Technology

Given their widespread demand, iPhones are one of the top targets for counterfeiting, and a good replica can closely resemble the original (even if only on first glance). If you’re planning to buy an iPhone from a third-party retailer—or have already purchased a used one from an unknown seller—here’s how to check whether it’s genuine.

With the final season of Stranger Things drawing closer, Netflix has sat the key cast members down to look back on where the horror began.

In the clip above the core Stranger Things cast rewatch some memorable scenes from Season 1, ranging from lighthearted D&D games to the (still shocking) fate of Barb (Shannon Purser).

It's fun to look back on Season 1, but it's just as fun to a) see how much the cast have changed in the nine years since, and b) see how much fun they all clearly have hanging out together off set.

October's full moon is here, and it’s a supermoon, the first of three consecutive supermoons. That means it’ll appear bigger and brighter in the sky than usual, perfect for late-night stargazing.

Alongside all this, October's full moon marks an important point in the lunar calendar, with seasonal significance. Here’s when it's due, what it’s called, and what it means.

When is the October full moon?

October's full moon will occur on Sunday, Oct. 6, and Monday, Oct. 7, depending on where you are in the world.

In E.T., the full moon will reach its peak at 11:47 p.m. on Oct. 6. however, in BST, the peak occurs at 4:47 a.m. on Oct. 7, according to Time And Date.

The previous full moon was on Sept. 7.

What is the October full moon called?

Full moons all have their own names, a custom from early cultures that used the lunar cycle to follow time and seasonal shifts.

The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. In 2025, that falls in October, so this full moon takes the name Harvest Moon instead of the usual Hunter’s Moon.

This full moon is also a supermoon, meaning it appears larger and brighter in the sky because it's closer to Earth during its orbit, and will be the first of three consecutive supermoons, according to NASA.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon is predicted to occur on Nov. 5, 2025, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

What are the lunar phases?

The full moon is just one day of the lunar phase, which is a 29.5-day cycle of the moon's orbit. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're an analog music fanatic.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 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: Musical equipment

• Green: Worn in cooler weather

• Blue: They're wound up

• Purple: Ways to address someone

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: Parts of a record player setup

• Green: Kinds of coats

• Blue: Things that come on spools

• Purple: Starting with homophones of greetings

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 #849 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a record player setup: AMP, PREAMP, SPEAKER, TURNTABLE

• Kinds of coats: CAMEL, DUFFLE, PEA, TRENCH

• Things that come on spools: FILM, TAPE, THREAD, WIRE

• Starting with homophones of greetings: HAIKU, HAYSTACK, HELONIUM, YEOMAN

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints focus on comfort.

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you're a homebody.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In for the evening

The words are related to clothing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe comfortable clothes worn at home.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Loungewear.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 6

• Pajamas

• Robes

• Nightgowns

• Loungewear

• Longjohns

• Joggers

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 features at least one high-scoring letter in Scrabble.

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 love to entertain.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 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 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To cheer up.

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 A.

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...

AMUSE

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.

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

Today's games are harder than they initially seem, but we have all the tips you need to navigate them.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 4, 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 October 4, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 6 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 6 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 6 Pips

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add to 6. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

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

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

SAVE OVER $300: As of Oct. 6, the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $379.99. This is 46% off its list price of $699.99, saving you $320, and marks its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $379.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $320 Get Deal

The Prime Big Deal Days sale event kicks off tomorrow, but you don't have to wait until then to enjoy some discounts. The retailer's been dropping a wide variety of early deals, including some stellar savings on robot vacuums. If you've been on the hunt for a model to bring home, this discount on the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop is absolutely worth a look while it's still available.

The Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop usually comes with a price tag of $699.99, but shoppers can score it at a 46% discount right now, down to $379.99. This is its best price, so there's no better time to grab it, but you'll want to be quick. It's a very limited time deal with a countdown clock that runs through the rest of today, so don't miss out on this excellent early deal.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

As the months get colder and you're spending more time inside, it's nice to have a little extra help with keeping the inside of your house clean, and the Eufy Omni C20 is a helpful little device to have around. It boasts 7,000 Pa suction, alongside a rolling brush and side brush, to pick up any dirt, hair, or debris that drops on your floor. And its Mop Master Technology offers 180 rotations per minute and 6N of pressure to tackle any stains it comes across.

On top of that, the Eufy Omni C20 is about 3.35-inches tall, so it can slide under smaller spaces (like a bed) to make sure every corner of your home feels fresh and clean. Again, this deal only lasts through the rest of today, so act fast to save on the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

Looking for even more deals like this one? Check out our breakdown of robot vacuum deals live ahead of October Prime Day to see what else is available right now.

I have some extremely happy and frustrating memories playing Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 back in the Wii era, but it always bugged me how far behind it looked when compared to it's peers. Yes, Wii is pretty much a Gamcube pro when it comes to raw power, but that wasn't the point. In fact, Wii prompted the motion control revolution that saw Xbox release Kinect and Sony release PlayStation Move, which says it all really.

Fast forward a couple of decades and we have brand-spanking new remasters of the Galaxy series on Nintendo Switch + Switch 2 via a 4K 60FPS upgrade, so is it worth getting? Or should you just hook up your old Wii? Let's get into it:

SEE ALSO: 20 already great Pokémon deals to catch ahead of October Prime Day

Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 is more of a visual upgrade than a comprehensive remaster like Metroid Prime Remastered, which isn't as bad as it sounds considering how brilliant these games still are. That doesn't mean their hasn't been some changes though, here's the cliff notes;

• High resolutions: 1080p on OG Switch, 4K 60FPS on Switch 2

• High resolution cutscenes: Unlike the AI upscaled cutscenes from Galaxy 1 in 3D All-Stars, they've been reworked for both games

• Assist Mode: Perfect for first-time younger players

• Gyro controls: RIP light bar and Wiimote, but it still works

Should you buy if you already have 3D All-Stars?

It depends on your preferences and setup. If you're not planning on playing Galaxy 1+2 on Switch 2, then it's not going to be much of an upgrade visually. You'd still be getting proper 1080p textures and re-rendered cutscenes, but if your happy with that AI smeared look and just want to play the game you've already got then more power to you.

There's some other small differences such as a user interface facelift for a 16:9 aspect ratio over 4:3, alongside a music player with over 150 tracks from across Galaxy 1 and 2. If you're hung up about buying the same game twice for the same console, Best Buy is currently selling digital code for Super Mario Galaxy 1 and Super Mario Galaxy 2 for $39.99 a piece, so picking up Galaxy 2 separately would save $29.99.

If you have a Switch 2, for me the visual upgrades are worth it. These games absolutely pop on a 4K 60FPS screen, and it's a difference that I felt more than saw. It beats the straight ports of Super Mario 3D All-Stars by lightyears in my opinion. Plus the Switch 2 upgrade is free, as this is technically an OG Nintendo Switch release.

Is this the best way to play Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 right now?

Simple answer? Yes 100%, but there's a couple of caveats with that answer in my opinion. First off, it's $69.99 for two legacy Nintendo Wii games, which is crazy even given the visual improvements. Thinking about the value for money gameplay wise, yes of course it's worth it, but it's annoying that both Galaxy titles were in the $20 Nintendo Selects lineup for Wii roughly 12 months after they originally released. The Nintendo tax is real in 2025.

The only other slight issue I had with Galaxy 1+2 was the motion controls, which is more of a personal nitpick. The Wiimote and light bar combo was ridiculously accurate by the time motion plus came around, and it's something a gyroscope can't replicate. Don't get me wrong, it comes very close, but fans of the original releases will notice motion controls in this outing to feel a little floaty and less accurate.

To put this into perspective, I've been playing with a PowerA Pikachu and Gengar wireless controller and Switch 2 Joy-Con in TV mode and handheld, and using the gyro motion controls whilst playing with a standard controller layout feels alright. The sensitivity is quite high, so I wasn't worried about throwing my controller or console flying out of my hand, just simple tilts.

Which amiibo can I use?

Well if you haven't heard, Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 are getting two new amiibo, but they're not releasing until April 2, 2026. Yeah, I found it strange too, but perhaps they'll mark extra content for the games or have some kind of tie-in with the recently announced Super Mario Galaxy animated film, who knows?

Scanning the Mario & Luma amiibo (preorder for $39.99 at Best Buy) gives players instant extra life, whilst the Rosalina and Lumas amiibo (Again, $39.99 at Best Buy) gives Mario a 1-Up Mushroom. All other amiibo usually result in star bits and coins, so nothing major there, but will come in handy when feeding stars for hidden bonus levels etc.

Is Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 worth buying?

It's subjective at the end of the day. If you want two amazing Mario platformers that turn the 3D Mario formula on its head and value for money from a gameplay standpoint? Yes. If you've already got Super Mario 3D All-Stars but want to play a 4K 60FPS version of Galaxy 2? Maybe just buy Super Mario Galaxy 2 on it's own. If you're looking for a full-on remake with tons of extra bonus content and still have the original game on Wii with zero preference on graphical fidelity? I'd probably give this one a miss.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Nintendo Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 (Nintendo Switch 1/2) physical edition $69.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now

• Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 (Switch 1/2 Digital Code): $69.99

• Super Mario Galaxy 1 (Switch 1/2 Digital Code): $39.99

• Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Switch 1/2 Digital Code): $39.99

• Mario and Luma amiibo (Preorder: Releases April 2nd, 2026): $39.99

• Rosalina and Lumas amiibo (Preorder: Releases April 2nd, 2026): $39.99

• Rosalina's Storybook (Preorder: Releases Nov. 25): $24.99

Yes, it's a big ask paying $70 for two Wii games, but they've had just enough upgrades to make this purchase feel worth it. It's a great introduction to both games ahead of the Super Mario Galaxy film, and no-doubt the latest Ninty fans will love Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 with the new assist mode.

TL;DR: Scan on the go forever with this lifetime subscription to iScanner App, now just $24.99 (reg. $199.90) with code SCAN through November 2.

Sick of random stacks of paper cluttering up your space? Digitize your important documents with some help from the iScanner App.

This cool tool transforms your iPhone or iPad into a scanner, and right now you can get a lifetime subscription to this handy app for just $24.99 (reg. $199.90) with code SCAN through November 2.

Digitize documents from anywhere with iScanner

Whether you’re tidying up your desk or digitizing precious memories like handwritten notes, there’s no more convenient way to scan your documents than iScanner. This app puts the power of a scanning device in the palm of your hand, and it’s compatible with your iPhone or iPad, so you can scan from anywhere.

Just point your device’s camera at the page, and iScanner’s AI-powered features accurately detect and adjust the borders of your document. You’ll be left with a clean, sharp scan without any curves or skews. There are also editing tools to improve your scan if needed.

Once you’ve scanned pages, iScanner doubles as a document manager, allowing you to organize your files with easy drag-and-drop functionality. The app can also solve math problems and decipher text in up to 20 languages, thanks to the AI capabilities.

iScanner eliminates the need for a PDF editor, offering a convenient way to edit PDFs within the app. Sign, add text, and auto-fill documents with custom templates, or mark up documents with covers or blurred text if you are trying to obscure information. Dealing with confidential info? You can also lock folders and files with a PIN.

Make scanning easy with a lifetime subscription to iScanner App, now for only $24.99 (reg. $199.90) with code SCAN through November 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

TL;DR: BitMar is a powerful content-finding platform that gives you access to millions of free movies, shows, channels, and songs from across the web — all for a one-time payment of $19.99.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the number of streaming services — or tired of hopping between apps trying to find something to watch — BitMar might be your new favorite hack.

For a one-time price of $19.99, this streaming content-finder gives you lifetime access to a clean, centralized hub where you can discover and stream millions of free movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs from across the web.

BitMar doesn’t host content itself. Instead, it uses the same AI technology behind Bing Search, plus its own smart algorithms, to filter and organize free streaming content from countless sources worldwide. Think of it as a super-powered search engine just for entertainment — legal, sustainable, and ridiculously easy to use.

What makes BitMar shine is the sheer scale:

• Millions of free movies and TV shows (more than most major services combined)

• 200,000+ free on-demand channels, local and global

• Billions of videos with fewer ads than watching on YouTube directly

• Millions of songs and mixes on demand

• Access from anywhere on your favorite devices

No ongoing subscription fees. No monthly bills. Just smarter streaming.

Get lifetime access to BitMar while it’s just $19.99 (MSRP $150) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription $19.99
$150 Save $130.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Turn hours of spreadsheet drudgery, document drafting, and presentation building into minutes with AiAssistWorks — lifetime access is just $39.99 with code AI20.

If you spend your days buried in spreadsheets, churning out documents, or building decks, you know how quickly repetitive tasks eat away at your time.

AiAssistWorks Plus Plan is a lifetime solution that brings over 100 top AI models (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Grok, and more) directly into Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides.

This tool transforms how you work. In Google Sheets, simply describe what you want in plain language and let AI fill thousands of cells, generate formulas, create pivot tables, or even analyze image data — all without touching a single line of code.

In Docs, you can generate, rewrite, translate, summarize, and insert AI-created images without leaving your document. And in Slides, you can auto-generate entire presentations and build visuals in seconds.

Why AiAssistWorks is useful

• Natural language commands — no formulas or scripting

• Bulk filling for thousands of spreadsheet rows

• 100+ top AI models at your fingertips

• Smart content generation and editing for Docs

• Auto-built presentations and graphics for Slides

• Bring your own API key for transparent, pay-as-you-go usage

• One-time payment for lifetime access

Whether you’re a marketer, analyst, SEO pro, student, or anyone who lives in Sheets and Docs, AiAssistWorks is your AI productivity powerhouse helper.

Get lifetime access to the AiAssistWorks Plus Plan while it’s just $39.99 (MSRP $480) with code AI20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AiAssistWorks AiAssistWorks Plus Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$480 Save $440.01 Get Deal

Considering the subject matter, A Private Life shouldn't be as funny as it is. But in Jodie Foster's hands, it's a darkly comedic triumph.

Foster, who speaks fluent French and has acted in a number of French films like A Very Long Engagement and Moi, fleur bleue, is nothing short of formidable in A Private Life (Vie privée). Directed and co-written by Rebecca Zlotowski (Other People's Children), this witty thriller sees Foster as an American psychiatrist in Paris turned amateur sleuth as she investigates the sudden death of a patient. It's not a set-up that screams comedy, but the film truly pulls it off, with the Hollywood icon delivering dry humor and straight-laced drama with characteristic finesse alongside lauded French actors Mathieu Amalric and Daniel Auteuil.

SEE ALSO: 'Nouvelle Vague' review: Richard Linklater's tribute to Jean-Luc Godard and 'Breathless' is good vibes only

With the film's core mystery wrapped in golden-leafed Parisian streets, mid-century modernist furniture, and an almost exclusively auburn and navy costume palette, A Private Life is an autumnal delight that digs deep, gets surreal, and honestly cracked me up.

Jodie Foster is impeccable at dry humour in A Private Life. My kingdom for a Jodie Foster eyeroll. Credit: Jérôme Prébois

Making a masterpiece of dry, offhand remarks and eye rolls, Foster delivers an inadvertently comedic performance as Lilian Steiner, the film's determined protagonist. A traditionalist down to her beloved MiniDisc recorder, Lillian is a psychiatrist firm in her ethical principles, which are tested when her patient, Paula Cohen-Solal (Benedetta star Virginie Efira), dies suddenly by suicide. Though she harbours feelings of closeness with Paula, cold reactions from resentful widow Simon (Amalric) and her reticent daughter Valerie (Luana Bajrami) make it clear Lillian isn't welcome at Paula's memorial events. But what exactly happened, and who is responsible?

Zlotowski co-wrote the film with Anne Berest and Gaëlle Macé, and Foster's ability to hit every comedic and dramatic note feels like a privilege to watch. In a rare French-speaking role as an American expat in Paris, Foster uses English sparingly, almost exclusively for cursing, to hilarious effect. Nobody says "what the f***" like Jodie Foster.

Featured Video For You 'The Thursday Murder Club's Helen Mirren reveals the word she hates to be called

A literal professional at processing emotion, Lillian's a deeply practical person, seeing crying as an inconvenient reason for an eye exam instead of the result of mourning. "I'm not crying, it's the eyes," she insists. Lillian can't quite shake the feeling that she didn't see Paula's death coming, refusing to doubt her own psychiatry skills or deep connection to her patient, and launching into her own private investigation, she suspects foul play. Plus, she knows someone is following her. Due to doctor-patient confidentiality, Lillian can't disclose any information to actual detectives to get them on the case, but she does find a fellow amateur sleuth in her charismatic ex-husband Gabriel (Auteuil), whose relationship with Lillian forms the film's unexpected true heart.

Through Foster and Auteuil's lived-in performance, their comfort and ease with each other and sense of history, Lillian and Gabriel's complex bond forms the foundation of the film, as they almost gleefully attempt to uncover Paula's secrets as exhilarated citizen detectives. Each step of the trail brings them closer together and to the truth, with Gabriel triumphantly shouting, "Drive!" like a heist character when he's picked up a clue, or Lillian suggesting a dubious stakeout.

A Private Life's core mystery is just a starting point. Jodie Foster and Virginie Efira in "A Private Life." Credit: Jérôme Prébois

Beyond the core mystery, Zlotowski peers further into Lillian’s psyche using unexpected moments of surrealism. Though she's skeptical of alternative medicine, Lillian gives hypnotherapy a whirl at a loose end, descending into a wondrous state of hypnosis mid-eye roll. What follows is a brief but beautiful sequence into a dream-like world, a realm of liquid glass tabletops, bright red staircases, and falling snow, where Lillian's supposed past life sits behind closed doors. These scenes, beautifully shot by cinematographer George Lechaptois, becomes crucial to Lillian understanding her relationships with Paula and the people in their lives, though her son Julien (Lost Illusions star Vincent Lacoste) struggles to understand it. But it's through Foster's sense of conviction and movement that sells what could have been a frivolous sequence, rendering it of the utmost importance to Lillian's sense of self.

Despite Efira's magnetic presence, the character of Paula feels intentionally lacking in depth, posthumously crafted through her taped conversations with Lillian and brief reflections from her husband and daughter. The result is that we really don't get to know Paula at all beyond her psychiatry sessions, mirroring Lillian's own limited knowledge of her patient, despite the intimate level of personal divulgence enabled by their dynamic. 

But there's one element of A Private Life that unashamedly steals the spotlight from the characters, demanding to be known: Paris itself.

A Private Life boasts a sublime Parisian aesthetic. Extremely Paris. Credit: Jérôme Prébois

Autumnal excellence is apparently the order of the day for production design in some of this year's best films (looking at you, The Mastermind), and A Private Life continues the trend. From Lillian's spiral-staircased appartement filled with leather Eames-style chairs, coffee-hued drapes, velvet cushions, and abstract art to the wood panelling and brass of Gabriel's favourite restaurant, the film breathes Parisian fall flair into every scene thanks to production designer Katia Wyszkop. It's all ceramic cups of coffee beside idling cigarettes, sprawling parquetry floors, wooden library filing cabinets, and chocolate woollen trench coats from costume designer Bénédicte Mouret. And like all good mysteries, the film is set during near constant drizzle, as Phoenix's Robin Coudert rolls out the optimal jazz score for the occasion. 

Despite the film's major question mark being steeped in a heavier subject matter, the aesthetic trimmings and charming performances keep each scene a balance of dark and light. As Lillian channels her misplaced guilt into sleuthing and finds old flames rekindled, Zlotowski's film becomes more than a simple whodunnit, but a surprising, comedic, and brilliantly performed exploration of relationships and the extent to which we let people in. It's a perpetual irony, Lillian acknowledges, "knowing people's secrets and not being able to act." But ultimately, act she does.

A Private Life was reviewed out of the BFI London Film Festival, where it is showing on Oct. 9 and 11. It is also showing at the New York Film Festival on Oct. 5, 6, and 12, and will hit cinemas Jan. 16, 2026.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will challenge your knowledge of a popular winter sport.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Stars

• Green: Regionally specific

• Blue: Beach volleyball needs

• Purple: ___ out

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

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

• Yellow: A team's best players

• Green: Atlanta teams

• Blue: Beach volleyball needs

• Purple: ___ out

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 #378 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A team's best players - A-TEAM, FIRST STRING, REGULARS, STARTERS

• Atlanta teams - DREAM, FALCONS, HAWKS, YELLOW JACKETS

• Beach volleyball needs - BALL, NET, SAND, TWO TEAMS

• ____ out - FORCE, KNOCK, QUICK TAP

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 difference between Prime Day and Black Friday — their roots, anyway — probably isn't a mystery to anyone who has dabbled in online shopping before.

Most of us know that Black Friday is the big sale frenzy that happens around Thanksgiving as a precursor to the holidays, and that almost every store you can think of participates. Alternatively, the name "Prime Day" suggests that the event is indeed an Amazon-specific event made up by Amazon for members of its Prime subscription service.

The lines between these two shopping holidays also aren't quite as blurred as they are between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which have become pretty indistinguishable from each other due to 1. being just a few days apart on the calendar, and 2. Black Friday relying just as heavily on online shopping as Cyber Monday does.

But back to the question at hand. Most people aren't concerned with these shopping holiday semantics. The people just want to know: Does Prime Day or Black Friday have better deals?

Does Amazon have better deals on Prime Day or Black Friday?

Amazon hypes Prime Day up so much that you can't help but assume those few days in July are its Olympics. The retail giant also hosts a 48-hour fall counterpart called "Prime Big Deal Days" in October, which really makes you wonder: It can't possibly have the bandwidth to turn around and do the same damn thing a month later for Black Friday, right?

Jeff Bezos is heard cackling in the distance.

Amazon price history shows us that, in many cases, Amazon does go as hard for Black Friday as it does for Prime Day. It's not uncommon to plug the Amazon URL for any popular item into the price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel and see a handful of very consistent dips to that item's all-time low pricing — those few instances being middle of July (Prime Day) and the end of November (Black Friday), plus a common third dip in October (Prime Big Deal Days).

SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Who actually has the best deals?

Amazon's Black Friday deals do tend to be a little more accessible than its Prime Day deals, since you don't have to be a paying Prime member to unlock them. (It's the same story for Walmart's anti-Prime Day and Black Friday sales, though being a paid Walmart+ member still has its perks, like getting early access to deals.)

In terms of what's on sale, there's a ton of overlap between Prime Day (including Prime Big Deal Days) and Black Friday deals. Robot vacuums, headphones, Apple devices, and kitchen gadgets are likely to get similar treatment for both, so if you find a stellar deal on one of those items, there's probably no need to hold out until the other event to see if the deal is better then.

A few categories are better to shop on Black Friday than Prime Day

A few categories do play favorites, though. For one, deals on TVs tend to be better on Black Friday. Aside from discounts on its own Fire TVs, Amazon doesn't go super hard on them at any time throughout the year. Best Buy has a much wider selection on its (virtual) shelves at any given point, specifically offering way more premium big-screen options than Amazon. Though Best Buy does hold competing sales during Prime Day, it tends to put on the bigger show during Black Friday.

We see better laptop deals on Black Friday for the same reason. Amazon's selection just isn't that great compared to its competitors, who typically reserve their best offers for the year-end holiday shopping season. It's not just because they know more shoppers are primed to shop at that point: According to Mashable's Haley Henschel, it's also because "manufacturers are trying to offload their inventories ahead of next-gen refreshes" at the start of the following year.

Finally, toy deals also tend to pop off more heavily for Black Friday in true nostalgic holiday prep. If you're looking to sign up for a streaming service for cheaper than usual, many of the big ones (Hulu and Peacock come to mind) are almost guaranteed to have a Black Friday sale, while they wouldn't exactly have any reason to participate in Prime Day.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Oct. 6, 2025:

AcrossWord announced before sharing a bit of trivia

• The answer is Fact.

Renewable energy option

• The answer is Solar.

Make a case (for)

• The answer is Argue.

Edible part of rhubarb

• The answer is Stalk.

Look for hiders

• The answer is Seek.

DownActor Will of "The Four Seasons" and "MacGruber"

• The answer is Forte.

Scummy stuff

• The answer is Algae.

Waterproof window sealant

• The answer is Caulk.

Arduous journey

• The answer is Trek.

"Don't ___ me!" ("Watch your attitude!")

• The answer is Sass.

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

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

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

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

The full moon is tomorrow, but for now, we're still in the previous phase of the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is the process of the moon's visibility. There are eight phases, and the whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA.

Keep reading to find out what's happening tonight, October 6.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Oct. 6, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 99% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

So, what can you see tonight? With no visual aids (and a clear sky) you should be able to catch glimpses of the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. With binoculars, you'll also see the Apennine Mountains, the Mare Nectaris, and the Gassendi Crater. If you have a telescope, you can also spot the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

The eight main moon phases are as follows:

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.

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

Separately.

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

ASIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

The sound a bird makes.

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

TWEET

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Revealed.

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

SHOWN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An underground vault.

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

CRYPT

Final Hurdle hint

More mature.

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

OLDER

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

Using just the built-in features in the iPhone's Photos app, you can make your videos play in a loop for as long as you want. You can also do the same for YouTube videos using the native app. This eliminates the need to manually replay your videos, and we'll show you how to do that.

When shopping for a new laptop, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by those long lists of specs and features that retailers throw at you. However, there’s one spec every laptop has that you should never overlook: system memory, also known as RAM.