Technology

Today's NYT Strands hints will help you understand the flavor of today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you love chewy candy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Chew on that!

The words are related to a chewy impulse purchase.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the taste of chewing candy.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Gum Flavors.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 29

• Bubble

• Cinnamon

• Wintergreen

• Gum Flavors

• Spearmint

• Berry

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 Connections will challenge your musical knowledge in a very unexpected way.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're a music lover.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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: Worn under the clothes

• Green: A hoax

• Blue: What a plumber might touch

• Purple: Old-school jams

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Kinds of underwear

• Green: Play a joke on

• Blue: Parts of a toilet tank

• Purple: First words in '70s rock song titles

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 #841 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of underwear: BOXER, BRIEF, HIPSTER, THONG

• Play a joke on: FOOL, PRANK, PUNK, TRICK

• Parts of a toilet tank: CHAIN, FLAPPER, FLOAT, HANDLE

• First words in '70s rock song titles: BABA, BOHEMIAN, HOTEL, STAIRWAY

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 29, 2025

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

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

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

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

Today's games feature difficulty levels that dial up the challenge quickly, but we have all the tips you need to navigate them.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 20, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 29, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 29 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 29 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 29 Pips

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this red space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-5 placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add to 18. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

I’ve been testing dating apps for Mashable for three years, and Pure is one of the most unconventional and artsy platforms I’ve used — especially for an app that's so direct about sex, yet lacks the usual NSFW ads and creepy messages.

Unlike “traditional” dating apps (and this is definitely a niche app), Pure encourages you to be yourself without actually revealing your full identity. Instead of asking you to share your life story, it asks, “What if you shared nothing at all?”

SEE ALSO: We asked daters what dating in 2025 is like so far

It’s designed for people who are tired of small talk and want to connect based on unfiltered desires, which, ironically, you can filter for. It's ideal for virtual play, casual hookups, and finding someone who is into the same things you are, without judgment.

While this might sound like just another wild hookup app, Pure’s 2025 evolution is focused on creating an empowering space for a Gen Z and female audience that values safety and consent as much as privacy. The features are thoughtful, and the playful interface encourages you to open up and take a chance.

To see how well it works, I used Pure for four weeks with a simple bio, three photos, and a few “Turn-ons,” and I was honestly surprised by the results. Below is my detailed experience with Pure, from the moment I signed up to connecting with other users.

Getting started on Pure: The first 60 seconds

As soon as you download the app, it asks you to sign in using your Apple or Google account. You can also use Facebook, but I'm assuming it's a less-picked option since the link is in a tiny font below the big, clickable buttons for the other two.

There’s also a disclaimer that reads, “You must be at least 18 years old!” — though, as I'd discover, the actual age verification doesn't happen until later.

You’ll then be asked to choose your gender. Pure offers three options:

• I am a man

• I am a woman

• I am non-binary

Once you choose, you’re prompted to add your sexuality. The list includes hetero, bi, lesbian, queer, and asexual (for me, as I selected that I am a woman). There are little monster-like, Salvador Dalí-esque drawings underneath the options, which adds some whimsy (though they kind of freak me out a little bit).

Pure's sign-up process is quick and to the point. Credit: Mashable | Pure 3 photos and 350 characters to make your case

After defining your identity, the app asks what you're actually looking for.

The options are:

• Casual

• Long-term

• Virtual

• Non-monogamy

• Anything but boring

One thing I noticed is that it doesn’t specifically ask if you’re looking for men, women, or non-binary people. I guess choosing your sexuality on the first screen is meant to handle that.

Once you make a selection (you can only pick one), the app asks for your birthdate. This is where the age verification comes in. After you enter the date, a message pops up asking you to confirm you are the age you say you are, warning that it can’t be changed later. You click “That’s Right,” and you're set. You're also given a small toggle to hide your age from your profile.

Then, things get a bit more personal. You’re asked to enter your height (which you can also hide), the languages you speak from a list of 15+, whether you belong to a couple or not (a win for non-monogamous users), and to upload photos. You’ll need to add three of them to move forward. The last step is your bio (which Pure calls a “personal ad”). You only get 350 characters, so you’ll need to be short and to the point. Once that’s done, you’re in!

Pure’s stance on verification gets even more serious in the UK. With age verification being a hot-button issue across the internet (from porn sites to YouTube), Pure complies with local law by requiring UK users to complete a face scan to estimate their age. If it’s inconclusive, they’re prompted to scan a government ID.

After the basics, the profile setup continues with more personal details like your height (which you can choose to hide), the languages you speak, and your photos. Credit: Mashable | Pure Anonymity, ‘Turn-Ons,’ and ‘Devil‘s Bones’

Perhaps the most important feature on Pure is one it completely lacks: your name. I didn’t forget to mention it earlier — because the app never asks for it. The entire experience is built around anonymity, which may make it easier to connect with other users without the pressure of exposing your public identity (but definitely sharing who you really are).

For example, the “Devil's Bones” feature lets you roll the proverbial dice and join a random voice or text chat with a complete stranger. It’s a feature that only works in a setting where no one knows who you are.

The app also gives you a dedicated space to list your ”Turn-Ons.” You can select multiple options within predefined categories like “Foreplay,” “Communication,” and — something certain Mashable readers might appreciate — “Gamergasm.” The choices range from the vanilla (cuddles, kisses) to the delightfully unhinged (biting, wax play, being watched). I was especially happy to see progressive options like “been to therapy” and “dry dating” included. I’m here for it.

This control over your persona extends to your photos, too. You can create entire photo albums on your profile and choose to keep them hidden (and only share access when you choose to do so).

Anonymity vs. safety: How Pure manages both

Anonymity is Pure’s biggest draw, but it naturally raises the risk of catfishing and misrepresentation. So, how does the app handle it? It turns out, with some pretty clever features.

The Photo Verification Badge is your first line of defense. Users can verify they’re real by submitting a quick, private face scan where they copy a specific pose. This badge lets you know there's a genuine person interested in you behind the profile, not a bot or scammer.

But verification isn’t required. So, if a user isn’t verified, the app has a ”True Photo” request. This lets you ask for a live photo from a match directly within your chat, serving as a real-time reality check. It’s a great way to get some peace of mind before you share your secrets (or photos of your naughty bits).

Pure also gives you tools to control your own experience. If you're squeamish about sensitive content (it’s OK, not everyone wants to go straight to Pound Town), a toggle in the settings blurs explicit photos until you choose to view them. You can also hide specific ads from your feed or hide your own profile whenever you need a break, giving you another layer of control.

How matching works on a 24-hour clock

The main way to connect on Pure is through your “ad.” This is basically your bio, which you can update whenever you’d like or hide from the feed when you want to take a break.

To see ads from other members, you’ll need to post one first. Once your ad is live, a Feed of other users appears, based on your location and preferences. You can then filter who you see by things like age and “Turn-ons,” and the app even gives you a heads-up if someone is a seasoned “Pure Guru” or brand “New” to the app. (Pro tip: the "Perfect Match" filter lets you select up to five of your must-have "Turn-Ons," and then only shows you people who share the exact same interests.)

When you see an ad you like, just click “Like,” and if there’s a match, the app creates a chat for you. But you should know that all chats expire in 24 hours, and anything you’ve shared will disappear along with them. Your “Likes” also expire on the same clock. (This is a bit like Bumble, where if a match doesn't reply to a first message within 24 hours, the match disappears.) But based on my testing, it appears that paid features, like unopened Instant Chats and Gifts, stay in your inbox until you decide to accept them. If you and your match want to keep talking in a standard chat, you can both agree to turn off the timer and chat without a time limit. Once the timer is off, Pure assigns you and your match random pop-culture or mythological nicknames, so you're still anonymous even if you decide to keep chatting.

The chats are designed for privacy, too. The app blocks screenshots and will notify you if someone tries to take one. You can also delete the entire chat from both phones at any time by tapping “Clear History.” And if you want to leave a chat, Pure encourages a little honesty by letting you choose a reason, like "Not my type" or "Ghosted," which it then shares with your chat partner.

So, how much does Pure cost?

Pure is completely free for women, but men and non-binary users will need to pay for a subscription to get the most out of it.

For Men and Non-Binary Users

Pricing can vary, but most basic subscriptions start around $6.67 per month (billed annually, so the upfront cost is higher). Pure's PR team confirmed that the Premium subscription runs around:

• $13.49 weekly

• $29.99 monthly

• $99.99 yearly

Features for this tier include:

• Unlimited Likes: Send as many "Likes" as you want.

• Dating with no Borders: This gives you the ability to change your location and scroll through users in any city worldwide.

• Smart Likes: Lets you choose who you want to receive likes from.

• Filter All Likes: Lets you apply filters to see the most compatible likes first.

• Blocklist: Blocked users can be unblocked at any time.

Men can also purchase the “King of the Hill” feature, which will pin their ad at the top of the feed for an hour or until another user takes the top spot.

For Women (Pure Queen Subscription)

While the app is free for women, there's a paid subscription tier called “Pure Queen” that unlocks additional features. A Queen subscription includes premium features like Smart Likes, Filter All Likes, and Blocklist management, but also comes with a few extra perks:

• Incognito Mode: This feature lets you browse the feed secretly and appear offline. The subscription includes seven "incognito hats" each week, and from what I've gathered, they activate incognito mode for 24 hours at a time.

• Queen Style: This adds a unique avatar and design to your ad. You can turn it off whenever you want, but this will give other users a clear visual indication that you’ve paid to be here and are serious about your intentions.

Pure Queen subscriptions ($12.99 for one month or $19.99 for one year) renew automatically unless you cancel them at least 24 hours before the end of the paid period.

À La Carte Features

There are also additional à la carte features available for purchase:

• Virtual Gifts: You can also purchase and send virtual gifts like a heart, a lucky star, or a cocktail to someone you really like. (You can get 50 for $1.60 each or one for $2.99).

• Instant Chat: If you're ready to chat with someone who hasn't noticed you yet, you can purchase an Instant Chat to start a convo with anyone on the app, even without a mutual like. (10 Instant Chats are $13.99).

• Chips: This is an in-app currency used to unlock specific actions, like sending a request to save a chat from the "Devil’s Bones" feature. (Five chips cost approximately $1.10).

Is Pure worth the download?

Pure isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t pretend to be. The entire experience is designed for a specific kind of dater: someone who’s adventurous, values their privacy, and wants to try something a little bit unconventional. It’s a total “breath of fresh air” (literally hate that phrase, but it applies here) for anyone who’s so over the mainstream apps. Pure makes finding connections fun — and if I’m being honest, it’s also hot.

In the four weeks I used the app, I received hundreds of “Likes” each day from real people, and several Instant Chats and Gifts. I also received some steamy voice messages. To really test the location-based features, I was in New York City for one week to see if I received more local engagement (spoiler alert: I did), but even when I returned to Virginia, I still received 100+ “Likes” per day, and the messages weren’t just “hey,” either. My bio reads: “Just a journalist doing some research.” So, so many people who responded to my ad had something cheeky and a little bit witty to say — a completely different experience than I had when using Hinge or Bumble. The only downside I noticed is that even though I set my sexuality to “bi”, there were way more men in my inbox than women (but there was an even split of women and men in the feed).

So my honest opinion on whether it’s worth the download is a resounding yes, particularly for women who are looking for a partner who can think up something that’s better (and sexier) than “hey.” Also, if you’re interested in just having super hot phone sex with strangers, Pure is the place to be.

NASA just brought back from the dead a science mission to the moon involving a water-seeking rover that many believed was already being disassembled and scrapped for parts.

The U.S. space agency canceled the so-called VIPER rover, short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, in July 2024, citing launch delays and cost overruns. VIPER, already $450 million into development, would drill for water ice at the moon's south pole. The findings would then be used to decide where astronauts would land in the future.

VIPER was originally supposed to reach the moon in 2023 on a lander built by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology, but NASA believed the commercial spacecraft needed more time for testing. That, coupled with other schedule and supply chain issues, meant putting more time and money into a beleaguered mission that could jeopardize other lunar plans.

Now, without much fanfare, NASA has restored the mission, choosing billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to deliver the rover to the lunar south pole in late 2027. The mission is part of the Artemis program, which aims to create a long-lasting human presence on the moon in preparation for potential future missions to Mars. 

"The selection of Blue Origin to deliver VIPER is a victory for science, lunar exploration, and U.S. leadership in space," said Grant Henriksen of the National Space Society, which released a position paper last year advocating for a solution to save the mission. "It demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships to overcome challenges and keep critical missions alive."

SEE ALSO: Webb captured this stunning nursery of baby stars. It's massive.

For the VIPER mission, Blue Origin will design, test, and operate the lander, which will carry the rover to the moon. Once the vehicle is on the surface, NASA will run it for an anticipated 100 days. 

Blue Origin has already built a robotic lander to go to the moon for a different mission as early as this year. Under a new NASA task order, the Kent, Washington-based company would manufacture another lander to deliver the rover for up to $190 million. The duplicate spacecraft is already in production, according to NASA. 

Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 lander will attempt to deliver NASA's VIPER rover on the moon in late 2027. Credit: Blue Origin illustration

Blue Origin is one of many vendors in NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. The program has recruited the private sector to help deliver cargo, conduct experiments, and demonstrate new technology, as well as send back crucial data to support Artemis. Through these contracts, NASA wants to see a regular cadence of moon missions to prepare for astronauts' return to the moon in 2027 or later.

Several nations and companies have set their sights on the moon's south pole because of its natural ice. The resource, thought to be buried in permanently shadowed craters, is coveted because it could supply drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel for future space voyages. Not only is their economic interest in the off-planet ice, but having access to lunar water would make it more feasible for astronauts to live on the moon for longer durations. 

The mission's sudden return followed objections from space advocacy groups, which applied pressure on Congress. Lawmakers then requested that private companies step in to help save the rover. 

Water is scarce in deep space, so scientists have long wondered whether the moon's tiny bit could be tapped, Matt Siegler, senior scientist for the Planetary Science Institute, told Mashable in 2022. 

Water was directly detected on the moon for the first time with the instruments on China's Chang'E-5 robotic lander in December 2020. That data suggested there may be more water on the moon than even previously suspected, Siegler said. 

"I'm sure there are a lot of American scientists who are jealous that we didn't have the lander on the moon to do this measurement," said Siegler, who is a part of NASA’s VIPER team.

Engineers lift the mast atop the VIPER moon rover in a clean room at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credit: NASA / Helen Arase Vargas

Under President Donald Trump's administration, discussions of a new space race between the United States and China have intensified, with many concerned China's military-run program could send astronauts to the moon — and perhaps even onward to Mars — before NASA. China wants to land people at the moon's south pole in 2030. Former NASA administrator Bill Nelson feared China might hoard the resources without sharing.

That's at least one matter on which the new acting administrator under Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy agrees. At a ceremony to announce the new 2025 astronaut class in Houston last week, he made those feelings clear. 

"Some are challenging our leadership in space — say, like the Chinese, and I'll just tell you this, I'll be damned if the Chinese beat NASA or beat America back to the moon," Duffy said. "We love challenges. We love competition, and we are going to win."

TL;DR: Keep a scanner on hand at all times with this lifetime subscription to iScanner App, now only $24.99 (reg. $199.90) with code SCAN through Oct. 12.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $24.99
$199.90 Save $174.91 Get Deal

It’s surprising how often we find ourselves in need of a scanner in the year 2025. If you want to keep one available at all times, the iScanner App can help. This handy tool turns your iPhone or iPad into a scanning machine, and you can currently secure a lifetime subscription for just $24.99 (reg. $199.90) with code SCAN until Oct. 12.

Gone are the days of those clunky printer-scanner hybrids. Now you can enjoy the power of a scanner in the palm of your hand with some help from the iScanner App. You can download this game-changing scanning and document management tool right to your iPhone or iPad and start scanning and storing important documents in just a few taps.

SEE ALSO: Apple claims MagSafe stands are responsible for iPhone 17 'Scratchgate'

Take advantage of iScanner’s AI-powered features that leave you with clean, crisp scans. The app ensures the borders of your document are accurately detected and automatically adjusted, while also straightening pages and eliminating curves and skews.

iScanner isn’t just a convenient way to scan — it’s also a document manager that allows you to organize your files with ease using drag-and-drop functionality. It also includes a PDF editor, allowing you to sign, add text, or auto-fill documents with custom templates when scanning something you need to work with.

There are some other perks to iScanner, too. If you need help with a complicated math problem or need to translate a language, the app’s AI capabilities can solve math problems and decipher text in up to 20 languages.

Scan right from your iPhone with this lifetime subscription to iScanner App, now just $24.99 (reg. $199.90) with code SCAN through Oct. 12.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: This tracking device fits where an AirTag can’t, and now you can get a four-pack of KeySmart SmartCard Lites for slim spaces for just $64.99 (reg. $99.96).

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart SmartCard Lite | Works With Apple Find My | 2-Year Battery (4-Pack) $64.99
$99.96 Save $34.97 Get Deal

Looking for a way to keep track of your most valuable items? From wallets to passports and IDs, the KeySmart SmartCard Lite is designed to make tracking your slim items easy. This convenient device pairs with Apple’s Find My app for quick tracking, and right now you can score a four-pack for just $64.99 (reg. $99.96) — less than $17 each.

Let the KeySmart SmartCard Lite help you save time and gain some peace of mind. This sleek tracker is slimmer than the size of two credit cards, measuring less than 2mm thick, so it easily slips into wallets and other small spaces without adding any bulk. And it pairs with Apple’s Find My app, so you can instantly spot it on a map, play a sound to find it, or receive an instant alert if you accidentally leave your item behind.

SEE ALSO: The Apple AirTag 4-pack is back on sale at Amazon — save over $20 right now

With a KeySmart SmartCard Lite, losing your wallet doesn’t have to be a disaster. Just activate Lost Mode, then anyone who finds it will see your contact info and be able to return it to you. It also works great with IDs and even has a lanyard slot to keep it close to badges.

An IPX8 waterproof rating means it can survive up to one hour in 3.3 feet of water, so you won’t need to worry about the elements or any spills or accidents. An impressive two-year battery life also means you don’t have to charge it.

Keep track of your essentials with this four-pack of KeySmart SmartCard Lites for slim spaces for just $64.99 (reg. $99.96).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $60: As of Sept. 29, the INSIGNIA 32" Class F20 is on sale for $69.97. That's a 46% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: INSIGNIA INSIGNIA 32" Class F20 $69.97 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $60.02 Get Deal

TVs can range from budget-friendly to eye-wateringly expensive, but the good news is you don’t need to spend a fortune to snag a great one. And with Prime Day just a week away, we’ve found a deal for under $70 - perfect timing for Fall movie marathons.

As of Sept. 29, the INSIGNIA 32" Class F20 smart TV is reduced to just $69.97. That's a $60 savings, and according to Camelcamelcamel, it has never been cheaper than this. The TV has the Fire OS built in, so you can expect all the perks of a high-end Amazon TV without the price tag. Enjoy easy access to all the major streaming apps, as well as built-in Alexa for easy searching.

For the TV itself, it has a 720p resolution, DTS Virtual-X Sound, and supports HDMI ARC. It can be wall-mounted, too, so you can place it wherever you want in your home. Connection-wise, you're not scrimping either; this TV is compatible with most home theater components, including Blu-ray players, game consoles, speakers, and more.

For under $70, you really can't go wrong. Get this great TV deal from the Amazon website now.

SAVE $90: As of Sept. 29, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon. That's a 39% savings on the list price.

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$229.99 Save $90 Get Deal

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's got a seriously impressive discount. With Prime Day just over a week away, this is the perfect excuse for a tablet upgrade.

As of Sept. 29, this tablet is reduced to just $139.99. That's a savings of $90, and it's the lowest price it's been so far this year. This deal is for the 64GB option without lockscreen ads.

If you're looking for peak Amazon performance, you won't go wrong with this tablet. One of the best made by the retailer, the Fire Max 11 is the best of the best when it comes to Fire devices. Everything is made to the highest quality, including the 11-inch screen with 2.4 million pixels, so that everything you do and watch is displayed in amazing quality.

The performance is worth shouting about, too, and you can wave laggy, slow loading goodbye. This is thanks to the powerful octa-core processor, 4 GB of memory, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

And despite all these high-end features, you're still promised up to 14 hours of battery life. Whether you're streaming, watching TikToks, or catching up on work, you're set all day.

Get this great tablet deal from Amazon while it's on sale.

SAVE $35: As of Sept. 29, the Echo Show 5 is on sale for $54.99 at Amazon. That's a 39% savings on the list price.

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$89.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

October's Prime Day is just over a week away, but we're already being treated to some great early deals. Like this latest discount on the Echo Show 5, currently $35 off at Amazon.

As of Sept. 29, you'll find it priced down to just $54.99. This isn't just a great new price; it's also the lowest price it has been all year.

So, what exactly does the Echo Show 5 do? This handy device is the hub for all your Amazon smart home products. It has a 5.5-inch touch screen for easy control and easy reading. Think looking up recipes, reading the news, or even scrolling through your Spotify playlists, because it's compatible with music streaming apps (not a Spotify person? No problem, Amazon Music works too).

You can even stream Netflix and voice call friends and family from this device, so it does so much more than you'd expect from a smart home hub. The camera can also be used to check in on your home when you're out, speak to family or check if your pets are behaving.

For this deal, you can choose between the charcoal, glacier white, and cloud blue color options. Get it from the Amazon website now.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Sept. 29, 2025:

AcrossWalgreens competitor

• The answer is CVS.

What sprinklers might sprinkle

• The answer is Lawn.

Assumed name

• The answer is Alias.

Company whose round, red-white-and-blue logo is known as the "globe"

• The answer is Pepsi.

Emanation from a hot shower

• The answer is Steam.

DownExpresses appreciation for a performance, say

• The answer is Claps.

Kind of parking

• The answer is Valet.

Express appreciation for a dating profile, say

• The answer is Swipe.

Org. whose round, red-white-and-blue logo is known as the "meatball"

• The answer is NASA.

Virtual thing to "run," for short

• The answer is Sim.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

Fortnite has disabled a Peacemaker dance emote after the series' latest episode aired on Thursday. Though the Peaceful Hips emote's goofy choreography seems innocuous at first glance, Peacemaker's revelation this week adds new meaning to the moves, apparently prompting Epic Games to rethink the collaboration.

"We're disabling the Peaceful Hips Emote in Fortnite as we inquire into our partner's creative intentions in this collab emote," the official Fortnite status X account announced over the weekend. "Assuming it's not coming back, we'll issue refunds in the next few days. Sorry folks."

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It seems that the Peaceful Hips Fortnite dance may contain deliberate allusions to highly offensive symbols, which went undetected until Peacemaker's new episode made them much clearer.

Beware, spoilers for Peacemaker follow.

The sixth episode in Peacemaker's second season, "Ignorance is Chris" continued to follow the titular vigilante (John Cena) as he attempted to abandon his dimension to build a new life in an alternate one. However, toward the end of the episode, it was revealed that Nazi Germany won World War II in this world, resulting in a universe led by white supremacists. 

Though this twist was kept heavily under wraps, Peacemaker did hint at it in earlier episodes. Most significantly, the show hinted at it via the dance Peacemaker performs during the second season's opening credits. In it, the vigilante bends both arms at right angles in a move which, in light of last week's revelations, now appears to be a deliberate allusion to the Nazi swastika.

"Season 2, there's a lot more of the story of the season in the intro [dance]," Peacemaker choreographer Charissa Barton said in August.

Fortnite's Peaceful Hips emote was based on this dance, replicating the same bent-arm movement. 

The dance move could be seen as a clever, sneaky hint for Peacemaker viewers in context. Unfortunately, it takes on a markedly different tone when transformed into a Fortnite dance that players can make their characters perform in the competitive first-person shooter. Many young players also learn these dances and replicate them in real life.

Credit: HBO Max/Epic Games/Mashable composite

Added to the game earlier this month, Fortnite's Peaceful Hips emote was available for purchase in the Item Shop either by itself or as part of the Peacemaker Bundle. As of writing, all Peacemaker items appear to have been removed from the shop, however all except the Peaceful Hips emote can still be used by players who already own them.

It's a new lunar phase tonight, First Quarter, which means we're seeing around half of the moon tonight.

The moon goes through a cycle of eight distinct phases, known as the lunar phases. NASA explains that these phases occur as the Sun illuminates varying portions of the moon while it moves around our planet.

Keep reading to see what you can see when you look up tonight, Sept. 29.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 29, the moon phase is First Quarter, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 46% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

With no visual aids tonight, you'll be able to see plenty on the moon's surface, including: the Mare Crisium, Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Mare Vaporum. If you've got a pair of binoculars, you'll get great views of some of the moon's mountains, the Apennine and Alps mountain ranges. Finally, with a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 17 and 16 landing spots and the Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 6. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the moon’s phases are part of its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. As the moon moves, the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth shift, creating the changing phases we see. From our perspective, the moon sometimes appears full, sometimes seems to vanish completely, but we always see the same side. What changes is how much sunlight is reflecting off its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

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.

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.

Long gone are the days of lying to the dentist about whether you floss regularly or not (and take it from us, they always know when you're lying). Because flossing has had an upgrade in recent years. Indeed, you can put that little box of minty floss aside for a moment. These days, it's all about the power of water flossing.

For those who don't know, the water flosser — or oral irrigator to use the dentist-approved technical term — has been having a TikTok moment. For once, it's a TikTok trend that's actually good for you. It will also keep the dental hygienist off your case.

Look, we know the struggle. You're not alone. Flossing can be a hassle, but it is an essential part of maintaining a healthy mouth. So, where to start with water flossers? Keep reading for some helpful information and a round-up of the best water flosser models available. These will keep your smile sparkly white and refreshingly hygienic.

Do you actually need to floss?

It's no secret that good dental hygiene involves more than just brushing. Sure, brushing is an important part of the process and helps remove plaque and prevent cavities, but you need to do more to keep your teeth healthy and prevent gum disease. Flossing gets in between your teeth and helps lift and remove plaque. In other words, it reaches the places your electric toothbrush can't. And if you don't clean these areas, you're asking for plaque buildup and gum disease.

How do water flossers work?

Water flossers shoot a stream of water into your mouth to remove food particles and plaque build-up. They get into the periodontal pockets — the gaps between teeth and gums — which prevents gum disease. Another advantage is convenience. There's no fumbling around with slippery floss. They're also great for anyone who wears braces. But can you get away with only using a water flosser? The experts at Oral-B state that it's "not recommended to replace traditional flossing with water flossing." Instead, you should incorporate both traditional and water flossing into your daily routine.

How do you use a water flosser?

Water flossers are easy to use, but we'll still break the process down so there are no doubt. We're kinda nice like that. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Add water — OK, this might seem obvious, but you'll need water to use your water flosser. Simply fill the reservoir with lukewarm water. Reservoir capacities vary model to model.

2. Aim — Don't start your water flosser without first placing the nozzle firmly in your mouth. We wouldn't want you to spray water all over your bathroom. Aim the device away from your target area rather than directly against your teeth and gums.

3. Find your perfect pressure setting — At this point you can play around with the water pressure. The pressure should be high enough to actually get the job done, but always start with the lowest pressure setting and work up. Water flossers tend to have a selection of pressure levels.

4. Direction — Work your way around your mouth, targeting one tooth at a time. Direct the water at your gum line and at the areas between your teeth. There's no golden rule for how long on each tooth, but two seconds is more than enough. Most flossers come with a selection of jet tips that each have their own specific cleaning function.

5. Remove water — We've come full circle, and at this point you just need to turn off the device, remove the nozzle, and drain the remaining water from the reservoir. Don't skip this step — leaving water in your reservoir can result in bacterial growth.

6. Cleaning — This whole process is about improving your oral hygiene, so it would kind of defeat the point to not clean your water flosser’s reservoir after every session.

What is the best water flosser?

We've covered the benefits of flossing, whether water flossers work, and how to use a water flosser, and now there is only one thing left to cover. There are plenty of water flossers on offer from top personal care brands, but which model is the best?

We have checked out everything out there from top brands like Oral-B, Panasonic, and Waterpik, and highlighted a selection of your best options. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list — for experienced and newbie flossers.

These are the best water flossers in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Take it from us: No home cinema is complete without a soundbar. Even the most premium smart TVs lose something in the sound. Their speakers never quite match the visuals. That’s because those speakers are usually built into the back or bottom of the TV, which doesn't equate to quality sound. Even with TV manufacturers thinking up new ways to sex-up the sound — such as audio that seems to be comes directly from the action onscreen — smart TVs are meant to be paired with a good soundbar.

A soundbar will be the foundation of a great sounding home cinema, with the option to add a subwoofer (sometimes included) or additional speakers. In this kind of setup, the TV itself becomes just one component in a whole system of cinematic-quality speakers.

But how do you choose a soundbar? There are so many models available. It’s hard to pick apart all the jargon and specifications — especially if you’re a soundbar novice. But listen up, because we’ve done some important research to help you decide. Here's some useful information and a round-up of the best soundbars you can buy right now.

What is a soundbar?

Instead of a bunch of speakers dotted around the room or a chunky amplifier, a soundbar sits under your TV. You can also mount them on the wall, if that’s how you've for your smart TV set-up. Designed specifically for TVs, with a wider build for improved acoustics, soundbars offer a superior quality over built-in speakers — a crisper, more nuanced sound with resonating bass and clearer dialogue.

Do soundbars provide surround sound?

Soundbars can absolutely be integrated into a surround sound setup. Surround sound puts you in the centre of the action by having speakers literally surrounding you, or dotted around the room, so the sound comes from all directions. Soundbars can be linked (often wirelessly) and you’ll find that some brands make it especially easy to connect with other speakers within their range. However, as you’ll read below, you may not need to connect your soundbar with other speakers for surround sound.

What is HDMI ARC and eARC?

These are terms you'll see a lot when shopping for decent audio-visual tech. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It's essentially an HDMI technology that allows you to connect your TV to a speaker via a single HDMI cable without needing multiple optical cables. Meanwhile, eARC—or Enhanced Audio Return Channel—is a souped up version that utilises the more advanced HDMI 2.1 technology. In basic terms, it gives you a bigger, faster bandwidth for even higher quality. This is particularly good for audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, or next gen gaming.

What is Dolby Atmos?

This is a fantastic innovation in surround sound technology, derived from cinemas. Any TV, speaker, or soundbar that’s equipped with Dolby Atmos is essentially a premium bit of kit. Dolby Atmos bounces sound off the walls to create a 3D soundstage and truly immersive experience. Atmos-equipped soundbars have speakers that fire upwards and bounce sound off the ceiling. Dolby Atmos soundbars essentially create a cinema-like experience without the need for multiple speakers.

What does pass-through mean?

While most people tend to plug all their devices (gaming console, Blu-ray player etc) into the TV then run audio from the TV to the soundbar, pass-through allows you to plug these devices directly into the soundbar and run an HDMI out from the soundbar and to the TV. This passes the video signal through the speaker to the TV while giving you uncompressed audio. In other words, the best sound possible. But not every soundbar is equipped with pass-through. It's usually reserved for premium models.

Do soundbars have a voice assistant?

Many soundbars have Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can ask them to adjust the sound or even change the channel. Some soundbars will also connect to music streaming apps or double up as a hub for your smart home.

How much does a soundbar cost?

You can spend around £200 for basic soundbars, or go into the thousands. It all depends on the kind of tech and quality of sound you want. This roundup includes options for most budgets, so there's definitely something for you here.

What is the best soundbar?

You need to ask yourself several questions before making a decision — questions about audio quality, smart features, connectivity, and price. Whatever features suit you and your watching habits best, there's a good option listed below.

These are the best soundbars in 2025.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires some knowledge on NASCAR and football.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Numbers for a football score

• Green: Greek Freak

• Blue: Places in the southeast

• Purple: Racecar drivers

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Points That Can Be Scored on One Football Play

• Green: Associated with Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Blue: SEC Cities

• Purple: NASCAR Cup Series Champions, Familiarly

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 #371 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Points That Can Be Scored on One Football Play - 1, 2, 3, 6

• Associated with Giannis Antetokounmpo - 34, BUCKS, GREECE, MVP

• SEC Cities - ATHENS, FAYETTEVILLE, NORMAN, OXFORD

• NASCAR Cup Series Champions, Familiarly - CALE, DALE, JEFF, JIMMIE

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.

The more software you install on your computer, the longer it may seem to take to start up Windows. Many programs add themselves to the list of programs started when you boot your computer, and that list can get long. Here's how you can disable startup programs in Windows.

Physical media as a whole is fading away to be overtaken by digital versions that offer more convenience and easier access. A minority (albeit a growing one) of people are pining for CDs, DVDs, paper books, and other similar media, but what about comic books?

Microsoft Excel has four cell modes—Ready, Enter, Edit, and Point. Having the correct cell mode activated is crucial for effective data entry management, formula creation, and cell modification, and being in the wrong cell mode can cause frustration.

The biggest advantage that gaming PCs have over other platforms and form-factors is upgradability, but what should you upgrade first, and how much of a difference will it make?