Technology

As its title suggests, Alien: Earth was always going to bring Alien's Xenomorphs to our home planet. So how would the series adapt the legendary movie monster to its new environment?

That was the challenge the staff at Wētā Workshop faced going into their work on Alien: Earth. Vaughan Flanagan, a supervising art director at Wētā, and Joe Dunckley, a senior art director at Wētā, walked Mashable through their process over a Zoom interview.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth's game-changing ending, explained

"We were very keen to explore Xenomorph design, but we were also very nervous about that, because within the creature design space, the Xenomorph is highly venerated amongst a lot of our artists," Flanagan said. "There's always that trepidation when it comes to messing with the perfect organism."

Wētā has worked in the Alien universe before, creating the Facehuggers for Alien: Romulus. "Romulus was an amazing experience in that [director] Fede [Álvarez] brought together people from shops all over the world," Dunckley explained. "But the Xenomorph for Alien: Earth, that was our opportunity."

Creatures from Earth inspired Alien: Earth's Xenomorph. Cameron Brown as the Xenomorph in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Screenshot: FX

When it came to bringing the Xenomorph to life, Wētā and Alien: Earth showrunner Noah Hawley didn't want to mess with artist H.R. Giger's original design too much.

"We really wanted to preserve that silhouette — the elongated head, the tail, the piping, all of those things," said Flanagan. "A lot of the areas in which we sought to innovate was within the details. This was a show set on Earth, and so Noah wanted to draw a lot of inspiration from terrestrial creatures: crustaceans, insects, beetles, and whatnot. A lot of that was integrated into the suit design."

At first, Alien: Earth's Xenomorphs weren't going to be suits. But when the show moved in that direction, Dunckley and his team took over the manufacture of the suits.

SEE ALSO: How practical prosthetics brought 'Alien: Earth's glorious gore to life

"We started with the performance requirements of the Xenomorph. The Xenomorph in Alien: Earth has to do a lot, so we needed someone who could bring the creature performance, but could also withstand the rigors of the action in the show, because Noah wanted to do as much as possible practical," Dunckley said.

For that, Wētā turned to stunt performer and actor Cameron Brown, who plays the Xenomorph from the Maginot over the first episodes of the season.

"Something that I really wanted to bring was the animalistic quality of the creature," Brown told Mashable in a Zoom interview. "A lot of inspiration for that came from watching the original films."

To figure out how the Xenomorph moved, Brown drew on his stunt performer background. "A lot of my pre-visualization was, 'How is this creature going to interact in different situations?'" Brown explained. "Like in the Maginot, for example, what's it like when there's no threat around and it's just exploring the space? Or what's it like when there is an immediate threat? How does it tackle that?"

How do you put a Xenomorph in the jungle? Jayde Rutene as Wendy's Xenomorph in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Screenshot: FX

In the latter half of Alien: Earth Season 1, stunt performer Jayde Rutene stepped into the role of the adolescent Xenomorph that Wendy (Sydney Chandler) learns to communicate with. (On set, the character is known as "Wendy's Xenomorph.") At this point, Brown stepped into an advisory role for Rutene.

"All of the exploration process at the start is, for me, the most joy in filmmaking," Brown said. "So then when it came to passing all of that on [to Rutene], I got to experience that a second time in the production, which was really exciting to me, sharing some of the discoveries I've made, and then watching my friend Jayde make her own discoveries."

SEE ALSO: Five burning questions we have for 'Alien: Earth' Season 2

Because Wendy's Xenomorph spends so much time stalking through the jungles of Neverland, Rutene and the Alien: Earth crew had to consider new ways to shoot the Xenomorph outdoors.

"A lot of difficulties with performing in a creature suit is trying to stay away from a human silhouette. You can put on this very elaborate and incredibly well-designed Xenomorph suit, but if you just stand there, it's still just a guy in a suit," Brown said. "Finding ways to break that inside a space like the Maginot, where it's all dark and you have the help of lighting and claustrophobic spaces and camera tricks to do that, lent itself to being a lot easier to than when we moved to the jungle. Knowing that Jayde was going to be in a lot more open spaces, we had to try and make sure that all of our movement was foolproof for that."

Wendy's Xenomorph looks different because of how it was raised. Jayde Rutene as Wendy's Xenomorph and Sydney Chandler as Wendy in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Screenshot: FX

Seeing the Xenomorph outdoors in an Earth jungle is a disarming image for the Alien franchise, and Alien: Earth worked to be make it even more disarming by visually separating Wendy's Xenomorph from other Xenomorphs. Wendy's Xenomorph is lighter than others fans have seen, and it comes with its own strange markings.

For Hawley and the artists at Wētā, these design changes reflect Wendy's Xenomorph's unconventional life cycle, as it grew within Hermit's (Alex Lawther) lung, instead of a full human body.

"The idea that Noah brought to us is that maybe because [Wendy's Xenomorph] has grown in this unnatural way, its development would have been altered," Flanagan explained. "We looked at piebalding and mottling for the skin texture. We also thought that maybe this Xenomorph is a little bit more stunted. Maybe it's not as tall as the 7-foot-tall Xenomorphs that we're used to seeing."

The result is a Xenomorph that's uniquely of Earth, one that's still in action by the end of Season 1. How could this Earthen Xenomorph evolve in the future of Alien: Earth?

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu.

Being an NFL fan ain't cheap.

The average ticket to a game will run you $279 — the most expensive being the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles at $475, on average. (Go Birds.) (Editor's note: Go Bills!) But even if you prefer to watch the games at home, it's not exactly a more affordable option.

So, how much would it cost you to watch every single NFL game on TV in the 2025-2026 season? Last year, I estimated that it would cost $891.36 to watch every game, and the situation hasn't improved much in 2025. Let's break it down.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free Why NFL games are broadcast everywhere

Over the past few years, the NFL has sold its television and streaming rights in a piecemeal fashion — a game here, a package there, a day of the week here — in a way that's made it impossible to watch every game on TV via one, clean purchase. If you're a diehard football fan, you better be prepared to do some homework, and your wallet better be open.

That's a shame, because professional football is just about the only thing this country still agrees on. We will and have paid for it. I'd argue that NFL football is the most popular part of our shared U.S. culture, full stop. And it's not particularly close. Even Taylor Swift has her haters, famously so, in fact. Of the top 10 most-watched televised events last year, all ten were NFL games. Of the top 50, 32 were NFL games. It's guaranteed ratings, which means streamers and networks have fallen over themselves to get a piece.

To wit, here is every entity that owns exclusive rights to broadcast at least one NFL game this season:

• CBS

• FOX

• NBC

• ABC

• ESPN

• ESPN+

• Amazon

• Netflix

• Peacock

• NFL Network

• YouTube

Frankly, it'd be easier to break down which broadcasters don't have a piece of the NFL at this point.

SEE ALSO: How to watch NFL games without cable: Football streaming deals for 2025–2026 Which games does each channel and streaming service broadcast? Credit: Ishika Samant/Getty Images CBS

CBS has been the home of the AFC forever, as any NFL fan knows offhand. That means you get a local AFC team, a national game, or some combination of both, during the 1 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET windows.

FOX

In short: FOX is to the NFC what CBS is to the AFC. You get local and national games during the same windows.

NBC

Sunday Night Football, perhaps the marquee game each week, is owned by NBC. The network also televised the season opener (a Birds victory; go Birds) and will have a game on Thanksgiving.

ABC/ESPN

Disney is the parent company of both ABC and ESPN, which broadcast Monday Night Football, another marquee standalone product. Some games also air on ABC and, certain weeks, there are double headers with one game airing on each channel.

ESPN+

That's right, just ESPN wasn't enough; you might also need the company's premium streaming service to watch every NFL game. I write might because there is some confusion; Sports Media Watch reported in August that a planned Week 7 ESPN+ exclusive matchup had been moved to ESPN proper. The NFL's website lists ESPN as the broadcaster, too, but an ABC blog post updated this week lists the Week 7 matchup as an ESPN+ exclusive. Mashable has reached out to ESPN to clarify where the game will air but, for now, let's assume you'll still have to pay for ESPN+ to watch the Houston Texans play the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7.

Amazon Prime

Prime owns the rights to Thursday Night Football as well as a Wild Card round playoff game.

Netflix

Netflix will, once again, air two NFL games on Christmas.

Peacock

Yes, that's right, there is a Peacock exclusive matchup on top of NBC already airing games. The streamer will air a to-be-determined matchup in Week 17, on the Saturday after Christmas.

NFL Network

The NFL Network got six international games this season. Later in the season, some yet-to-be-determined games get moved to NFL Network, as well.

YouTube

YouTube, for the first time, had exclusive rights to the Week 1 Friday night game. It did not require a subscription, however, meaning it was free.

Breaking down the cost of watching every NFL game

TL;DR: It costs $810.86. There are 285 total NFL games in a season, meaning you'd pay about $2.85 per game in 2025.

But, of course, it is much more complicated than a nice, simple number. There are lots of assumptions I used to get to that figure. First, I assumed the consumer was starting from scratch. Consider this customer as someone who just moved — leaving behind an old school cable package — and made getting every single NFL game their top priority.

Second, I assumed this hypothetical customer would purchase each service as it was needed to watch a game then, importantly, cancel it once it was no longer needed. I felt it was a fair compromise to assume folks would 1) remember to cancel but 2) not perfectly time their free trials.

Third, I assumed this fan was not mooching off of others' subscriptions. Frankly, the crackdowns on shared passwords have grown so severe that I'd be surprised if you circumvented them, anyway.

So, in this hypothetical instance, you'd almost certainly buy YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket. A diehard NFL fan would need Sunday Ticket to access out-of-market Sunday games. These are the games on CBS and FOX across the country that aren't the four games airing in your local market — Sunday Ticket is the only way to get those games. From there, YouTube TV covers most of the other networks you'll need: CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. For new customers, YouTube has a package where Sunday Ticket costs $276, while YouTubeTV costs $49.99 for two months, then $82.99 after that.

That leaves you needing Amazon Prime, Netflix, Peacock, and (maybe) ESPN+. Prime is the biggest expense because you'll need it from the start of the season through the first week of the playoffs. That's five months at $14.99 a pop, or $74.95 total. Netflix came in at just $7.99 — assuming you purchased the cheapest tier — for the Christmas games. Ditto for Peacock. The final expense is ESPN+ at $11.99 for its October game, though, again, it's unclear where that game will air. The total, then, came in at $810.86. Here's how that looks in a simple spreadsheet.

Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Google Sheets

We did this exercise last year and, in total, it seems the cost actually got a smidge cheaper in 2025 (about 9 percent cheaper YoY). But, it's worth noting, most people would pay more than $810 to watch every NFL game. Most folks already have a number of subscriptions — streamer, cable, or otherwise — which means we aren't starting from that ideal blank slate. It's likely lots of folks have an expensive cable package, for instance, but still have to spring for NFL Sunday Ticket at $276 to get out-of-market games. Or take returning YouTube TV customers, who have to pay $480 for Sunday Ticket. It doesn't pay to be loyal because all these broadcasters — YouTube included — know that Americans love their football and will pay handsomely to get access.

SEE ALSO: The popular sports piracy network Streameast shut down, and sports fans are not OK

Of course, not every NFL fan will want to watch every single game. Most Americans already have some combination of network broadcasters, cable channels, and streaming services. You've likely already got some of the games covered and can stand missing out on the rest.

Heck, you can see lots of games with just FOX, CBS, and NBC, the old-school networks. Throw in Amazon Prime and ESPN, and you've got access to tons of games. Oh, and Netflix, too, because are you really going to miss the Christmas games? And, well, at that point, you might as well get Peacock, too, right? What's $7.99? And, shoot, are you really going to miss that Colts vs. Rams game just because it's out of market? So maybe Sunday Ticket is a good deal...

Man, it really ain't cheap to be an NFL fan.

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Sept. 27. Enchant Your Kindle Day, hosted by Enchanted Realm Co., is offering free dark and cozy fantasy reads for e-readers.

Opens in a new window Credit: Enchanted Realm Co. Enchant Your Kindle Day (Sept. 27) Learn More

The nights are getting longer, the temperatures are dropping, and you're probably feeling an overwhelming urge to lock yourself away and tackle that reading list that has been staring at you for months. There's no need to feel guilty about that growing list. The sun has been shining, and naturally, you've had big plans. But that's in the past now. It's time to celebrate the season and get cozy.

And there really couldn't be a better time to make the shift, because the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day goes live on Sept. 27. Enchant Your Kindle Day, hosted by Enchanted Realm Co., is offering free (or heavily discounted) dark and cozy fantasy reads for one day only. And better yet, the books that you download are yours to keep forever.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindle accessories for reading in luxury

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Enchant Your Kindle Day takes place on Sept. 27. A lot of recent Stuff Your Kindle Days have stretched out over a few days, giving bookworms the chance to properly peruse their options. This latest event starts 6 a.m. ET and only lasts through the day, so you'll need to act fast to stock up on everything you want to read.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The beautiful thing about Stuff Your Kindle Days is that anyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone. Everyone is welcome, even you.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all of these free (or heavily discounted) dark and cozy fantasy books is straightforward thanks to Enchanted Realm Co.'s helpful hub page that clearly lists everything included in this generous event.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time. So don't hold back.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite + Kindle Unlimited (3-Month Plan) Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle Paperwhite. Prices start at $159.99, but if you want to secure a better deal, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

TL;DR: Learn 14 different languages at your own pace with this lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for $159 (reg. $249) with code LEARN until Oct. 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140 Get Deal

Have you been a little jealous of all the back-to-school mayhem? You don’t have to stop learning after graduation. In fact, you can keep the learning going forever with Babbel Language Learning.

This app’s technology-driven approach to language learning can fit into any schedule, and right now you can secure lifetime access to all 14 language options for only $159 (reg. $249) with code LEARN until Oct. 2.

SEE ALSO: Master the conversations that matter in 14 languages with Babbel

Ready to open the door to new cultures and experiences? Learning new languages gives you access to whole new worlds, and Babbel makes the process a lot more accessible in today’s world. Babbel’s 10-to-15-minute lessons can fit seamlessly into even the busiest schedules, and you never have to step foot into a classroom.

Babbel puts language learning at your fingertips, allowing you to open the app on your smartphone at any time. This deal gives you access to more than 10,000 hours of online language learning lessons. Choose from 14 different language options, and hop into any of them at beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels.

You’ll learn to converse about real-life topics you’ll actually use, like dining, shopping, making friends, and business. And the app’s advanced speech recognition technology allows you to improve your pronunciation as you go. There’s even an AI conversation partner that allows you to practice conversing in real time.

You can use Babbel on all your devices, with your progress syncing across devices. It’s also easy to download lessons and study offline if you have a trip planned or plan to go off the grid.

Take advantage of this exclusive StackSocial deal on a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for $159 (reg. $249) with code LEARN until Oct. 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Give yourself a much needed productivity boost this fall with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021, now just $69.97 (reg. $219).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $69.97
$219 Save $149.03 Get Deal

Even if you’re a devoted Apple user, you don’t have to miss out on Microsoft’s best tools. In fact, you can now outfit your Mac with the helpful suite of Microsoft Office apps. And if you act fast, you can do it for a fraction of the usual price — a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 is now just $69.97 (reg. $219).

Want to give your Mac a Microsoft upgrade? A lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 gives you permanent access to six helpful apps ready to assist you with work, school, and more. And you’re probably familiar with more than half of them, as they’re the old standbys we all knew and loved from the ’90s.

SEE ALSO: Score Microsoft Office for Windows as a lifetime license for under $50

This Microsoft Office suite comes packed with old classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It also includes new staples like Teams and OneNote, so you can get a taste of Microsoft’s latest offerings.

When you purchase, you’ll get an instant delivery and download so you can start using them right away. You’ll never have to pay the monthly fees again, and you don’t have to worry about cloud connectivity. You can work offline as needed, as the apps are downloaded to your device.

This license requires macOS 13 or later, at least 4GB of RAM, and 10GB of available storage. Upgrade your Apple device with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021, now just $69.97 (reg. $219).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Normally, if your boss asked you to tear a body in half for work, you'd run for the hills (and also to HR). But for Steve Painter, Alien: Earth's lead prosthetics supervisor and designer, ripping fake bodies in half at a moment's notice was all part of a day's work.

In an interview with Mashable over Zoom, Painter recalled tearing apart one body in particular: that of Maginot engineer Shmuel (Michael Smiley). The corpse appears briefly in scenes where Prodigy soldiers and the Lost Boy hybrids explore the wreckage. Originally, it lay whole on the ground. However, when Alien: Earth showrunner Noah Hawley requested that Shmuel be torn apart and his halves scattered across the room, Painter and his team jumped into action.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth's game-changing ending, explained

"I just ripped his body in half," Painter told Mashable. "Then we had minutes, literally minutes as they were setting up cameras, to gore up his top half and his bottom half."

(Thankfully, Alien: Earth always had a bucket of fake guts on set.)

Shmuel's halved body is only on screen for a few seconds of Alien: Earth, but the story behind it is proof of the show's dedication to getting as gory as possible through practical effects, which Hawley committed to from the beginning. Some of the show's most gruesome background details came as day-of requests from Hawley, but the majority of Alien: Earth's showstopping body horror was carefully planned. Painter walked Mashable through three of Alien: Earth's goriest moments, from gnarly Xenomorph attacks to open chest cavities.

Alien: Earth makes a statement with an early Xenomorph attack. Alex Lawther in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

From a visual standpoint, one of Painter's favorite prosthetic moments from Alien: Earth came in episode 2, when the Xenomorph from the Maginot attacks Prodigy soldier Bergerfeld (Dean Alexandrou).

As one of the Xenomorph's first kills on Earth, Bergerfeld's death had to make a statement, and Alien: Earth delivers. The Xenomorph yanks Bergerfeld up by his face and thrashes him around before throwing him at Hermit (Alex Lawther). A bloody Bergerfeld rolls off of Hermit, revealing how the Xenomorph has rent his face to shreds.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' episode 3: Inside the big Xenomorph fight

"That was quite a cool effect to do on Dean," Painter told Mashable. "We had some green areas on his face, and a prosthetic all the way around where the Xeno had torn his face away. So his jaw's hanging off, his tongue's in there, his top teeth, stuff like that. We did that for every day for about a week, and that was quite enjoyable to do."

Alexandrou posted a video of the prosthetic application process on Instagram, so you can get an even clearer look at Bergerfeld's ruined face than you do in the brief moments it's onscreen in Alien: Earth.

Alien: Earth revisits John Hurt's Chestburster scene. David Rysdahl in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

One of the most daunting challenges for Painter came in episode 7, when Arthur Sylvia (David Rysdahl) dies by Chestburster. As with any scene involving a Chestburster, the sequence calls to mind Kane's (John Hurt) death in Ridley Scott's original Alien. Painter did not take the connection lightly.

"It's such a lot of pressure on my shoulders to provide what the fans want and expect," Painter said.

Painter, an Alien fan since he first saw it at age 13, watched Hurt's iconic death scene over and over to prepare, picking it apart in order to get Alien: Earth's take on the Chestburster right. In the end, Alien: Earth winds up using the same techniques from the original film to pull off Arthur's demise, albeit with updated materials like silicon.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' continues an 'Alien' tradition with its surprise synthetic reveal

Still, there are some major differences between Kane and Arthur's death. Painter wanted to expand on the scene, opting to show how the Chestburster's emergence would impact Arthur's body in its entirety. That's where the nightmarish image of Arthur's twitching legs came in.

The location of Arthur's death also sets it apart. He's on a beach in broad daylight, as opposed to the closed-off Nostromo dining hall. "From a technical point of view, that kept me up a few nights," Painter recalled.

Malachite's death in Alien: Earth is an Alien fanboy's dream. Jamie Bisping, Karen Aldridge, and Michael Smiley in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

While Xenomorphs are responsible for many of Alien: Earth's goriest moments, you can't count out any of the four new alien species introduced in the series. They all have standout moments, but a special shoutout is in order for the blood ticks. When Maginot engineering apprentice Malachite (Jamie Bisping) unknowingly drinks tick tadpoles in episode 5, they latch onto his insides and begin to drain him dry. To try to curb the damage, medical officer Rahim (Amir Boutros) cuts his chest open, giving us a full, horrifying view of his insides... and the ticks lurking within.

The effect was quite involved. Painter and his team created a full replica of Bisping's body with the open chest and silicon body parts within. (Painter estimates he currently has 16 silicon bodies from the show in storage.) Creating the body was only the beginning of the effect though, as Painter also had to find a way to create motion within the body.

"We built a little pod that goes into that body. It's quite technical, but it could breathe on bellows and syringes and stuff like that," Painter explained. "So it was a fully pumping, working, practical body that's on the table."

For a shot of Malachite convulsing as the blood ticks release poison gas, Painter and his team created a prosthetic to put directly on Bisping's chest. However, in the final cut of episode 5, Painter said, "90 percent of it is our body that they're operating on."

The Malachite sequence in particular was a dream come true for Painter, to the point that he thanked Hawley for writing it.

"I went up to Noah and I said, 'Look, thank you for writing this stuff, because this is straight up my street,'" Painter recalled. "I grew up watching horror films, and I was 13 when Alien came out, and this is a payoff to me, on a personal level. It's just fantastic. I loved every, every ounce of it."

Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu.

Avid Kindle readers should go check their Kindle Rewards balance right now. They might just have some free money waiting to be put toward a new book on their 2025 reading list. That money can also go toward accessories to deck out their Kindle set-up.

So if you haven't heard yet, Amazon rewards Kindle users for doing the exact thing that made them want a Kindle in the first place: reading. The Kindle Rewards point system dishes out three Kindle points for each dollar spent on Kindle books and one Kindle point for each dollar spent on print books (excluding textbooks, magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, and digital subscriptions). Every 300 points is turned into $3 in Kindle book credits.

While 300 points sounds steep, most individual Kindle book purchases are an easy 40 to 50 points. (If you go the print route, you're still looking at 20 to 30 points, plus a new coffee table decoration.) The 300-point milestone could be reached every six or seven books, which may not take long, depending on how much you read.

SEE ALSO: What is Kindle Unlimited? A library of books at your fingertips for just $12 a month.

Kindles are overwhelmingly our favorite e-readers thanks to their superior design and processing power. While other e-readers lag when turning pages or downloading books, Kindles zip through tasks so they read as fast as you need them to. However, we also love that you can save when you spend in the Kindle store.

If you're already a loyal shopper in the Kindle Store, you're probably already racking up the points, but how do you use them? Here's everything to know about Amazon's Kindle Rewards program and how you can make the most of it.

Do I have to sign up for Kindle rewards?

Kindle Rewards doesn't require sign-up, and technically doesn't even require a Kindle. (You can read the books you buy on Amazon on your phone or tablet through the Kindle app if you want.) All Amazon users are eligible, regardless of their status as a Kindle Unlimited member, which is unrelated. Buying your first Kindle Book or eligible print book automatically kicks off the points-earning process. If you've already made purchases in the Kindle Store, you've likely started earning points.

How do I use my Kindle rewards? Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

You can find your Kindle Rewards points on the rewards page in the Kindle Store, both online and within the app. As of May 2025, Amazon now allows you to make purchases within the Kindle app, too.

To find the potential points you could earn on a book you're eyeing, simply check out the Amazon listing for that book. As long as you're logged into your Amazon account, the Kindle Rewards points should show up by the prices for each book.

Once you've hit 300 points on Kindle Rewards, your $3 reward will be ready to use. The rewards are only applicable to use on purchases in the Kindle store — not other Amazon orders. You should see a Kindle Rewards button next to the Buy Now with 1-Click button. Make sure that the box is checked to receive $3 off your order.

The fine print is that once points are earned, you have three months to redeem them. This wasn't always the case, but a June 2023 change to the Kindle Rewards program put a three-month expiration date on Kindle points.

Don't miss out on double reward days

If you want to make the most of the Kindle Rewards program, look out for double reward days. These special events typically last 48 hours, and your reward earnings double. Plus, there's even the elusive triple points day that is certainly not to be missed.

To make sure you never miss a Kindle Rewards special offer, make sure you allow push notifications from the Kindle app, and you'll be alerted as soon as the event kicks off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Rewards Learn More

TL;DR: Featured matches from the 2025 Ryder Cup are available to live stream for free on the official website and app. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There really is nothing like the Ryder Cup.

24 of the best players in the world will come together to compete for Europe and the United States in match play competition. There are few other sporting events that can compete with the Ryder Cup when it comes to drama, so you best believe we'll be watching. Our plans are cancelled. Our schedule is clear. This is going to be special.

If you want to watch the 2025 Ryder Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Ryder Cup?

The Ryder Cup is a biennial men's golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The Ryder Cup involves match play competitions between players selected from two teams of 12.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

The defending champions are Europe.

When is the 2025 Ryder Cup?

The 2025 Ryder Cup is the 45th edition of the event. This year's event takes place from Sept. 26–28 on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.

How to watch the 2025 Ryder Cup for free

Featured matches from the 2025 Ryder Cup are available to live stream for free on the official website and app.

If you are unable to access these free live streams in your location, you may need to use a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free live streams on RyderCup.com from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Ryder Cup by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit RyderCup.com

5. Live stream the 2025 Ryder Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (including money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 Ryder Cup before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for only $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Ryder Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

What the Paperwhite and Signature Edition have in common: Specs and performance Both the Kindle Paperwhite (L) and the Paperwhite Signature Edition (R) have adjustable brightness and warmth. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

You won't spot any differences between the two devices just by looking at them. They're the same size, with the same resolution screen. The power button, charging port, and audio jack are in the same spot on both devices. And they both have the following specs:

• 7-inch display, up to 94 nits brightness, and 300 ppi resolution

• USB-C charging port with up to 12 weeks of battery life

• IPX8 waterproof rating — can be fully submerged in water for up to one hour

Throughout my weeks of testing, I found no difference between the devices' speed and usability. Both e-readers provide exceptional performance. The 2024 models are the fastest e-readers I've tested, quickly downloading books and flipping between pages.

While other e-readers lag when swiping between pages, the Paperwhite and Signature Edition move quickly between pages, never needing time to load. If you need to flip a few pages ahead, just a few taps get you there without delay. Not to mention, both Kindles have a 12-week battery life, so you rarely have to charge them.

Each device has adjustable brightness and warmth for reading in any environment. Turning up the warmth is one of the best features of the Paperwhite and Signature Edition, making it easier to read at night without eye strain.

Plus, Kindle has mastered Libby integration. To get library books on your Kindle, you just need to push a button in the Libby app.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: Color The Kindle Paperwhite is just a slightly duller version of the Signature Edition's metallic jade. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

As mentioned, the build and design of the Paperwhite and Signature Edition are nearly identical, except for color — and only kind of. The Paperwhite and Signature Edition come in three shades: black, jade, and raspberry. The slight difference between the two is that the shades on the Signature Edition are metallic, while the Paperwhite is matte.

While the Signature Edition shades are nicer, the difference is so minuscule that it's not worth it to pick a model based on the colors, especially when there is a $40 price difference. Plus, if you don't love the color of your Kindle device, there's plenty of room to accessorize.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: Storage

One of the most significant differences between the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't seen. The Paperwhite has 16GB of storage, while the Paperwhite Signature Edition has twice that at 32GB.

When it comes to phones and laptops, 16 or 32GB of storage is nothing these days. But for e-readers, 16GB is plenty of storage. The average e-book takes up to 2MB of storage, meaning you can hold thousands of e-books with 16GB. That's plenty of storage for me, and 32GB is overkill. However, if you've used an e-reader with 16GB and have run out of storage, then 32GB might be totally necessary.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: Price

When considering price, the Paperwhite is the more affordable option. The Kindle Paperwhite starts at $159.99, while the Paperwhite Signature Edition costs $199.99. The Signature Edition's price isn't just because of its shiny metallic shade. For $40 more, you get added features like auto-adjusting brightness, 32GB of storage, and an ad-free lock screen.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: All the extras The Paperwhite Signature Edition even works with the Apple MagSafe charger. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Speaking of features, the Signature Edition shines. For $40 more, you'll get more storage, wireless charging, auto-adjusting brightness, and an ad-free lock screen.

The best feature of the bunch is the ad-free lock screen. On the Kindle Paperwhite, when not in use, your Kindle will push through various ads from the Kindle shop. It's not the worst, but if you're getting a Kindle for digital reading without distraction, not having ads is a massive perk. (Plus, some of the suggestions can be pretty out there.) The downside is that with no ads, the Signature Edition's lock screen has no "swipe to unlock" feature, so it tends to unlock on its own when you leave it in your bag. However, if you grab a case with a cover, it's an easy workaround.

I'm far less impressed when it comes to the auto-adjusting brightness and wireless charging. I've used the Signature Edition for months, and the auto-adjusting brightness works about 20 percent of the time, and even when it does, I still need to go in and manually adjust it. The wireless charging is also fine. Amazon makes a wireless charging pad you can purchase; however, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is also compatible with other chargers, like the Apple MagSafe charger. That said, I never found this feature necessary since USB-C chargers are plentiful these days, and the Kindle only needs to be charged every two to three months.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 MotoGP action heads east this weekend for the Grand Prix of Japan. Marc Marquez simply has to outscore brother Alex Marquez by three points to seal the title. Surely this is the weekend when it finally happens?

If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan?

The MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan takes place at the Mobility Resort Motegi. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan race starts at 1 a.m. ET on Sept. 28.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan for free

The MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan for free with ExpressVPN.

Despite being less than half illuminated by the sun, there's so much to see on the moon's surface tonight. Even without binoculars or a telescope.

Keep reading to see what you can see when you look up tonight, Sept. 27.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Sept. 27, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 27% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

It's day six of the lunar cycle, so what can we see? With just your naked eye, look up to see the Mare Crisium. If you avert your gaze to the middle right of the moon, you'll also see the Mare Fecunditatis. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, these will be reversed: look towards the bottom left.

Got a pair of binoculars handy? Pull them out to see Posidonius Crater, too, a lava-filled crater. And with a telescope, you can also spot the Apollo 17 landing spot, the final Moon landing in the Apollo program.

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?

NASA tells us that moon phases are part of a 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit. This changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us; sometimes it looks full, sometimes it looks like it's disappeared entirely, but we always see the same side of the moon, it's just how much of it is lit up by the Sun that changes depending on where it is in its 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.

USB drives should automatically appear in File Explorer when you connect them to your computer. Follow these troubleshooting steps if your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC doesn't show a connected drive.

TL;DR: New Zealand vs. Australia in the 2025 Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Rugby Championship doesn't do ordinary games, but there's still something special about the All Blacks against the Wallabies.

This rivarly is always entertaining, and for the first time in years, it looks like an evenly-matched contest. Sure, New Zealand will be favorites. But Australia are top of the standings going into this game, and New Zealand just suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Springboks. Anything could happen.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. Australia in the 2025 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Australia?

New Zealand vs. Australia in the 2025 Rugby Championship starts at 1:05 a.m. ET on Sept. 27. This fixture takes place at Eden Park.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Australia for free

New Zealand vs. Australia in the 2025 Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New Zealand vs. Australia in the 2025 Rugby Championship by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch New Zealand vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to New Zealand vs. Australia without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch top fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream New Zealand vs. Australia in the 2025 Rugby Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

How to play 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 19, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 27 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 27 Pips

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

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 27 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add to 18. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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 love a buttery, salty snack.

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 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: Adoring

• Green: Bodily attachments

• Blue: Used to cook kernels

• Purple: To waste

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: Loving

• Green: Appendages

• Blue: Popcorn-making methods

• Purple: Squander, with "Away"

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 #839 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Loving: KIND, SWEET, TENDER, WARM

• Appendages: ARM, FIN, FLIPPER, WING

• Popcorn-making methods: KETTLE, MICROWAVE, POPPER, STOVETOP

• Squander, with "Away": FIDDLE, FRITTER, THROW, TRIFLE

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 2, 2025

Are you also playing NYT 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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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're not talkative.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Mum's the word

The words are related to noise level.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to shut up.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Pipe Down.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 27

• Quiet

• Inaudible

• Hushed

• Pipe Down

• Muted

• Noiseless

• Silent

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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.

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you're a world history enthusiast.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A German.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

FRITZ

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

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

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.

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.

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

Slime in the throat.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

MUCUS

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Worth.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

VALUE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Found at the back of the throat.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

UVULA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Complaining.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WHINY

Final Hurdle hint

To get up.

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

STAND

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

Although it's typical to interact with the graphical user interface when using Windows, it's still a good idea to know how to use the Command Line. If you dedicate the time to learning it, you could uncover a tool that can enhance your productivity, give you deeper control of Windows, and help you troubleshoot system issues without clicking too many things. You just need to know how to get started using it.

In one sense, Meta AI's Vibes — an endless scroll of AI-generated videos, submitted by creators and launched on the Meta AI app and website Friday — is the purest expression of what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wanted to build when he was designing Facebook in the first place.

Still tinkering in his Harvard dorm room, Zuckerberg explained to a potential partner why he wanted to design his social network not for job hunting, but for endless, mindless scrolling. "I kind of want to be the new MTV," he said (according to a 2010 report on Facebook's murky origin story).

One of my first thoughts, when I decided to spend the better part of a day locked in Vibes' endless scroll, was this: so many Vibes look like a 10-second clip from a music video. (As with Instagram Reels, you can choose from a selection of music to accompany your Vibe.) Some are the cheesy '80s kind of music video, others wacky '90s-style Spike Jonze or Michel Gondry joints. The AI-generated pet videos — of which there are many, often with cats snuggled up in cozy settings or dogs running through fields — look like clips from some dystopian alternate universe where MTV and the Hallmark Channel merged.

This isn't an insult, by the way; I've loved watching music videos since childhood, and they're still my favorite way to get hyped up while working out on my rowing machine. But the best ones, often made by hungry directors heading for Hollywood, do what the best movies do: They tell a compelling story. You can have all the cool disassociated images in the world, and your brain will get bored quickly if there's no story connecting them.

And that's the trouble with Vibes: all of these shorts are great eye candy, none of them tell a story. Scrolling for a day, it was easy to see why social media users were settling on the same description of Meta's new service: an "infinite slop machine."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Is Vibes the future of AI video?

To be fair, there's plenty of interesting AI art out there, stuff that does tell a story and does stick with you. Recently we've highlighted cool stuff like this clever food-based body horror that went viral on Reddit. The question of how much AI infringes on the copyright of other artists is still a hot button topic; one major case is working its way through the system after a judge refused to throw it out.

But as things stand, AI-generated video is the horse that has bolted from the barn. YouTube now lets you add AI video to your shorts; many other services like Imagine and Midjourney are competing to provide you with clips. We're in the AI-generated-video-for-everyone era, like it or not (which is why it's always a good idea to brush up on telltale signs of fakery).

But if Vibes itself is the future of AI video art, I think artists can rest easy. Most artists understand the importance of display and context; a work of art often needs plenty of negative space around it. Vibes jams canvases together like it's a 19th-century gallery with a premium on wall space. (That kind of gallery went out of style for a reason).

The endless series of shorts washed over me after a while, rarely clinging to the inside of my head. There were a few exceptions to this rule, most notably a video of what appeared to be Tom Hanks and Donald Trump running through a cornfield (the same kind that I'd already seen a dozen dogs romp happily through). Hanks looked terrified. Trump, behind him, had long hair flowing in the breeze; it wasn't clear if Trump thought he was chasing or racing. Either way, thanks for the nightmare fuel, Vibes!

A still from a Vibes short, and also how my brain felt after watching them for hours. Credit: @WeirdMusicVideos on Meta AI

Again, to be fair, Vibes also shows how far AI video has come in a few short years. There were few instances, at least in this curated creator feed, of hands with too many fingers, torsos with too many limbs, and other features we associate with AI slop. There was often something in a video that looked a little wrong if you looked too closely — for example, why are those people vacationing at the beach looking out to sea, rather than at the dinosaurs charging past them a few feet away on the boardwalk?

But in general, the problem here is not the Uncanny Valley. The problem here is empty calories.

Younger kids may enjoy the weird eye candy aspect for hours on end (Vibes could well be the new Baby Einstein). But the more mature a brain gets, the less it thrives on mere novelty. Brains are storytelling machines, which is why Facebook's infinite scroll was once so compelling. We shared stories, and created our own community stories by arguing with each other about them. Vibes is the video version of the AI slop that has already arguably made Zuckerberg's social network less compelling than ever.

So yes, in one sense, Zuckerberg couldn't be closer to his MTV dream. And in another, the storytelling sense that keeps us coming back to find out what happened next, Meta's infinite slop machine couldn't be any further away.