Technology

Do you feel that chill in the air? Fall is here, which means so is the holiday shopping season. To kick things off, Amazon is bringing back Prime Big Deal Days.

Running Oct. 6 and 7, the event is essentially Amazon's way of kicking off holiday shopping before Black Friday. We're gearing up for the event and hunting deals on all the top brands, including Apple.

We're on the hunt for Apple Watch deals and have been admittedly a little disappointed. We've found one great deal on an Apple Watch, but otherwise, there's not much to shop. So if you're eager to buy an Apple Watch, here's the best early Prime Day deal. But otherwise, we recommend holding out until more Prime Big Deal Days savings go live.

Best Apple Watch Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 44mm) $249 at Amazon
$279 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for an Apple Watch, the only early Prime Day deal we found is on the Apple Watch SE 3. Usually $279, the smartwatch is now $249, saving you $30 off. That's just $20 off its lowest-ever price.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the most affordable smartwatch from the tech giant, but it still has all the essential features. It's an advanced health tracker on your wrist that provides real-time metrics. Plus, it has safety in mind as it can detect hard falls and even car crashes, and then alert emergency services.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the best Apple Watch deal to shop right now, but if you're curious about other smartwatch savings, we rounded up deals from other brands.

More smartwatch deals

• CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro — $69 $79 (save $10)

• Google Fitbit Versa 4 — $159.95 $199.95 (save $40)

• Garmin Vivoactive 5, 42mm — $181.97 $299.99 (save $118.02)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, 40mm — $185 $249.99 (save $64.99)

• Garmin Forerunner 165, 43mm — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar, 45mm — $259.95 $449.99 (save $190.04)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, 40mm — $259.99 $299.99 (save $40)

• Garmin Venu 3, 45mm — $367.81 $449.99 (save $82.18)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, 46mm — $419 $499.99 (save $80.99)

• Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition Marine — $549.95 $629.95 (save $60)

TL;DR: Watch Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League for free on RaiPlay. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is back, and for Italy, that means a chance at rebuilding its status after missing out on a string of tournaments. Belgium did qualify for this summer's World Cup, only exiting in the quarter-final stage at the hands of eventual winners Spain. They'll fancy their chances against a struggling Italy.

If you're interested in watching Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. Belgium?

Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 25. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Olimpico.

How to watch Italy vs. Belgium for free

Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.

RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, 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 Italy, meaning you can live stream Italy vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Italy vs. Belgium 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 Italy

4. Visit RaiPlay

5. Watch Italy vs. Belgium 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 Italy vs. Belgium without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Italy

• 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 Italy vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

I would've never guessed that a movie based on a viral YouTube found-footage series based on an unsettling old 4chan post would become the highest-grossing film in A24's history, but here we are. Backrooms took the box office by storm this summer, earning over $350 million worldwide on a $10 million budget.

The best ways to watch 'Backrooms' at home, at a glance: Watch now Buy or rent 'Backrooms' on Prime Video $19.99 or $7.99 Shop Now Watch now Buy or rent 'Backrooms' on Apple TV $19.99 or $7.99 Get Deal Watch now Buy or rent 'Backrooms' on Fandango at Home $19.99 or $7.99 Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max (With Ads) $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max Standard $184.99/year (save $36.89) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 42%) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10/month with Verizon myPlan (save $9.98/month) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 Netflix, Peacock, and HBO Max (with ads) $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $8.97/month) Get Deal

Directed by 21-year-old rising filmmaker Kane Parsons, Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.

"Parsons has managed to prove himself as an incredibly talented emerging filmmaker while also establishing the first chapter in what will surely end up becoming a brand new horror franchise," Mashable's reviewer writes.

If you're intrigued by the liminal space internet lore and have yet to check out Backrooms, or if you can't wait to watch it again, it's now heading to streaming. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know to watch it comfortably from your couch.

What is Backrooms about?

Set in the '90s in Santa Clara Valley, California, Backrooms follows aspiring architect turned furniture shop owner Clark (Ejiofor), who has been staying in the shop temporarily after his recent separation. One night, he discovers a hidden doorway in the basement of the store, leading to the titular Backrooms — an endless stretch of eerie liminal space. Naturally, he enters the portal and starts exploring.

Check out the official trailer for a taste of the Backrooms:

How to watch Backrooms at home Credit: A24

As of Sept. 25, you have several different options for watching Backrooms at home. You can either buy it or rent it via digital-on-demand retailers or stream it. We've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

Backrooms made its at-home debut via digital-on-demand retailers on July 14, 2026. While it originally cost $24.99 to buy and $19.99 to rent, those prices have now dropped to just $19.99 and $7.99, respectively. Note: If you choose the rental option, you'll get access for 30 days, but only 48 hours once you start watching.

Quick links to buy/rent Backrooms on digital:

• Apple TV —  buy for $19.99, rent for $7.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99, rent for $7.99

• Prime Video —  buy for $19.99, rent for $7.99

Stream it on HBO Max

A24 renewed its output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which means new A24 theatrical releases will continue to stream on HBO Max before anywhere else. Following the same theater-to-streaming schedule as other recently released A24 movies (Marty Supreme, The Drama, and Bring Her Back), we originally made an educated guess that Backrooms would make its streaming debut on HBO Max in late September — just in time for spooky season. We're happy to announce that prediction was right on track. Backrooms is streaming on HBO Max as of Sept. 25, 2026.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $10.99 per month. However, there are some ways you can save money on your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.

SEE ALSO: HBO Max and Paramount+ are combining into one streaming service The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max annual subscriptions Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads annual subscription $109.99 per year (save $21.89) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Standard annual subscription $184.99 per year (save $36.89) Get Deal

The best way to save money on HBO Max on any given day is with the annual plan. Yes, it costs more up front, but you'll save about 16% over the course of a year — up to $45.89 in savings.

A monthly plan with ads typically costs $10.99 per month, but a full year costs $109.99, which breaks down the monthly cost to only $9.17. Want to go ad-free? The annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plans will also save you about 16% over their monthly equivalents. Standard subscriptions cost either $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year (which breaks down to $15.42 per month). Premium subscriptions cost $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year (about $19.17 per month). While both are ad-free plans, only the Premium option will unlock 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Cricket HBO Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

It may not be the most convenient option, but switching your phone plan to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan for $60 per month will get you HBO Max with ads for free. Once you're a Cricket customer, you can use your provider credentials to log in via the HBO Max app or website.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can get an entire year of HBO Max with ads for 50% off. Just use UNiDAYS to prove your student status, and you'll receive a unique discount code that'll drop the cost per month down from $10.99 to $5.49. Once the initial 12 months are up, the price will jump back to the full cost unless you cancel.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 42% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

The Disney+ bundle deal, which includes HBO Max and Hulu, is one of the best deals in streaming. For just $19.99 per month, you'll get all three streaming libraries with ads, which is about $15 cheaper than paying for each one separately. Want to go ad-free? It'll run you $32.99 per month as opposed to $56.47 for all three. That's up to 42% in savings.

Best for Verizon customers: Get Netflix and HBO Max for $13/month Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max HBO Max and Netflix (with ads) $13 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $6.98 per month) Get Deal

If you're a Verizon customer on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan, you can add the Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) to your plan for only $13 per month. A $19.98 per month value, that's about $7 in savings each month. Once you enroll in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Check out Verizon's support page for all the eligibility details, terms, and FAQs.

Best for Xfinity customers: Bundle HBO Max, Peacock, and Netflix and save $10/month Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / Peacock / HBO Max Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and HBO Max $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $8.97/month) Get Deal

Xfinity Internet and TV customers can also get in on the bundle action with Xfinity StreamSaver packages. The package with Netflix Standard with ads ($8.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and HBO Max Basic with Ads ($10.99 per month) can be added to your existing Xfinity service for only $22 per month. It typically costs $30.97 for all three, so that's about $9 in savings monthly.

TL;DR: Watch Turkey vs. France in the Nations League for free on TF1. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is back with a stacked schedule of high-profile matchups, including Turkey vs. France. The hosts had a hugely disappointing 2026 World Cup, dropping out in the group stage. At one stage, it looked like France were going to dominate the competition, but they eventually fell to Spain at the semi-final stage.

Zinedine Zidane is now in charge of the national team. It's going to be fascinating to see how France's team of stars responds to his leadership.

If you're interested in watching Turkey vs. France in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Turkey vs. France?

Turkey vs. France in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 25. This fixture takes place at the Kocaeli Stadium.

How to watch Turkey vs. France for free

Turkey vs. France in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on TF1.

TF1 is geo-restricted to France, 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 France, meaning you can live stream Turkey vs. France for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Turkey vs. France 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 France

4. Visit TF1

5. Watch Turkey vs. France 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 Turkey vs. France without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including France

• 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 Turkey vs. France 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

A long, hooded winter coat.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

PARKA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Put into practice.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ENACT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Courageous.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 25, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRAVE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Livid.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ANGRY

Final Hurdle hint

Golden.

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

HONEY

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

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 September 25, 2026 Bougie meaning

Describes someone with expensive or luxurious taste.

Fancy meaning

Elaborate, decorative or expensive.

Posh meaning

Elegant, luxurious or expensive.

Swank meaning

Stylish, expensive and showy.

Aykroyd meaning

An Old-English last name.

Levy meaning

The legal imposition or collection of a tax, fee, fine or property seizure by a government or authority.

Rather meaning

An adverb meaning somewhat, to a certain degree or instead.

Savage meaning

Fierce, wild or uncivilized.

Escapement meaning

A mechanical device that regulates movement in steps.

Pendulum meaning

A weight suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth.

Ratchet meaning

A mechanical mechanism with a toothed wheel and catching piece that allows movement or rotation in one direction only.

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.

Spring meaning

A bent or spiraled piece of metal that returns to its original shape after being stretched out.

Border meaning

An outer edge, dividing line or a narrow strip of plants along a path.

Classy meaning

Stylish, elegant and having high standards.

Foamily meaning

In a foamy manner, or in a way that relates to foam.

Genius meaning

A rare, high level of skill or brilliance in fields like art, music, or science.

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like the finer things in life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 25, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: "Ooo la la!"

• Green: Tick tock

• Blue: Same names

• Purple: Classification

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Luxe

• Green: Parts of a mechanical clock

• Blue: Famous Dans

• Purple: Taxonomic ranks plus a letter

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 #1201 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Luxe: BOUGIE, FANCY, POSH, SWANK

• Parts of a mechanical clock: ESCAPEMENT, PENDULUM, RATCHET, SPRING

• Famous Dans: AYKROYD, LEVY, RATHER, SAVAGE

• Taxonomic ranks plus a letter: BORDER, CLASSY, FOAMILY, GENIUS

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're good at math.

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 September 25, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: 1X1, etc...

The words are related to math.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe numbers.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Square Numbers.

NYT Strands word list for September 25

• Four

• Nine

• Twenty five

• Square Numbers

• Thirty six

• Eighty one

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

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love greenery.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 25, 2026 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 September 25, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A small group of trees.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

COPSE

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.

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

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

ESP32 boards can be incredibly cheap. They're so cheap that it's easy to fall into the habit of using a new board for each project that you build. Doing so may be wasting the capabilities of your ESP32s, which can handle more than one job at a time.

I never planned to explore the open-source Android world. It started with a simple thought: what would my phone look like if I stopped reaching for Google’s apps for everything?

Who would have thought that cheap microcontrollers would become such a booming business? The ESP32 is the culmination of years of enthusiasts making awesome stuff with single-board computers and microcontrollers like those from the Arduino family, and now you can buy a fistful of powerful ESP32s for very little money.

Netflix's U.S. movie chart seems like it's gone into full recruitment mode, with Guy Ritchie's WWII caper flick The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare perched atop the pile at No. 1 and Top Gun: Maverick on loan from Paramount sitting pretty in the third spot.

A full-sized 45L gaming desktop and a 32-inch 4K OLED monitor — that's been my go-to setup for a long time, and the one I always return to between reviews. With the Lenovo Yoga All-in-One i 32 Gen 11 Aura Edition (my goodness, what a name, Lenovo), I feel the desire to return to my trustworthy gaming desktop less than ever. This may be the hero All-in-One PCs should look up to.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 24, the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine is available for $799.95 at Amazon. That's a $200 saving on the regular list price of $999.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Duo Espresso Machine $799.95 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $200   Get Deal

Good quality coffee tastes good, but it doesn't come cheap. That's true whether you're buying just one cup on the go or a coffee machine. Of course, it makes sense to fork out for a coffee machine — it will save you money in the long run — but that initial cost of a machine can be enough to make most coffee lovers stop in their tracks.

Thankfully, October Prime Day is just around the corner, with the two-day event scheduled for Oct. 6-7 — a perfect opportunity to pick up a coffee machine deal and lots more discounts. In fact, there are some deals live ahead of the big event, such as 20% off the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine.

As of Sept. 24, the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine has been marked down to $799.95, which gives you a tasty saving of $200 from the regular list price of $999.95.

You'll certainly get your money's worth with this deal. It offers 20 different hot and cold drinks at the press of a button, including espresso, drip coffee, iced lattes, and cold brew. It also comes with a milk frother and an integrated conical burr grinder. It's super quick, which takes all the effort out of your morning brew (or indeed, a coffee at any time of the day).

Don't miss your chance to save $200 on the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine ahead of October Prime Day. Now available for just $799.95.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

TL;DR: Get AskAnyModel AI Pro for life for $39.99 and access 50+ AI models, compare up to six responses at once, and generate unlimited AI images across supported models.

Opens in a new window Credit: AskAnyModel AskAnyModel AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$499 Save $459.01   Get Deal

Having a favorite AI model is fine — and is actually pretty common. Keeping GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and a handful of others scattered across separate tabs is where things get messy. AskAnyModel AI Pro is now on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $499) for lifetime access, bringing 50+ AI models into one cloud-based workspace.

Its standout feature is side-by-side comparison. Pick two to six models, type your prompt once, and AskAnyModel sends it to all of them simultaneously. Responses appear together with response times and token counts, making it easier to compare different approaches without repeatedly copying and pasting prompts.

The model library includes 30 standard models with unlimited chats, including options from Mistral, Llama, DeepSeek, Gemma, Qwen, and others. There’s also a Pro Gemini model with Google Search grounding, limited to 300 chats per week.

For flagship models, you get 500 monthly premium credits to use across 19 options, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek Pro, Perplexity Search, and Mistral Large. So, importantly, lifetime access doesn’t mean unlimited use of every model.

AskAnyModel isn’t restricted to text, either. You can generate unlimited AI images across supported models without using premium credits, switch models during conversations, and use the platform for writing, coding, research, brainstorming, and content creation.

Everything runs through a modern web browser, with no downloads or updates required, and the model library is regularly refreshed.

Get AskAnyModel for just $39.99 (reg. $499) for lifetime access.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get 9 CompTIA certification prep courses covering A+, Security+, Network+, Cloud+, Linux+, PenTest+, and more for $24.99 (reg. $269.91).

Opens in a new window Credit: CompTIA The 2026 CompTIA Certification Training: Complete Exam Prep Bundle $24.99
$269.91 Save $244.92   Get Deal

Studying for an IT certification doesn’t necessarily require going back to school or building your week around a class schedule. The 2026 CompTIA Certification Training: Complete Exam Prep Bundle is on sale for $24.99 (reg. $269.91) and includes 9 multi-lesson courses you can tackle from home on your own time.

The lineup starts with CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71, making the bundle approachable for someone beginning with IT fundamentals. There’s also prep for both CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202, along with Network+ N10-009 and Security+ SY0-701.

Already know which part of IT interests you? The remaining courses let you dig into more specific areas. Cloud+ CV0-004, Linux+ XK0-006, and Server+ SK0-005 cover cloud, Linux, and server skills, while the PenTest+ PT0-003 Lab focuses on ethical hacking and penetration testing. Data+ DA0-002 rounds things out with certification prep centered on data.

That range gives you options. You might be exploring IT for the first time, already working in tech and looking to prepare for a particular certification exam, or interested in studying several areas before deciding where to focus next.

More importantly, you’re in charge of the schedule. Instead of coordinating separate classes for different certification paths, you have nine prep courses together and can decide which one deserves your attention first.

The bundle is exam prep, not the certifications themselves, so you’ll still need to take the corresponding CompTIA exams separately.

Get the 2026 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle for just $24.99 (reg. $269.91).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: New members can get a one-year BJ’s Club Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal for just $15 (reg. $60), just in time for fall fun and holiday stock-up season.

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ's Wholesale Club 1-Year BJ's Club Membership with BJ's Easy Renewal $15
$60 Save $45   Get Deal

There may be no better season for discovering what a warehouse club can do than fall. Spooky finds are showing up, holiday prep isn’t far behind, and new members can get a one-year BJ’s Club Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® for a one-time $15 (reg. $60).

The membership gives you access to BJ’s savings on groceries, fresh foods, household essentials, electronics, seasonal items, and more. BJ’s says members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, making this an especially useful time to start stocking the pantry before cozy-season cooking, parties, and holiday gatherings kick into full gear.

Fresh produce, meats, deli, and bakery items cover weekly grocery runs and larger get-togethers, while seasonal finds give you another excuse to wander the aisles. BJ’s also carries national brands at wholesale club prices.

Members can even shop online or in-club, use Curbside Pickup and Same-Day Delivery, or use ExpressPay® to scan items while shopping and pay through the BJ’s app. BJ’s also accepts manufacturers’ coupons, which can be combined with hundreds of BJ’s coupons.

Drivers get another membership perk: BJ’s says members save 20¢ per gallon on average with BJ’s Gas everyday low gas prices. There are also member-exclusive services and perks through BJ’s Optical, Tire Center, Home Improvement, and travel.

This offer is for new members only. You’re purchasing a redemption code that must be redeemed at BJs.com to activate the membership, which includes BJ’s Easy Renewal®.

For $15 for an entire year of savings, the timing is ideal. Join for the spooky finds, stay for the holiday stock-ups, and everyday grocery runs.

Get a one-year BJ’s membership for just $15 (reg. $60) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The great thing about Android is how many choices it provides. You can swap out the home screen, dialer, keyboard, and even app stores. F-Droid is one of our favorite alternatives to the Play Store, but it's never been very pretty to look at. That's finally changing.

Every year, millions of phone numbers get reassigned to strangers, and the accounts tied to them often stay behind. If you're switching numbers or carriers, a short audit now can save you from handing someone the keys to your email, bank, and messaging apps.