Technology

If you've ever wondered why the moon looks a little different each night, it’s all down to its phases in the lunar cycle. Tonight we're on day 19 of the cycle, keep reading to find out what this means

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Nov. 9, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 78% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

What can you see tonight? Well, without visual aids you should be able to spot the Aristarchus Plateau, the Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Mare Vaporum. If you have binoculars, you'll see all this plus the Grimaldi Basin, Posidonius Crater, and the Mare Frigoris. Telescope owners will get an extra treat, with the Reiner Gamma, Rima Ariadaeus, and Rupes Altai (Altai Scarp) all coming into view.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes an orbit around Earth roughly every 29.5 days, passing through distinct phases along the way. These phases happen due to the shifting angles between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. From our perspective, the Moon may look fully bright, partially lit, or entirely dark, though the same side always faces us. The difference is in how sunlight reflects off its surface, forming a regular pattern called the lunar cycle.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

For the past decade, I've been a dedicated Apple user. I've been committed to the iPhone, MacBook, and iPad lifestyle, but I'll admit that it's left me uninformed about what's happening with Windows and Android. Since I started testing tech, it's opened up all sides of the iOS and Android spectrum, and I've come around. In fact, while doing a recent round of testing for our tablets guide, I found an Android tablet that convinced me iPads aren't necessarily the superior tablet.

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is technically a gaming tablet, but if you're not a gamer, don't worry. That just means it's equipped to handle a decent amount of data in its small, portable form. Here's everything I love about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 and why I've kept using it long after testing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 $389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160   Shop Now Small but mighty

The best part of the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is its size. Before I started using e-readers, I was dragging around an old iPad that was heavy and strained my wrist while reading it for extended periods. Measuring 0.31 inches by 8.21 inches by 5.1 inches, it had an 8.8-inch screen, making it just slightly bigger than an iPad Mini.

The compact size makes it incredibly easy to take on the go. It's lightweight and won't take up much space in a bag, but it also allows you to hold it up for hours at a time.

It's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform and runs on the Android 15 operating system. But its best spec is its memory, bringing 12GB of RAM. That's three times what you usually find in budget tablets and the same as what you'd find in premium models, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

I will say, the notification tab on the Lenovo is mighty similar to that of an iPad. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

On the Geekbench 6 benchmark test, it scored 6674, which is actually higher than the score of the iPad 11th generation. It operates for hours at a time, boasting a battery life of over 11 hours. (Of course, it pales in comparison to the new M5 iPad Pro.)

To translate all of these tech specs: the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a small device with even more power than you need to keep yourself entertained on the go.

Two ports are better than one

After years of testing products for Mashable, most of them blend together. It's rare that a product really stands out from the crowd, and often it's the small details that make a particular product stand out. With the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, I love the simple fact that it has not one, but two ports. Maybe it says more about the state of tech that I'm celebrating the fact that a device has more than one port, but alas, here we are. Every tablet I've tested has a single port, except for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which features one USB-C port on the long side and another on the short side.

It's the first tablet I've encountered that has this set up, but I wish every tablet did. That way, if you want to use your tablet while it's charging, you can do so from the angle that works best. Alternatively, it allows you to plug in a controller and charge it simultaneously.

Perfect entertainment on the go The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is the perfect sized tablet for travel. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

For my purposes, I like a tablet on the smaller side, and the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 fits the bill with its 8.8-inch screen. Its compact size prevents arm fatigue during a reading marathon. Plus, it doesn't take up a ton of space on the kitchen counter, so I can cook and watch. Not to mention, it would be the perfect size for an airplane tray table. Gamers will also appreciate this Android gaming tablet, for obvious reasons.

I'd actually stopped carrying my iPad around because I found it to be too clunky, but the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a much smaller tablet to take on the go. With its compact size, I'm much more likely to reach for it when traveling.

My one complaint? The case The included case for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is not my favorite. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

OK, so I've been going on and on about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, but there is one downside: its case. On the upside, it comes with a case, a feature that very few tablets offer. The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 comes with a case that provides suitable ventilation so the tablet doesn't overheat. The front of the case also features two magnetic hinges, allowing it to be removed on either side, which provides nice flexibility.

That being said, I find the case to be extremely flimsy. It definitely feels a little cheap, and folding the cover to create a stand is a bit awkward. It can only fold one particular way, and getting it right always takes me a few tries, even though I've been using it for weeks.

Since this is a lesser-known tablet, you don't have as many alternative case options from the brand. However, you can find some decent options on Amazon.

Why should you buy the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3?

If, for some reason, you're stuck on the idea that Androids aren't as powerful as iOS devices, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 will prove that wrong. It features a stunning HDR10 display and 12GB of RAM, allowing you to game on the go. But even if you're not a gamer, I've found this tablet is just the right size for reading and streaming. If you're converting from an iOS device, you might experience a slight learning curve adjusting to the Android system, but it won't take long. It's a great budget-friendly alternative to an iPad Mini, which certainly convinced me to stray from the iOS agenda.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 $389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160   Shop Now

Earlier this year, during the college basketball event known as March Madness, the biggest sports gambling apps were lighting up Eden Iscil's phone with notifications. From sunrise to late evening, they kept inviting him to wager on games, players, and teams.

But the apps didn't know that Iscil wasn't actually interested in placing bets or winning money. In fact, Iscil isn't a "sports person" and had never gambled on sports before downloading the FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM apps.

Instead, Iscil was conducting research about sports gambling app notifications in his role as the senior public policy manager for the National Consumers League. 

That research led the nonprofit organization to recommend a ban on sports betting advertising, particularly via push notifications. Iscil's own advice to gamblers? Turn off those notifications whenever possible. 

SEE ALSO: When the urge to gamble strikes, try mindfulness

Iscil made that conclusion after spending a few weeks on the frontlines of online sports gambling, learning firsthand what millions of Americans have already experienced: Sportsbooks can now reach customers anywhere with marketing messages designed to reel them in, using notifications tailored to their betting preferences. 

"That's just another level of access these gambling companies didn't have previously," Iscil says, noting that people typically placed their wagers at casinos or sportsbooks prior to the nationwide legalization of online gambling in 2018. Sports betting revenue reached $13.7 billion dollars in 2024, according to the American Gaming Association.

While push notifications may be standard business practice these days, experts say they encourage people to spend more time and money gambling than they otherwise would, similar to other aspects of gambling app design. A lawsuit filed this year by the city of Baltimore alleges that both FanDuel and DraftKings use "systematically designed and deployed" notifications and promotions to target users and keep them spending.

"The platforms are designed to create disordered gamblers and then exploit them," the lawsuit alleged. DraftKings declined to comment on ongoing litigation. A spokesperson for FanDuel said the company also wouldn't comment on pending litigation but added that it "operates in accordance with all laws."

With over two-thirds of U.S. states allowing online sports betting, such apps are becoming ubiquitous. According to a recent poll by the Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School of Communication, nearly a quarter of Americans, and 48 percent of American men aged 18-49, have an account with at least one online sportsbook.

SEE ALSO: Is online gambling contributing to Vegas' problems? Potential risks of gambling notifications

Iscil told Mashable that each app he tested quickly reflected his supposed personal interests once he began betting.

He received separate notifications reminding him of the odds of betting on NBA star LeBron James as well as March Madness favorites like the Houston Cougars and Tennessee Volunteers, for example. One "March Mania" all-caps text message paired candy and money bag emojis with an invitation to bet using a specific promotion to receive an odds boost. That was sent at 1:30 p.m. Eastern on a Sunday afternoon in March. 

Push notifications, or the pop-up messages sent directly to consumers outside of the app, can be a highly effective way to capture a user's attention with timely deals, discounts, and other promotions.

That may delight the consumer who receives a coupon from a coffee chain just as they were considering an afternoon caffeine fix. But when it comes to online gambling, preliminary research suggests that notifications could lead to impulsive decision-making and increased betting frequency and expenditures. 

Dr. Philip Newall, who studies gambling psychology as a lecturer at the University of Bristol, has looked at so-called "dark patterns," or the ways online gambling companies use various levers to manipulate gambler behavior, like making it harder for consumers to set sensible deposit limits and prominently placing "reverse withdrawal" buttons in an app to encourage consumers to bet with winnings they intended to transfer into their bank account. 

Newall argues that such engagement strategies have reached an unprecedented level because consumers can now bet instantaneously by phone. 

In general, people who experience addiction are more vulnerable to noticing related cues, such as advertising, which then fuel their urge to engage in risky behavior. Even viewing ads about the risks of gambling can increase the desire to place a bet, Newall says. 

Navigating notifications on gambling apps

Iscil discovered that dealing with sports betting notifications isn't simple or straightforward. 

Over the four-week research period, he received 93 notifications on a phone used to place a total of 12 bets. Ninety-five percent of those messages contained advertising to bet. The highest number of notifications arrived during the lunch and dinner hours, between 12 and 2 p.m. and 4 and 7 p.m., respectively. 

Iscil's colleague used a separate phone to download the same apps but didn't make any wagers. That phone received just 15 notifications over the same time period. 

Iscil cautions against averaging out the notifications based on the total number of days spent on the research. He and his colleague placed no bets during the first and fourth weeks of their testing, and the notifications increased and decreased accordingly. Iscil acknowledges that the absence of bets at the beginning and end of the month duration is a limitation of their research.

In Iscil's experience, FanDuel automatically gave itself permission to send notifications to his phone. When BetMGM requested permission from Iscil to send notifications, the platform didn't disclose that it would deliver advertisements for gambling. Though DraftKings asked for Iscil's consent, specifying that it would send exclusive offers and promotions, Iscil felt it didn't make clear that nearly all of its notifications would be marketing. 

BetMGM did not respond to requests for comment. DraftKings declined to comment specifically on Iscil's findings, but it appears the company introduced a new push toggle to turn off marketing notifications since the publication of his report. Mashable reviewed before-and-after screenshots of the app's settings to confirm the new option. According to the company, DraftKings is required by state regulations to offer opt-out mechanisms for all marketing communications, and it says it fully complies with those requirements.

A FanDuel spokesperson told Mashable that when customers download the app they are currently given the option to either enable push notifications or skip them for the time being. The latter setting silently sends messages to the notification center instead of presenting them as banners or on a locked screen. 

The spokesperson added that customers are able to opt-out of marketing messages via their account settings, by unchecking the box for "marketing" under "email preferences." On the FanDuel app, that acts as an opt-out for all marketing communications, including push notifications. 

When Iscil published his report, he noted that each of the apps' iPhone settings allowed a blanket opt-out from all notifications instead of letting consumers skip only marketing messages. Federal law requires businesses to give consumers the option to turn off marketing messages sent via email but keep them for security alerts. There are not yet similar regulations for push notifications, according to Iscil. 

The American Gaming Association, which represents industry members like DraftKings and FanDuel, declined to comment on Iscil's findings. The AGA's code of conduct governing advertising and marketing produced by its members states that such messaging shouldn't "represent saturation of that medium or become excessive."

How to deal with gambling notifications

Consumers who feel the urge to gamble should turn off online betting app push notifications, says Jaime Costello, director of programs for the National Council on Problem Gambling. 

If an app knows a consumer's betting preferences and frequently pitches related wagers via push notifications, the dynamic can quickly become risky, she says. 

"I think that personalization paired with those triggers is what really increases that risk," Costello says, referring to the development of addictive behavior. 

"I think that personalization paired with those triggers is what really increases that risk." - Jaime Costello, National Council on Problem Gambling

Beyond turning off notifications, Costello recommends batching them to read once a day as well as unsubscribing from email marketing messages and using app-based limits that restrict time and money spent during specific periods. 

It's important for consumers to generally track and reflect on their wins and losses, Costello adds. Developing the ability to notice moments of overwhelm or excitement that lead to impulsive choices can help people better manage their gambling habits. 

Yet Costello also believes that gambling operators play a key role by creating products that allow consumers to control what is sent to them. She argues that consumers should always opt-in to marketing messages than be required to opt-out. 

She suggests that gambling apps should use the same opt-in approach for push notifications as they do for email marketing, even if federal law doesn't require it. 

As Costello sees it, the stakes are too high to send notifications that encourage gambling if the person receiving them is already vulnerable.

"Yes, it can be a form of entertainment, but for some people, it has devastating effects," Costello says.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available 24/7 through the National Problem Gambling Helpline. Connect with a trained professional who can guide you to local resources by calling 1-800-522-4700, texting 800GAM, or chatting online at https://www.ncpgambling.org/chat.

How to watch 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour | The End of an Era' Best long-term deal Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $189.99 per year (save $37.89 per year) Get Deal Best bundle deal Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $12.99 per month (save $10.99 per month) Get Deal Best deal for Verizon customers Disney Bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal Best way to get Disney+ for free Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $18.99 per month) Get Deal

We have good news and bad news, Swifties. The good news: A new docuseries taking you inside the once-in-a-lifetime event that was The Eras Tour is coming soon to Disney+. The bad news: You'll have to wait, as the series doesn't start streaming until Dec. 12.

Following the launch of The Life of a Showgirl, the biggest album in history, 14-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-showgirl extraordinaire Taylor Swift still has two huge gifts for fans. First, fans will get to enjoy an updated The Eras Tour film that features The Tortured Poets Department for the first time (The Eras Tour | The Final Show). Second is a six-episode behind-the-scenes documentary series dubbed Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour | The End of an Era, which will take fans inside the phenomenon that was The Eras Tour.

The Final Show was recorded in Vancouver, B.C., the actual final show on Swift's monumental tour. The concert film is directed by Glenn Weiss this time around and features the entire set of The Tortured Poets Department, which was added to the tour following the album release in 2024.

The docuseries, directed by Don Argott, will give fans an inside look at the inner workings of the tour and offer appearances from Swift's family and friends, as well as spotlight performers like Florence Welch and Sabrina Carpenter. Here's everything you need to know to tune in.

How to watch Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour \ The End of an Era at home

Both Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour | The End of an Era (first two episodes) and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour | The Final Show will premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 12.

Disney+ is the streaming home of the original The Eras Tour concert film, so it's no surprise that the new version — featuring The Tortured Poets Department —  as well as the documentary series The End of an Era will debut on the streamer as well.

Not yet a Disney+ subscriber? Subscriptions now start at $11.99 after the recent price hike, but we've rounded up a few of the best ways you can save some money on the streaming service below.

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You can save some money on a Disney+ subscription on its own by signing up for an annual plan upfront. The yearly plan without ads will cost you $189.99 per year, which breaks down to just $15.83 per month instead of the usual $18.99 per month. That's 17% or a total of $37.89 in savings. When you check out, be sure to select Disney+ Premium, then "annual" to secure the discount for the year. Unfortunately, there is no annual plan available for the cheaper ad-supported tier.

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Want more bang for your buck? Disney's bundle deals are hard to beat — even after the latest price hike. You can bundle Disney+ with Hulu (both with ads) for just $12.99 per month, which basically gets you Disney+ for $1 per month (45% in savings). You could also go ad-free and get both for $19.99 per month (about 47% in savings). Want even more for your money? Add HBO Max or ESPN+ into the mix for a three-part bundle that'll cost you $19.99 or $32.99 per month, respectively.

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Verizon Wireless customers can save $9.99/month on the Disney Bundle through Verizon myPlan. Just add a Disney Bundle to your account through myPlan, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select (all with ads). The trio bundle would regularly cost you $19.99 per month, but by signing up through this myPlan deal, you'll only pay $10 per month. That's actually less than Disney+ on its own.

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Total Wireless customers on the $60 per month prepaid Unlimited+ plan can enjoy Disney+ Premium (no ads) for free. No terms or trial periods; just keep your account in good standing. That's a $18.99 per month value tacked onto your phone plan for $0. If you're on the $50 per month plan, you're also eligible for six free months of Disney+ Premium. You can extend your trial by upgrading to the $60 per month plan.

TL;DR: Live stream Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is back with another weekend of huge matchups, including Colts vs. Falcons. The Indianapolis Colts are 7-2 going into this contest. It's going to be tough for the Atlanta Falcons to take anything from this confident team.

If you want to watch Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Colts vs. Falcons?

Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 9. This game takes place at Empower Field at the Olympiastadion.

How to watch Colts vs. Falcons for free

Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Colts vs. Falcons for free 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 7Plus

5. Live stream Colts vs. Falcons for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like 7Plus, 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 secure

• Fast connection 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 — 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 just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals for free on S4C Clic. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals continue to deliver huge contests between the best sides in the world. Wales are not in a great spot right now, but they'll still go into their matchup with Argentina believing that they can pull off a surprise result in front of a passionate home crowd.

If you want to watch Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Wales vs. Argentina?

Wales vs. Argentina in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 3:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 9. This fixture takes place at the Principality Stadium.

How to watch Wales vs. Argentina for free

Wales vs. Argentina in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on S4C Clic.

S4C Clic is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock S4C Clic to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wales vs. Argentina for free 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 the UK

4. Visit S4C Clic

5. Watch Wales vs. Argentina 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of Wales's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for S4C Clic?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on S4C Clic, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 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 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 Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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

Grumpy.

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

TESTY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Squirt.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPURT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A mob.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

HORDE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Tiny.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 9 Hurdle Word 4 answer

MICRO

Final Hurdle hint

To sneak.

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

SLUNK

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

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 November 8, 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 November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 9 Pips

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

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

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 9 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 9 Pips

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

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you know NFL history.

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: High in the sky

• Green: In the City of Angels

• Blue: Defunct arenas

• Purple: Double dutch

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Leap

• Green: Los Angeles Teams

• Blue: Former NFL Stadiums

• Purple: Rhythmic Gymastics Apparatus

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 #411 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Leap - BOUND, HOP, JUMP, SPRING

• Los Angeles Teams - CHARGERS, DODGERS, SPARKS, TROJANS

• Former NFL Stadiums - CANDLESTICK, GIANTS, SILVERDOME, VETERANS

• Rhythmic Gymastics Apparatus - CLUBS, HOOP, RIBBON, ROPE

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 NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love to keep up with your appearance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 9, 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: Found in a beauty kit

• Green: Concentrated

• Blue: To think

• Purple: Flyers

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Personal grooming items

• Green: Packed

• Blue: Ponder

• Purple: Starting with bird homophones

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 #882 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Personal grooming items: BRUSH, MIRROR, NAIL FILE, TWEEZERS

• Packed: COMPACT, DENSE, THICK, TIGHT

• Ponder: DELIBERATE, MUSE, NOODLE, REFLECT

• Starting with bird homophones: CRANIUM, CRONUT, LUNAR, PUFNSTUF

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 November 9, 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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're charming.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 9, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 9, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: How enchanting!

The words are related to charisma.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to capture someone's attention.

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 Charmed I'm Sure.

NYT Strands word list for November 9

• Entrance

• Spellbind

• Charmed I'm Sure

• Hypnotize

• Captivate

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've had an identity crisis.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 9, 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 November 9, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Absentmindedness.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter U appears twice

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...

FUGUE

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 November 9, 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.

While modern flat panel TVs aren't literally dust magnets like CRTs with their static charges, your TV will still gather dust and dirt as time goes by. This isn't only bad because it degrades the quality of the image, but also because dust and dirt making its way into your TV can interfere with its normal operation and even shorten its life.

TL;DR: Secure a massive 100TB of cloud storage space forever with an Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $979.97 (reg. $9,900) until Nov. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $979.97
$9,900 Save $8,920.03   Get Deal

Tired of constantly running out of cloud storage? Every time you need more space, the monthly fees climb higher, keeping you in an expensive, never-ending cycle of upgrades and charges. As we accumulate more data every day, it may be time to consider a more financially responsible approach to keeping your files safe.

With Internxt Cloud Storage, you truly own your space — there’s no more renting your data storage. And right now, you can lock in an ample 100TB of storage for just $979.97 (reg. $9,900) until Nov. 20.

SEE ALSO: The best VPN routers for securing all your devices

Using iCloud to keep your files safe? The maximum storage Apple allows you to rent is currently just 12TB — and it costs $64.99 a month. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to safeguard your precious data, providing enough space to last a lifetime, it’s time to check out Internxt Cloud Storage.

With Internxt Cloud Storage, you own your storage space. That means you can say goodbye to those hefty monthly fees and rest easy knowing you can keep all your important data in one secure space. You can also rest easy knowing Internxt’s end-to-end encryption is so secure that even the company itself can’t access your data.

It’s also GDPR compliant — adhering to strict European privacy laws — and audited and verified by Securitum. That’s a major improvement over other cloud storage services, which not only access your data but also make money from it through targeted ads and data sharing.

If you’re making the switch, Internxt offers cross-platform compatibility so you can easily integrate it across all your devices and operating systems via a desktop app, web browser app, and iOS or Android app.

Never pay for cloud storage again with this 100TB Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $979.97 (reg. $9,900) through Nov. 20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The internet can be a dangerous place, and there is more at stake if your device is compromised by malware than ever. Your passwords could be stolen, sensitive details, like your bank information, social security number, or medical information could fall into the wrong hands. If nothing else, it is just extremely inconvenient to have a PC infected with malware.

I recently tried the Spotlight feature on my friend's macOS running the latest Tahoe upgrade, and I must say, it's awesome. I wish Microsoft would bring something similar built into Windows as well.

Whether you wanted to unarchive a file or take a screenshot, you had to install a third-party app for most of the actions you wanted to perform on Windows back in the Windows XP days.

Usually, when you need to install an application on your Windows PC, you either go to the Microsoft Store or visit the app's official website. But what if I told you that you could use a simple command in Windows Terminal to install any application of your choice? I'm talking about using the WinGet tool commands.

Denmark is the latest country to take aim at Big Tech, announcing plans Friday to ban social media access for users under 15.

As reported by the Associated Press, the measure won’t take effect immediately, but the details of how the ban will be enforced remain unclear. Denmark reportedly plans to roll out an official age-verification app as part of the enforcement system, and would allow parents to grant access to children as young as 13 following an assessment process.

The move puts Denmark in line with a growing list of countries introducing similar measures as concerns over social media’s impact on youth mental health continue to mount. Australia has become the first nation to implement a social media ban for minors, which is set to take effect this December. That ban would have platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Reddit on the hook for fines of up to $50 million AUD ($33 million USD) if they fail to comply.

In the U.S., there’s no nationwide restriction, but several states have enacted or proposed legislation limiting social media use among minors. Those laws vary widely — Nebraska, for instance, requires parental approval for anyone under 18 to open an account — and many are now being challenged in court over First Amendment concerns.

If Denmark’s plan proceeds smoothly, it could redefine the balance of power between governments and Big Tech companies like Meta, opening a new front in the global battle over who bears responsibility for verifying users’ ages — platforms, parents, or app stores.

SAVE $130: As of this weekend, Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 10 discounted by 30% which comes in at $279, down from its list price of $400. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 $279 at Amazon
$399 Save $120   Get Deal

If you’ve always wanted to spring for an Apple Watch, this might be the weekend to go all in. Or, maybe you own an Apple Watch, but your main qualm is that the screen isn’t big enough— this weekend, Amazon has an excellent deal on the Apple Watch Series 10, whose display is 30% bigger than previous models. It’s possible the Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale this weekend because of the new release of the Apple Watch Series 11. However, if a discount is a higher priority for you than having the new model, the Series 10 comes packing with a lot of excellent features.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is also thinner, lighter, and designed for increased comfort. The Series 10 builds on the features that Apple Watch is known and loved for over the past decade. For example, you can use it to track your HR, take an ECG at any time, and get notifications for abnormal low or high heart rate readings. You can also monitor your sleep, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen. It’s also an excellent tool for reaching your fitness goals by tracking your steps, activity, and calories (if you choose to).

And, of course, the Apple Watch Series 10 fits seamlessly into an existing ecosystem. Send texts, receive calls, pay for things with Apple Pay, and download seemingly endless apps.