's something particularly interesting about the series' crossover appeal. Dungeon Crawler Carl is full of RPG mechanics, but it also has the qualities of an accessible, character-driven adventure, like humor, escalating stakes, memorable relationships, and an increasingly elaborate fictional universe.

A cosplayer poses as Princess Donut from "Dungeon Crawler Carl" during New York Comic Con 2026. Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for ReedPop

And that fandom is moving beyond online reading communities, with fans showing up at conventions in cosplay, lining up for author signings, and collecting merch, much like they would for their favorite games or anime series. The series is also being developed for television, another indication of the entertainment industry's interest in LitRPG's crossover potential.

Why audiobooks are such a big part of LitRPG

You can't really talk about LitRPG's popularity without talking about audiobooks. The genre has developed an enthusiastic audio audience, with narrators becoming recognizable figures within its fandom. And as LitRPG reaches more readers, its popularity on audiobook platforms is skyrocketing.

According to data shared with Mashable, total listening hours for LitRPG titles on Audible grew more than 125 percent between September 2025 and September 2026. On Spotify, average daily global listening to LitRPG audiobooks is up a staggering 508 percent in 2026 compared with 2024.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is leading the charge. As of September 2026, the series had amassed more than 260 million listening hours and sold more than 10 million audiobook units on Audible alone. Total listening hours for the series on the platform also grew nearly 300 percent year over year.

Part of the appeal of LitRPG audiobooks is how naturally the genre lends itself to immersive performances. Jeff Hays, who narrates Dungeon Crawler Carl, is one particularly prominent example. His performances give the series' eccentric characters distinct voices, bringing the experience closer to an audio drama than a straightforward reading of a novel. Hays has become so closely associated with Princess Donut that he's been cast to voice the feline in the upcoming Peacock television adaptation.

Audiobooks have also played an important role in the series' journey. Dinniman originally self-published Dungeon Crawler Carl in 2020, with Soundbooth Theater producing its audiobook through Audible's Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), a platform that allows independent creators to produce and distribute audiobooks. In 2024, Audible brought the series under its Audible Books publishing imprint, with plans to produce editions in six languages.

For listeners accustomed to podcasts, gaming streams, and other long-form audio entertainment, audiobooks may offer an accessible entry point to the genre. LitRPG stories can be extremely long, with elaborate worlds and sprawling character arcs. Plus, audio lets fans experience those adventures while commuting, exercising, or engaging in other activities.

And the audience isn't necessarily who you might expect. According to Spotify, listeners ages 35 and older accounted for 54 percent of Dungeon Crawler Carl's listening hours on the platform in 2026. It's a reminder that while much of the conversation around reading trends focuses on younger audiences and BookTok, LitRPG's appeal may extend well beyond those communities.

Are listeners discovering LitRPG because they already enjoy fantasy novels, or are they arriving through gaming, podcasts, and online creators? While the available data doesn't answer that question, the genre's explosive growth on audio platforms suggests that the way people discover and consume fantasy is indeed evolving.

Where to start reading LitRPG

The good news is that you don't need to understand every RPG mechanic to enjoy LitRPG. If you're curious about where to begin, here are a few popular entry points.

For readers who like dark comedy and chaotic adventures: Opens in a new window Credit: Ace/Penguin Random House Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Paperback) $12.48 at Amazon
$20 Save $7.52   Shop Now at Amazon

A man and a cat must survive a deadly, game-like dungeon while entertaining an intergalactic audience. It's absurd, violent, funny, and unexpectedly emotional.

For readers who love sprawling fantasy adventures: Opens in a new window Credit: AETHON: Vault He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon (Hardcover) $21.27 at Amazon
$35 Save $13.73   Shop Now at Amazon

An ordinary man finds himself in a magical world filled with monsters, complex abilities, and a progression system that shapes his journey.

For readers who prefer character-driven fantasy: Opens in a new window Credit: Harper Voyager/HarperCollins The Wandering Inn by pirateaba (Paperback) $17.99 at Amazon
$24 Save $6.01   Shop Now at Amazon

A young woman is transported to a fantasy world and becomes an innkeeper rather than a traditional adventurer. Its game-like class and leveling system provide the LitRPG framework, but its slice-of-life focus gives it a different feel.

For readers who want a more traditional gaming experience: Opens in a new window Credit: AETHON: Vault Awaken Online by Travis Bagwell (Hardcover) $30 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

A virtual-reality fantasy adventure that leans into the experience of entering and progressing through a game world.

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Buying a Kindle with lockscreen ads is a hotly debated topic on the Mashable shopping team. To be clear, none of us are pro-ad, but we are pro-saving money. Kindles without lockscreen ads cost $20 more than those with ads, and these days, we're all looking to save money where we can.

But if you buy a Kindle e-reader with lockscreen ads, you're not stuck with them. Perhaps you just bought a Kindle, or maybe you've had one for years; either way, it's not too late to free yourself from the lockscreen of capitalism. Unfortunately, it will mean spending $20, but it's a worthy investment.

How to remove lockscreen ads from your Kindle Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Computer
• Internet browser
• Kindle

Step 1: Go to 'Manage Your Devices'

Log into your Amazon account and under the 'Account' tab, navigate to the device tab and pick your device.

Credit: Amazon / Mashable

Step 2: Select your device

After you find your device listing, click on it and find the special offers section.

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Amazon

Step 3: Remove offers

You can unsubscribe from ads by clicking 'remove offers'. You will then pay a one time fee of $20 to remove ads.

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Amazon

Step 4: Refresh your Kindle

Lockscreen ads will be removed immediately as long as it's connected to WiFi. Either restart or hit the 'Sync' button on your Kindle if ads are still appearing.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Sony WH-1000XM4 were long the dominant headphones on recommendation lists, laudatory Reddit threads, and TikTok FYPs, so it's no surprise that six years and two flagship releases later, the audio brand decided to take another crack at the older headphones.

Thus, the release of the Sony WH-1000XM4C (2nd gen). What this (slightly confusing) name imparts is that this is not Sony's latest flagship headphones, but a second generation of the original XM4 flagships. The price reflects a similar story: at $299.99, they're significantly cheaper than the current flagship pair, the $459.99 Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

So what improvements were made, and how do they stack up to Sony's pricier models? I spent two weeks testing out the headphones to find out.

Sony WH-1000XM4C: At a glance The XM4Cs are ultimate on-the-go headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Sony XM4C come with much of the same interior tech as the first generation XM4 headphones, with major upgrades in the audio department. The spec rundown is as follows:

• Processor: QN1 for ANC

• Battery life: 27 hours

• Equalizer: 10-band custom equalizer on companion app

• Mics: 4

• Multipoint: Connect up to two devices at once

• Colors: Black, lavender, platinum silver

Sony WH-1000XM4C: The good

The concept behind these headphones is same beloved shell, slightly better interior specs. Most notably, that comes through in the sound profile, which resembles more closely that of the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 headphones, which results in a more detailed and rich sound out of the box.

SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Is it worth the upgrade?

Powering up the companion app also results in more fine-tuning, with the addition of a 10-band equalizer, compared to the five-band equalizer found in the first generation headphones. The equalizer presets now also include a gaming option, making these an overall more versatile pair of headphones. Whether I was enjoying the spooky season with my favorite fishing sim, playing jazz standards, listening to live rock performances, or listening to a podcast, these headphones delivered on a solid performance. While it never felt exceptional, it was the type of all-around experience you'd hope for at this price point.

These headphones fold up nice and small. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Bag space required: minimal. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

As for the design, I'll keep it brief as it is essentially the XM4 headphones repackaged. That is to say, it's excellent — comfortable, yet compact and easy enough to throw into my purse and take on the go. While it's completely free of metal accents or anything particularly fancy, the lower-profile ear cups and cushioning comfortable enough for several hours of wear just make them feel like a classic pair of headphones. I could easily see these being one of my top choices to bring while traveling.

Sony WH-1000XM4C: The bad

The XM4 active noise cancellation remains competitive even in the current headphone landscape, which maybe explains Sony's decision to keep the ANC tech the exact same: a QN1 processor with four microphones. I can't help but see that as a bit of a wasted opportunity.

More mics for noise cancellation would've been a welcome upgrade. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Worse, though, is the small step back they took with the battery life. These headphones hold 27 hours of charge, compared to the first generation's 30 hours. It's not a huge difference, but with six years between pairs, it's not unfair to hope for no regression in the tech.

Are the Sony WH-1000XM4C headphones worth it? Sony adds slight upgrades while keeping costs relatively low. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Before the release of the XM4C headphones, the XM4 headphones could frequently be found on sale for $230 to $198. Sure, their sound tech wasn't quite as up to date, but that's a hard price point to beat. The cynic in me can see a world where Sony is grabbing at a little more cash, while framing this new generation as a more affordable alternative when one already existed in the cheaper XM4 headphones.

The optimist, however, does appreciate Sony paying attention to the popularity of the older model over newer releases, and doing some light revamping to upgrade the headphones for the current market. The result is a really well-rounded pair of headphones that stands on its own among other pairs — and it's still $60 cheaper than Bose's mid-range release. Maybe more than anything, these headphones demonstrate that, year over year, headphone tech has only improved so much. The old XM4s held up — it's natural that these changes could have only been incremental while keeping costs low in a time with rising tech prices.

In other words, these headphones are a solid value for anyone looking for an all-around workhorse to last them for years, without breaking the bank. And with impending Black Friday sales, there's always a chance they'll become even more of a steal.

Sony WH-1000XM4C $298 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

TikTok has a new suggestion for anyone worried that endless scrolling has turned their brain into mush: Pick up a book. Or a crossword puzzle. Or a Sudoku. Better yet, stack them all together.

It's called "brain stacking," and the idea is pretty simple. Instead of reaching for your phone whenever you have a spare moment, you keep a collection of books, puzzles, journals, and other mentally stimulating activities within arm's reach. Think of it as a little library of things to do when you're bored that don't involve staring at another screen.

And in an era when "brain rot" has become part of our everyday vocabulary, it's not hard to understand the appeal.

What is brain stacking?

Brain stacking is exactly what it sounds like: assembling a stack of activities designed to engage your brain. On TikTok and Instagram Reels, creators are showing off their collections of Sudoku books, crossword puzzles, novels, journals, and other analog activities, often as part of their morning or nighttime routines.

The goal isn't necessarily to become smarter overnight. It's to replace some of the time you'd otherwise spend doomscrolling or bloomscrolling with activities that require a little more concentration, creativity, or critical thinking.

In one TikTok, highlighted by Essence's Girls United, creator @shykikii shares her nighttime brain-stacking routine, which includes journaling, Sudoku, and reading before bed. She credits fellow creator and "brain stack queen" @mandyrulez for the inspiration and for seemingly coining the term.

Some creators are also incorporating timed brain stacks into their mornings, using activities like Sudoku and writing exercises to kick-start their days. As CORQ reports, the trend is part of a larger wave of morning and nighttime "stacks" that package different habits into repeatable routines.

Essentially, it's a way to make spending time offline feel like an activity in itself. And, naturally, there's an aesthetic component to it, too. A thoughtfully assembled pile of books and puzzles looks pretty good sitting on a bedside table.

Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with analog activities?

Brain stacking might sound familiar to anyone who remembers the "analog bag" trend that took off on TikTok last year. The idea was to fill a tote bag with books, crossword puzzles, knitting supplies, journals, and other screen-free activities you could reach for instead of your phone. Creator Siece Campbell helped popularize the concept, inspiring others to assemble their own portable collections of analog entertainment.

Brain stacking takes a similar approach, only instead of carrying your hobbies around in a tote, you keep them stacked within reach at home to make reading, writing, and solving puzzles a regular part of your day. Both trends are rooted in the same desire to make doing literally anything other than scrolling feel a little easier.

Throughout 2026, creators have been embracing everything from physical media and film cameras to knitting, journaling, and other so-called "grandma hobbies." The common thread is a desire to spend less time on screens and more time on tangible activities.

It's also part of a growing cultural conversation about waning attention spans and our complicated relationships with our phones. Between endless notifications, algorithmic feeds, and the constant temptation — and growing compulsion — to scroll, finding ways to disconnect has become its own kind of online obsession.

Of course, there's something a little ironic about discovering your new screen-free hobby on TikTok, a contradiction exacerbated by the creators participating in the trend. And like so many lifestyle trends on the platform, brain stacking also comes with the temptation to buy a bunch of new things in the name of self-improvement, raising familiar questions about overconsumption.

But you don't actually need to purchase an aesthetically pleasing collection of puzzle books to participate. A book you've been meaning to finish, an old notebook, or a crossword from the newspaper works just as well.

If brain stacking encourages people to spend a little less time scrolling and a little more time engaging with the world beyond their phones, that's probably a good thing. Just don't spend three hours on TikTok researching the perfect brain stack.

A European spacecraft built to map galaxies has discovered a new comet serendipitously, proving it can do more than study dark matter and dark energy in the distant universe. 

The Euclid Space Telescope spotted the space snowball, dubbed C/2026 S1 (Euclid) between Sept. 16 and 24, after the renegade had smudged five image sets. 

The European Space Agency's mission, launched in 2023, takes long exposures of faraway galaxies, not high-speed photography of zippy objects in our own solar system. But moving-object software, developed by Mikko Pöntinen, a doctoral student at the University of Helsinki, flagged an errant streak. Finding and removing stray signals is crucial for the mission to photograph about one-third of the entire sky in every direction around Earth.

"By predicting [the object's] position, I could identify it in other images," Pöntinen said in a statement. "Further inspection revealed that it had a fuzzy cloud around it, indicative of an active object like a comet that is shedding dust and gas."

The results show Euclid, a mission in partnership with NASA, can find new comets early, while they are still fairly far from the sun. That buys astronomers time to watch it activate and change as it approaches, as well as study what it's made of. Tracking a comet over time allows researchers to get a more accurate depiction of its orbit, which tells them how close it will come and how bright it might get. 

SEE ALSO: Mars without its makeup can look a little blue. Here's why.

Right now the comet is about 800 million miles from Earth. If you were to compare that distance to planets in the solar system, it would sit roughly between Jupiter and Saturn. 

But this comet is not in the flat plane where the planets orbit. Relative to the sun's position, it's actually overhead, looping up and over the solar system. One full orbit for this object would likely take thousands of years to complete, according to ESA. 

That's another reason why spotting C/2026 S1 (Euclid) was so fortuitous. The space telescope looks away from the strip of sky along the solar system's plane, where asteroids and comets are common. Dust in that field of view can cause glare that could otherwise spoil deep-sky images. The comet was found in the direction of the Draco constellation in the far northern sky.

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"Very few comets are expected to be discovered by Euclid so it was a happy coincidence that the combination of the comet's orbit and Euclid's scanning over those days captured the object in multiple images," said Bruno Altieri, who was part of the discovery team, in a statement. 

Comets are icy, dusty material left over from when the solar system formed around 4.6 billion years ago. As of the writing of this story, there are over 4,000 known comets. When the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center confirmed the detection of C/2026 S1 (Euclid) on Oct. 8, it became one of 13 found so far this year. 

Comet C/2026 S1 (Euclid) looks like a streak in Euclid Space Telescope deep-sky images because it moves fast during the long exposure. Credit: ESA / Euclid / Euclid Consortium / NASA / M. Pöntinen et al.

Most comets come from the far-off Kuiper Belt and Oort cloud, which lie past the orbits of the outer planets. The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS that passed through our solar system in 2025 originated from somewhere else in the Milky Way. 

When a comet gets close to the sun, its ice becomes gas, which forms a bright, hazy glow around its head, called a coma, and a millions-of-miles-long tail.

Comets from our own solar system have changed very little since they formed, which makes them sort of like time capsules. Studying them helps scientists learn about the raw materials and conditions that created the planets.

"Comets may have brought water and organic compounds, the building blocks of life, to the early Earth and other parts of the solar system," NASA says. 

If your timeline has suddenly filled up with talk of linemen, no, it's not about the big boys working in the NFL trenches.

The linemen in question are the utility workers who climb poles and ride bucket trucks to keep the power on. And, as we near the tail end of Hurricane season, these workers are at the center of one of the internet's stranger recurring feuds: lineman wives versus "bucket bunnies."

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

"Currently going down the rabbit hole of 'line wife' TikTok…I'm literally dying of cringe," says this X user, whose viral post has brought new attention to this subculture of blue-collar work.

What's a lineman?

For those who don't know, linemen build and maintain power lines, and that work becomes urgent during storms, wildfires, and other emergencies. Some people call them first responders, a label many would rather you didn't use. Either way, most communities love them for the simple reason that they restore power.

Doesn't hurt either that the work pays really well. According to Lineman Central, a training and job hub for line workers, the average U.S. lineman earns a little under $82,000 a year. Storm work pushes that much higher. The site reports that linemen restoring power after a hurricane or fire can earn $13,000 to $14,000 in a single week. Though it is a dangerous line of work.

Lineman Central reports about 2,400 serious nonfatal injuries per 100,000 workers each year, or roughly 1 in 42. Storm work is the most dangerous part of the job. Data from HAAS Alert puts line workers' fatality rate 400 percent above the national average for all occupations, with an average of 26 linemen killed on the job each year.

Altogether, with the occasional periods of travel combined with the high pay, linemen can be some of the highest earners in the areas they live in. Making their profession ripe for a subculture built around being their spouses.

Lineman wives and bucket bunnies

Lineman's wife culture belongs to the same family as military spouses and WAGs (the wives and girlfriends of pro athletes), just a tier below. In each case, the partner's job is all-consuming and often involves extensive travel. It makes sense that spouses build an identity and a community around it. On TikTok, that community has produced its own influencers, who document life as a lineman's spouse.

Each of those worlds also has a name for the women accused of exploiting that time apart. Hockey has puck bunnies, football has jersey chasers, baseball has cleat chasers, and music has groupies. Linework has bucket bunnies, named for the bucket trucks linemen use to reach the lines.

The accusation is the same as with any groupie. When linemen travel for storm work, bucket bunnies allegedly try to hook up with them to get a piece of that storm pay. In rural parts of the country, where linemen are highly regarded and often among the top earners, that's a real draw. The result is an annual hurricane-season standoff between lineman wives and the women they say are after their husbands — plus the people online discovering the drama for the first time.

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None of this is new. Newsweek and Jezebel both covered the feud back in 2022, and Reddit has plenty of snarky threads devoted to "entitled" spouses of service members (derogatorily called "dependas"). Nearly every job that pays relatively well, is dangerous, and keeps people away from home for long stretches has a similar niche subculture: oil wives, firefighter wives, police wives.

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The lineman's wife subculture is making the rounds again, thanks to the previously mentioned viral X post. Now that it's broken containment, many commentators are remarking on how cringe the whole thing is. So it's easy to see why it caught on.

On top of the cringe, the drama pairs a genuinely novel subculture — influencer careers built around a husband's blue-collar job — with some of the internet’s favorite targets. Linework carries working-class Southern stereotypes. The women who have become the faces of lineman wives on TikTok don’t fit the glossy image of a WAG, and they get mocked for making their husbands' jobs their entire personality. Add the usual judgment of "promiscuous" women, and you get a trashy Jerry Springer-esque showdown for people to gawk at. Cringe and entitled behavior aside, much of it runs on condescension toward Southerners, blue-collar workers, and women.

There's also the novelty. Most Americans have never thought much about the people who fix power lines, so discovering a whole soap opera built around them is fascinating, if a little voyeuristic.

Still, some corners of the internet are taking a kinder view. One X user argued it’s actually great that "regular working joes have groupies."

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Even the most underappreciated jobs deserve a fan club.

TL;DR: Become an AI pro with 11 informative courses totaling 44 hours of training in The Complete AI Skills Bundle, on sale now for $34.99 (reg. $79).

Opens in a new window Credit: Skillademia The Complete AI Skills Bundle $34.99
$79 Save $44.01   Get Deal

Sure, AI tools can help you get a lot done — but you first need to know how to work with them. The Complete AI Skills Bundle gives you hands-on training to hone this important skill, with 44 hours of learning on tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, and more.

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If your AI skills could use some sharpening, The Complete AI Skills Bundle lets you go from beginner to pro from the comfort of your couch.

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Master ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Midjourney, Runway, Leonardo AI, Adobe Firefly, and ElevenLabs within these courses, and even learn how to design faster with AI within PowerPoint. Project-based learning shows you how to build things step by step, so when you’re done, you have results you can actually use.

If you’re working to get better with Claude, you’ll appreciate the three-level Claude Track, which takes you from fundamentals to intermediate to advanced. You’ll also learn how to make images in Midjourney, Leonardo AI, and Firefly, and craft videos in Runway. If you need to make voiceovers or voice clones, you’ll master that within ElevenLabs.

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StackSocial prices subject to change.