IT General

You can do better than the camera on your smartphone. Yes it's true that most people have taken on a sort of amateur photographer status, always ready to memorise a moment with their hi-res camera phone. We're in the age of social media and sharing pictures, after all. But real photography demands real equipment. And what better way to get stuck into the world of photography than with a mirrorless camera?

Maybe you’re a camera newbie, or you’re looking to make the jump from a DSLR model? Perhaps you’re already a mirrorless devotee looking for a much-needed upgrade? Either way, mirrorless is the latest word in digital photography technology.

Knowing where to start is particularly hard for photography beginners, with all the jargon, specifications, and brand names to figure. But we can help bring things into focus and, well, put you in the picture. Here's some useful information and a round-up of the best mirrorless cameras available right now.

What is a mirrorless camera?

The clue’s in the title, though we appreciate that doesn’t make it any easier to understand. DSLR cameras reflect images into the camera’s viewfinder via a mirror, which is placed between the lens and the camera sensor. But mirrorless cameras use an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is an LCD monitor on the back on the camera body. Light goes into the lens and is digitally converted and displayed on the monitor.

Is mirrorless better than DSLR?

Mirrorless cameras — which are sometimes called hybrid cameras — have overtaken DSLR cameras as the most popular choice for photographers. The biggest selling point is that mirrorless cameras are lighter and much less clunky. They’re far easier to take on your travels and generally carry around. But that's not all they're good for. Here are some other great mirrorless camera features:

EVP Monitor — The monitor allows you to easily frame your subject in “live view” and access features via touchscreen. These monitors are often “vari-angle”, meaning they articulate outwards and in all directions, which is great for framing selfies.

IBIS — That’s the technical term for in-body image stabilisation. This essentially stabilises the sensor so you can shoot handheld, without needing a tripod or gimbal. Not all mirrorless cameras have IBIS but it’s increasingly common.

Autofocus — This is a standard camera feature but often clunkier in DSLRs. Mirrorless cameras can have very advanced autofocus that tracks faces and eyes or fast-moving objects. You may be able to refocus with a quick tap of the touchscreen.

4K Video — OK, so it’s not only mirrorless that shoots video. Some DSLR shoot video too, but mirrorless are geared towards better video performance and features. Shooting in 4K sometimes crops the image (it depends on how advanced the camera is) though you can also find mirrorless cameras that have 6K-8K quality resolution.

Other features, though not exclusive to mirrorless, include WiFi and Bluetooth, app support, and fast burst speed rates (measured in frames per second — fps).

How are the drawbacks of mirrorless cameras?

There are always pros and cons. Due to the reduced size, mirrorless battery power isn’t always as good as DSLR cameras, and mirrorless cameras do tend to be more expensive. Another common complaint is that because the technology is newer, there are fewer lens and accessory options. But that’s a temporary issue.

How much does a mirrorless camera cost?

We won’t lie to you. They’re not exactly cheap. The lowest priced camera on this list is around £500 and they can easily cost thousands of pounds. Even beginners can expect to spend somewhere around the £500 mark. The photography game is pricey.

What is the best mirrorless camera?

That’s a question only you can answer, because every photographer is different. Whether you’re a beginner, enthusiast, or professional, there’s a camera that’s just right for you — but it might not suit the photographer next to you. Because just like the actual photos, no two photographers are the same. But we can help you find the best mirrorless camera for you by pointing you toward some impressive models and putting them in (auto)focus. The choice is yours. We're just trying to give you a clear picture.

These are the best mirrorless cameras in 2025.

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: Roster of players

• Green: East coast college teams

• Blue: Power swing

• Purple: Teams that spelled like other teams

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: Club

• Green: ACC Teams

• Blue: Hit Hard, Like a Baseball

• Purple: Pro Team Names That End In Another Pro Team Name

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 #398 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Club - GROUP, SIDE, SQUAD, TEAM

• ACC Teams - DEMON DEACONS, EAGLES, HURRICANES, WOLFPACK

• Hit Hard, Like a Baseball - BELT, CLUB, MASH, WALLOP

• Pro Team Names That End In Another Pro Team Name - HORNETS, RED WINGS, SEAHAWKS, VIKINGS

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.

Happy Friday 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. 26 Pips

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 26 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (22): Everything in this space must add to 22. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 26 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a boxing fan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Musical tools

• Green: Said by a famous boxer

• Blue: Competitions

• Purple: Small endings

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

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

• Yellow: Kinds of instruments

• Green: Words in a famous Muhammad Ali Quote

• Blue: Kinds of contests

• Purple: Words with diminutive suffixes

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 #868 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of instruments: BRASS, PERCUSSION, STRING, WIND

• Words in a famous Muhammad Ali Quote: BEE, BUTTERFLY, FLOAT, STING

• Kinds of contests: BEAUTY, POPULARITY, STARING, TALENT

• Words with diminutive suffixes: DOGGY, DROPLET, KITCHENETTE, STARLING

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love the current season.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fall-ing

The words are related to a season.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the harvest season.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Autumn.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 26

• Orchards

• Pumpkins

• Corn

• Autumn

• Football

• Harvest

• Foliage

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a lip enhancement.

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 24, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Chubby.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter P appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

PLUMP

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.

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

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

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 Wordle.

For years, I’d been looking for an app that would let me manage all the fans in my PC case from one place and link case fan speed to the GPU temperature. About five years ago, I found it. Since then, Fan Control has been a staple on my PC. I recommend it to everyone in need of a fan management app.

TL;DR: This Microsoft Surface SE is in brand-new condition, but it’s still on sale for only $189.99 (reg. $329).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface SE 11.6" Laptop (2022) Celeron N4120 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Win11 SE (Open Box) $189.99
$329 Save $139.01   Get Deal

If you’re on the hunt for a reliable, low-cost computer, a Microsoft Surface may fit the bill. The Microsoft Surface Laptop SE is an affordable, dependable computer that makes everyday tasks simple, whether you’re working, browsing, or streaming your favorite shows. Right now, you can get one for only $189.99 (reg. $329), but this sale won’t last much longer.

This model runs on an Intel Celeron N4120 processor with 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for handling multitasking, document editing, video calls, and web use without slowing down. The 11.6-inch display is crisp and clear, while the 128GB of eMMC storage gives you enough space for apps, files, and media. With up to 16 hours of battery life, you can stay unplugged for most of the day.

SEE ALSO: Apple's brand-new M5 MacBook Pro got a launch day discount: Save $15 on Amazon

At just 2.4 pounds, it’s light enough to carry around without feeling fragile. The plastic body is sturdy, and the fanless design keeps it quiet while you work. You’ll find a balanced mix of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, a headphone jack, and a dedicated power connector. The Surface SE also includes WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, stereo speakers, and a clear 1MP camera for video chats.

It runs Windows 11 SE, a simplified version of Windows that focuses on quick access and smooth performance. While it doesn’t support upgrading to the full Windows 11 version, it’s optimized for reliability and simplicity.

This is an Open Box product, meaning it may have been handled or displayed in a retail setting but remains in like-new condition. Each unit is inspected, verified, and repackaged before sale. It also comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty for extra peace of mind.

Get a Microsoft Surface SE while they’re on sale for $189.99 while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Windows XP is celebrating its 24th birthday today. Despite its age, the now-ancient operating system is one of the best pieces of software ever made by Microsoft, and the best all-round version of Windows. It defined an era, vaulted home computing to a new level of convenience and reliability, and established norms we take for granted in modern versions of Windows.

Has your mouse been weighing down your aim lately? Mine has, which is why I decided to try cutting its weight in half. Using a 3D-printed frame, I was able to turn my lightweight mouse into something that truly feels like a feather in my hand. Here’s how it went.

If you’re hunting for a used family hauler that maxes out cargo space and fuel efficiency, there’s one body style that should be at the top of your list—and it’s not an SUV. Sure, some drivers love minivans and others don’t, but the modern hybrid minivan leaves today’s SUVs in the dust when it comes to flexibility and space.

I've always liked the idea of a projector, and I've used them plenty of times at work over the years, but the tradeoffs were never worth the increased picture size for me until recently. First I was tempted by a new generation of portable LED projector, but now laser projectors are becoming affordable on a paltry writer's income, and I'm mighty tempted.

If you go check the back of your TV, games console, soundbar, or Blu-ray player, you'll almost certainly see a little port with red light coming from it. That's TOSLINK or "Toshiba Link".

Dropping expensive electronic devices onto hard surfaces often ends in tears, but not all drops are equal. Though device and case manufacturers are going further than they ever have in a bid to protect your smartphone, there are some surfaces around which you should exercise additional caution.

SAVE $71: As of Oct. 25, this DJI mic mini is on sale for $98, down from its list price of $169. 

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $98 at Amazon
$169 Save $71   Get Deal

This small but mighty DJI mic mini is on sale right now, and it packs a punch with a laundry list of features. The mic comes with two transmitters (mini lavalier microphones with clips) and one receiver. All of the pieces fit neatly into its lightweight portable charging case. Each lavalier transmitter microphone weighs just under 10 grams. The design is intended to blend in discreetly when used during filming. The DJI mic mini has a 400m max transmission distance for clear sound from far away or chaotic environments like busy streets or rough elements like wind and rain. 

This model‘s battery life can last up to 48 hours with the charging case. It’s also designed with 48kHz sampling and 120 dB SPL for crystal-clear sound for your content. There are two different noise-cancellation settings. Basic is perfect for quieter spaces that you really want to isolate, like indoor settings. Strong can isolate your audio when there’s a lot of outside noise or if you’re in a space with a lot of noise.

DJI Mic Mini is also intuitively designed to automatically lower input sounds that register as too loud. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or filmmaker who is looking for a step up in your mic game or someone who has been relying on the built-in microphone in your device, this model could really step up your content’s audio quality.

There were headlines about the next Xbox console this week, but the biggest news out of Microsoft's gaming division actually concerned a competitor's platform.

On Friday, Xbox and current series developer Halo Studios announced Halo: Campaign Evolved. As its name suggests, this is a full-scale remake of the original Halo single-player campaign, built in Unreal Engine 5. It features all of the original levels, plus some new gameplay features on top of the rebuilt visuals. It's set for release sometime in 2026, and in a shocking development for anyone who used internet forums 20 years ago, it's coming to PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox and PC.

As you can see in a lengthy gameplay demo video set in perhaps the game's most famous level, The Silent Cartographer, Halo Studios has done some work on this game beyond just making it look more like a modern title. Features from later Halo games, like sprinting and the ability to aim down sights with every weapon, have made their way into this game. There will also be some weapons that weren't present in the first Halo, such as the Battle Rifle and Energy Sword, available for use in this game. Halo Studios is also promising three new prequel levels, but did not show them off or specify what they would be about.

SEE ALSO: Xbox president calls console exclusives 'antiquated'

This is interesting on a number of levels. First and foremost, for those of us who are old enough to remember the console wars of yesteryear, seeing Halo on a PlayStation console is roughly akin to when they opened a McDonald's in the Soviet Union. It's an anticlimactic conclusion to a decades-long ideological struggle, one that you could see coming from a mile away if you'd been paying attention for the past few years. Microsoft has been slowly building up to this by releasing first-party titles like Gears of War: Reloaded and Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 in recent months. Halo coming to PS5 in some form was inevitable.

It's also not without some controversy. Some longtime Halo fans online are not happy about the visual style on display here, while others have questioned the need to add new vehicles, weapons, and movement abilities to a game that arguably doesn't need them. One of the game's original level designers even weighed in on X to mildly criticize elements of the remake.

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That sort of thing is to be expected when remaking a bona fide classic like Halo, but at least on my social feeds, the reaction was harsher than usual. We'll see how it works out when Campaign Evolved launches sometime next year.

SAVE $150: As of October 25, this 13-inch 2025 MacBook Air is $849, down from its list price of $999 on Amazon. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop $849
$999 Save $150   Get Deal

Finding the right time to spring for a new computer can be all about waiting for the right device, with the right specs, and the right deal. This 2025 model with an M4 chip might be just the right fit for you. Coming in at $849 for a 13.6-inch display, Apple’s super-fast M4 chip, 16 GB of unified memory, and a 256 GB SSD. While this model isn’t ideal for folks working with large video editing projects or sizable photo editing content because of the hard drive size, it’s seriously powerful. 

This 2025 MacBook Air deal has a 12 MP center stage camera designed to render zoom calls with crystal clear resolution. It offers 18 hours of battery life to accompany you throughout your day at work or school. This particular MacBook Air comes in midnight black. You can also grab models in silver, gold, or sky blue for a $50 price increase. Stay connected to your other devices or up to two external displays with two built-in Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, one headphone jack, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Happy Friday 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. 25 Pips

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

Less Than (8): Everything in this space must be less than 8. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 25 Pips

Number (24): Everything in this space must add to 24. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 25 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (26): Everything in this space must add to 26. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

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