IT General

Google has just revealed its new flagship smart speaker, the aptly-named Google Home Speaker. It’s designed to be the “ultimate audio experience for Gemini in the home,” and it can be used in a stereo pair with the Google TV Streamer.

Jimmy Kimmel's week of shows in Brooklyn is turning into a real treat for late night fans.

On Tuesday Kimmel had not one, but two other late night hosts appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with Stephen Colbert coming on as an interview guest and Seth Meyers showing up for a cameo in the closing minutes of his monologue.

In the video above Kimmel is joined by Seth's brother Josh Meyers in his recurring character as Californian Gov. Gavin Newsom — but when Josh/Gavin starts to lambast "that little creep Seth Meyers," his big brother shows up to put a stop to it.

"Josh, what are you doing, bud?" says Meyers, appearing on stage. "You asked me to pick you up tonight because you were too scared to ride the subway alone?"

Whether you knew him from the movies as a soldier or television as an eccentric bachelor, Charlie Sheen has had a lasting presence. He’s been acting so long that you’ll find a few roles from movies you’ve dug. With such a wide range, spotting some of his lesser works is easy.

Visual Studio Code has been my favorite programming text editor and integrated development environment (IDE) for years. Even as I’ve switched between working on front-end web development, CLI tools, and back-end server code, VS Code hasn’t given me a reason to look for any other editors.

Oura has been in the news quite a bit recently, between the countersuit from Ultrahuman over patent infringement and users questioning Oura's ties to Palantir. However, the brand is back with a new Oura Ring 4 that comes not only in new colors but also a new material. Plus, the brand is putting health data in users' hands in a partnership with Quest Diagnostics.

About the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic The new Oura Ring 4 Ceramic comes in four shades: Cloud, Midnight, Petal, and Tide. Credit: Oura

Oura just dropped a new Oura Ring 4 — this time in ceramic. The new rings come in four different shades: a light teal called tide, a crisp white called cloud, a pastel pink in petal, and a dark navy in midnight. The new zirconia ceramic finish is a departure from Oura's previous titanium design, offering a more durable finish. But that's not the only development coming to Oura.

If you've ever had a problem with your Oura Ring scratching, the new ceramic design has the color native to the material, meaning it won't scratch and fade over time. With the new ceramic coating, this Oura Ring 4 is a little bit thicker than other models. The new ceramic Oura Ring 4 measures 3.51 millimeters, while the titanium models are 2.88 millimeters in thickness. The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic comes in sizes four through 15, and all colorways will be priced at $499 and are now available to purchase.

Multiple device support

If you're intrigued by the new ceramic rings but already own a titanium model, there's good news. Oura now supports multiple devices under one account. That now gives you the freedom to swap rings with your outfits. Multiple rings are supported with the standard $5.99 a month or $69.99 a year subscription; however, you still need to pay for the ring itself, which isn't cheap.

The new Oura charging case Like Oura's pedestal charger, the Oura charging case is ring size-specfic. Credit: Oura

But in addition to the new Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, a new charging case is coming, too. The charging case holds five chargers and can fully charge a ring in just 90 minutes. The charging case won't replace the pedestal charger that comes with the ring, but is an add-on meant for travel. The lid of the case keeps the ring safely inside while you're on the go. Like the pedestal charger, the case is size-specific and won't fit rings of different sizes.

Oura Health Panels Oura users can now view their biometric data from bloodwork with Health Panels. Credit: Oura

In addition to the new ceramic rings, Oura is also launching Health Panels. For $99, users can get bloodwork done through Quest Diagnostics and link 50 biomarkers with their Oura data.

The test results will be ordered and reviewed by a licensed clinician and then delivered through the Oura app. Users can then ask Oura's AI advisor what their results mean and how they can use them to improve their health.

Holly Shelton, chief product officer at ŌURA, says, “By connecting results from Quest’s clinical lab testing with the continuous insights from Oura Ring, we’re moving beyond tracking to truly enabling proactive health management."

The brand already allows users to get biometric feedback through the compatible Stelo Glucose Biosensor.

As a Linux user, you probably run commands in your terminal using one of two shells: bash or zsh. Maybe you’ve heard of their predecessors, like sh or csh; you might even be aware of newer shells like fish. But what about these modern alternatives: can they make a meaningful difference to your everyday work?

We're less than a week away now from Amazon's October Prime Day sale event, Prime Big Deal Days. And while the event itself doesn't officially start until next week on October 7, there are already plenty of early deals for Prime members to explore at the retailer.

These range from some big discounts on Amazon's own devices to some great early deals on Apple tech, but if you're not looking to drop tons of cash right now, there's plenty more affordable options to look through, too. Here, we've gathered up some of the best deals currently available for under $25, so you can take advantage of some of the offers listed without breaking the bank.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

We'll be updating this page with even more deals in the lead-up to the sale event, so make sure to keep checking back for more discounts ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. As for the sale event itself, mark your calendars for Oct. 7-8 so you don't miss any of Amazon's exciting deals as they pop up.

Best deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop (newest model) $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Echo Pop is a compact speaker that can accomplish a lot, from being able to play your favorite music or podcasts aloud to having Alexa voice control that allows you to set reminders, timers, read the news, or even check the weather for the day. If it's been on your shopping list, all of its available colors are currently marked down to $24.99 from their $39.99 list price, allowing you to save $15.

There are plenty more deals like this that are available for under $25 right now, though. Check out some more of Amazon's early deals available ahead of Prime Big Deal Days below.

More deals under $25

Streaming deals:

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD - $17.99 $34.99 (49% off)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K - $24.99 $49.99 (50% off)

• Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro (newest model) - $24.99 $34.99 (29% off)

Echo device deals:

• Amazon Echo Auto (newest model) - $14.99 $54.99 (73% off)

• Echo Glow - $19.99 $29.99 (33% off)

• Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Adjustable Stand with USB-C Charging Port - $21.99 $26.99 (19% off)

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids (newest model) - $24.99 $49.99 (50% off)

• Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) Adjustable Stand with USB-C Charging Port - $24.99 $34.99 (29% off)

Security device deals:

• Roku Indoor Camera for Home Security - $14.99 $34.99 (57% off)

• Blink Mini 2 (newest model) - $19.99 $39.99 (50% off)

• Ring Indoor Cam - $24.99 $49.99 (50% off)

Amazon smart device deals:

• Amazon Smart Plug - $12.99 $24.99 (48% off)

Portable charger deals:

• INIU Portable Charger Ultra Slim 10000mAh 45W PD Power Bank - $18.69 $29.99 (38% off)

• Anker Made for Amazon, Kids Portable Charger, for Fire Kids & Kids Pro Tablets - $19.99 $32.99 (39% off)

• Anker Nano 47W USB C Charger - $19.99 $29.99 (33% off)

• INIU Portable Charger 22.5W 20000mAh USB C Power Bank - $23.46 $36.99 (37% off)

Roblox players can show off their Signature Bakes in a new Great British Bake Off experience that taps into the platform's existing cake-decorating community.

Announced Wednesday, BBC Studios and Love Productions have teamed up with The Great Bake Off franchise to launch "Star Baker," an official version of the show within the kids' gaming platform.

SEE ALSO: Prue Leith spills the tea on the differences between the 'Great British' and 'Great American Baking Show'

Developed by metaverse-focused creative agency Metavision, "Star Baker" lets Roblox players compete in the cooking show's famous Bake Off tent in classic challenges such as the Signature Bake, Technical Challenge, and Showstopper rounds. Players can vote for their favourite bakes and the winner will be bestowed with the all-important Star Baker title. There are also minigames like a baking-themed obstacle course and a scavenger hunt for the opening credits' famous missing raspberry.

It's worth pointing out that Roblox players have been dabbling in Bake Off-style games for an age on the platform, with the popular Cake Off game doing pretty much exactly the same thing. Players have been baking and decorating cakes within a theme and allotted time limit, with winners voted by other players.

You can check out the "Star Baker" trailer below:

Featured Video For You 'Bake Off' meets 'Roblox' in the last team-up you were expecting

Notably, the "Star Baker" game has been customised for specific locations with Bake Off shows including the UK (The Great British Bake Off), U.S. (The Great British Baking Show), France (Le Meilleur Pâtissier), Italy (Bake Off Italia – Dolci in Forno), and Germany (Das große Backen).

As fun as the news may be for Roblox and Bake Off fans, it hasn't been a rosy time for Roblox, which faces an onslaught of lawsuits accusing the site of inadequate child safety measures (and it's not the first time). Roblox introduced age verification for teens in July as part of new safety and privacy measures.

Roblox has also recently expanded its social media empire, announcing a TikTok-like short-form video platform within Roblox, along with new AI tools for creators.

Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert traded shows on Tuesday, with Colbert appearing as a guest on Kimmel's show and vice versa.

Given that it was the first interview Kimmel has done since his show was "indefinitely suspended" and then reinstated a week later, Colbert was keen to know what happened on the day Kimmel found out. In the clip above, Kimmel breaks everything down step by step, from having to take a call from ABC in the bathroom ("the only private place to go" in his office) to his daughter telling him "I can sell my Labubus" after he broke the news to his family.

The wildest detail? After finding out about the suspension the staff had to stay back and pretend to be the audience for a performance from Howard Jones — who was playing his song "Things Can Only Get Better."

When you have a crush — maybe one you swiped right on Tinder or found on your Instagram explore page — it can feel exhilarating. But as reality sinks in, so can a smashing, bone-cracking feeling that the word "crush" itself evokes.

Now you're here, perhaps on the same device where you tried to woo your now-former crush…or at least, ogled photos of them. And while it's not a full-on end of a relationship (though Mashable also has a guide to getting over a breakup), getting over a crush can still feel crushing. Mashable reached out to relationship experts on how to successfully delete your crush from your mind, as you (hopefully) deleted their contact.

SEE ALSO: Why social media algorithms hurt after a breakup Stop romanticizing your crush

"Someone once said 'a crush is just a lack of information,' and that's the mantra I pass on to clients," said life coach and sexologist Elle Chase. "A crush can feel powerful because it's all potential, and little reality. It's built on curiosity and projection, not compatibility and facts."

Once you learn more about this person, such as their values, habits, and how they present themselves in relationships and navigate the world when no one's watching, the crush may crumble right then, Chase continued.

But if it doesn't, remember the moments you felt confused, anxious, or unsure. It's easy to forget those and cling to the few great memories you made with this person, said dating expert and host of the dating and relationship podcast Seeing Other People, Ilana Dunn. She suggests writing down the facts, either with pen to paper or in your Notes app. Ask yourself:

• How often did they actually show up?

• How consistent were they?

• Did you feel calm, or did you constantly check your phone, waiting for reassurance?

"Seeing it in black and white helps break the spell," Dunn told Mashable. "Plus, having this list is great to reference back in moments when you start spiraling."

Block, unfollow, or mute

There's no shame in using these social media tools to get this person off your mind. 

"Every time you check their Instagram or reread an old text thread, your brain treats it like fresh contact. That's why it still feels so hard to move on even if you’re 'not talking,'" Dunn said. "Mute, archive, block, or hide whatever you need to so your nervous system can finally take a breath."

And don't create burner accounts to circumvent the action you took and look at their posts anyway. It'll only drag on your infatuation with them.

Shift your attention

We're in the attention economy, after all, and everything online is competing for our focus. So why give yours to an unrequited love?

"Shifting attention to something that brings you pleasure can help you move past it," psychologist and sex and intimacy coach Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey suggested. 

"If they were your default shower thought or commuting distraction, you need a new fixation," Dunn said. Start a new hobby, like running or puzzles. Get into a new TV show (Mashable has a few suggestions) or podcast.

Distract yourself in moderation, but by all means, do so if you need to.

Grieve if you need to

Heartache sucks, even if it's over something that was short-lived. That might actually make it worse, because you didn't have enough time to see a relationship run its course. The "what ifs" can stick. Let them linger there and don't rush to move on.

"A lot of heartbreak comes from losing what could have been, not what actually was," Dunn explained. "It's okay to be sad about that version of the story, but once you process it, ask yourself honestly: do I actually want someone who made me question if they cared? Or do I want someone who makes me feel chosen without guessing?"

Don't be afraid to lean on your friends, too. Dunn said they can be the reality check you can't give yourself. They remember the anxious voice notes and screenshots. 

Just like getting over someone you never dated, getting over your crush will take time, but it is possible — even at a time when the internet apparently "lives forever." Use tech to your advantage and move to a different corner of social media, one that doesn't fill you with that "crushing" feeling.

So you got a Kindle? Welcome to the life of luxury. Amazon's e-readers are spectacular devices that put an entire library into the palm of your hand. While they aren't the only great e-readers out there (shoutout, Kobo), they are the e-readers that have the most features.

With a Kindle, a new book is always at your fingertips thanks to its built-in features and available subscriptions. If you just got a Kindle or just don't feel like you're using yours to its fullest potential. Here are eight features you should be using.

Kindle Unlimited Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Unlimited $11.99 per month. Learn More

When you first got your Kindle and were going through the setup, you were probably offered a free trial of Kindle Unlimited. This is sort of like a streaming service for books. Kindle Unlimited members can borrow up to 20 books at a time from the Kindle Unlimited library, but unlike the public library, there are no due dates.

The Kindle Unlimited catalogue is pretty great too, and features bestsellers like Fourth Wing and Careless People. Kindle Unlimited membership costs $11.99 per month, which is a phenomenal value considering you get access to hundreds of books and a typical Kindle e-book costs $14.99. Although, the value of the membership certainly depends on how many books you read in a month. Before you dive into a membership, Amazon typically offers a free trial month of Kindle Unlimited, and sometimes during big sales like Prime Day, Amazon offers several months of Kindle Unlimited for free.

Prime Reading Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Prime Reading Included in Amazon Prime membership. Learn More

If you don't want to pay the monthly membership fee to Kindle Unlimited on top of your Prime membership, then make sure you're taking advantage of Prime Reading. Included in your Prime membership is a rotating catalog of e-books and audiobooks that are totally free to members. The Prime Reading collection is a lot more limited than Kindle Unlimited's, so don't expect to find every book on your TBR.

Amazon First Reads Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads $1.99 at Amazon
Free for Prime members, otherwise each book costs $1.99. Learn More

Each month, Prime members can enjoy one free book in the Amazon First Reads lineup. At the beginning of every month, Amazon offers eight editor-selected books, and Prime members can choose one to add to their library. If you want to purchase an additional book from the First Reads selections, each book costs around $5.

Non-Prime members can also enjoy the First Reads program; however, they won't receive a free book and instead have to pay $1.99 for their book selection.

Kindle Rewards Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Rewards Earn 3 points for every $1 spent in the Kindle Store. Learn More

A program that is free to anyone, regardless of Prime membership, is Kindle Rewards. You start collecting rewards just by making your first purchase in the Kindle Store. For every $1 spent in the Kindle Store, you'll earn three points. After you collect 300 points, you'll earn a $3 reward to use on your next purchase. Plus, Amazon often offers double or triple point days, earning you more points on your purchases.

Stuff Your Kindle Day Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable photo composite; Julia Connors, Roger Stelljes, Lauren Biel Stuff Your Kindle Day Learn More

Despite being in the name, Stuff Your Kindle Day wasn't actually started by Amazon, nor is it just one day. It was founded by indie authors, looking to promote their work by offering books for free or extremely discounted.

Stuff Your Kindle Day has now inspired dozens of events with a similar premise, offering a collection of books for free for a 24-hour period. These events are geared toward indie or self-published authors, so they won't necessarily be the best time to find the books on your TBR.

These events pop up throughout the year, but Amazon has joined in on the fun and now has a year-round Stuff Your Kindle page.

Libby Opens in a new window Credit: Libby Libby Sign into Libby with your library card and access e-books through your local library. Learn More

Do you have a library card? If so, you need to be using the Libby app. If you don't have a library card, you should get one so you can use Libby. The app allows you to borrow and read books from your local library digitally. Books are available to read on smartphones, web browsers, and tablets. Plus, through the Libby app, you can send books to your Kindle with just one click.

Amazon Family Sharing

On Amazon, you can share the perks of your Prime membership with one other adult and up to four children. Once you set up your Amazon Family, you can share your Kindle library with anyone in your family. This means you don't need to purchase a book more than once.

Send to Kindle

If you don't want to buy from the Kindle Store but still want to stuff your Kindle full of books, then the Send to Kindle feature is crucial. You can scour the internet for free e-books, but to get those e-books onto your Kindle, you'll need to use Send to Kindle to upload ePUB files to your device. The system is a breeze, just drop compatible files into the window and they'll automatically upload. With Send to Kindle, you can upload PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP, and EPUB files to your e-reader.

It's officially October, so that can only mean one thing: Prime Big Deal Days is just days away. While the event officially runs from Oct. 7-8, Amazon has let us in on the excitement a little early, with some early deals on tablets, fitness trackers, and more. And some of the biggest discounts we're seeing are on Amazon's Fire Tablets. With so many reduced, we've put together a list of the best early deals available right now.

Best Fire Tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire Max 11 $139.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $90 Get Deal Why we like it

The Fire Max 11 is the newest and most advanced Fire tablet. It's a smooth-running device, thanks to the octa-core processor, 4 GB of memory, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The 11-inch screen is perfect for photo editing, Netflix binging, and general scrolling on social media too. Built-in Alexa support also means you can use voice commands to check the weather, play music, or control smart home devices hands-free. It even has a 14-hour battery life, too, so you're set for all-day use. And at $139.99 (as of Oct. 1), it's at its lowest price in 2025, even beating July's Prime Day discount.

More Fire Tablet deals

• Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet — $69.99 $139.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet — $54.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet — $104.99 $189.99 (save $85)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet — $109.99 $189.99 (save $80)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet — $64.99 $139.99 (save $75)

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55)

The Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 6 is a solid mid-range workstation laptop that will appeal to anyone wanting a professional, developer-oriented environment facilitated by the Kubuntu Linux OS. While I had qualms with some of the M2's hardware and some specific software, it was overall a good experience.

Amazon revealed its newest generation of Echo smart speakers today at an event in New York City, and Mashable was able to briefly demo them. The new Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max were purpose-built for Alexa+, the company's AI-assisted version of Alexa, and both speakers are now available for pre-order before their official release on Oct. 29.

The larger Echo Studio is priced at $219.99, while the more compact Echo Dot Max is $99.99.

That's not a moon... Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable SEE ALSO: All the big takeaways from Amazon's fall hardware event: The Kindle Scribe is getting color Meet the Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max: What's new?

The speakers are heavier than I expected, hopefully because of improved drivers and woofers inside the circular design.

Both speakers feature a redesigned mesh covering, a 3D-printed fabric that Amazon says won't cause any acoustic interference. Amazon also claims the speakers feature bigger, richer sound and improved processing thanks to new custom chips, the AZ3 and AZ3 Pro. Another new feature, Omnisense, will allow the speakers to adjust their sound based on the environment and sync up for a surround sound effect.

The smaller Echo Dot Max. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth The larger Echo Studio has a steep price tag of $229.99. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth

Amazon says the larger Echo Studio is powerful enough to give your TV a boost. The speaker contains three full range drivers, a custom woofer to maximize bass, and offers both spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. Meanwhile, the compact Echo Dot Max has three times the bass performance compared to Amazon's existing Dot speakers, the company said.

While that certainly sounds impressive, until I get the chance to test the speakers in my own home, I can't say how good they actually sound — or how well Alexa+ fits into the home. I can say this, however: I'm digging the Death Star-like design.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Dot Max Alexa+ speaker $99.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Studio Alexa+ speaker $219.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Here

The Death Star was the immediate visual connection I made with these new speakers, especially in the silvery Glacier White color. They really do look like space warships designed by Amazon, in a good way (and in a way that won't get Amazon sued by Disney). Amazon is known for offering Star Wars-themed Echo display stands, and I wouldn't be surprised if the company eventually leans into this aesthetic with future accessories.

The speakers also have LED lights, though you can't see them in my pictures from the event. Head to Amazon to pre-order the new speakers, which may even go on sale during the upcoming Prime Big Deal Days. I also expect them to appear in many Christmas Gift Guides in 2025, especially as the Echo Dot and Echo Studio lines haven't been refreshed properly in years.

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

Today's games feature difficulty levels that dial up the challenge quickly, but we have all the tips you need to navigate them.

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 1, 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 1, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 1 Pips

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 1 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this yellow space must add to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 1 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add to 10. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires knowledge of stats and locations.

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: Seeing ghosts

• Green: Needs these for a new contract

• Blue: Ballparks

• Purple: Could be a QB

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: Rattle

• Green: Stats for a WR

• Blue: Last Words in MLB Ballpark Names

• Purple: NFL QBs, With the Last Letter Removed

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 #373 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Rattle - FAZE, FLUSTER, SHAKE, UNNERVE

• Stats for a WR - RECEPTIONS, TARGETS, TDS, YARDS

• Last Words in MLB Ballpark Names - CENTRE, FIELD, PARK, STADIUM

• NFL QBs, With the Last Letter Removed - HURT, RATTLE, WAR, WILLIAM

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 the latest Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're a good swimmer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 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: Sailed upon

• Green: To find fault with

• Blue: Reverberation

• Purple: Winner, winner

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: Fast-moving water

• Green: Criticize

• Blue: Echoey places

• Purple: ___ Prize

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 #843 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Fast-moving water: CATARACT, CURRENT, RAPIDS, WHIRLPOOL

• Criticize: FLAME, KNOCK, SKEWER, SLAM

• Echoey places: CANYON, HALLWAY, TUNNEL, ZOOM CALL

• ___ Prize: BOOBY, DOOR, FIRST, JURY

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 September 29, 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 the latest Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints all fit beneath the big top.

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.

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you know the Ringling Brothers.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: That's got a ring to it!

The words are related to an entertaining show.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe acts at an outdoor event.

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 Circus Performers.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 1

• Circus Performers

• Contortionist

• Acrobat

• Juggler

• Clown

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 the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer is something most people don't want to experience when it comes to entertainment.

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.

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you don't ruin suprises.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 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 1, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To ruin.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SPOIL

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 September 2, 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 the latest Wordle.

A moon of Saturn has a surprising variety of carbon-based molecules that look like they were made in its hidden ocean — the kind of environment where life might begin, new research reveals.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft flew through the enormous geysers spurting out of Enceladus in 2008. Those plumes, soaring 6,000 miles above the moon's icy crust, harbor water and salts but also a mix of complex carbon-based molecules. These include chemicals that, on Earth, often come from hot water-rock reactions near seafloor vents, where many scientists believe the origins of life started for this planet. 

Cassini had previously detected tiny ice grains in Saturn's rings that contained organic molecules and precursors to amino acids, the molecules that build proteins. Scientists have long believed Saturn's so-called "E ring" material comes from Enceladus. But those samples could have been hundreds of years old and altered by cosmic radiation. They needed more pristine samples taken from closer to the source. 

Nozair Khawaja, lead author of the new study published in Nature Astronomy, said the data already existed but wasn't fully understood yet.

"With more knowledge, experience, and experiments, we reanalyzed the flyby data in more detail and understood features that we detected (in this work) for the first time," Khawaja told Mashable. 

SEE ALSO: NASA canceled a moon rover mission last year. Suddenly, it's back.

Researchers say the discovered organics most likely came from Enceladus' ocean floor, not from space contamination. Cassini sampled the fresh grains with its Cosmic Dust Analyzer instrument within minutes of Enceladus ejecting them. The data was captured during the spacecraft's fastest flyby of over 40,000 mph. 

That superfast speed gives the team more confidence in the findings because particles smash apart differently at that rate, making detection of organic molecules easier, said Khawaja, a Freie Universität Berlin scientist. 

Researchers have detected brand-new organic compounds in Enceladus' plumes that suggest the moon's ocean chemistry is more complex than anyone knew. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute

After recreating the ice grains hitting the detector at high versus low speeds in a lab, they got matching results. This means the chemical signals the scientists saw weren't caused by the collision but were actual features of the molecules, he said.

The new research compared the organic molecules previously detected in Saturn's E ring with the fresh ice grains, and found they were consistent, supporting the idea that the ring's material is coming from the moon's underground ocean. 

The team also has detected brand-new organic compounds, showing that Enceladus' ocean chemistry is more complex than anyone knew. The researchers found ring-shaped carbon molecules and oxygen-linked molecules, such as aldehydes, which on Earth can lead to amino acids. There were esters, alkenes, and ethers — chemical types that show up regularly in living things in the form of fats and oils. The grains also contained hints of nitrogen-oxygen compounds, like acetonitrile or pyridine.

Enceladus' plumes appear to feed Saturn's E ring material as it orbits the planet in this Cassini spacecraft image. Credit: NASA / JPL / Space Science Institute

So far Cassini has spotted five of the six key elements needed for Earth life at Enceladus. The missing one is sulfur. The team continues to run lab experiments with sulfur compounds to see if they can match the signals in simulations. It could be that sulfur is just a harder ingredient to detect.

The study's results bolster ESA's plans for a follow-up mission to orbit and land on Enceladus in the future.

"This further enhances the habitability potential,"  Khawaja said, "further driving the need for a new mission."