IT General

The thrill of unboxing a brand-new device never gets old. Whether it is the latest tablet, a powerful gaming console, or a laptop that promises to blitz through work tasks, there is something exciting about seeing that shiny new bit of tech come to life. But once the excitement fades and you begin putting it through its paces, the truth becomes obvious. A smart device is often only as good as the internet connection it relies on. If your home internet is sluggish or your internet setup isn't ideal, you may not unlock the full value of what you have just bought.

That’s where nbn’s range of wholesale speeds could come in, if you’re on a fixed line or fixed wireless connection. With more Australians investing in higher speed tier nbn® plans, many households are discovering that a key factor to getting the most out of new tech is not just the device itself, but also the speed and quality of the network it runs on. And it is not only about speed plans. Ensuring your home internet setup is working correctly and checking the age of your Wi-Fi router can be just as important.

More devices, more demand

A decade ago, many households were sharing a connection between a single computer, a TV, and maybe a laptop or two. Fast forward to today and the average Australian household has 25 connected devices all competing for bandwidth. Tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and gaming consoles could all be streaming, downloading, and updating around the clock. Add in connected appliances, smart home hubs, electric vehicles and security systems, and the demand for reliable bandwidth is higher than ever.

This is where a suitable nbn high speed tier plan can make a difference. Instead of devices competing for insufficient bandwidth and slowing one another down, a well-matched speed tier can help ensure everyone in the household can do what they want at the same time. One person could stream 4K video, another might be playing fast-paced online games, while others join video calls for work or study.* The right speed plan can help the experience remain smooth with minimal interruption, so that every device feels as fast and responsive as your plan allows. 

Since nbn is a wholesaler, it’s best to speak to your preferred internet provider to find a plan that's right for your household.

Speed helps unlock device potential

Buying a new smart device is often seen as a way of making life easier, more entertaining, or more productive. But the full value you get from that purchase is often directly tied to the experience of your internet. A high-performance laptop cannot reach its full potential if it spends most of its time waiting on slow file transfers. A brand-new console will not impress if multiplayer games lag. A crisp, high-resolution tablet will not shine if video streams constantly buffer.

Choosing the right nbn speed plan is one important way to ensure that your new tech can deliver what it promised in the store. Think of it as being future-ready. By choosing a speed tier that matches the way your household uses the internet, you are helping to make sure that new devices today, and those you will buy tomorrow, can all perform at their best. The second way to help ensure your new tech delivers what it promised, is to check your in-home internet setup. 

Do not overlook your setup

Of course, speed is only one part of the equation. A faster nbn speed tier plan can provide the bandwidth you need, but if your home internet setup is holding things back, you will not be able to take advantage of the increased speeds.  If your Wi-Fi router is more than five years old, you may want to consider your home internet setup and whether it’s still suitable for your needs.

Checking the age of your Wi-Fi router and placing it in an optimal location can be just as important as the plan you select. Wondering where to place your Wi-Fi router? Position it in an elevated, open, uncluttered area and as close as possible to where you use the internet the most. Together, the right speed tier and internet setup can help ensure your new device performs at its best, keeping that fresh-out-of-the-box feeling going for longer.

Ready for tomorrow's tech

The technology we use at home is constantly evolving. Each year brings new devices that often rely on more data and demand faster connections. From higher definition streaming and cloud-based gaming, to remote work tools that require smooth video conferencing, the requirements on household networks continue to climb.

Upgrading to an nbn high-speed tier plan – if that’s right for your needs – and making sure your home internet setup is ready to support the increased speeds helps you to prepare for that future.

Households that work for everyone

One of the most tangible benefits of higher internet speed is the harmony it can bring to busy households. A suitable high-speed nbn plan with enough capacity helps the whole family to stream, work and game all at the same time with minimal disruptions. A parent can attend a video meeting while another streams a workout class, children are watching cartoons in 4K, and a teenager is in the middle of an online gaming session. With a higher speed tier that’s right for your needs, everyone can do great things online at once.* 

The same is true for sharehouses. When multiple adults live together and each has their own set of connected devices, a high-speed tier plan helps everyone to stay connected without the dreaded buffering symbol or dropped video call.

Australians love their technology, and households are filling up with more connected devices every year. In fact, the average home is expected to have 44 connected devices by the end of the decade. But a new smart device is often only as good as the home internet setup that supports it. By upgrading to an nbn high-speed tier plan aligns with your internet usage and making sure your home internet setup is ideal, you can help unlock the true potential of your tech.

Bottom line, you don’t need to let your shiny new gadgets get bogged down. Increased nbn speed tiers to suit your needs and the right home internet setup can help keep your whole household connected, now and in the future.

A slow connection can impact your online experience, whether you’re streaming, gaming, or just browsing. Here are ways to optimise your in-home internet setup.

*Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved, depends on many factors, including whether you are using the internet during the busy periods (7pm - 11pm), the number of people in your household online at the same time, your nbn access technology and configuration and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like your equipment quality and set-up, chosen broadband plan, age of device(s), and/or how your provider designs its network).

We're a day away from another lunar phase which can mean one thing; the moon is almost half back to us. After last week's New Moon, it's been slowly coming back. And there is lots to find out and see with tonight's moon.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Oct. 28, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There will be 39% of the moon lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mare Crisium, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Serenitatis. With a pair of binoculars you'll see even more, including the Endymion Crater, Mare Nectaris and the Posidonius Crater. By adding a telescope to your set up, you should also be able to spot the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Valentine Dome, a volcanic dome NASA tells us is almost the same heigh as the Eiffel Tower. It’s nicknamed the Valentine because it looks like a heart in certain lights

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

The eight main moon phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 28 Pips

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

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add to 5. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 3-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 28 Pips

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

Number (4): Everything in this red space must add to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 28 Pips

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

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

Number (20): Everything in this space must add to 20. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (20): Everything in this space must add to 20. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (17): Everything in this space must add to 17. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 1-6, 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is simple if you understand basketball.

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. 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: 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: Baseball teams out west

• Green: Teams in the Emerald City

• Blue: Slim Reaper road trip

• Purple: Gilded franchises

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

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

• Yellow: AL West Teams

• Green: Seattle Teams

• Blue: Teams Kevin Durant Has Played For

• Purple: "Golden" Teams

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 #400 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• AL West Teams - ANGELS, ASTROS, ATHLETICS, RANGERS

• Seattle Teams - KRAKEN, MARINERS, SEAHAWKS, SOUNDERS

• Teams Kevin Durant Has Played For - ROCKETS, TEXAS, THUNDER, WARRIORS

• "Golden" Teams - GOLDEN BEARS, GOLDEN GOPHERS, GOLDEN HURRICANE, GOLDEN KNIGHTS

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 today's Connections.

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

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

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

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

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

Sound.

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

AUDIO

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Worn after breaking a bone.

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

BRACE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Used to make bread.

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

DOUGH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To worship.

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

DEIFY

Final Hurdle hint

Plain writing.

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

PROSE

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

SAVE $800: The Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $799.99, down from the list price of $1,599.99. That's a 50% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop $799.99 at Roborock
$1,599.99 Save $800   Get Deal

Not many people can say they look forward to cleaning the floors. That becomes even more true if you have pets that tend to track mud into the house all day long. Instead of fretting over how to find the time to clean the floors daily, hand the task off to a powerful combo robot vacuum and mop. There's a great model on a sweet discount at Amazon right now.

As of Oct. 27, the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $799.99, marked down from the list price of $1,599.99 at Roborock. That's a major 50% discount that takes a sweet $800 off the price. It's also the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

What's better than a robot vacuum? A super powerful model that also mops, and that's exactly the case with the Roborock Qrevo Edge. It comes with a wildly powerful 18,500Pa suction. The hot water mop is perfect for getting rid of muddy paw prints or shoe tracks, and this model comes with corner-to-edge cleaning capabilities. The warm-air dryer is also a major benefit on the mop.

SEE ALSO: Our vacuum expert loved this smart robot vac at $400 — now it's only $269.99

Roborock mentions this model mops at 55 decibels, which should be quiet enough to not disturb sleeping family members or pets. Speaking of being kind to pets, the this Roborock model has a camera that is designed to detect pets and stop the brush as it approaches them, moving around them gently to avoid startling or disrupting.

While it's on sale for a massive 50% discount, snag the do-it-all Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop. Your list of chores will shorten while your floors will become sparkling clean.

TL;DR: Don’t miss the chance to get Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 (reg. $199).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
$199 Save $184.03   Get Deal

Want a smoother online experience? Microsoft’s most modern OS is here to make it happen — Windows 11 Pro is just $14.97 (MSRP $199). That’s a lifetime license for less than a movie ticket. And it’s ideal timing since Windows 10 is no longer supported.

Windows 11 Pro comes loaded with a sleek, streamlined interface, improved multitasking tools like Snap Layouts, and enhanced security features including TPM 2.0, BitLocker, and Smart App Control. It’s built for professionals, creatives, and everyday users alike. Gamers will also appreciate support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, delivering ultra-realistic graphics.

SEE ALSO: Save an extra $10 when you bundle Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro

But the real game-changer is Copilot. This built-in AI assistant helps you work faster by summarizing web pages, generating text or images, opening apps, adjusting settings, or even suggesting code — all without leaving your workflow.

Why Upgrade Now?

• Lifetime license for just $14.97

• Windows 10 is being phased out

• Built-in AI assistant Copilot for smarter daily productivity

• Advanced security and pro-level tools

• Seamless design optimized for multitasking and collaboration

• Supports Microsoft Teams, Widgets, and touch-enabled devices

Don’t wait too long to get a lifetime Windows 11 Pro license for $14.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K   Shop Now

Interested in upgrading your TV without actually buying a new model? Or perhaps you're interested in switching to the Fire OS to watch all your favorite shows without the hassle? You can't go wrong with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.

It's easy to use, it's affordable, and better yet, it's often on sale. During the recent October Prime Day, we saw some incredible lows across the entire range of Amazon's TV sticks, including the 4K model. And with Black Friday fast approaching, we're hoping we see the same low prices or better.

Why we love the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

There's so many reasons to love the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, but I think the ease of setup trumps them all. You'd think that any device that can transform your TV so significantly would require lots of steps, settings, and stress. But in reality, all you need to do is plug it in and go. The TV stick is plugged into your TVs HDMI port, and then a cable is plugged into a wall socket. And that's it. No, really. Just turn your TV on with the remote that comes included with the box and you're ready to start streaming.

The box also comes with everything you'll need: the TV stick, an extension cable for the TV stick (ideal if your TV is mounted on the wall), a socket to power it, a remote, and batteries for the remote. As soon as your Amazon driver delivers the parcel, you've got everything you need.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Oct. 24, 2025)

The 4K model also differs from previous variations of the Fire TV Stick, with this one specifically for 4K-ready TVs. You'll be able to watch all your favorite shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.

It also comes with Alexa, as you would expect from an Amazon device. Press the blue Alexa button on the remote to search for movies, shows, or to find out what that one actor's name is. And if you’ve got compatible smart home devices, you can use the remote to dim lights, check cameras, or adjust other gadgets without leaving the couch. Some may call it lazy, we call it efficient.

Black Friday deal we hope to see on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The Fire Stick 4K regularly comes down to $29.99 from $49.99. However, if you like to save to the absolute max, we're hoping Black Friday can beat this deal. During October Prime Day, this model came down to $24.99, an extra $5 savings. This was also its lowest-ever price — basically a steal. We won't be satisfied unless this record-low is at least matched over Black Friday.

SAVE 50%: As of Oct. 27, you can get the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 portable power station bundle on sale for $449, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and a $450.99 price cut.

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station + 3-Port 102W Fast Charger $449 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $450.99   Get Deal at Amazon

Whether you're prepping for camping season or just want some backup power for when the lights go out, having a reliable portable power station is always a good idea.

As of Oct. 27, you can get the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 portable power station bundle on sale for $449, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and a $450.99 price cut.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Jackery power station deals to keep your home or campsite juiced up

The Explorer 1000 v2 is the updated version of the Explorer 1000. It uses a longer-lasting LiFePO4 battery (Jackery claims up to 10 years or 4,000 charge cycles) and charges way faster than the original — it can go from empty to full in just an hour if you use the app's emergency charge setting. It's got plenty of power (1070Wh capacity, 1500W output) to run essentials like a mini-fridge or heater, plus charge laptops via its 100W USB-C port.

While the power station comes with its own AC charging cable, having this extra multi-port charger (the 3-Port 102W Fast Charger) is super handy for juicing up your other devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops that support USB-C charging).

SAVE 69%: As of Oct. 27, the Monster open-ear (AC221) earbuds are $31.99, down from $102.99, at Amazon. That's a 69% discount and a $71 price cut.

Monster open-ear (AC221) earbuds $31.99 at Amazon
$102.99 Save $71   Get Deal at Amazon

Open-ear earbuds are having a moment, especially those clip-on styles that don't actually go in your ear canal. They're great if you want to listen to music or podcasts while still hearing traffic, coworkers, or whatever else is happening around you. And right now, you can get a pair of your own for an insanely good price.

As of Oct. 27, the Monster open-ear (AC221) earbuds are $31.99, down from $102.99, at Amazon. That's a $71 discount and their lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Sony WF-1000xM5: Which noise-canceling earbuds are better?

Instead of sitting in your ear canal, the AC221s clip gently onto the outside of your ear. Monster claims this design, combined with their lightweight build (just four grams per bud), makes them comfortable for all-day wear without pressure. They use Bluetooth 5.4 for a stable connection and feature 13mm drivers tuned for "Pure Monster Sound" with aptX decoding for richer detail.

Even with this absurd discount, they promise decent specs: clear calls, an IPX6 water-resistance rating (for handling sweat and splashes), and solid battery life — up to eight hours on the buds themselves and 30 with the charging case. If you've been wanting to try out the open-ear trend without spending a lot, or just need a super cheap pair of wireless buds for calls and casual listening, this 69% discount is pretty hard to ignore.

TL;DR: Transport yourself to the golden age of gaming with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console, now for just $99.99 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $99.99
$159.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal

If you’re missing the games of yesteryear, you’re in luck. There’s now a gaming console that brings classic games from Atari, Nintendo, and Sega Genesis to you, while doubling as a modern-day streaming device that lets you binge-watch your favorite shows from Hulu, Disney+, and more.

The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console gets this all done and more, and right now it’s on sale for only $99.99 (reg. $159.99).

SEE ALSO: 7 of the coolest indie games at SXSW Sydney 2025

If you’re looking for a device that can unite the whole family, look no further than the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console. It serves up serious game nights, with thousands of preloaded nostalgic games ready to enjoy, and can also let you stream content from your favorite services for movie night, too.

There are no chunky cartridges to blow in or discs to keep up with; all the games on the Kinhank Super Console X2 are ready to play after just pressing a few buttons. There are options from Nintendo, PlayStation, Atari, and more. If you run out of options, you can also download more current 3D games for free.

If you’d like to wind down for the night with a good flick, the Kinhank Super Console X2 is also a streaming device. You can access your go-to streaming apps right on the device and watch a favorite film — and all you have to do is connect your TV, laptop, or projector.

This Kinhank Super Console X2 comes with two controllers. If you have more players, you can also add extra Bluetooth controllers.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The best ways to watch 'Good Boy': BEST FOR PRIME MEMBERS AMC+ and Shudder on Prime Video Free for 7 days, then $6.99 per month Get Deal BEST FOR HORROR FANS Shudder annual subscription Free 7-day trial, then $89.99/year (save $17.89) Get Deal BEST FOR MORE THAN JUST HORROR AMC+ annual subscription Free 7-day trial, then $95.88/year (save $24) Get Deal Best trial deal AMC+ Free 30-day trial for select customers with code AMC30FT4 (save $9.99) Get Deal

Attention horror movie fans and dog lovers alike: Good Boy is officially available to watch at home. A scary movie unlike anything you've ever watched before, Good Boy drops audiences into a haunted house story told from the perspective of a very adorable dog named Indy. It's deceptively simple, yet the unlikely perspective takes familiar haunted house tropes and gives them fresh (terrifying) life.

If you missed this unlikely horror movie hero (and aspiring Oscar hopeful) in the theater or you can't wait to watch again, here's everything you need to know to watch Good Boy at home — including when and where it's streaming and the best streaming deals to save you money.

What is Good Boy about?

The plot is pretty straightforward. Indy and his owner Todd (Shane Jensen) leave their cramped apartment in the city for a cabin in the countryside, where Todd's late grandfather (Larry Fessenden) lived. The house is long abandoned and the vibes are immediately off. Indy can sense an invisible presence and starts receiving haunting visions of the previous inhabitant's death. When Indy's human threatens to succumb to a similar fate, it's up to the goodest boy to defeat the evil spirits in the house and save Todd.

Here's a glimpse of what you're in for:

Is Good Boy worth watching?

"Beyond being a scary-as-hell watch for dog lovers, Good Boy has a built-in allure as Indy is just a star from his first frame," Mashable's film critic Kristy Puchko writes in her review, dubbing it "a deceptively simple horror movie that hits hard" and "a ruthless blast."

Other critics and audiences alike seem to agree, as the film has earned an 89% Tomato score and 82% Popcorn score at Rotten Tomatoes. Those are pretty impressive numbers for a scary movie in general, let alone one told from the perspective of a dog and a feature directorial debut.

It's one of our favorite movies out of SXSW 2025, and we're Team Indy, all the way to the Oscars.

Read Mashable's full review of Good Boy.

How to watch Good Boy at home Meet Indy, *the* "Good Boy." Credit: IFC Films

Good Boy world premiered at this year’s SXSW Festival before launching in U.S. theaters on Oct. 3, 2025. It's still in select theaters, but you can officially watch it at home as of Oct. 24 via digital video-on-demand. It will also hit streaming next month. See the details below.

Rent or buy it on digital

As of Oct. 24, Good Boy is available to rent or purchase at digital on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Fandango at Home. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch and just 48 hours once you begin watching. If you purchase, it's yours to keep.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — $9.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $9.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $9.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• YouTube — $9.99 to rent, starting at $14.99 to buy

• Google Play — $9.99 to rent, starting at $14.99 to buy

Stream it on Shudder or AMC+

IFC Films isn't making us wait too long: Good Boy is set to make its streaming debut on Shudder on Nov. 21, 2025. Shudder is a streaming platform dedicated specifically to horror and subscriptions start at just $8.99 per month. If you want more than just horror, you can also subscribe to AMC+ and enjoy the entire Shudder library under one service for as low as $9.99 per month. We've rounded up the best deals on both services below.

The best streaming deals to watch Good BoyBest for Prime members: AMC+ and Shudder on Prime Video Opens in a new window Credit: AMC+ AMC+ and Shudder on Prime Video   Get Deal

Here's a good 2-for-1 deal. You can add AMC+ and Shudder to your Prime Video membership for just $6.99 per month (or $9.99 to go ad-free). And if you want to watch Good Boy for free online, just wait until the movie starts streaming on Nov. 21 and then take advantage of the 7-day free trial for Prime members.

Best for horror fans: Shudder annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Shudder Shudder annual subscription free 7-day trial, then $89.99/year (save $17.89) Get Deal

Horror fanatics who want to watch Good Boy for free should definitely take advantage of the 7-day free Shudder trial. If you're ineligible for the free trial, the best way to save on a Shudder subscription is to sign up for an annual plan. Usually $8.99 per month, which adds up to $107.88 for a year, an annual plan will only cost you $89.99, which breaks down to $7.50 per month. That's just shy of $18 in savings.

Best for more than just horror: AMC+ annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: AMC+ AMC+ annual subscription $95.88/year (save $24) Get Deal

If you want to watch Good Boy, but don't necessarily want to subscribe to an all-horror streaming service, AMC+ is a better option for you. It has all of Shudder's content, including Good Boy, plus AMC content, IFC Films, BBC America, Sundance Now, and more. In other words, it offers a lot more than just horror movies. You can kick things off with a seven-day free trial, then save about $24 by signing up for an annual subscription for just $95.88 (versus $9.99/month or $119.88).

Note: for a limited time, select customers can also use the code AMC30FT4 to score a free 30-day trial. YMMV.

USB-C has been a game changer for electronics like phones, laptops, and other small devices, but the same isn't true for desktop PCs. After going through the trouble of adding a USB-C port to my slightly-older PC, I've only used it a handful of times, and I frequently find myself wondering if it was worth the fuss.

The Model 3 is more than just an electric car. Sleek, futuristic, and practical, it helped make EVs desirable and turned Tesla into a household name while topping global sales for a few years.

Is this the beginning of the end for Roomba?

According to the robot vacuum maker, iRobot, it's a real possibility.

iRobot was banking on a $1.7 billion acquisition deal from Amazon, which fell apart due to regulatory issues in January 2024. Since then, iRobot has been looking for a buyer to solve its financial woes.

On Monday, iRobot shared in a regulatory filing with the SEC that talks with the last remaining potential buyer have fallen through, as CNBC reported. The company says the bidder offered a "significantly lower" price per share than what the Roomba maker's stocks currently trade at.

iRobot's stock dropped 33 percent on this news.

“We currently are not in advanced negotiations with any alternative counterparties to a potential sale or strategic transaction,” iRobot wrote in a regulatory filing with the SEC. “As such, there remains no assurance that our review of strategic alternatives will result in any transaction or outcome.”

While Roombas were once synonymous with robot vacuums in general, in recent years, the company has faced steeper competition from competing brands like Shark. Mashable shopping reporters have found Roombas often lag behind rival vacuums in testing. Robot vacuums have also evolved considerably, and new flagship robot vacuums now offer smart laser mapping, mopping, and self-cleaning. But over the past few years, iRobot has struggled to keep up with the competition.

iRobot has also faced considerable revenue problems in recent years and has struggled to pay debts. 

In July 2023, iRobot took out a $200 million loan to keep operations afloat, with the expectation that the company would soon be acquired by Amazon. Now, iRobot needs to find new funding, and fast, or the company says it "may be forced to significantly curtail or cease operations and would likely see bankruptcy protection."

This latest news isn't a total surprise.

When the company shared its financials in March, iRobot warned that it could be out of business within 12 months. And it seems not much has changed since March, aside from the fact that we are now much closer to that 12-month mark.

Recently, Mashable sat down with Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, who said that the next-gen Xbox console would offer a premium, high-powered experience. Now, Windows Central reports that the future console "will indeed run full-bore Windows, with a TV-optimized, console-style experience layered on top."

In effect, the next Xbox console would combine a traditional console experience with the benefits of both cloud and PC gaming, allowing gamers to access a wider variety of experiences and, crucially, a wider variety of storefronts. So, rather than being locked into Xbox Game Pass or Xbox-compatible games, players could also access Steam and other gaming libraries.

When Mashable spoke to Bond, we asked about the rumors that the next Xbox will be more like a gaming PC than a console.

“Well, I can tell you you're right that the next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end, curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld. But I don't want to give it all away," Bond said.

In its report, Windows Central cites "trusted sources" at Microsoft, who reportedly confirmed that the console will offer a full Windows gaming PC experience.

As Bond told Mashable, the newly released (and currently sold out) ROG Xbox Ally shows the overall direction Xbox is heading. And in our conversation, Bond emphasized the importance of not locking players into a single storefront or type of experience. Likewise, she stressed the importance of Xbox Play Anywhere titles, as well as cross-platform games in general.

The ROG Xbox Ally looks and feels like an Xbox console, only in a handheld form factor. However, users can also switch between this Xbox UI and a traditional Windows experience.

Look closely, and you can see the Windows experience available in the ROG Xbox Ally. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

Some gamers were initially surprised to find that the new ROG Xbox Ally came with tools like Microsoft Teams and OneDrive. However, a closer integration between Windows and Xbox makes sense, considering their common parentage.

Likewise, as Xbox focuses less on exclusives (Bond called exclusives "antiquated" in our interview), Xbox will need an OS that allows users to access games outside the Xbox ecosystem, and Windows would make that possible.

LMAOOO WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE NEW XBOX HANDHELD COMES WITH MICROSOFT TEAMS AND ONEDRIVE INSTALLED??? this is the fucking goofiest company in games

[image or embed]

— Jai (@lowercasejai.bsky.social) October 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM

For those nostalgic for the days of big Xbox exclusives like Halo: Combat Evolved, this may be a disappointing direction. But based on the popularity of the ROG Xbox Ally and cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Game Pass, despite recent price increases, this could help futureproof Xbox for a new era of gaming.

On the downside, given how often the word "premium" is mentioned in conversations about the new Xbox, gamers should probably prepare themselves for a high price tag.

Xbox can't seem to stay out of the news lately, with the announcement that Halo: Combat Evolved is coming to PlayStation next year and, in response, a detente called in the console wars. Things took a darker turn on Sunday night when President Trump launched into an AI slop meme war with GameStop that has now spiraled into the Department of Homeland Security using Halo imagery to compare undocumented immigrants to parasitic aliens.

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Early Monday morning, the official DHS X account — already infamous for its cruel, brain-rotting posting history — shared an image of Xbox's iconic mascot, Master Chief, standing on a Warthog with the Halo ring world in the background. The caption read, "Finishing this fight," a nod to the final line of Halo 2 and the marketing tagline for Halo 3. The image itself included the phrase "Destroy the Flood," alongside a link to an ICE recruitment page.

SEE ALSO: For Trump officials, social media is war

The post is problematic on several levels — the most glaring being that DHS appears to be equating the Flood, the main antagonists of the Halo series, with immigrants. For context, the Flood are a parasitic alien species that infect and consume sentient life across the galaxy.

This isn't the first time ICE has co-opted video game imagery for its recruitment posts on social media. Just last month, the agency used the "Gotta catch 'em all" Pokémon theme for videos of arrests, complete with custom-made cards of individuals captured by ICE. That's on top of the many crass, bizarre, and meme-heavy "Dark MAGA" posts the agency has shared — including ones featuring Trump with laser eyes or reposts originating from neo-Nazi accounts.

SEE ALSO: President of Xbox Sarah Bond talks Ally X, next-gen console, and recent price increases

It's not clear why Trump and DHS are fixated on Halo as of late. It is worth noting that Microsoft, which owns Xbox, is one of several tech giants that reportedly helped fund construction of Trump's $300 million ballroom — a project that has already required the demolition of the East Wing. Critics say the investment is part of a broader push by major tech firms to stay in favor with the administration as they compete for lucrative federal contracts.

ICE's goal seems to be grabbing the attention of younger audiences — ostensibly for recruiting — but also to continue dehumanizing undocumented immigrants and other groups targeted by the administration.

It's a bold strategy for an agency hoping to look heroic, but it seems ICE missed the part where the good guys fight to protect all of humanity.

Mashable has contacted Xbox for comment, but has yet to receive a response as of this writing.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

The Galaxy S20 FE was a very popular phone. It was a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy S20 series that still had some flagship qualities, but at a considerably lower price. Now, though, it has officially reached the end of its lifespan.

Google first teased its new AI-powered Health Coach feature during the launch of the Pixel 10 and Pixel Watch 4 in August, and now it's ready to roll out as a limited beta. Starting tomorrow, October 28th, Google will open the first public preview of its Gemini-powered Personal Health Coach for select users in the United States.

While other scripting languages have gained popularity, Perl remains a popular choice due to its robust text processing capabilities. It's easy to create "one-liners," or very short scripts, that can even replace standalone Unix utilities. Here are some tools you can create right from the command line.