Technology
Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on October 12
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.
The best graphics cards for upgrading your system
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.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 12, 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.
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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant 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
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.
NYT Pips hints, answers for October 12, 2025
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 PipsIf 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, 2025The 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 PipsGreater 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 PipsGreater 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 PipsNumber (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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for October 12, 2025
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 MashableBy 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 suitThe words are related to cards.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe card games.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday'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 12Whist
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.
Why Are CRT TV Screens So Hard to Photograph?
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.
How to Turn Off Annoying AI Features on Your Google Pixel Phone
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.
Can You Really Hear the Difference Between Lossless and Lossy Compressed Audio?
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?
All the New York Comic-Con TV and movie announcements you need to know
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 KingdomsA 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 teaserMarvel 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 dateAt 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 dropsChris 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 lookThe 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 trailerFans 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 AgainMarvel 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 4Paramount+ 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.
Keycap Shape Matters More To Your Keyboard Than You Think
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.
You're Using This Powerful Tech Constantly and Didn't Know It
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 30% on this Fitbit Charge 6 this weekend
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”.
8 Smartphone Habits You Should Probably Stop Doing
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.”
Select immersive NBA games coming to the Apple Vision Pro
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 saysA 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.
TVs Might Be Getting Too Bright Now
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.
The Best VPNs for Android in 2025
Android phones and tablets are at just as much risk as any other device for snooping, surveillance, and cybercrime. To help you combat these dangers, we’ve put together the best VPNs for Android so you can surf more securely.
Snag a 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription before the price hike
SAVE $30: As of Oct. 11, Amazon is offering a 3-month pass to XBox Game Pass Ultimate for $60 or $20 a month.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month Pass $60 at AmazonGet Deal
The past couple of weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate holders and fans. On Oct. 1st, Microsoft announced that it would be increasing the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by a startling 50%. This increase was not received well by users and fans, according to Mashable’s senior culture reporter Christiana Silva. Since this announcement arrived two days before Microsoft also announced increased Xbox console prices, fans have been… upset.
Microsoft also sent out communications on October 8th stating that some users would not experience a price increase to their subscription. Unfortunately, the US and UK were not among the people catching a break. If you’re a big fan of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, there is good news this weekend, though. Right now on Amazon, you can get a 3-month pass for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for the current price.
If you’re curious what Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has to offer, it packs a lot into one pass. Game Pass Ultimate allows you to stream and play hundreds of games and join the heart of the Xbox gaming community with online console multiplayer. The pass includes console multiplayer, EA Play, and a sizable variety of game genres. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also allows you to play games like Avowed, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages the minute they are released.
With this pass on Amazon, you can stave off the price increase to your subscription for a few months. Make sure to take note that Amazon explicitly states that this pass is non-returnable and non-refundable. The pass gives you a code for 3 free months, allowing you to decide when you begin to use it.
Get this ginormous 75-inch 4K UHD Hisense TV for a petite price
SAVE $250: As of Oct. 11, this 75-inch Hisense TV with 4K UHD is 35% off. Coming in at $448, which is down $250 from its list price of $698 on Walmart.com.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 75-inch Hisense TV with 4K UHD $448 at Walmart$698 Save $250 Get Deal
"Cozymax" your fall by leveling up your living room with this 75-inch Hisense TV. Not only is this TV simply massive, it's also packed with bonus features. The metal, bevel-less edge design of this TV allows you to have such a large screen without bulky borders taking up further space. The sleek design primes the TV to fit comfortably into your existing aesthetic.
As for software, this 75-inch Hisense TV deal offers a long list of benefits. First, it comes resplendent with Hisense's proprietary 4K ULED picture. ULED refers to a collection of traits that include QLED's ability to render richer, brighter colors and a tactile, sharp image when dimmed. It also includes 600-Nit peak brightness, which allows the TV to deliver quality HDR content.
The TV also comes with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos (which is said to deliver cinema-quality picture and sound straight to your home). Enjoy the TV's filmmaker mode, which allows you to watch movies in the exact aspect ratio and settings that the original filmmakers intended.
Believe it or not, the list is still far from done. This TV is also a Google smart TV with built-in Google Assistant. This can fit into your existing smart home ecosystem (or maybe inspire you to start building one). Tell your TV to dim the lights as you sit down with a massive bowl of popcorn to match your massive new TV screen.
The End of Steam on Chromebooks Is a Tragedy
On the first day of 2026, the Steam Beta for Chromebooks will end. This means you will no longer have the option to play Steam games on your Chromebook with official support. If you're not a Chromebook user, this might not sound like much of an issue. After all, who plays video games on a Chromebook?
Peter Thiel reportedly linked Greta Thunberg and AI skeptics to the Antichrist
Billionaire Peter Thiel apparently thinks activist Greta Thunberg and AI "doomers" are "legionnaires of the antichrist," the PayPal and Palantir co-founder reportedly said in a recording reviewed by the Washington Post.
The recording is from a four-part lecture series on the Antichrist, aptly titled "The Antichrist: A Four-Part Lecture Series," according to the Post. In the lectures, which were told to be off the record according to the event listing, Thiel laid out his religious views.
SEE ALSO: Strange AI-generated clips of musicians with animals are going viralReuters reported that Thiel has become cautious that an ntichrist who promises to stop something like AI will emerge and forge a one-world government. That person would curtail individual freedoms and human innovation.
"In the 17th, 18th century, the Antichrist would have been a Dr. Strangelove, a scientist who did all this sort of evil crazy science," Thiel reportedly said. "In the 21st century, the Antichrist is a Luddite who wants to stop all science. It's someone like Greta or Eliezer."
The Luddites were former textile workers in the early 19th century who destroyed machines used to replace their labor; "Luddite" has become a term to refer to technology skeptics or opposer.
Thiel also referred to Thunberg, who rose to fame for her climate activism and was recently detained by Israel along with other activists on an aid flotilla to Gaza. (It is apparently not the first time he associated her with the Antichrist.)
He also named Eliezer Yudkowsky, a prominent AI researcher whose new book, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, poses AI as an existential threat. As Gizmodo pointed out, Thiel started funding Yudkowsky's "Singularity Institute" in 2005.
Reuters also recently reported that Thiel warned fellow billionaire Elon Musk against donating to charities.