IT General

Microsoft is about to roll out patches to prevent the easiest way you had to skip signing into a Microsoft account during Windows 11’s setup, and if that seemed like a gentle nudge, it’s likely just the beginning. You’ve probably used these tricks before, or at least read about them: disconnect the network, run a command, or drop a patched ISO on a USB and roll right past the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) screens. Microsoft calling this out as “skipping critical setup screens” is partly true, but it seems like a convenient way to keep you locked into OneDrive, Office 365 trials, and a steady stream of telemetry that the company can use.

After a very busy fall, we finally have the new lineup of smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Google. And so whether you're team Apple or team Android, you have excellent choices for your wrist. Now that we've tested the major new releases, we're ready to name the best smartwatches of 2025. We have good news: As long as you stick to the flagship smartwatches from these three brands, you really can't go wrong.

The best smartwatches, at a glance: Best for most people Apple Watch SE 3 $239.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best Apple Upgrade Apple Watch Series 11 $389.00 at Amazon Shop Now Best Android Smartwatch Google Pixel Watch 4 $349.99 at Amazon Shop Now Budget Pick Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $99 at Amazon Shop Now The Dark Horse Pick Apple Watch Ultra 2 $649 at Best Buy (save $150) Get Deal Budget Fitness Tracker Fitbit Charge 6 $104.45 at Amazon Get Deal Best Samsung Smartwatch Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $329.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal The smartwatch market is getting very crowded, and that's good news

In just the past few months, Samsung, Google, and Apple all released new flagship smartwatches. On top of that, the Venn diagram of the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers is fast becoming an almost perfect circle. While brands like Garmin and Fitbit are more tailored to athletes than everyday use, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra lines are packed with fitness-focused features. And don't forget, you can also opt for smart rings and sleep trackers for true 24/7 health tracking.

There's also a huge range in price. Recently released smartwatches include the relatively affordable Apple Watch SE 3 ($239.99 ) all the way up to the ultra-pricey Garmin Fenix 8 Pro ($1,199.99 to $1,999.99). However, you don't have to spend very much to get a kick-ass smartwatch. In fact, even if your budget caps out at $100, you still have good options. Case in point: The ChatGPT-connected Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro, priced at $99 but often available for $79.

Which wearables deserve a spot on your wrist? We're ready to render a verdict, and let's just say we have strong feelings and a couple of picks that might surprise you.

Yes, we chose not to include the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (for now). Yes, we think the $99 Nothing Watch is a smarter buy than the new Galaxy Watch 8 (which we also love). No, we really don't think we can recommend the $1,999.99 microLED Garmin smartwatch, no matter how cool it is.

The best smartwatch for most people: Apple Watch SE 3 Credit: Apple

We're still in the process of testing the Apple Watch SE 3, but it's an Apple Watch — you know what you're getting. And here's the truth about the SE series: You get 98 percent of what you need from an Apple Watch or fitness tracker, and at a much better price. Unfortunately, you do take a hit on battery life. With 18 hours (versus 24 hours in the Series 11), you can't really call this an all-day smartwatch. And while you also miss out on blood oxygen monitoring, is that really crucial to the average user? We don't think so.

Add to that the fact that the SE 3 is the first Apple Watch SE to include an always-on display, and you have to wonder why you'd buy the Series 11 in the first place. In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you're looking for in a smartwatch — all for $150 less than the Series 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $239.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $9.01 Get Deal The best Apple upgrade: Apple Watch Series 11 Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

OK, so you really, really do want all-day battery life? Then you really do need to upgrade to the $399 Apple Watch Series 11. As Mashable's Stan Schroeder said in his review, it takes everything we loved about the Apple Watch Series 10 and adds a new processor and longer battery life. To be honest, there's not a lot to say beyond that. Apple can once again monitor your blood oxygen (after a legal dispute took away the feature), and now offers hypertension notifications as well.

Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $9.01 Get Deal The best Android watch: Google Pixel Watch 4 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Google Pixel Watch 4 looks really similar to the Pixel Watch 3 at first glance, but look more closely, and you'll notice a slightly more domed Actua display. It's a subtle change, but we think it makes the new smartwatch look absolutely gorgeous. We don't hate the "squircle" design of the Galaxy Watch 8 like some folks, but after comparing it to the Pixel Watch 4, let's just say Google takes this round.

We were also impressed by its feature set. Mashable senior reporter Christianna Silva is currently training for the New York City Marathon (and simultaneously testing 10+ smartwatches in the process), and they said the Pixel Watch 4 is a true runner's watch. That means it's elegant enough to wear to the office, but comfortable and smart enough to monitor workouts.

With a modern feel and a brighter display than the Pixel Watch 3, it's our current top choice as the best Android smartwatch.

Read our full review of the Pixel Watch 4.

Google Pixel Watch 4 $349.99 at Amazon
Shop Now The Budget Pick: Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

Mashable readers have been going a bit gaga for this smartwatch ever since it was announced in July. And after testing it out for ourselves, we get it. We'll have an in-depth review of this budget smartwatch coming soon, but our reviewer had this to say: "I'm shocked by how awesome it is for the price." If you're looking for the best smartwatch under $100, nothing else comes close.

The British brand Nothing is known for its unique designs, which somehow look both retro and futuristic at the same time. CMF is the brand's budget line (which will soon be spinning off into its own company), but this doesn't perform like most cheap smartwatches. First of all, it offers direct ChatGPT integration, which even the Apple Watch can't do. Samsung and Google are eager to make you use their own AI tools, but if you prefer ChatGPT (and we know you probably do), then you'll love this watch.

Key specs include an extra-long battery life (Nothing promises 13 days), blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and precise heart-rate monitoring and location tracking. For a smartwatch that often goes on sale for $79, that's frankly hard to believe.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro smartwatch $99 at Amazon
Shop Now The Dark Horse Pick: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Wait... the Ultra 2? Yes, the Ultra 2, not the latest flagship Ultra 3. Hear us out...

First, so long as you upgrade to the new watchOS 26, you can enjoy almost all of the new features that come with the pricier Apple Watch Ultra 3 (priced at $799, or $779.99 at Amazon). Plus, you can now pick up the past-gen Ultra 2 on sale for just $649, a big difference over the new version.

Look, if you're the type of person who always wants the newest Apple gadget, spend more on the new model, which does have some upgrades. The display is a teensy bit better, as is the battery life. But honestly? That's about it. The new Ultra arrived with the most iterative possible improvements. At the time, our resident Apple reviewer called it "a very minor upgrade." So, for our money, we're going with the Ultra 2, which has a killer OLED display, 36 to 72 hours of battery, and 3,000 nits of brightness.

Read our review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $649
$799 Save $150 Get Deal The best budget fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6 Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable

The Fitbit Charge 6 is... fine. We included this popular Fitbit in our guide to the best fitness trackers of 2025 for a reason. For the average, casual athlete, it does a fine job of tracking your steps, heart rate, and activity.

Once upon a time, Fitbit was synonymous with fitness trackers. But to be honest, the brand has been slacking. The most recent Fitbits aren't as comfortable as you'd expect, especially for long workouts, and they can't compete with Apple, Garmin, or Pixel watches in the features department. For instance, it's lacking features like an altimeter, but on the plus side, we are big fans of the Fitbit app. So much so that some of our reviewers buy a different smartwatch but still use the Fitbit app to track workouts.

So, our verdict on the Fitbit Charge 6 is simply this: if you must.

Fitbit Charge 6 $104.45 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $55.50 See It The Best Samsung Smartwatch: Galaxy Watch 8 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Let's be clear: The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a fantastic and smart wearable, especially if you use Gemini. It's a Mashable Choice product for a reason. It has a well-rounded feature set that offers everything you need in a smartwatch, fitness tracker, and sleep tracker. And we like the signature squircle design more than most people. It also benefits from Samsung's on-point design and technology.

While it was narrowly edged out by the Pixel Watch 4, we think you'll be happy with this watch, especially if you're already in the Samsung product ecosystem. It has a bright display, great software, and smart health features, including a new Sleep Coach. It also integrates Gemini in some clever ways. Our reviewer's only real complaint was the battery life, which is fine, but not great.

Read our full review of the Galaxy Watch 8.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $329.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN (MSRP $169.99) through 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 12 and protect 9 devices from ads, trackers, and online threats.

Tired of dodging pop-ups, dealing with slow-loading websites, and feeling like your every move online might be tracked? You’re not alone. The internet should be a safe, smooth, and private space. The AdGuard Family Plan can help you smooth things out, digitally speaking.

For just $15.97 with promo code FAMPLAN, you’ll get lifetime protection for up to nine devices. Whether it’s your phone, tablet, or laptop, AdGuard blocks intrusive ads, prevents trackers from snooping on your data, and shields your family from possible malicious websites.

Ads aren’t just annoying; they slow down your browsing, eat up your data, and sometimes even carry malware. And if you’ve got kids online, you want to make sure they’re safe from inappropriate content. The AdGuard Family Plan does all that and more. With built-in parental controls, you can filter out harmful sites and ensure your family’s online experience is both secure and enjoyable.

With up to 9 devices covered, the AdGuard Family Plan is ideal for households where everyone’s connected. And because it’s a one-time payment for lifetime access, you’ll never have to worry about recurring fees or annoying subscription renewals.

So, whether you’re protecting your own devices or your whole family’s, AdGuard makes it easy to have a more peaceful online experience. Say goodbye to annoying ads and hello to a safer, faster internet.

Don’t miss the opportunity to save on a lifetime of AdGuard Family Plan protection while it’s just $15.97 (MSRP $169.99) with code FAMPLAN through Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Learn piano for life with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, only $109.97 (MSRP $299.99) while you can.

These days, you don’t need a classroom or a strict schedule to learn piano. Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets you learn on your own terms, right from the comfort of your own home. All you need is the Skoove app, a keyboard, and a phone, tablet, or laptop.

Currently, you can secure a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $109.97 (MSRP $299.99).

Piano lessons that work around your schedule

If you’ve ever wanted to pick up an instrument, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets you fit it into your busy schedule. There are no specific times or appointments to make — just grab your keyboard, open the app, and start playing. It’s ready to school total newbies and skilled pianists alike.

Over one million people are taking advantage of Skoove’s flexibility. There are more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos in the app, and thanks to the power of AI, Skoove can listen to your playing and recognize your notes. It provides real-time feedback, and if you have any issues, there are music instructors available for more guidance.

You get to learn piano using music you actually like — from pop songs by Adele to classical tunes from Beethoven. And monthly updates ensure you never run out of fresh music to play.

Keep improving your piano skills for life with this lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $109.97 (MSRP $299.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $109.97
$299.99 Save $190.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is just $9.97 (MSRP $199) until 11:59 p.m. PT tonight — the smartest way to modernize your PC with a clean UI, better multitasking, and improved security.

Some upgrades just feel right. This is one of them.

If your PC has been running a little sluggish or you’ve been meaning to bring your system up to speed, Windows 11 Pro is just $9.97 (MSRP $199) through 11:59 p.m. PT tonight — a rare, time-sensitive offer that rewards quick, savvy decisions.

This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s more about giving your computer the modern foundation it deserves. Windows 11 Pro brings a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and enhanced security — all in a one-time lifetime license.

Think of it as the difference between driving a reliable car and suddenly upgrading to one with a smarter dashboard, smoother handling, and built-in security features.

For professionals, creators, and power users, this upgrade also unlocks features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and seamless Azure AD integration — tools that make a real difference when you’re working across projects or managing sensitive data.

And yes, Windows 11 comes with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or even help you generate code on the fly. It’s like having a co-pilot (literally) inside your OS.

But you don’t need convincing — you already know a smart upgrade when you see one.

Get Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97 (MSRP $199) through Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

It's the moon's last night in Waning Gibbous before we're at a half moon. There's less and less visible each night, but keep reading to see what you can see tonight, Oct. 12.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Oct. 12, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, only 64% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

If you look closely enough, without any visual aids, you can spot the Aristarchus Plateau, the Mare Imbrium, and the Mare Vaporum. Add binoculars to see the Grimaldi Basin, the Apennine Mountains, and the Alps Mountains. And if you have a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 12 landing spot, Reiner Gamma, and Schiller Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

NASA tells us the Moon goes through eight phases as it makes its 29.5-day trip around Earth. The changes happen because the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always moving relative to each other. From here on Earth, the Moon can look full, partly lit, or even completely dark, but we always see the same side. What’s different each night is how much sunlight is hitting it.

The eight main moon phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last Quarter (or Third 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.

If you're building a gaming PC from scratch or upgrading your current set-up, there's a list of basic hardware that's absolutely essential: The monitor, the keyboard, the PC itself (of course). But don't sleep on the importance of the graphics card. This powerful component is responsible for everything you see when you're gaming or using the PC in any capacity, and a great graphics card — or, indeed, a dud one — can be the difference between an incredible or lacklustre gaming experience.

But getting the right graphics card is sometimes easier said than done. There is just so much tech available — all with the rapidly-accelerating specifications and capabilities — and there's so much to consider in terms of what works for your computer and its compatibility. It’s all too easy to get blinded by science and muddled by jargon.

Fear not, PC gamers. We can help put you in the picture with the best graphics cards on the market. And just in case you’re new to the world of PC gaming, or you need a refresher, we've put together a quick guide on everything you need to know, along with a selection of the best graphics cards you can buy right now.

What is a graphics card?

A graphics card aka GPU is one of the most important parts of any PC. It works alongside the CPU (or processor) to turn data into images. The best graphics cards process data at a faster rate and make those images sharper and more realistic. Modern graphics cards are capable of processing incredible 3D images with an almost non-existent lag between the commands you physically input with your controller or keyboard and the resulting action on the monitor.

Do you really need a graphics card?

If you’re a reasonably enthusiastic PC gamer, then yes. Games are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with ever improving 4K and ray tracing, so you’ll need the hardware to keep up with the pace. PC gamers are familiar with upgrading their machines regularly and the graphics card is the key component in next gen-level gaming. However, if you're just using your computer for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, emails, and video streaming, a specialised GPU is probably unnecessary.

Are graphics cards only for gamers?

Graphics cards are widely associated with gaming and that’s where most of the power lies. However, graphics cards can be important for creative professionals and designers too, with processing capabilities for video editing and decoding, 3D rendering, and graphic design-based apps. If you're upgrading your GPU for creative design work, check that it’s made to handle those tasks. Some graphics cards are for gaming only.

What is VRAM?

You're no doubt familiar with regular RAM (random access memory). VRAM is the graphics card equivalent (it stands for video random access memory) and is a core component with the graphics card. It effectively stores all the data your GPU needs to create images in a "pool". Different graphic cards have different VRAM gigabyte capabilities. A standard 8GB will be sufficient for gaming at 1080p but you'll need something more powerful for 4K gaming or tasks such as video editing. In that case look for 16GB of VRAM or more.

Will every graphics fit your computer?

Not necessarily. It depends on the size of the PC or laptop. Not to mention the fact that more powerful graphics cards can actually be quite big. Be sure to check out the measurements before you buy a GPU, as well as your machine capacity. But that's not the only thing you need to look out for when it comes to compatibility. Be sure that the PC can supply the GPU's power requirements (or PSU wattage to use the proper computer jargon) and that the PCle slots are compatible.

What is PCIe?

PCIe stands for peripheral component interconnect express. In layman's terms, it's a connection point to the motherboard and allows the transfer of high-speed data. In other words, this is the interface where you connect your graphics card. All the GPUs listed below are PCIe 5.0, the most advanced version in consumer tech.

Does Nvidia make the best graphics cards?

A cursory glance at online reviews would suggest that to be the case. Nvidia GeForce GPUs lead the pack, certainly in the mid-range and premium end of the market. That doesn’t mean you have to pay big bucks for the best Nvidia GeForce GPU. Top competitor AMD offer good options, particularly at lower price points.

What are third party graphics cards?

This is when another manufacturer uses the GPU of a top brand — such as Nvidia and AMD — to create its own version. These are perfectly acceptable and in some cases more readily available. When Nvidia drops a new product, for instance, they can be like GPU gold dust. In which case it’s easier to get a third party version.

What is the best graphics card?

That’s really for you to decide, based on the specifications and requirements of your PC setup. What we can tell you, however, is that we’ve done the work of researching for you. We've scanned the internet and reviews to find the best options for every gamer.

These are the best graphics cards in 2025.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires some knowledge of cards.

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: Teams in the City of Lakes

• Green: Shorthand soccer teams

• Blue: Gold medal gymnasts

• Purple: Words with bodily functions

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: Minnesota Teams

• Green: Premier League Teams, Familiarly

• Blue: First Names of U.S. Women's Gymnasts

• Purple: Ends in a Body Part

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 #384 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Minnesota Teams - LYNX, TWINS, VIKINGS, WILD

• Premier League Teams, Familiarly - CITY, FOREST, VILLA, WOLVES

• First Names of U.S. Women's Gymnasts - JADE, JORDAN, SIMONE, SUNISA

• Ends in a Body Part - BACKFLIP, BUCKEYE, CHAMPIONSHIP, METCALF

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 11, 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 11, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 12 Pips

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 12 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 11 Pips

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

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 NYT Strands hints are easy if have the right deck.

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 12, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 12, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Follow suit

The words are related to cards.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe card games.

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 Trick Taking.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 12

• Whist

• Bridge

• Euchre

• Pinochle

• Spades

• Hearts

• Trick Taking

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.

If you're deep in the CRT hobby like I am now, you've probably realized that when you try to share your hobby online, your screens don't quite look right on camera. This is nothing new, and happens because of the fundamental way CRTs work.

One of the major selling points of the Pixel phones is their AI features. However, I'm not a big fan of AI features on a smartphone. If you're like me, then keep reading to find out how to turn off all the annoying AI features on your Google Pixel phone.

With lossless audio coming to Spotify Premium, this high-fidelity audio option is now available to most music streaming subscribers on big services. That's great in principle, but is it worth sacrificing your bandwidth, storage space, and paying a premium to have access to lossless media?

Following San Diego Comic-Con this summer, New York Comic-Con brought even more exciting announcements. Here's a running list of TV and movie trailer drops and sneak peeks you need to know about.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a prequel to Game of Thrones, taking place a century before the events of the original series. Based on novellas by George R.R. Martin, A Knight of Seven Kingdoms will follow shabby knight Sir Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).

How to watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18 on HBO Max.

Marvel's Wonder Man miniseries teaser

Marvel dropped a teaser for Wonder Man, an eight-episode miniseries. The trailer is pretty meta, with talk of an in-universe reboot of a Wonder Man movie. "I know your question is, 'Why one more superhero film?'" a reclusive director character says in an interview. "Everyone is tired of superheroes" — saying what many fans watching the teaser must be thinking. According to Entertainment Weekly, the series itself will be pretty meta as well, with the actual hero auditioning to be the movie version of Wonder Man.

"Have you given any thought about casting?" the interviewer asks, with the final shot of the teaser being Wonder Man (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) staring at his phone, watching.

On Marvel's website, it states that Wonder Man premieres in December, but Entertainment Weekly reported that it's shifted to January.

How to watch: Wonder Man premieres on Disney+ in January 2026.

Invincible Season 4 gets a release date

At SDCC in July, creator Robert Kirkman updated fans about Invincible Season 4, like that Matthew Rhys will be voicing Dr. David Anders/Dinosaurus. Kirkman also revealed that Grand Regent Thragg, ruler of the Viltrum Empire, would debut — and now as of NYCC, we know who will voice him: Lee Pace, Variety reported. An entire trailer dropped, as well as a release date (March).

How to watch: Invincible Season 4 premieres on Amazon Prime in March 2026.

Mercy trailer drops

Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson star in this new sci-fi movie, Mercy, from Amazon MGM, releasing in January. "Mercy" is an advanced AI who acts as judge, jury, and executioner according to the trailer. (Not totally terrifying or topical at all!) Pratt plays Detective Raven, who helped develop the program, now on trial for murdering his wife. If he can't prove his innocence in 90 minutes to Mercy (Ferguson), the AI will kill him.

How to watch: Mercy will be released in theaters on January 23.

The Vampire Lestat extended first look

The Vampire Lestat, Season 3 of the AMC+ Interview With The Vampire adaptation, takes a bite at Anne Rice's second book in her Vampire Chronicles series. While Interview focused on Louis de Pointe du Lac's (Jacob Anderson) journey from human to vampire, The Vampire Lestat stars his (former) vampiric lover, Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) — in case the title didn't make that obvious. While the first trailer dropped last year at SDCC, fans will have to wait until next year for the entire season to drop, so AMC+ must've felt merciful to give fans an extended look at the 2025 NYCC.

How to watch: The Vampire Lestat premieres in 2026 on AMC+.

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake drops Season 2 trailer

Fans at New York Comic Con got their first glimpse of Season 2 of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, the beloved alternate-universe duo’s next chapter. This time around, the pair set off on fresh adventures following their multiverse-hopping journey in Season 1.

The new ten-episode season premieres Thursday, Oct. 23, on HBO Max. New episodes will air weekly through Dec. 25.

Release dates for new seasons of Spider-Man, X-Men '97, and Daredevil: Born Again

Marvel Animation has given fans a clearer timeline for when to expect new seasons of its acclaimed Disney+ series: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, X-Men ’97, and Daredevil: Born Again.

Season 2 of the animated web-slinger is set to debut in fall 2026, featuring the return of a classic-suit Daredevil and the introduction of Venom to the series.

Marvel also confirmed that X-Men ’97 has been renewed for a third season, with Season 2 arriving in summer 2026. Fans in attendance were also treated to an early look at Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, which premieres in March 2026 and marks the long-awaited MCU return of Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones.

First look at Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4

Paramount+ has unveiled the latest installment of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the hit Trek spinoff continuing the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike and the starship Enterprise. Where they’ll go next is anyone’s guess — but adventure, as always, awaits.

In the new clip premiered at New York Comic Con, the crew finds themselves trapped in a perilous, disorienting storm that puts both their ship and their resolve to the test.

No release date has been announced yet, but Paramount confirmed back in June that Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fifth and final season.

Check back for more developments as NYCC continues.

If you're customizing your mechanical keyboard with aftermarket keycaps, it helps to understand their shapes (aka keycap profiles) so that you can pick the right ones. Here’s a quick crash course on everything you need to know about keycap profiles.

Have you ever seen the term “optical character recognition” or OCR and wondered what it meant? Well, I’m here to help you understand what OCR is. It’s very possible that you’ve used OCR and didn’t know it. You might have even used it today. Here’s everything you need to know about optical character recognition.

Save $55: As of Oct. 11, Walmart.com has the Fitbit Charge 6 on sale for 30% off. It costs $104.45, down from its list price of $159.95. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate $104.45 at walmart
$159.95 Save $55.50 Get Deal

This weekend, Walmart.com has an excellent deal going on the Fitbit Charge 6. If you’re someone who likes to jog, hike, or bike among the changing leaves of fall, consider scoring a new Fitbit to track your progress.

The Fitbit Charge 6 has the most accurate heart rate tracking technology yet, according to the brand. Firstly, the device is packed full of fitness and health monitoring features that I will break down in a second. The device is also an excellent smartwatch; stay connected to Google Maps, Google Wallet, and get call, text, and app notifications as much (or as little) as you’d like. 

The Fitbit also offers some fun aesthetic features, including different band colors (black, white, or coral). The vibrant touchscreen has watch faces that are fully customizable. The brand offers wrist straps in two sizes: small (140 mm–180 mm) or large (180 mm–220 mm). The battery life can last up to 6 days on one charge and is water-resistant for up to 50m.

As for the health features, there are many. The Fitbit Charge 6 features ECG and irregular heart rhythm notifications, oxygen saturation monitoring (Sp02). The device also offers notifications for an unusually low or high resting heart rate. You can also utilize your Fitbit Charge 6 for sleep wellness with smart wake alarms, nightly sleep scores, and on-wrist guided mindfulness sessions. Purchase of this model also includes a premium membership that gives users access to guided workouts, meditation sessions, and “deeper wellness insights”.

We’ve all picked up weird habits with our phones over the years. Little routines that made sense at the time, passed down like tech folklore. “Close your apps to save battery.” “Never charge overnight.” “Let your battery hit zero before plugging it in.”

Apple Vision Pro users will be able to experience select NBA games in an immersive way for the 2025-26 season, Apple announced on Friday.

Some Los Angeles Lakers matches will be in Apple Immersive video, a format specifically for the headset. The company's release states, "Viewers will feel the intensity of each game as if they were courtside, with perspectives impossible to capture in traditional broadcasts. "

SEE ALSO: Apple shelves cheaper Vision Pro to focus on smart glasses, report says

A schedule of Lakers matchups that can be watched immersively will come later this fall, and the first game will stream in early 2026. They'll be filmed with a camera called the URSA Cine Immersive Live camera from Blackmagic Design, which launched earlier this year to capture Apple Immersive videos.

The immersive games will be available through the upcoming Spectrum SportsNet App for fans in the team's regional broadcast territory: Southern California, Hawaii, and parts of southern Nevada, including Las Vegas. Users must run visionOS 26 or later to experience Apple Immersive video, and a subscription to Spectrum broadband or SportsNet is required to use the SportsNet app, according to the fine print.

On both the SportsNet and NBA apps, full game replays and highlights will be available to Vision Pro users in select regions and countries. Spectrum subscribers can also watch live and replay traditional game broadcasts with the Spectrum TV app, and if you have an NBA League Pass, you can do the same on the NBA app.

Last year, Apple dropped several immersive videos for the Vision Pro, including the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend.

The arrival of HDR was a revelation, and for a long time TVs struggled to reach the brightness needed to make this new video standard shine, but now thanks to a relentless brightness war, even entry-level TVs can reach heights only high-end sets could dream of before.