Technology

The best early October Prime Day deals on robot lawn mowers: Best Dreame Deal Dreame LiDAR A3 AWD Pro $1,999.99 (save $1,700) Get Deal Best Roborock Deal Roborock RockNeo Robot Lawn Mower $679.99 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Mammotion Deal Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 $2,109.00 (save $990) Get Deal Best Segway Deal Segway Navimow i105N $669.00 (save $130) Get Deal

While Amazon's next Prime Day event, which the retailer calls Prime Big Deal Days, doesn't officially kick off until Oct. 6, plenty of early deals have already dropped for shoppers to check out.

Robot lawn mower deals are among the items that have popped up ahead of the sale, which is very helpful if you're looking for a little extra assistance around the yard before chilly winter weather arrives.

Dreame, Roborock, and Mammotion are included, with a few popular models getting huge discounts. Check out some of our favorite early October Prime Day robot lawn mower deals below. Even if you don't need it for the rest of autumn, this is a great opportunity to get ahead of the game on next year's yard work.

Best Dreame deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame DREAME LiDAR A3 AWD Pro $1,999.99 at Amazon
$3,699.99 Save $1,700.00   Get Deal Why we like it

This Dreame robot lawn mower has received an astonishing discount ahead of October Prime Day, though you'll need to clip a coupon to snag it. Once you do that, its price plummets from $3,699.99 to $1,799.99. That's $1,900 in savings, which is a fantastic offer to jump on right now.

As for what this mower can accomplish, it can handle yards up to 0.87 acres, slopes up to 38.7 degrees, and features dual cutting discs for trimming down your yard. It also comes with EdgeMaster 2.0 technology that can reach the borders around your yard and even map them out. Thanks to 360-degree 3D LiDAR and AI binocular vision, this robot mower can navigate around any obstacles in its way to ensure the whole lawn gets a full trim.

Best Roborock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock RockNeo Robot Lawn Mower $679.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $120   Get Deal Why we like it

The RockNeo Q110H can mow up to a quarter acre a day, and you don't have to bury a boundary wire for it. You can set its cutting height anywhere from 1.6 to 3.1 inches. Plus, it has a floating deck that follows the dips and bumps in the ground so the cut level stays even. Its dual cameras spot patio furniture and toys so it can steer around them, and it turns away from people and pets while rolling right over low objects it can safely cross without disturbing people or items.

More Roborock deals

• Roborock RockMow X115H Robot Lawn Mower — $1,399.99 $2,299 (save $899.01)

Best Mammotion deal Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 with Cleaning Stand (Ship Separately) $2,109 at Amazon
$3,099 Save $990   Get Deal Why we like it

The Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 is normally listed for $3,099, but shoppers can scoop it up for $2,109 right now on Amazon, saving you a whopping $990.

This model comes with two 165W motors and six-blade discs to power through your lawn. Paired with AI vision, it can automatically adjust speed and power based on grass density, so your yard gets an even trim all around. Plus, it can handle slopes up to 38.6 degrees. Like the mowers above, it can also map your yard using a combination of 360° LiDAR for navigation, NetRTK for corrections, and Dual-Camera AI Vision to help it avoid objects in its path.

More Mammotion deals

• Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500H Robot Lawn Mower — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

Best Segway deal Opens in a new window Credit: Segway Segway Navimow i105N $669 at Amazon
$799 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

Segway's Navimow i105N has returned to its lowest-ever price on Amazon, dropping to $669 from its $799 list price. Overall, that means you get to keep $130 in your pocket, which isn't too bad at all. If you're looking for a mower that can tackle slightly smaller yards than the ones above, this Segway model can certainly help you out.

Able to handle up to 0.125 acres and slopes up to 17 degrees, the Segway Navimow i105N features a cutting width of 7.1 inches and a cutting height between 2 and 3.6 inches. It also comes with mapping technology and VisionFence, which help it avoid objects left in the yard while it's cutting.

More robot lawn mower deals

• MOVA LiDAX Ultra 1000 Robot Lawn Mower — $949 $1,299 (save $670.94)

• Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro Robot Lawn Mower — $1,329.05 $2,198 (save $624.04)

• Sunseeker X5 AWD — $1,573.96 $2,198 (save $624.04)

The best early Prime Day deals on power tools: Best DeWalt deal DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver, Power Tool Combo Kit $179 (save $60) Get Deal Best Craftsman deal Craftsman V20 MAX Cordless Drill Driver and Impact Driver Set $142 (save $27) Get Deal Best Greenworks deal Greenworks 24V 4-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit $219.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best Electric Screwdriver Deal HOTO 12-in-1 Electric Screwdriver Set $44.99 (save $5) Get Deal Best Battery-Powered Chainsaw Husqvarna Power Axe 225i Battery Operated Chainsaw $259.99 (save $120) Get Deal

If you're tackling a DIY job at home or finally getting around to that project you've been putting off for months, a decent power tool can make things a lot easier. And if you're going to need one anyway, you might as well see if you can get it for less.

October Prime Day is still a couple of weeks away, but as ever, Amazon has already started cutting prices on power tools ahead of the main event kicking off on Oct. 6.

Some early discounts have already caught our eye, so we've rounded up the best early deals live right now. We've already found great discounts on everything from cordless drills to electric screwdrivers, so now's the time to shop if you're ready to round out your home DIY toolkit.

Best DeWalt deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit $149 at Amazon
$239 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

This DeWalt set includes a compact impact driver and drill/driver, both designed for working in tighter spaces. The tools have built-in LED lights for better visibility. The impact driver has a one-handed hex chuck, and the drill features a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck for quick bit changes.

Best Craftsman deal Opens in a new window Credit: Craftsman Craftsman V20 MAX Cordless Drill Driver and Impact Driver Set $99 at Amazon
$169 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

This Craftsman set includes a drill/driver and impact driver, with two V20 batteries, a charger, and a storage bag. Both tools have LED lights and compact, contoured handles for working in tighter spaces. The drill has two speed settings, and the impact driver can give up to 1,460 in-lbs. of torque.

Best Greenworks deal Opens in a new window Credit: Greenworks Greenworks 24V 4-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit $219.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

This kit includes a drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw, and flashlight, along with two 2Ah batteries and a 30W charger. The brushless tools have variable-speed controls, and the reciprocating saw has a tool-free blade change and pivoting shoe. The batteries can also charge devices via USB-C.

More power tool deals

• PULITUO 20V Cordless Drill/Driver, Electric Screwdriver — $35.98 $49.99 (save $14.01)

• Fanttik E2 Ultra Electric Screwdriver — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)

• Black+Decker 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Cordless Drill Driver Kit — $64.99 $74.99 (save $10)

• DeWalt Cordless Screwdriver — $79 $91.98 (save $12.98)

• DeWalt Random Orbit Sander — $79 $99 (save $20)

• WorkPro Home Tool Set with 20V Cordless Drill — $110.99 $129.99 (save $19)

• DeWalt 20-volt Jigsaw — $139.90 $239 (save $19)

• Worx Cordless Pole Saw — $152.99 $189.99 (save $37)

• DeWalt 20V MAX XR Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit — $157.80 $299.99 (save $142.19)

• Teeno Power Tool Combo Kit Brushless 9-in-1 Multi-Tool Set — $197.99 $219.99 (save $22)

• DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit — $209 $249 (save $40)

• Greenworks 24V Brushless Tool Kit — $679.99 $999.99 (save $320)

The best early October Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals: Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro $229.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $234 (save $15) Get Deal Best Noise-Canceling Headphone Deal Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless $244.90 (Save $55.09) Get Deal

Just like that, fall is here and so is the holiday shopping season — well, almost.

We're kicking things off with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, otherwise known as October Prime Day. The sitewide sale runs from Oct. 6-7, but deals on headphones are already popping up that are more than worth picking up ahead of time, especially if you want to avoid the chaos of the sale.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

Standouts include Beats markdowns on their Studio Pro headphones (following the release of new over-ear headphones) as well as a variety of other models and brands. Plus, AirPods prices are starting to dip, with a few models discounted across several retailers.

Below, check out the best headphones and earbuds deals live ahead of October Prime Day, according to someone who tests them.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $229.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

While there may be a new pair of Beats over-ear headphones in town, 2023's Studio Pro are still worth a second look.

When testing out the best Beats headphones, Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti found the Studio Pro were actually superior in most cases to the far more expensive AirPods Max. They have better battery life, internal engineering more suited to richer sound quality, customizable equalizer options, and ANC that holds its own with Apple's headphones.

Read Mashable's full review on the Beats Studio Pro.

More headphones and earbuds deals

• Soundcore Q20i — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• EarFun Air Pro 4 — $62.99 $79.99 (save $17)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $103.99 $179.99 (save $76)

• Beats Solo 4 — $149.95 $199.95 (save $50)

• Sony ULT headphones — $132.95 $249.99 (save $117.04)

• Beats Powerbeats Fit — $169.95 $199.99 (save $30.04)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $234 $249 (save $15)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless — $244.90 $449 (save $55.09)

• Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) — $399.99 $449 (save $49.01)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $479 $549 (save $70)

The best early October Prime Day DJI deals: Best drone deal DJI Neo Fly More Combo $295 (save $50) Get Deal Best camera deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 (save $80) Get Deal Best mic deal DJI Mic 3 $259 (save $70) Get Deal Best power station deal DJI Power 2000 V2 $759.99 (save $550) Get Deal

As Mashable's Global Shopping Editor, I spend a lot of time trawling through the best deals on the web. And a good portion of that time is dedicated to sourcing the best deals on DJI. "Why?" I hear you ask. Because Mashable readers (like you) absolutely love the range of creator-friendly tools pumped out by the brand.

Apple remains the most popular brand with Mashable's tech-obsessed readership, but DJI isn't far behind. When we write about DJI's drones, vlogging cameras, mics, and power stations, you read about it and sometimes decide to buy. That data is like gold dust, baby. It tells me that you truly care about DJI. And that means I care.

SEE ALSO: 30+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Bose, Lego, and Apple

So with that, I have trawled through hundreds of early October Prime Day deals to bring you the very best from DJI. Here you can find record lows, deals for under $100, and smart savings that could elevate your content.

The official Prime Big Deal Days savings event doesn't kick off until Oct. 6, but plenty of deals are already trickling in if you want to get a jump on shopping. If you don't see what you're looking for quite yet, keep checking back for more.

Best DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Fly More Combo $295 at Amazon
$349 Save $54   Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the DJI Neo Fly More Combo for $295, down from $349. If you don't need the RC-N3 or the two extra batteries, you can grab the DJI Neo drone for $169, down from $199. In either case, you're getting a DJI drone that weighs only 135 grams, has object tracking, and offers stabilized video. The built-in propeller guards are also a great addition. It's small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, which is convenient since it has DJI's palm takeoff function, which automatically starts filming upon launch.

More DJI drone deals

• DJI Neo — $169 $199 (save $30)

• DJI Neo Fly More Combo — $295 $349 (save $54)

• DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo — $499 $599 (save $100)

• DJI Mini 3 with DJI RC — $489 $549 (save $60)

• DJI Air 3 — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

Best DJI camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 at Amazon
$629 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is down to $549 ahead of October Prime Day. The record low for this stacked bundle is $512, so you're getting a really good price here with a week still to go until the main event. We might see another price drop as we move closer to Prime Day, but in this case, we wouldn't be surprised if this were the lowest price we get.

The Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera features a 1-inch CMOS sensor and records in 4K resolution at 120fps. The Osmo Pocket 3's advanced 3-axis mechanical stabilization delivers impressive stability so you can shoot on the go.

More DJI camera deals

• DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo — $239 $299 (save $60)

• DJI Osmo Nano Standard Combo — $349 $389 (save $40)

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 — $439 $499 (save $60)

• DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Essential Combo — $580 $649 (save $69)

• DJI Osmo 360 Camera Adventure Combo — $594.99 $664.99 (save $70)

Best DJI mic deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic 3 $259 at Amazon
$329 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Mic 3 is on sale for $259, down from $329. We've seen better, but it's still a decent price drop. It's early days, OK?

The Mic 3 is a compact wireless microphone system designed for creators, podcasters, and interviewers who need quality audio and portability. It supports up to four transmitters, features adaptive gain control and selectable noise cancellation, and uses dual-band transmission for clear audio in busy environments. You'll also get up to 28 hours of battery life with the charging case, which is always handy.

More DJI mic deals

• DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $79 $99 (save $20)

• DJI Mic 2 (1 TX + 1 RX) — $129 $179 (save $50)

• DJI Mic 2 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $199 $269 (save $70)

Best DJI power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 V2 $759.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $539.01   Get Deal

The DJI Power 2000 V2 is a popular pick here at Mashable, and it's on sale for under $800 ahead of October Prime Day.

Mashable's Lauren Allain tested this powerhouse last year and noted that it's a "beefy option that’s awesome for camping, backyard parties, or content creators out on projects." Allain added that the "power to physical size ratio is impressive," which is what really matters with these machines. It's all about finding that sweet spot between portability and enough power to keep you moving.

More DJI power station deals

• DJI Power 140W GaN Charger — $59.49 $69.99 (save $10.50)

• DJI Power 140W GaN Charging Combo — $67.99 $79.99 (save $12)

• DJI Power 1000 V2 — $419.99 $699.99 (save $280)

TL;DR: Pay $199.99 once for lifetime access to 1TB of Koofr cloud storage, with encrypted files, multi-device access, and tools for managing your digital clutter.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $199.99
$810 Save $610.01   Get Deal

Cloud storage is useful. Adding another recurring payment to your monthly expenses? Annoying. Koofr Cloud Storage is just $199.99 (reg. $810) for a lifetime 1TB subscription, giving you plenty of space without an ongoing storage bill.

That 1TB can hold the digital stuff that tends to multiply over time, whether you’re keeping work documents, multimedia, software, or other important files. And because Koofr works across smartphones and computers and supports WebDAV, your files aren’t stuck on one device.

Koofr can also connect with existing Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive accounts. That makes it useful for anyone whose files have gradually scattered across multiple cloud services. Instead of remembering where you put something six months ago, you can access your connected storage from one place.

There are some handy organizational features, too. Koofr’s Duplicate Finder can help identify unnecessary copies eating into your storage, while advanced renaming options provide additional control over your files.

Privacy hasn’t been treated as an afterthought. Koofr doesn’t track you, and files are encrypted both while they’re stored and during transfer.

Rather than paying repeatedly for cloud storage, one payment gets you lifetime access to 1TB. For someone who already knows they’ll continue needing cloud space, paying once can be a much cleaner approach.

Get lifetime 1TB Koofr access for just $199.99 (reg. $810).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Alberta Tech didn't start posting TikToks because she was plotting her escape from corporate America. She was bored.

Like so many of us, cooped up at home in the early days of the pandemic, she started filming jokes, riffing on the absurdity of her tiny New York apartment and whatever else the For You page happened to hand her. A software engineer by day, she was just looking for a little fun. What she found instead were fellow tech workers, who saw themselves in every short-form bit.

SEE ALSO: Alberta Tech on what AI gets right and where it still falls short for creators

By then, she'd been an engineer at Google for six and a half years, some of them spent on YouTube. For a long stretch, she lived two lives at once, building features for one of the world's biggest creator platforms by day, then becoming a creator herself by night like a techy Hannah Montana. But earlier this year, she stopped splitting herself in two and went full-time.

Her old life turns out to be her secret weapon. Alberta's comedy takes the dizzying, sometimes ridiculous world of tech, from generative AI to vibe coding, and makes it make sense by making it funny. She was once a hard skeptic of generative AI, and while it's now part of her workflow, she's still not sold on its ability to write a joke that lands.

In Mashable's Creator Playbook, Alberta Tech opens up about walking away from software engineering, why laughter is the fastest route to understanding, what AI is actually good for, and the one question every aspiring creator should answer before quitting the day job.

She was bored during the pandemic. Now she's turning her tech background into a full-time comedy career. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images

Mashable: You had an established career as a software engineer before becoming a full-time creator. What made you start making content?

Alberta Tech: I started making content during COVID. I was just bored at home. I was like, "I want to be making jokes on TikTok," because everybody I know is scrolling TikTok right now, making jokes on TikTok. I started off making really silly jokes about whatever would land. I'd make jokes about living in a tiny New York apartment during COVID, anything I could. As time progressed, I found my community more and more through tech, through software developers specifically. At that time, I was working as a software engineer at Google, so that was what my daily life was all about. It sort of grew from there.

Mashable: How did you balance your career at Google with being a content creator?

Alberta Tech: For a long time, I was doing both, until just a couple months ago. I loved working in my job. I was working specifically on YouTube, which obviously is very important to me now. I loved being able to build features for YouTube. But at a certain point, I realized that to take this really seriously, make the kind of content, and hit the high-quality bar I wanted, I needed to do this full-time.

Were you nervous to finally make that leap?

Totally. I was so nervous to tell my boss. She was like, "Are you sure about this?" And I was like, "I'm pretty sure. I've been thinking about this for a long time."

Do you think being an engineer helped establish trust with your audience?

I think it's super important. My audience now is just over half software engineers and developers. To speak to that group of people, you need to have some kind of credential behind you. You need to know what you're talking about.

I didn't talk about my career at Google specifically online almost ever because I didn't want to get fired, mostly. But I think the way I was talking about the topics and the things I was referencing made my audience know that I truly did have a career in this.

You satirize generative AI a lot, but you've also described yourself as cautiously optimistic about it. How did you get there?

When generative AI first started becoming popular, I was so, so skeptical. I don't know if you've heard the term "stochastic parrot," the idea that the LLM is just saying the next most plausible thing. I was like, "Everyone thinks these things are genius, but they're kind of spewing garbage." And in late 2022, they were kind of spewing garbage.

But I have been really impressed by the progress that I've seen. I've seen AI used for actually very useful and good things, and now it's a part of a lot of my workflows. It has made me optimistic about what the future is going to bring.

What do you think AI is actually good at for creators, and what is it still terrible at?

I use AI a lot for researching, and I think that can be really useful because obviously you shouldn't be trusting facts blindly that you get from AI. But it can show you which paths to go down. This happens to me all the time where I'm asking AI about a topic I want to cover, and then I'm seeing, "I didn't even know about this backstory, and now I'm going to be able to go down a rabbit hole here." I think that is amazing.

Where I'm still not 100 percent convinced is the creativity aspect of it. I know people will try all the time to write out a script using ChatGPT. I have never had that work for me. I can have it give feedback and say, "This is not a good fact. This is spelled wrong." But whenever I say, "Generate a funny script" — not quite. It's not quite there yet.

"Vibe coding" has become this huge internet buzzword. As an actual software engineer, what's your relationship with it?

It's interesting because for software engineers, the word "vibe coding" has become such a dirty word. People really don't want to be called a vibe coder. But the word has evolved a lot. When it first came out, it truly meant typing into ChatGPT, Claude, whatever, "Build me a website," don't look at it at all, and just blindly trust that code.

Now a lot of developers have tools that fit into their workflows, so they can actually look at that code, know what's going on, or give very specific instructions as to what they want the AI to do. It has evolved a lot. It's not just blindly trusting that code, but becoming part of basically every programmer and software engineer's workflow.

We don't have a great word to describe that process. I've heard "agentic engineering" used before, but it's not a very popular colloquial word, I will say.

How has being an engineer made you a better creator? And did being a creator ever make you a better engineer?

My job as an engineer has definitely helped me as a creator in that I'm talking about technical topics, and I had six and a half years of experience really delving into those technical topics. I don't know every topic that comes up in the news, but I know how to look into those. I know how to think about them, how to conceptualize them. And then, in a boring way, working in corporate for a long time helped me stay on top of emails, stay on top of my calendar, know how to do all those not-so-fun but very important things.

As a creator, what really helped me in my career as an engineer was being able to communicate and being able to talk about these more technical topics in ways that are easy to understand.

Your videos are funny, but you're also unpacking some pretty complicated topics. How do you balance entertaining people with actually educating them?

I like to say that comedy is one of the best ways to get to the root of a problem, to get to the root of a topic. If somebody is laughing at something that is kind of technical, they have to understand it in some capacity. Sometimes I find that setting up the joke and making the punchline and giving just enough context to make that happen lets people actually get the topic, get the news story that's going on in AI.

As AI tools get better, do you think they'll make it harder for human creators to stand out?

I think AI does level the playing field a little bit. People are using AI tools so much, obviously now to the point of fully AI influencers, which is a bit scary. I would like to think that what helps you stand out is the original idea, the original script — not just an AI influencer reading it or having a ChatGPT script.

I actually ran an experiment where I took a video that I had posted before that had gone pretty viral, and I remade the whole video with AI video generation tools and took the exact same script. The video did pretty well, which told me a couple things. One, that the concept was the most important thing. And second, it told me video generation is getting really good. Scary good.

What's exciting you most about tech right now?

All of the new model releases and everything that's going on are uncomfortably exciting, as I say, because we are really on the precipice of this really intelligent AI, and everyone is paying attention. These used to be topics that were so small and only appealed to a small group of very technical people. But now it's something that is in the news every day. Everyone is talking about it.

What would you tell someone who's thinking about quitting their job to become a full-time creator?

My advice to new creators is that, in a lot of cases, your audience doesn't really care about you as a person, and so you kind of have to make them care about you. Until you can find that thing that makes them care about you — the value that you're providing, the entertainment that really hooks — you have to keep trying.

Don't quit your job until you find that thing.

If you're looking for online hookups, it's only a matter of time before you find your way onto AdultFriendFinder.

Though it's not a mainstream name like Tinder, it's one of the big boys in the hookup site game. Launching in 1996, AFF is one of the longest-running, most popular adult dating sites around — a go-to place for finding hookups and adult content. AFF has over 80 million registered users across the globe, with some two million users active every week. It's essentially an adult site with a huge social network built in — a playground for horny adults everywhere who want to make a connection or quite simply get it on.

But once you're registered and you've set up your own profile, you'll soon realize that the free version of AFF is limited. The real fun is hiding behind the site's paywall, which means upgrading your account to get the very best out of your AFF experience. We're here to get you started with a guide on everything you should know about AdultFriendFinder's premium membership from a cost and billing perspective:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More AFF membership tiers and costs

The good news about AFF's premium membership is that it gives you access to a stack of useful features, many of which you won't find on other dating sites. These features include unlimited one-on-one messaging, improved search functionality, and higher-res photos and videos. AdultFriendFinder actually offers two premium memberships, Gold and VIP, but to become a VIP, you need to opt into a Gold membership first, so it's worth exploring the Gold tier before upgrading again.

SEE ALSO: Is Hinge really 'designed to be deleted'? I tested it to find out.

A Gold membership will cost $35.95 per month if you sign up for a single month. But there's a downward scale to incentivize you to join for longer periods. It's $26.95 per month if you commit to a three-month membership, or $19.95 per month if you opt for the entire year. VIP members don't gain any additional on-site functionality, but they do unlock exclusive perks that make them more visible to others, including a special VIP badge, access to a VIP lounge, and priority placement in search results.

Multiple payment options

AdultFriendFinder offers a wide variety of payment methods — far more than most other online dating sites, in fact. You can, of course, opt to pay with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, but not AmEX), or with a bank transfer/direct debit payment, but you can also pay with a gift card or cash/check/money order (in the United States only). Residents of the United Kingdom can even place an order via SMS on their smartphones.

If you're especially cautious about absolute privacy, you might be interested in the gift card, money order, or SMS payment options. This allows you to withhold more of your personal data than when you use credit cards.

Watch out for the auto-renewal feature

One key thing to be aware of is that your premium AdultFriendFinder membership will automatically renew at the end of your billing cycle unless you disable this feature or use a one-time payment method, such as a gift card.

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

To disable the auto-renewal feature and prevent unwanted credit card billing, navigate to the My Stuff tab, scroll down to My Account, and then click Billing History & Credit Card Info. Under the Subscription and Product Status menu, you will see your premium memberships and an On/Off toggle for the Auto-Renew feature. Note that if you have more than one paid membership, such as both the Gold and VIP tiers, you need to toggle off the auto-renewal button for both memberships to prevent further charges.

Billing statement

Because discretion matters, especially for many AdultFriendFinder users, it's worth noting that the AFF billing statement is reasonably anonymous. The only wording that will appear on your bank or credit card statement is "FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF." 

Troubleshooting

If you have a question or concern about your bill that wasn't answered by any of the above, you can always reach out to the AdultFriendFinder support line toll-free at 888-575-8383.  

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you don't know James Bond.

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 29, 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: Investing

• Green: Things linked to a particular motion.

• Blue: A movie genre.

• Purple: Abbreviations within words

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: Securities

• Green: Things that are shaken (not stirred)

• Blue: Gangster movies

• Purple: Starting with month abbreviations

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 #1207 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Securities: BOND, FUTURE, OPTION, STOCK

• Things that are shaken (not stirred): ETCH A SKETCH, MARTINI, SPRAY PAINT, TAMBOURINE

• Gangster movies: BUGSY, CASINO, DONNIE BRASCO, SCARFACE

• Starting with month abbreviations: DECENT, NOVELTY, OCTOPUSSY, SEPTUM

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 today's Connections.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 30, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
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Pokémon fans are desperately hunting for anything from the new Pokémon 30th Celebration collection. Anyone who experienced the queues circling Target stores this weekend can attest to that.

With that in mind, we're truly surprised to see Amazon's latest deal on the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. It's wild that they still have stock, but it's even wilder that Amazon is listing this popular ETB for way under market price.

As of Sept. 30, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for just $89.99 on Amazon. That's much cheaper than the market price listed by TCG Player.

Of course, there's a catch. You can't simply buy the Elite Trainer Box on Amazon. Instead, potential buyers must click the "request invite" button. If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that's valid for 72 hours.

These ETBs are selling incredibly quickly, so the "invitation to buy" system is clearly working for many shoppers. And even if your invitation request isn't immediately selected, Amazon will keep it on file and you might get another shot when it's restocked. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Score the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box for $89.99 at Amazon — way below market price.

The White House announced a revamped America.gov recently, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio taking to the stage to dazzle audiences with a new online passport application process.

"Why are you doing this like an Apple product launch?" jokes Daily Show host Jordan Klepper in the clip above. "And one more thing: This passport folds."

The host goes on to play a clip of Rubio demonstrating how the passport's eagle gives the illusion of flying as you flip through the pages.

"Holy shit!" says Klepper. "This is going to totally blow the minds of kids in 1928 who haven't seen Steamboat Willie."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Dyson launched the AI-powered Dyson CameraJet electric toothbrush on Sept. 8, marking the company's first foray into the world of oral hygiene. Unfortunately, it was a difficult debut. Users have complained of issues with the device, which vanished from shelves almost as quickly as these reports rolled in. Now Dyson has explained exactly what went wrong.

SEE ALSO: Dyson's $499 squirting AI camera toothbrush proves smart tech has officially gone too far

The $499.99 Dyson CameraJet is a supremely souped-up, app-connected toothbrush which took six years to develop. Equipped with a camera that analyses images from inside your mouth, the CameraJet is designed to identify gaps between your teeth and floss them with jets of water.

However, problems swiftly surfaced after the Dyson's toothbrush became available on Sept. 8. Social media posts reported issues such as leaking tanks and water getting into the battery compartment, while some CameraJet devices stopped working within the first few uses —  or even the first few seconds of use.

Dyson previously acknowledged an issue with one of the components in a small number of early CameraJet batches, and stated that impacted customers were receiving support. Now the company has elaborated, explaining that the problem was due to a "process issue" with a single batch of jet tubes. In a statement to Bloomberg, a Dyson spokesperson said that the issue caused "a potential for water seepage which affected the performance of a small number of products." 

"We are sorry that we have let down our loyal customers and we will do all we can to support them," said the spokesperson.

Users' issues with the CameraJet had led to speculation that its "sold out" status on Dyson's website was actually an indication that the device had been pulled from sale. Within weeks of its launch, the CameraJet became unavailable for purchase in multiple countries, including the U.S., UK, and Australia, and it remains unavailable at time of writing.

In response, Dyson previously claimed that the CameraJet had not been recalled, and that the lack of available product was merely due to strong demand. Now Dyson has reportedly told Bloomberg that the CameraJet is out of stock because the company isolated impacted devices in its inventory. 

Exactly how much of Dyson's stock was impacted is unclear. While Dyson claimed that only a "small number" of CameraJet stock suffered this hardware issue, the company seems to have set aside enough devices to significantly impact global supply. Dyson is now working to catch up on production and restock. Even so, it has a significant fight ahead of itself to counter the CameraJet's poor first impression.

Ted Lasso Season 4 has been an experiment in high highs and low lows.

Highs: The introduction of Alice (Tanya Reynolds). Her and Ted's (Jason Sudeikis) wordless crying scene. Basically, anything to do with the Lady Greyhounds.

Lows: Roy (Brett Goldstein) and Keeley's (Juno Temple) dragged-out will-they-won't-they arc. The dumbing down of Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham). Overlong, overstuffed episodes.

SEE ALSO: Ted Lasso’s dating profile problem says a lot about the show itself

But in Season 4, episode 9, "Mae Rides the Bus," Ted Lasso finds its lowest low yet. I'm talking about "six feet under the soccer pitch" levels of low, and that's all down to the episode's bizarro ending.

Ted Lasso kills off a beloved character in Season 4. Annette Badland in "Ted Lasso." Credit: Apple TV

For the most part, "Mae Rides The Bus" is a celebratory episode. Keeley, Roy, and Rebecca rejoice at Keeley's surprise pregnancy. Mae (Annette Badland) gets to travel in style on the Richmond team bus. The Lady Greyhounds pull off a key win that will get them promoted. Not even the reveal that Zelda (Tracey Ullman) is the villain who's been buying up all the team's shares can rain on Richmond's parade.

Then, Ted Lasso spoils it all by killing Mae.

The beloved owner of the Crown & Anchor pub collapses in the joyful moments right after Richmond's win. Ted Lasso doesn't actually show her going down, just her fellow Richmond supporters seeing she's fallen and calling for help. The last time we see Mae, she's cheering her heart out.

Ted Lasso has never been afraid to shy away from death. Ted's father's death by suicide is a major factor in the show's early seasons and its focus on mental health. However, Mae is the first member of Ted Lasso's main ensemble to die onscreen. (First human character, that is. RIP Earl the Greyhound.)

SEE ALSO: 'Ted Lasso' finally starts to do right by the Lady Greyhounds

The move is jarring, bordering on cruel. Mae has been a key figure throughout Ted Lasso, but Season 4 has really stepped up her importance. She's developed a deeper bond with Ted's son Henry (Gus Turner), and in episode 8, she joined in on the show's fun detective story riff by helping Higgins (Jeremy Swift) investigate the sold shares.

Most importantly, she's come to represent an older generation of women sports fans who get to see themselves represented on the pitch at such a high level. A proud supporter of the Lady Greyhounds since day one, Mae's waited her whole life for Richmond to have a women's team, and she's never afraid to put sexist detractors in their place.

Featured Video For You The 'Adults' cast teaches us how to be adults

Now that Mae has lived to see her women's team succeed, Ted Lasso has deemed that her time is up. Her death couldn't have been more out of place, or more clumsily handled. Her constant references to her age — sorry, her "seasoning" — throughout "Mae Rides The Bus" telegraph her obvious death, not to mention her motivational halftime speech. But even as you realize what's coming, you can't quite believe Ted Lasso would pull such an egregious move.

In hindsight, Mae's delightful day with the team now reads like videos in which pet owners treat their beloved animals to one last perfect day before they're put to sleep. Only here, it doesn't feel like there's any actual love involved in the send off. It just feels like an overly saccharine set up for a pre-finale rug pull, and Mae just happens to be the sacrificial lamb.

Ted Lasso's Anthony Head tribute couldn't be more misplaced. Anthony Head in "Ted Lasso." Credit: Apple TV

As if Mae's death couldn't get any more baffling, Ted Lasso immediately follows it up with an in memoriam tribute to Anthony Head. The actor played Richmond FC's former owner and Rebecca's ex-husband Rupert Manion in the first three seasons of the show. He passed away June 1 of this year from complications due to pneumonia.

In a vacuum, the "in memory of" card isn't a problem. TV shows and films traditionally pay tribute to members of their cast and creative team who have passed away. Just this year, Euphoria closed its Season 3 premiere with an in memoriam to late actors Eric Dane and Angus Cloud, as well as producer Kevin Turen.

Ted Lasso could have gone a similar route, dedicating its Season 4 premiere or finale to Head. Instead, it chooses a path calculated to provoke the biggest emotional outburst: putting it mere moments after a series character death. For a show where the writers often pluck at your heartstrings, this move is so blatant, it feels more like the writers have shoved their hands into your chest cavity with the hopes of yanking out your heart entirely. The result isn't one of fond remembrance of Head, but rather a baffled "huh?" that Ted Lasso thought it had to wait until a character died in the series to pay tribute to Head in the first place.

Instead of celebrating Head's career or Mae's love of the Lady Greyhounds, the final moments of "Mae Rides The Bus," well-intentioned they may be, also leave us fully aware of the show's emotional manipulation. That's quite the hole Ted Lasso has dug itself, and as we head into the season finale, it has quite a bit of work to do to climb back to the highs we know it's capable of.

Ted Lasso Season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV. The season finale airs Oct. 7.

Amazon provides a pretty irresistible shopping experience through its speedy shipping (among other Prime member perks), vast product range, and unbeatable prices. Prime Day events (including the upcoming Prime Big Deal Days) can often lead to regretful impulse buys. Psst: Just because something is down to its lowest price ever doesn't mean you need it.

With another Amazon shopping holiday on the horizon, officially kicking off on Oct. 6, you may be wondering how to return unwanted items purchased at Amazon. Whether you fall victim to the inevitable Prime Day impulse buys, end up with a broken item, or accidentally order two of something, it's actually pretty simple to make returns in 2026.

Here's the step-by-step process to return your Amazon packages:

1. Go to Amazon's website and click on Returns and Orders in the top-right corner of the screen. If you want to make a return on your Amazon app, the process is similar. On the app, click on the three horizontal lines at the bottom right of the screen. Then click on Orders and follow the same steps.

2. A new page displaying your latest orders will appear. Scroll down to the item you want to return, then click Return or replace items right next to the item listing. In the app, you'll need to click the specific item before you see the option to "return or replace items."

3. The next page that opens will have a drop-down menu listing reasons for returning the item. Select the option that applies to your purchase, then click the yellow Continue button.

4. Then you will have the option to refund the balance to your Amazon account or to your debit/credit card. Pick what you prefer — refunds to bank cards usually take a week or so, while refunds to your Amazon account wallet are pretty immediate.

5. The last step in the online return process is choosing where you'll drop off your return. Amazon is pretty flexible with return methods: You can drop off the item for free at your nearest UPS Store, Kohl's, Whole Foods, Staples, or Amazon Store. You can also schedule a UPS pick-up for $7.99. These options may vary depending on your location. Once you select a method, you'll receive a QR code that you can use to return the package at the drop-off location. If you choose UPS or Kohl's, no original packaging, tape, or shipping label is necessary — just bring the item and scan it.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Though Amazon touts "free returns" on many products, you may see a mystery $1 fee on your account if you did your return at a UPS store. As of April 2023, Amazon often charges a $1 fee for items returned to UPS when there is a Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh store, or Kohl’s closer to their delivery address.

While the return process is fairly intuitive, Amazon's return policy can be tricky for some purchases. While the website states that most items can be returned in their original packaging with no missing parts within 30 days of receipt, regardless of whether they've been opened, there are some notable exceptions. Some luxury items cannot be returned once opened, for instance. And if you purchased an item on Amazon from a third-party seller, that seller might have their own return policy that differs from Amazon's. Meanwhile, not all items can be returned, such as digital orders, gift cards, and groceries purchased through Amazon Fresh.

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.

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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

Gossip.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

RUMOR

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Caregiver.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NURSE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Gloss.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 30, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLAZE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

The intern.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GOFER

Final Hurdle hint

Each month has 12.

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

MONTH

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've watched BMX racing.

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.

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 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.

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 categories

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

• Yellow: Bicycles

• Green: NHL nicknames

• Blue: Atlanta basketball

• Purple: Things where a field may be involved

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a Bicycle

• Green: NHL Teams, Informally

• Blue: Atlanta Dream Players

• Purple: Field_____

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 #737 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Parts of a Bicycle: BRAKE, PEDAL, SADDLE, SPOKE

• NHL Teams, Informally: AVS, CAPS, ISLES, LEAFS

• Atlanta Dream Players: CANADA, GRAY, HOWARD, REESE

• Field_____: GOAL, HOCKEY, HOUSE, TURF

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.

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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 30 Pips

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

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 30 Pips

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

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

Less than (8): Everything in this space must be less than 8. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 30 Pips

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

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (22): Everything in this space must add up to 22. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Less than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

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

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 30, 2026 Tambourine meaning

A musical instrument

Septum meaning

Often known as the tissues dividing the nasal cavity.

Decent meaning

Not bad, not great.

Bond meaning

A joining of two things.

Martini meaning

A type of cocktail.

Option meaning

A possible choice or outcome.

Novelty meaning

Something entertaining.

Casino meaning

A place for gambling.

Spray paint meaning

Paint applied using a pressurized can.

Octopussy meaning

A movie title.

Donnie Brasco meaning

A movie title.

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.

Future meaning

That which has yet to happen.

Bugsy meaning

A potentially famous name.

Etch a Sketch

A classic children's toy.

Stock meaning

The foundation of many soups.

Scarface meaning

A movie title.

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you like music.

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 30, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: An instrumental destination

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe where you would buy an instrument and what you might find there.

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 music store.

NYT Strands word list for September 30

• Piano

• Guitar

• Drums

• Music store

• Capo

• Pick

• Synth

• Amplifier

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like water.

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 30, 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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Something that flows.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

RIVER

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.

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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 today's Wordle.

The Swan: Behind The Mirror is now streaming on Hulu. And if you needed to pause this reality-TV documentary for a rage break, you're not alone. Like Reality Check: America's Next Top Model, this critical look-back on a pop culture low point is full of jaw-droppingly outrageous revelations that demand a breather. And hey, we're here to breathe with you!

Celebrated documentarian Erin Lee Carr built her reputation exploring the complexities of controversial (and criminal) figures in films like Thought Crimes: The Case of the Cannibal Cop, Mommy Dead & Dearest, and I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth V. Michelle Carter. However, she's more recently explored where investigation and pop culture collide in Britney v. Spears, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, and The Swan: Behind the Mirror.

With her latest, Carr ushers audiences back to 2004, when Fox debuted The Swan, a new reality competition show that promised its subjects the chance to change their lives through 90 days of dieting, exercise, therapy, and free plastic surgery. However, few who signed on were prepared for the emotional manipulation producers would employ to ensure TV from which audiences couldn't look away.

For The Swan: Behind the Mirror, Carr sat down with 12 "swans" across the show's two seasons, as well as some of the series' producers, personal trainers, and Dr. Randal Haworth, an outspoken plastic surgeon who has plenty of wild takes across this new doc.

There's plenty of WTF reveals in this electrifying documentary. So, let's dig in.

The Swan contestants didn't know about the pageant when they signed on. Cindy in "The Swan: Behind the Mirror." Credit: Hulu

Creator and executive producer Nely Galán proposed The Swan as a makeover show that would allow average women to radically change their appearances, with the promise of a new and improved life. The participants — known as swans — were promised an expense-free overhaul that would include personal trainers, therapy sessions, dental surgery, and cosmetic surgery. However, the swans weren't told in advance about the pageant that would become the show's finale.

That idea came from Fox executive Mike Darnell, who senior producer Carl Buehl says described The Swan as a show where "We're going to take ugly chicks and make them hot."

Galán went with the idea, presenting it as an opportunity after the Season 1 Swans had signed on. "You ladies are going to get to be in a pageant," is how Cindy from Season 1 recalls the news being "dropped [like] a bomb on us."

"The Swan promised us therapy, plastic surgery," Kelly A said. "It did not promise us a pageant."

Kristy added, "None of that was mentioned before. Yeah, we did sign up to be filmed. Yes, we did sign up to share our stories. We didn't sign up for a pageant."

Making matters worse, the reality of the pageant wasn't fully revealed until after their surgeries. Then they learned that each woman would be coupled up with another swan in their big reveal, but only one of each twosome would go onto the pageant. The others would be cut from the show and sent home. This meant the sisterhood forming behind the scenes was threatened by a climactic competition.

Beth said of this, "These women were the ones who were supporting you after you had surgery. They were emotionally the ones available that were there for you. And then all of a sudden, it's my competition?"

Kristy reflected on the competition reveal, saying, "I don't know what fresh hell you live in where you think it's okay to bring these women into program under the guise that you're giving them the gift of a lifetime, and then immediately pit them against the very women that they bonded with this whole time to go to your backwoods beauty pageant. They didn't look at us and see us. They saw dollar signs."

Spoilers: These women would not be defined by the producers or brought down by The Swan. While there will be a lot of lows, tears, and shocking reveals along the way, The Swan: Behind the Mirror is ultimately about how these women came together to become a flock that continues to support each other. ("Flock around and find out, bitch!")

Swans felt powerless to say no. Tawyna in "The Swan: Behind the Mirror." Credit: Hulu

This is a recurring revelation in The Swan: Behind the Mirror. First there was the pageant surprise. Then, when it came to consultations with the plastic surgeons, Tawnya recalled declining facial procedures and hearing from the other swans, "I didn't know you could say no."

The threat — said or implied — was that saying "no" meant being sent home.

Archival footage of The Swan reminds viewers how plastic surgeons, Dr. Randal Haworth and Dr. Terry Dubrow, pressured the women to get specific surgeries, including tummy tucks. Producer Jenna Baker confirmed the pressures applied, saying in her interview with Carr, "I'd say women had maybe 1% say over what procedures they had."

From there, the swans healed in isolation, leaning on each other, as the producers provided sparse medical aftercare and kept the contestants away from their friends and family for the 90-day production period. They were also pressured to get back in the gym, while still healing from surgeries. ("I can't control stupidity or stubborness," Haworth said of these workouts.)

Dr. Randal Haworth compares women to toilets, his dog, and victims. Dr. Randal Haworth in "The Swan: Behind the Mirror." Credit: Hulu

Speaking about how he helped cast wannabe swans, Haworth told Carr, "They wanted to know who would make good TV — not in terms of their backstory. I'm just looking at their face. And my goal was as a plumber, can I perform early hyperaesthetic surgery on these people?"

Carr then interrupts him to note that plumber is a "weird" analogy, because "you're literally talking about toilets and women."

To this, Haworth responds, "That was unintended." He admits from there, he was searching for "drama" when it came to these physical transformations.

Later, he says, "[Getting a dog was] the only good thing that came out of my second marriage" because it taught him empathy. Getting a dog taught him empathy. Not his first marriage, or his second. "[My dog] taught me a lot about humans and how to be more empathetic."

But perhaps the most infuriating thing Haworth says in The Swan: Behind the Mirror occurs when he's confronted about how some swans feel harmed by the experience. To this, Haworth says, "There are no victims in life, there are only volunteers."

This callous statement ignores how the show was misrepresented to its participants.

The Swan's crew was trying to make the women cry on camera. Dore in "The Swan: Behind the Mirror." Credit: Hulu

This might not seem like news nowadays, as audiences are more aware of how reality TV producers manipulate participants. However, military veteran Dore's story is a horrid example of such manipulation.

Producer Jenna Baker confirmed the "money shot" was "getting a swan to cry." For Dore, this meant that after surgery, a cameraman poked at an emotional wound. While she was looking at photos of her newborn nephew, he said, "So how does it feel that everybody else can have kids, and you can't have any?"

Dore retreated to the bathroom to escape the cameras. "It was despicable," she said of their tactics.

"These women were treated like a storyline, not like people," Baker reflected.

"I almost died for reality television."

As featured in the film's opening and trailer, Season 2 swan Kari recalled a medical emergency during her surgery, though she still doesn't know exactly what happened.

Sitting alongside her sister Gina, she told Carr that a nurse who cared for her said the pain in her ribs suggested she had received chest compressions, which could mean her heart stopped on the table.

Dr. Randal Haworth has nude photos of The Swan Season 2 participants. Sisters, Kari and Gina, in "The Swan: Behind the Mirror." Credit: Hulu

And the consent around the taking of these photos is debatable at best.

Amy from Season 2 says she and other participants were brought into a garage at Dr. Haworth's office and photographed nude against a white backdrop. Several women expressed how they felt uncomfortable in the scenario. Kari recalled that no cameras from The Swan production were present, but her understanding was "if you don't do this, you go home."

Asked about this photo shoot, Haworth confirmed to Carr that it happened. "Thank you for reminding me," he told Carr. "I was working with Dah Len, who's a top photographer. He worked with Madonna. And we asked the girls if they would want to do before and after [shots]...for a big coffee table book that never saw the light of day."

Asked if the women consented to be photographed, he insisted they did. But Amy says that's not how she was approached about the shoot, and Kari expressed surprise about the supposed "super artsy" book — as Haworth put it.

"I still have those pictures," he noted. "It was an art project."

The Swan: Behind the Mirror is now streaming on Hulu. Look for more about the doc in the Oct. 2 episode of Say More, featuring documentarian Erin Lee Carr.