IT General

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Oct. 26-30. Get Spooked, hosted by Indie Author Collective, offers thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books for Kindle and Kobo users.

Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an awesome opportunity for bookworms to add to their TBR list without any guilt.

We're blessed with a pretty busy Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule in 2026, including romance, thriller, and young adult giveaways. Now that it's officially spooky season, Get Spooked has launched with 100s of free thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books.

Get Spooked, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is aimed at Kindle and Kobo users. Everything you download is yours to keep forever, so you can go wild.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the 2026 Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Get Spooked takes place from Oct. 26-30. This five-day giveaway doesn't carry the same stress as a 24-hour event. You can consider your options and take your time. You could dip into the selection today and come back later in the week.

Which books are free?

Get Spooked is offering a huge selection of thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books. The helpful hub page has filters for price, retailers, e-reader, representations, and genres. Play around with the filters and find exactly what you want to read. Chances are you'll find something for free.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so what's holding you back?

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go, with weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box is on sale for $90.16 at Amazon, down from its $98.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box $90.16 at Amazon
$98.99 Save $8.83 Get Deal at Amazon

It's been a while since we've spotted a worthwhile Amazon discount on Magic: The Gathering's Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box, but the retailer has finally shaved almost $10 off the 24-pack display.

As of Oct. 30, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box has dropped to $90.16 at Amazon. Compared to its typical $98.99 price, you're getting a 9% discount of $8.83, bringing each of the 24 boosters down to $3.76.

For clarification, while there are only six boxes available from third-party seller reVend at that price, you can buy more from seller TOYSandmore for just two cents more at $90.18.

According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the first time the Jumpstart Box for the Avatar expansion has dropped into the $90 range since August. While it may not be its lowest-ever price, it's still a better price than you'll find at other go-to trading card sites right now. 

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel's Spider-Man Play Booster Box is close to market price — save $15 at Amazon

TCGplayer, for instance, against its estimated market price of $93.20, has its cheapest sealed listings starting at $94.22, including shipping. Walmart, meanwhile, is asking for even more at $102.49, putting Amazon's offer over $12 ahead.

Inside the box are 24 Jumpstart Boosters, each packing 20 Avatar-themed Magic cards. Unlike traditional deckbuilding, Jumpstart keeps things simple by letting you shuffle any two boosters together to form an instant playable deck, complete with the necessary Land cards.

With 46 different themes featuring familiar characters, moments, and elemental powers from the animated series, there's a good variety of combinations to try. You can even mix these with boosters from other Jumpstart sets if you're after more ways to play.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is on sale for $49.95 at Amazon, down from its typical price of $61.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $49.95 at Amazon
$61.95 Save $12   Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon's prices for the Pokémon TCG's 30th Celebration collections have been jumping around throughout October, but the triple pack with a promo card and bonus stickers has slipped to the lowest price we’ve ever seen at the retailer.

As of Oct. 30, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) costs just $49.95 at Amazon, cutting $12 from its typical $61.95 price with a 19% discount. That's also three cents cheaper than the $49.98 offer we spotted at the beginning of October, bringing this particular box to the cheapest we’ve ever covered from Amazon.

Although third-party seller Bigg Time Sales is handling the sale directly, it’s still Amazon handling the shipping, with free delivery landing between Nov. 11-21 at the time of writing. 

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Bundle preorders are 25% off at Amazon — save nearly $20 ahead of launch

That said, there’s an even bigger offer price of $34.95 going on right now at Walmart, if you’re hoping to spend as little as possible, even if that means going beyond Amazon for your trading card fix — which is only about 40 cents above the estimated $34.55 market price by dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer. The cheapest listings there only go as low as $35.99 after shipping. 

The Tech Sticker Collection contains three 30th Celebration booster packs, a foil Lucario promo card, and a themed sticker sheet featuring Lucario alongside Pikachu and Mewtwo.

Every booster holds five foil cards, a foil Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. There's also a guaranteed Pikachu rare card in each pack, with 30 different versions to collect across the expansion.

I've owned countless portable power stations, and cold weather or outdoor adventures always bring them to their knees. Charging slows, the battery drains faster, and you run low sooner than expected.

SAVE $400: As of Oct. 30, the Eufy E25 robot vacuum is on sale for $599.98 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: eufy Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum $599.98 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $400.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Imagine putting your feet up while someone else takes care of the vacuuming and mopping. That's the appeal of a robot vacuum that handles both jobs and even takes care of much of its own maintenance. And that's exactly what you get with the Eufy E25 robot vacuum. This impressive vacuum does it all, and as of Oct. 30, it's on sale at Amazon for 40% off the list price.

It has 20,000 Pa of suction, so the E25 is really designed to tackle everything from everyday dust and dirt to pet hair. Its DuoSpiral brushes help prevent hair from getting tangled, and the CornerRover arm extends its reach along edges and into awkward corners where dust tends to build up. It can also clean across different floor types, so it's a great choice if you have carpets, hard floors, or rugs.

Mopping is handled by Eufy's HydroJet system, which uses self-washing roller mops that clean themselves every two seconds while in use. Then the all-in-one docking station takes care of the rest, automatically emptying dust, washing the mops, refilling the water tank, and drying the rollers with hot air. There's basically nothing for you to do.

If you're sold on the idea, this robot vacuum is currently down from $999.99 to $599.98. Not only is that a $400 savings, but it's the best-ever price for this vacuum. Get this deal from Amazon now.

TL;DR: Through Nov. 1, fans dressing as historical American Girl dolls for Harry Styles' "Harryween" shows can get $40 off a Historical Character doll at the American Girl NYC flagship by showing photo proof of their costume.

When Harry Styles dropped his track "American Girls," he was probably singing about classic romance. His fans took the title dead literally anyway, showing up to his shows dressed from head to toe as actual historical American Girl characters.

Naturally, the trend exploded on TikTok. Fans traded cowboy hats for Samantha Parkington’s Edwardian velvet coats, Kirsten Larson’s prairie aprons, and Kit Kittredge’s Great Depression-era newsboy caps.

Now, with two massive (and very costume-heavy) "Harryween" concerts hitting New York City this weekend, American Girl is leaning all the way into the bit by giving fans a very real discount for their efforts.

If you dress up as a historical American Girl character for the concerts, you can score $40 off any Historical Character doll at the brand's NYC flagship store. Considering full-size historical dolls rarely see steep discounts and normally cost up to $175, knocking $40 off is a nice break for collectors and nostalgic fans.

How to claim the $40 discount

You don't need a voucher code, but you will need to head into Manhattan in person. Here is what to know:

• Where — In-store only at the American Girl New York City flagship store (located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza).

• When — Valid only on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1.

• How to redeem: Just show an employee photo proof of your historical American Girl costume at checkout.

• The fine print — The $40 discount applies exclusively to Historical Character dolls, is limited to one per customer, and runs only while supplies last.

Whether your look channels Victorian tea parties or frontier pioneer grit, your concert fit can finally pay for itself. Just snap your photo at the arena, hit Rockefeller Plaza before Saturday ends, and grab your doll before stock runs dry.

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 30, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal at Amazon

There's no need to hold off until Black Friday to save on a pair of Beats headphones. The Beats Solo 4 are currently reduced to $129.95 at Amazon, saving you $70 on the list price. The deal covers all colorways, so you can choose from black and gold, cloud pink, slate blue, and more.

These headphones have updated drivers and custom acoustic architecture, which are designed to produce fuller, more detailed sound. They also support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive experience.

They're designed to be comfortable. The headphones have a lightweight design, a flex-grip headband, and adjustable, angled ear cups to help give you a secure fit. The UltraPlush ear cushions also give additional padding for longer listening sessions.

Battery life is another strong point. You can get up to 50 hours of playback on a single charge, and the Fast Fuel feature gives you up to five hours of listening time from just 10 minutes of charging.

Normally $199.95, you can buy these Beats headphones for $129.95 for a limited time at Amazon.

For three seasons of Adam Ruins Everything, comedian Adam Conover educated audiences on everything from Facebook and fatbergs to the justice system to how children's toys became gendered. But did educating through comedy heal the world? It did not, and in his new comedy special Big Divorce Energy he digs into that and much more.

Sitting down in the Say More studio with Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, Conover shared how his comedy has changed from the heady Obama era of Adam Ruins Everything to the Trump era we find ourselves in now. The two talk about millennial disillusionment, how to operate on social media while being well aware of its pitfalls, and how Conover is rediscovering himself through sex and dating.

If you loved Adam Ruins Everything, you won't want to miss Big Divorce Energy, where Conover sheds his cartoony persona for a franker and more fierce approach to comedy and political commentary.

Big Divorce Energy is now streaming on YouTube.

Best early Black Friday tablet deals at a glance Best Apple iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 (save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 8 $79.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best Samsung tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 $899.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best TCL deal TCL TAB A1 Plus $299 (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

We all have a phone that we rely on to survive. Most of us also have a laptop, whether we use it for work, school, or booking flights. But a tablet is the perfect middle ground between the two. It's larger than a phone but usually more portable than a laptop. Plus, many can double as a great e-reader.

Well ahead of the official Black Friday date, we're already seeing tablets on sale. They range from budget Amazon models to top-tier Apple iPads.

If you're shopping for a new tablet before the holidays, check out our favorite deals below.

Best Apple iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Mashable's favorite budget iPad is already on sale well before Black Friday. And in even better news, it's down to the same sale price of $399 that we saw during October Prime Day. The 11-inch Apple iPad is powered by the A16 chip and has 12MP cameras on the back and front, which is great news if you'll be using the tablet for FaceTime over the holidays.

Best Amazon tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Mashable's rating of the best tablets lists the Amazon Fire HD 8 as the top pick for an Amazon Fire tablet. Between the compact display size of eight inches, clear resolution, and incredible sale price, it's hard to go wrong with the Amazon tablet. The $79.99 sale price applies to the model with 64GB storage, which gives you space to download movies, shows, and music for upcoming holiday travel.

Best Samsung tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 $999.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

It's not the newest model, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is still well worth considering. The generous 11-inch display size could be awesome for watching movies in bed, and the AMOLED display offers impressive crispness. If you'll be out in the sun with the tablet, rest assured it can reach up to 1,600 nits of brightness. Plus, there's a microSD slot for increasing onboard storage. Samsung also includes the S Pen with the tablet.

Having good taste is expensive. Alas, it has always been thus.

But $200 for a clock is pushing it, even for a snob like me.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Time smart alarm $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

That's unfortunate, because I love the design of Amazon's new Echo Time smart alarm.

The new Echo Time is really sleek looking. Credit: Amazon

Earlier this week, Amazon launched a bunch of new Echo smart home devices, and Mashable was there for the unveiling. The new Echo devices have less of a Death Star vibe, and the Echo Time stands out to me for its friendly design. It's exactly the kind of product I can imagine installing on my nightstand.

I really do love the design of this smart alarm. It doesn't have quite the same appeal as the new Apple HomeView for me (I'm not a huge fan of the knitted fabric cover on Amazon smart devices), but the round shape and pleasant, customizable clock faces work extremely well together. I even like the optional stand.

You have the option to add a matching stand to your Echo Time. Credit: Amazon The Echo Time is available in graphite, coral pink, and glacier white. Credit: Amazon

Why does everything have to be so expensive right now? Whether you're booking a hotel, ordering food, buying a phone, or looking for an alarm clock to break your morning phone habits, prices are painful. Amazon's last smart alarm, the Echo Spot, was priced at a much more reasonable $79.99. That is, until Amazon raised prices on the Echo Spot to $109.99 in August. Now, the company is asking us to pay even more.

The Echo Time isn't even the only pricey alarm clock I'm lusting after in 2026. Stylish, Instagram-famous analog alarms like the Nanu Arc Alarm Clock cost even more, at $299.

The $299 Nanu Arc is even worse for my wallet. Credit: Nanu

This is why I play the lottery.

The Echo Time: What you get for the money

The Echo Time does work really hard to justify the price tag. And, for the record, I really wouldn't be mad about getting this as a Christmas gift this year. I just don't know that I can justify the money myself.

Billed as "your Alexa smart clock," the Echo Time has hundreds of clock faces for its 3.2-inch circular touchscreen, and with the AI-powered Alexa+, you can even use it to control smart lights, set the perfect sleep temperature, or open your blinds. The Echo Time also doubles as a noise machine, playing soothing sounds as you fall asleep at night or meditate in the morning. Amazon says its built-in speaker offers lossless high-definition audio for listening to music.

SEE ALSO: Hatch introduces new Sleep Clock, an alarm clock that tracks your sleep

The Echo Time also comes in a kid-friendly version. More importantly, your privacy is also considered with the Echo Time, which is "built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphones enable/disable button."

Customize your clock screen on the Echo Time. Credit: Amazon

I've long since learned that having good taste is expensive, but in 2026, having any kind of taste is expensive. This, despite the fact that President Donald Trump promised to bring down prices at the pump, grocery stores, and beyond, telling crowds, "Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again." Obviously, that's not what happened. Tech companies, in particular, keep raising prices as they pass along the higher costs of the memory squeeze spurred by the AI industry.

So, you'll have to decide if your budget can bear a $199.99 smart alarm.

My verdict: Wait for Black Friday and see how much the Echo Time is going to cost when it inevitably goes on sale.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

NASA's farthest spacecraft gave mission control a scare when it inexplicably went silent and missed two days of planned check-ins. 

The nail-biting incident happened just two weeks ago, when the Deep Space Network didn't receive a call from Voyager 1 on either Oct. 18 or 19. But before the agency could send repair commands, the spacecraft, now outside the solar system, signaled back on Oct. 20. No communication outages have happened since. 

Engineers still don't know what caused the problem. So far, the team has discovered that one set of thrusters shut down, leaving a backup set to take over. The thrusters are small engines that point and steady the spacecraft. Voyager 1's computers do this automatically whenever they detect an issue with the active thrusters to ensure the spacecraft is in a safe mode. 

"This is the first time we've seen the spacecraft do something like this, but we are also at a point in the mission where we have to expect the unexpected," said Kareem Badaruddin, Voyager mission manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a statement. "We're relieved to be back in contact with Voyager 1 and are eager to understand what happened."

Voyager 1's trouble adds to a growing list of signs that NASA's longest-running mission is winding down. Its plutonium power source loses about four watts every year, forcing engineers to turn off two science instruments to conserve power. On Nov. 18, the spacecraft is expected to reach a historic milestone of one "light-day" from Earth. That distance, roughly 16.09 billion miles away, measures how far light travels over 24 hours.

SEE ALSO: Scientists think they've just discovered a new dwarf planet like Pluto

Voyager 1 has traveled farther than any other human-made object and is racing through space at 38,000 mph.

Launched in 1977 to survey the outer planets, the spacecraft and its twin Voyager 2 have explored four planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — 48 moons, and a host of planetary magnetic fields and rings.

In August 2012, Voyager 1 was the first to enter interstellar space. The two remain the only spacecraft ever to leave the solar system, though New Horizons is trying to make its escape as well.  

Both Voyagers run on radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which are power units that turn heat from decaying plutonium into electricity. In September, NASA engineers stretched their shrinking power supplies by turning off three instruments on each and replacing them with three lower-powered alternatives — a plan they nicknamed "the Big Bang." The devices involved in the swap also help keep the spacecraft warm enough to work in the freezing cold of space, so the swaps had to happen at the same moment to spread heat evenly.

That strategy should keep their Cosmic Ray Subsystems, Magnetometers, and Plasma Wave Subsystems running for at least one more year, according to NASA. The devices measure high‑energy particles, the local magnetic field, and ripples in charged gas around the spacecraft.

Once Voyager 1 passes one light day, a radio message from Earth will take 24 hours to reach it, and its reply will take another 24 hours to come back.

"If you want to say 'hello' to Voyager, you send your message and then you go home and you wait two days before you finally get a response," said Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager.

TL;DR: Babbel’s lifetime subscription includes all 14 languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with StackSocial’s code LEARN, available for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140   Get Deal

Your next trip deserves more than a confidently delivered “hello” followed by frantic pointing. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with the StackSocial code LEARN — a one-time purchase that gives your language goals room to grow.

Developed by more than 100 expert linguists, Babbel offers over 10,000 hours of language education. You can start with Spanish, explore Italian before a trip, or give Norwegian a turn when curiosity strikes. All 14 languages are included, so choosing one today doesn’t lock you into it.

Lessons run about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to build a routine around the time you actually have. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced options help you find a useful starting point, whether you’re learning from scratch or revisiting a language you haven’t practiced in years.

The topics are practical: ordering dinner, asking for directions, shopping, making friends, and navigating business conversations. Speech recognition helps you work on pronunciation, while personalized review sessions reinforce what you’ve learned.

There’s also an AI conversation partner to practice expressing yourself in real time. It adds another opportunity to put words together and keep a conversation moving as you learn.

You can use Babbel on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Download courses, lessons, and review items beforehand, and offline access lets you keep studying without WiFi.

Short sessions now, another language later, and lifetime access through one purchase.

Get an all-language lifetime subscription to Babbel for $159 with the StackSocial code LEARN while this limited-time offer is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is only $9.97 (reg. $199) through Nov. 1 for a lifetime, non-transferable license on one compatible PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

Your PC already has a job. Give it the tools to do more with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, now $9.97 (reg. $199) through Nov. 1. That’s a one-time purchase for a lifetime license on one compatible PC, with no subscription or recurring fees.

The reason to go Pro comes down to what you actually need from your computer. Beyond the core Windows experience, this version adds tools for business, development, and IT work.

BitLocker provides full-disk encryption to help protect your data. Hyper-V lets you run virtual machines, while Windows Sandbox gives you an isolated environment for testing apps without affecting your main operating system. Azure AD support handles business identity and access management. For professionals who need those capabilities, that’s a practical reason to choose Pro.

The everyday features get their moment, too. Snap layouts help organize your multitasking, so your screen can keep up when your workload gets busy. Biometric login supports facial recognition or fingerprint sign-in, backed by TPM 2.0 hardware security. And when the workday ends, DirectX 12 Ultimate supports gaming graphics.

Before buying, though, give compatibility a proper check using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. This version is intended for PCs that need a new Windows license and meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements. A Windows 10 PC that cannot receive the free Windows 11 upgrade through Windows Update will not be able to install this version.

The license is non-transferable, and delivery is digital. For a compatible PC that needs a license — and a user who’ll put those Pro features to work — Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97 makes this a well-timed purchase through Nov. 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Knives Out creator Rian Johnson has launched a photography app, allowing others to copy his preferred look. Available on iOS, Chromagraph Camera was created in partnership with cinematographer Steven Yedlin and programmer Eric Cameron, and applies the same image processing Yedlin used in Johnson's films.

SEE ALSO: Nikon unveils Z5IIC camera, aimed at making photography less intimidating

"I honestly just asked Steve (and our genius color science coder friend Eric Cameron) to make it because I take a ton of pics with my phone and wanted to have it for myself, and they figured hey, let's put it out there," Johnson posted to X.

"I've messed with plenty of good 3rd party tools but this is an elegant one-stop-shop, it just takes beautiful shots with Steve's special sauce processing. You can fine tune the image in the app (with color, exposure, grain and halation tools) and export it to your camera roll."

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

Johnson states that Chromagraph Camera shoots in RAW, meaning it captures unprocessed image data to enable more flexibility when editing. While most filters are typically applied after your device has already processed the image, Chromagraph Camera works directly from the RAW image instead.

As such, rather than applying a filter over the image preview, Chromagraph Camera only shows you its processed picture after you've already snapped it. You can tweak aspects such as colour, tone, and texture, though adjustments are fairly limited, "keeping every image true to the look that's the core of the app."

Chromagraph Camera has a few other restrictions as well. You can't access the completely unprocessed RAW images to edit yourself. It can only do still photography, not videos, though Johnson left the door open to potentially adding this feature on Pro model iPhones.

The app also isn't available on Android. Johnson stated that while Apple's consistent hardware meant they could ensure the app performed as intended across different iPhone models, bringing it to the multiverse of Android devices is a more difficult proposition.

"Android devices are much more varied, and there's no way with our small team we could dial it in for every device," Johnson wrote.

Some iPhone users have already taken the app out for a spin, and many appear impressed by its more filmic look. Compared to photos shot with the iPhone's base camera app, Chromagraph Camera's processing creates images that are noticeably darker, with a warmer hue and less digital sharpening.

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

Photography enthusiasts will likely miss the greater customisation and fine-tuning available on dedicated cameras, which offer much more manual control. Dedicated photographers wanting to put their own stamp on an image may be better off shooting in RAW and doing their own edit afterward.

However, if you just want to apply the same colour grading on Johnson's films to your point-and-shoot iPhone pics, the Chromagraph Camera app does that easily.

Chromagraph Camera is available in the App Store for $12.99.

Jason (Joel Edgerton) and his family haven't been having a great time of it, and the Dark Matter Season 2 finale did little to change that.

But did the plan to destroy the box, and end the weird quantum entanglement that the characters (and their multiple other versions) have been wrapped up in, actually work? What's next for the Dessens and everyone working at Velocity?

We've broken down an ending that was somehow even worse for its core characters than the finale of Season 1.

SEE ALSO: 'Dark Matter' Season 2, episode 5 is the best kind of filler episode What happens at the end of Dark Matter Season 2?

The finale picks up from where we left things at the end of episode 9, with Jason and Blair (Amanda Brugel) on a mission to destroy the original box — a move they believe will wipe out all versions of it, thereby stopping all that pesky world-hopping — while Ryan (Jimmi Simpson) and Amanda (Alice Braga) deliver a cure to a plague-infected world. The group set their watches at the start of the episode, planning to all meet back in the Village Tap tavern once their missions are complete.

Elsewhere, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) tracks down Charlie (Oakes Fegley) in the world where his twin brother is still alive. He agrees to come back with her to the world where their family has settled.

Meanwhile, Leighton (Dayo Okeniyi) becomes convinced that the box isn't actually helping the various worlds in the way he wanted it to. He and the other version of Jason (the one that created the box) agree to destroy it once Leighton's spoken to the other version of himself, Oluko, with whom he runs Velocity.

The problem? Oluko doesn't want to destroy the box. During an argument with Leighton, he hits him over the head and ends up strangling him to death. Oluko powers up the pyramid — the larger version of the box that they've been working on — and before Jason can shut it down again, he flees for another world.

Jason and Blair successfully manage to destroy the original box by planting a device inside it. They escape back to their world, and Jason heads home to change. Blair meets Ryan and Amanda, who've also been successful in their mission, at the tavern.

So, a happy ending? Nope. Back at his apartment, Jason finds a note from Daniela, who he assumed was still out of town visiting her dad, telling him she went into the box in search of Charlie. His wife and son are now trapped in a different world.

Jason and Blair complete their mission — but at what cost? Credit: Apple TV Have they destroyed the box?

It certainly seems to. On returning to their current world, and when the timer on his watch hits zero, Jason checks the inside of the box and confirms to Blair that it's "dead." At the same moment, back inside the box on their way home, Daniela and Charlie are about to open the door when they feel a weird ripple pass through them. Something, it's clear, has happened.

The implication is very much that Jason and Blair have successfully destroyed the original box, as they set out to do. Which means that from that point on, travel between worlds won't be possible.

Where are Daniela and Charlie?

Thankfully, the destruction of the box doesn't mean Daniela and Charlie are trapped in that infinite corridor (which would mean certain death). They have one more door to open. Unfortunately, if that door doesn't lead back to the world with Jason and the others, they're stuck. The episode ends on this exact cliffhanger, with them opening the box's door and staring out into the unknown. From the uncertain looks on their faces, though, it seems pretty obvious that they're not where they want to be.

So, are they trapped forever? Well, no. It's important to remember that although the original box is destroyed, Jason now has the knowledge to build a new one. There's also the pyramid, too; although the other version of Jason shuts it down in the finale, it seems likely that he could get it operational again if he chose to do so.

How the Dessens will reunite again is a question for Season 3, though — assuming the show gets renewed.

Dark Matter Season 2 is streaming now on Apple TV.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pertaining to.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

ABOUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Existing.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ALIVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A say.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 30, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VOICE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Let's get married!

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HITCH

Final Hurdle hint

Red fruit.

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

APPLE

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 Moon is starting to look a little less full as we move through the Waning Gibbous phase, with the Third Quarter Moon coming up next in the lunar calendar.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Friday, Oct. 30, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 78% of its surface visible.

Tonight, without the use of visual aids you should be able to spot the Tycho Crater, Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Serenitatis. Binoculars will also help you see the Alphonsus Crater, the Clavius Crater, and the Apennine Mountains. And, if you have access to a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 14 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete an orbit around Earth, going through a series of phases along the way. Depending on its position relative to Earth and the Sun, the amount of its illuminated surface we can see changes, creating the familiar sequence of crescents, quarter moons and the Full Moon. Once the cycle is complete, the pattern repeats, as explained by NASA.

The eight 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.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 30, 2026 Flash meaning

A sudden, brief burst of bright light.

Lens meaning

A piece of glass or plastic with curved surfaces used in cameras, eyeglasses, microscopes and telescopes to focus or scatter light.

Shutter meaning

A movable cover for a window.

Viewfinder meaning

A device on a camera for showing the area of the subject to be included in the picture.

Demon meaning

A supernatural entity most commonly viewed as malevolent or evil.

Drape meaning

Long, thick window hangings, usually used in the plural.

Glum meaning

Sad, depressed, disappointed or silently gloomy.

Grange meaning

A farm with a farmhouse and outbuildings.

Backdrop meaning

A painted cloth hung at the rear of a theater stage.

Curtain meaning

A piece of cloth or fabric hung over a window, doorway or space to provide privacy, block or filter light and decorate a room.

Pit meaning

A large or deep hole in the ground.

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.

Wings meaning

A movable appendage, structure or part used by birds, bats and insects for flight.

Hand meaning

The end part of the human arm used for holding, grasping and touching.

Pillow meaning

A soft, rectangular or square cloth bag filled with soft materials.

Rug meaning

A piece of thick, heavy fabric used as a movable floor covering.

Shade meaning

A cool, dark area sheltered from direct sunlight.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theater kid.

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 30, 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: Lights, camera, action!

• Green: Go to the show

• Blue: Toss it

• Purple: Healthy and sweet

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a Camera

• Green: Around a Theater Stage

• Blue: Throw ___

• Purple: Fruit with First Letter Changed

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 #1237 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a Camera: FLASH, LENS, SHUTTER, VIEWFINDER

• Around a Theater Stage: BACKDROP, CURTAIN, PIT, WINGS

• Throw ___: HANDS, PILLOW, RUG, SHADE

• Fruit with First Letter Changed: DEMON, DRAPE, GLUM, GRANGE

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're always charged up.

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 30, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All charged up

The words are related to voltage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe powering up.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Plugged In.

NYT Strands word list for October 30

• Juice

• Plugged In

• Electricity

• Current

• Spark

• Power

• Energy

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 today's Strands.