Technology

In a sense, the platters of a hard drive, or the magnetic surface of a floppy disk are blank sheets. There are technical limits on where and how you can write and read binary data, but for the most part, you can arrange and manage how that data is stored however you like.

There is a difference between two operating systems having their own ways of doing things, and making something needlessly complicated. It's easy to think of Linux as "harder" than Windows, simply because you're familiar with Windows. If you were a blank slate, most things would be equally new and "hard" for you.

I've seen good routers. I've seen bad routers. I've seen routers that were just there, with nothing special about them, which might arguably be the best type of router.

Over time, I've discovered several Docker containers/apps I can't work without. FOSS apps are consistently high-quality, but some apps kick it up a notch. I loved the app so much and got to thinking about similar apps. Apps you might jokingly say "do things you wouldn't expect from a Docker container" because they're premium-level, feature-packed programs that are (usually) free, self-hostable, and containerized. Here are a few of the best ones I've found.

I bought a Galaxy Watch to track my health metrics and enjoy the convenience of having a mini smartphone on my wrist. Over time, however, I realized that my smartwatch should act as a filter, not another screen where I spend time mindlessly. Instead of focusing on health and fitness tracking, I found myself distracted by promotional app notifications, spam emails, and group chat memes.

Are you wanting to buy some power tools that are made in the USA? You'll be hard-pressed to find them among the main companies. DeWalt, however, does have a handful of power tools that are still built in the United States, though one does come with a caveat.

TL;DR: Live stream Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL promises another exciting lineup today, including Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West showdown.

The Broncos are having a so-so season. They're currently 2-2 but coming off a loss to the 49ers. The Chargers have had a disastrous start with four straight losses. Can they turn it around when they host the Broncos?

If you want to watch Broncos vs. Chargers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Broncos vs. Chargers?

Broncos vs. Chargers starts at 4.05 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at SoFi Stadium.

How to watch Broncos vs. Chargers for free

Broncos vs. Chargers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Broncos vs. Chargers for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Broncos vs. Chargers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Broncos vs. Chargers without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's another Sunday stacked with NFL action. Eyes are on the New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders game, which could prove interesting.

The Commanders have picked up just one win — against the Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, no less — but have won their last four games against the Giants, a team that's currently 3-1 but suffering from a number of injuries to key players.

Can the Commanders get an all-important win in Week 5? Or will the Giants turn that head-to-head record around?

If you want to watch Giants vs. Commanders in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Giants vs. Commanders?

New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at Northwest Stadium.

How to watch Giants vs. Commanders for free

Giants vs. Commanders in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Giants vs. Commanders for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Giants vs. Commanders for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Giants vs. Commanders without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream New York Giants Giants vs. Washington Commanders for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's Week 5 of the new NFL season, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. After going 3-0, they dropped last week's game to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a narrow loss, and now they face the New England Patriots.

The Patriots have been going back and forth between wins and losses each week so far and currently sit at 2-2. They're hoping to build momentum by making this their second straight win, following last week's win over the Bills.

If you want to watch Raiders vs. Patriots in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Raiders vs. Patriots?

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at Gillette Stadium.

How to watch Raiders vs. Patriots for free

Raiders vs. Patriots in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Raiders vs. Patriots for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Raiders vs. Patriots for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Raiders vs. Patriots without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Get major assistance with your coding thanks to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026, on sale now for just $29.97 (reg. $499.99) through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 $29.97
$499.99 Save $470.02   Get Deal

Sometimes, writing code isn’t the hard part — it’s tracking all the little issues that pop up along the way. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 can make life a little easier for developers with AI-powered tools that help you write, understand, and troubleshoot code more efficiently.

Right now, you can secure your own lifetime license to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 for just $29.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Even the most experienced developers could use another set of eyes once in a while. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 equips you with AI-powered features that make coding a whole lot easier by shaving time off your development process.

Whether you’re building a website or an app, let this professional-grade development tool help you tackle it. It’s a 64-bit IDE that can handle large solutions and complex workloads. You can even design cross-platform mobile and desktop apps and build across languages. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 also integrates with Azure, GitHub, and other DevOps workflows.

Take advantage of features like IntelliCode, which helps you type less and code more by providing a list of the next-best suggestions. This makes coding faster and more accurate. There’s also CodeLens to show you recent changes, authors, tests, and history right in the editor, so you can check it while staying in your code.

If you’re collaborating with others, Microsoft Visual Studio lets you do it without cloning repos or installing all dependencies. It can also speed up your team’s editing and debugging cycles with personalized sessions, access controls, and custom editor settings.

Make coding easier with Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026, on sale now for just $29.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Host an unlimited number of websites and enjoy lifetime web hosting with this lifetime subscription to Hostdeal Unlimited Plan, on sale now for just $119.97 (reg. $1,800) through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Light Speed Technologies Hostdeal Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription $119.97
$1,800 Save $1,680.03   Get Deal

Between our apps, streaming services, cloud storage costs, and all the other things charging us month after month, the last thing we all need is another recurring bill just to keep our websites online. Hostdeal Unlimited Plan aims to change that, offering an easy way to pay once and enjoy unlimited hosting, storage, and more.

Right now, you can unlock a lifetime subscription to Hostdeal Unlimited Plan for just $119.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

It’s pretty surprising how often you need to create websites nowadays. But it’s even more surprising how much it can cost, with recurring charges for your domain names and hosting duties. Hostdeal Unlimited Plan offers a better option — pay once and take advantage of a lifetime of free domains, SSL certificates, daily backups, and even a one-click installer for over 400 apps.

Created for agencies, developers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and anyone who needs maximum flexibility for their websites, the Hostdeal Unlimited Plan offers unlimited website hosting, unlimited NVMe SSD storage, and 54 free lifetime domains.

Launch, manage, and grow as many projects as you need forever, while only paying once. The Hostdeal Unlimited Plan is designed for high-volume website management and offers enterprise-grade security and fast performance. Host as many personal, business, or client websites as your projects require, with unlimited bandwidth to handle growing traffic.

A user-friendly interface with an intuitive dashboard makes it easy to get started. There’s also a one-click installer that lets you install WordPress and over 400 popular web applications with just a few clicks. You can also add up to 5 professional email accounts to each hosted website.

Secure lifetime web hosting and no monthly hosting fees with a lifetime subscription to Hostdeal Unlimited Plan, now just $119.97 through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To claim this offer, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 18 Pro for $1,000 off   Shop Now

We keep close tabs on all the best deals on smartphones. T-Mobile is usually one of the first places we look, because they generally offer free deals on new handsets like the Motorola Razr+, Google Pixel 11, and of course, the iPhone.

For a period of time, T-Mobile was offering the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro for free. We were pretty crushed when we saw that T-Mobile had dropped this promotion. That was until we saw the alternative. The free deal might have gone, but they are still offering a huge discount on the latest iPhone.

For a limited time, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To qualify for this offer, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile spreads your savings across 36 monthly bill credits, effectively locking you into a three-year agreement. If you cancel or switch carriers early, you will owe the remaining balance immediately. You will also need to cover state sales tax on the phone’s full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

If you plan on staying with T-Mobile anyway, it is still one of the best ways to score a top-tier phone without taking a massive hit to your bank account.

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for $1,000 off this weekend with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Secure your content with this 1TB Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $129.99 (reg. $810) with code KOOFR through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $129.99
$810 Save $680.01   Get Deal

Your storage needs aren’t exactly getting smaller. Instead of just letting your devices fill up, there’s now a more permanent solution. Koofr Cloud Storage lets you own your storage space outright. And right now, a 1TB Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription can be yours for just $129.99 until tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT with code KOOFR.

We’re all carrying around a camera via smartphones in our pockets, which means we can capture precious moments at any time. The only drawback? That means we’re constantly accumulating data, and that content has to go somewhere. If you need more space and you’re sick of the monthly fees, there’s now Koofr Cloud Storage.

Koofr Cloud Storage lets you pay once and secure 1TB of cloud storage space for life. It’s equipped with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate. And if you have your content stored on other services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon Drive, or OneDrive, it’s easy to transfer it to Koofr.

Aside from offering a more affordable solution, Koofr Cloud Storage keeps your content secure. You’ll have end-to-end encryption, so it can’t be accessed by anyone — not even Koofr itself.

When you need your files, you can easily access them via a computer, smartphone, or WebDAV. You can also take advantage of features like advanced renaming options, link appearance customization, and a duplicate finder.

Curious how much you can store with 1TB? It’s enough space for 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of video, or 6.5 million PDF files.

Lock in a 1TB Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $129.99 with code KOOFR through tonight, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A for free on SportyNet. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Serie A returns this weekend, with top Italian teams back in action after a break for the Nations League.

AC Milan are looking to make it six games unbeaten in league competition when they visit Sassuolo. With Milan positioned just two points from the top of the league, a win here would be crucial — though Sassuolo could surprise Milan and pull themselves out of a run of average performances.

If you're interested in watching Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Sassuolo vs. Milan?

Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at the Mapei Stadium.

How to watch Sassuolo vs. Milan for free

Sassuolo vs. Milan in Serie A is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Sassuolo vs. Milan for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sassuolo vs. Milan for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Sassuolo vs. Milan for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Sassuolo vs. Milan without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus additional Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Serie A?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Sassuolo vs. Milan for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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

Perfume scent.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

MUSKY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Interior.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 11, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

INNER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Windy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 11, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 11, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GUSTY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Blasting.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BLARE

Final Hurdle hint

Clumsy.

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

KLUTZ

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

TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars for free on Channel 5. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is in London for the second week running, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for a Week 5 clash across the Pond.

Last week's London game saw the Washington Commanders brought down to earth with a decisive loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The big question for this week's game is whether the Jaguars will make it three wins in a row, which would make three losses in a row for the Eagles.

If you want to watch Eagles vs. Jaguars in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Eagles vs. Jaguars?

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars starts at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 11. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Eagles vs. Jaguars for free

Eagles vs. Jaguars in the NFL is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Eagles vs. Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 5

5. Watch Eagles vs. Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Eagles vs. Jaguars without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A new lunar cycle has begun. After yesterday's New Moon, the Moon is starting to slowly come back into view, with a thin crescent gradually becoming visible on the right side.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Oct. 11, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 1% of its surface visible.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon completes an orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During that time, its position changes relative to the Earth and Sun, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible to us. This produces the familiar lunar phases, beginning with a thin crescent and progressing through the quarter phases before reaching a Full Moon. The sequence then repeats as the Moon continues its orbit. According to NASA, the phase visible from Earth is determined by the Moon's changing position in relation to both Earth and the Sun.

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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, 2026

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, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 11 Pips

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 11 Pips

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

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 0-5 placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 11 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, 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 Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch football.

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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Relinquish

• Green: Oklahoma sports

• Blue: Haliburton's arc

• Purple: Sounds like an NFL team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Gives Up

• Green: Oklahoma Teams

• Blue: Tyrese Haliburton Teams

• Purple: NFL Teams, With The Second Letter Changed

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 #748 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Gives Up: ALLOWS, CONCEDES, SURRENDERS, YIELDS

• Oklahoma Teams: COWBOYS, GOLDEN HURRICANE, SOONERS, THUNDER

• Tyrese Haliburton Teams: CYCLONES, KINGS, PACERS, USA

• NFL Teams, With The Second Letter Changed: BOARS, BULLS, GRANTS, RIMS

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 yesterday's Connections.

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 11, 2026 Cable meaning

An insulated set of wires or fibers used to carry electricity.

Electricity meaning

The set of physical phenomena caused by the presence and motion of matter that has an electric charge.

Internet meaning

A global system of interconnected computer networks that lets devices around the world communicate and share information with each other.

Phone meaning

An electronic device that converts sound (your voice) into electrical or radio signals, allowing you to talk to someone in another location.

Gloves meaning

A fitted piece of handwear that covers the hand and wrist, featuring separate sheaths or compartments for each finger and the thumb.

Ice scraper meaning

A handheld tool with a flat plastic or metal blade used to remove frost, ice and snow from car windows.

Map meaning

A visual or graphic representation of an area, typically drawn to scale on a flat surface.

Registration meaning

The process of entering names, data or details into a formal register or database.

Apply meaning

To use a skill, knowledge, rule or method in a real-world situation.

Harness meaning

To direct and use power effectively

Utilize meaning

To put something into service.

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Wield meaning

To hold and use a physical weapon or tool, or to exercise abstract power, authority or influence.

Employ meaning

To hire someone for work or to put something into service

Patrick meaning

A name signifying a member of the ruling, elite class in ancient Rome.

Peruse meaning

To read carefully or in detail.

Syntactic meaning

Relating to, involving or conforming to the rules of syntax.

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.

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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 yesterday's Connections.