Mashable

If you've been on TikTok lately, you've likely seen the Group 7 meme, and you'd be forgiven if you don't quite understand what's going on with it. The whole thing connects back to a single source and, strangely enough, it's actually a remarkably well-conceived bit of promotional posting.

And don't worry, it's not too difficult to understand.

We covered Group 7 as it first broke onto the online scene, but it has since grown even more popular. As Mashable's Chance Townsend wrote earlier this week, the trend stems from singer Sophia James promoting her song "So Unfair" on TikTok. James posted seven separate videos promoting the single that put people in "groups" based on which video showed up on your algorithm, and, for whatever reason, the final TikTok labeling "Group 7" went viral. It's now racked up some 63 million views.

SEE ALSO: The Group 7 TikTok trend explained

So why did it go viral? Simply put, it became an inside joke — the thing to be because TikTok collectively decided it was. Everyone suddenly wanted to be in Group 7. The lore unfolded in the comments: Group 7 was elite. Top replies on James' original post read, "I didn’t choose Group 7, Group 7 chose me!" and "Group 7 is a group full of baddies that always win, just saying." It’s kind of like the 6-7 meme — meaningless on the surface, but rich with meaning because we, as a collective, decided it mattered.

"I was just trying to promote my song. That's all it was," James told Mashable over email earlier this week. "But the reason I make and perform music in the first place is to foster community and connect with people, so the way this thing is bringing people together is literally a dream come true."

And the trend has brought an (albeit strange) sense of community to TikTokkers. People really want to be a part of Group 7.

User @popsamcam explained how that fact is a bit of marketing genius.

As user @not.bethel explained, TikTok loves to just run with something. Once it reaches a certain point, there's no stopping the momentum.

Soon enough, it spread to the real world — workers asking their colleagues if they're Group 7, for example. It's an inside joke for millions of people on the app.

With time, everything became attached to the Group 7 meme. This TikTok about bringing back the word "grody" from @wesleyryann racked up nearly 200,000 views and, yes, mentioned Group 7 at the end.

Soon enough, what was once niche had the relatively stodgy PGA Tour (yes, the golf league) posting about it. Once the Normie brands arrived, the trend ballooned to a massive size.

It's wild, but exceptionally like TikTok, to take such a benign thing and blow it up. We all learned this week that Group 7 is forever — or at least until the next big thing takes off.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable covers the creators shaping digital culture today. Meet The Mashable 101, our list of the internet’s most exciting voices; and explore our other series, on how creators are building their platforms; on the gear they swear by; and on the trends of today and tomorrow.

GET A FREE TOOL: As of Oct. 24, when you buy the Bosch 18V 2-Pack (4 Ah 4 Ah Battery Kit) for $179 (that's $40 off its usual price) at Lowe's, you'll get a bonus tool at no extra cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bosch Bosch 18V 2-Pack (4 Ah 4 Ah Battery Kit) $179 at Lowe's
$219 Save $40   Get Deal

Whether you're finally tackling that home renovation project you've been putting off or just trying to build up a decent toolkit, you know that good power tools aren't cheap. Luckily, Lowe's has a deal running right now that makes adding a high-quality tool to your collection a lot easier.

As of Oct. 24, when you buy the Bosch 18V 2-Pack (4 Ah 4 Ah Battery Kit) for $179 (that's $40 off its usual price) at Lowe's, you'll get an additional Bosch 18V power tool on the house.

SEE ALSO: The Home Depot's 12-foot skeleton is on sale for the first time ever, but there's a catch

The kit you're buying includes two Bosch Core 18V batteries and a fast charger (it takes about 65 minutes to get to a full charge). These batteries are designed to be lightweight and use Bosch's "CoolPack 2.0" tech to prevent overheating, which should help them last longer.

Once you add the battery kit to your cart, you can choose your freebie: a 1/2-inch hammer drill, an oscillating multi-tool, a reciprocating saw, or a 4.5-inch angle grinder. These are all cordless tools that run on the 18V batteries you just bought. Depending on which tool you choose, you're getting a free item worth up to $159. Plus, the tools come with a five-year warranty.

Lowe's says this deal runs through Jan. 7, 2026, so you could definitely snag this as a holiday gift for the handy person in your life.

Close enough: Welcome back, Clippy.

Microsoft Copilot announced it has updated its AI companion to bolster its personality and appearance — and it has given it a name. Say hello to Mico.

In a blog announcing Mico and its Copilot fall release, Microsoft wrote that it was looking to build an AI companion that made life easier for people. The central idea is that "technology should work in service of people," wrote Mustafa Suleyman , the head of Microsoft AI.

Wrote Suleyman in the note:

"Copilot now connects you to yourself, to others, and to the tools you use every day. It’s there for you, helps you stay organized, and even supports your health. It brings people together in shared chats, helps you learn with voice and visuals, and shows up with warmth, personality and even an appearance: Mico."

That's all well and good, but come on, we're all going to compare Mico to Clippy, the (beloved?) paperclip that helped us navigate Microsoft programs back in the day. As Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth wrote about Mico back when it was an experiment, the "marshmallow, emoji-like face" cannot help but give "major Clippy vibes."

Microsoft's blog stated that Mico should feel like a personalized experience and that the AI companion will speak to users conversationally. The updates to Copilot, including Mico, went live in the U.S. and should roll out elsewhere soon.

SAVE 40%: As of Oct. 24, the 3i G10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo is on sale for $269.99, down from $449.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and $180 in savings.

3i G10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $269.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $180   Get Deal at Amazon

Trying to pick a robot vacuum these days is overwhelming. There are tons of brands, and figuring out which features actually work (and which are just hype) is tough, especially on a budget. So, when Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart tested the relatively unknown 3i G10+ and called it the "most impressive robot vacuum under $500," we paid attention. And right now, it's on sale for even less.

As of Oct. 24, the 3i G10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo is on sale for $269.99, down from $449.99, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount, $180 in savings, and the lowest price we've seen since launch.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

What makes this one stand out, especially for the price, is how it handles dirt disposal. Instead of needing one of those giant self-empty towers, the G10+ actually compacts the debris inside its own dustbin. This means you might only need to empty it every couple of months, plus the charging dock is small enough to hide under furniture. Stodart also found its mapping really smart — it uses LiDAR and could even tell which rooms were bedrooms or bathrooms based on furniture.

It's got strong suction (18,000 Pa), uses AI to spot dirtier areas and adjust cleaning, handles carpets well, and avoids most obstacles. "The only time I really saw debris left behind was when I intentionally spilled a giant pile of rice on the kitchen floor, and the G10+ cleared about 90 percent of it in two passes," Stodart writes in her review.

Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The mopping function isn't super fancy, but it does have a little spinning edge mop that Stodart says detailed the wall where her bathroom floor and shower meet "quite well."

It also has a livestream camera, which is rare for vacuums at this price point. "I've never seen one of these on a robot vacuum that costs less than $1,000, let alone $500," she writes. "It sounds ridiculously unnecessary at first, but I know pet parents understand the appeal of being able to remotely check on their pets."

SAVE $79.01: As of Oct. 24, get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, down from their usual price of $249 at Amazon. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $79.01   Get Deal

Looking to lock in a new pair of earbuds? There are tons of options on sale at any given time, but when a pair of Apple AirPods are discounted, it's time to sit up and take notice. That's happening right now: you can score a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 for their Prime Day price once more.

As of Oct. 24, get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, down from their usual price of $249 at Amazon. That's $79.01 off and a discount of 32%.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Sony WF-1000xM5: Which noise-canceling earbuds are better?

Though Apple has released a brand new pair of buds with the AirPods Pro 3, their previous iteration are every bit as worthy of picking up. They've been labeled as our favorite earbuds for Apple users multiple times in a row, taking the top spot in our best headphones lists many times as well.

They get those top honors for their noise cancellation ability, great sound, and excellent battery life. They continue to prove themselves a great pick in terms of earbuds as well, even with the newer AirPods Pro 3 out in the wild. Their svelte profile, the way they fit into your ears comfortably, and even their usage as a status symbol for some make them an excellent candidate for your next pair of buds.

If you want to score these AirPods Pro 2 for their most recent Prime Day price, though, you'll want to act fast. They likely won't last long while they're discounted again.

The best Apple deals this week, at a glance: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999 (Save $200) Shop Now Best iPad deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,249 (save $50) Shop Now Best AirPods deal AirPods Pro 2 $169.99 (save $79.01) Shop Now Best Apple accessory deal Apple AirTags (4-pack) $64.99 (save $34.01) Get Deal

We've seen a slew of new Apple products hit shelves in the last couple of months, from yet another new iPhone to a much-needed AirPods Pro upgrade to an M5 chip debut in the form of a new iPad and MacBook.

When Apple drops new products, we tend to see the prices drop on older products. It's a cycle we know and love. So, for your shopping pleasure, we've rounded up some of the best Apple deals you can shop as of Oct. 24. Diehard Apple fans will be thrilled to know that the latest iPad Pro with the M5 chip is already on sale, as well as the M4 models of the iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M4 Apple MacBook Air.

The M4 MacBook Air earned a top spot on our list of the best laptops for 2025. The 15-inch version is our favorite MacBook for most people, while the 13-inch version is our favorite budget pick — even at full price. But we love it even more when it's on sale. As of Oct. 24, the 13-inch option with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage is down to just $999 at Amazon. That's $200 off its retail price and its best price on record. You'll essentially get double the storage for the same cost as the base model. If you don't need the more advanced specs of the MacBook Pro for things like video editing and graphic design work, the M4 Air will treat you more than fine.

More MacBook deals

MacBook Air

M3

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,299 (save $300)

M4

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $849 $999 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,078.33 $1,199 (save $120.67)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249 $1,399 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,398.24 $1,599 (save $200.76)

MacBook Pro

M3

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,198.99 $1,599 (save $400.01)

M4

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,349 $1,599 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,549 $1,799 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,749 $1,999 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,750.93 $1,999 (save $248.07)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,189.13 $2,499 (save $309.87)

M5

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,584 $1,599 (save $15)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,779 $1,799 (save $20)

iMac

• Apple iMac (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,347.50 $1,499 (save $151.50)

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,249 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M5 iPad Pro.

If you want your tablet to not only double as a laptop, but rival some of the best laptops, then the brand-new M5 iPad Pro is for you. Mashable's tech editor says, "It's the kind of gadget that makes you feel like you're living in the future." It's essentially everything we loved about the M4, but with a super-powered M5 chip — a razor-thin and feather-light design, a gorgeous display, and an unbeatable performance. That said, it's not for everyone. As our reviewer Tim Beck Werth notes, "Everyday use is wasted on this tablet." The larger 13-inch model starts at $1,299, but just days after its debut, it's already on sale for $50 off.

More iPad deals

iPad

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 256GB) — $399 $449 (save $50)

iPad Air

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $537 $599 (save $62)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 256GB) — $649 $699 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $738.54 $799 (save $60.46)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 256GB) — $843.88 $899 (save $55.12)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) — $866 $949 (save $83)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 512GB) — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

iPad Pro

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — $984 $999 (save $15)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,098 $1,199 (save $101)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,195 $1,299 (save $104)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,381.42 $1,499 (save $117.58)

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $79.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the AirPods Pro 2.

We stay raving about the AirPods Pro, but it's even easier to recommend the second-generation buds now that a new pair has dropped and knocked the price down a peg. At $169.99, the Pro 2s aren't the cheapest they've ever been, but they're still a steal for what you get: excellent ANC, impressive sound quality, and seamless Apple device connectivity. You can likely get them even cheaper if you wait around until Black Friday. But for those who can't wait, rest assured this is a great price (it matches Prime Big Deal Days).

More deals on AirPods

• Apple AirPods 4 (without noise cancellation) — $114.80 $129 (save $14.20)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with noise cancellation) — $157 $179 (save $22)

• Apple AirPods Max — $479.99 $549 (save $69.01)

Best Apple accessory deals

• Apple AirTag — $24.99 $29 (save $4.01)

• Apple AirTag (4-pack) — $64.99 $99 (save $34.01)

• Apple Pencil USB-C — $69.99 $79 (save $9.01)

• Apple Pencil Pro — $99 $129 (save $30)

Apple may have created a problem with the latest version of iOS.

Since iOS 26 launched in September, there have been reports around the internet of the new update significantly shortening battery life, even on newer iPhones. For instance, one user on Apple's support message board posted a thread at the beginning of this month claiming that their brand new iPhone 15 was impacted, and as they put it, the only possible explanation is iOS 26.

"Today, I was busy all day and did not use my phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., yet it still dropped from 90% to 45% without doing anything. No apps were open, the “Refresh apps in background” option was not enabled, the screen was set to turn off automatically after 30 seconds, and automatic brightness was enabled," the user wrote. "So it's definitely not the phone's fault because it's brand new with a 100% original battery, nor is it the settings because it was in permanent mode. So the fault lies solely with iOS. There are no excuses."

SEE ALSO: iOS 26 is both the cause and solution to your iPhone battery problems

There are also lengthy Reddit threads about it. For example, in one thread, users with iPhones as old as the iPhone 13 and as new as the iPhone 16 pointed out they were getting several hours less of battery life compared to what they had before the update. User Responsible_Film_778, who has an iPhone 13 Pro Max, summed it up succinctly.

"I have replaced the battery last year with Apple and it was exceptional with iOS 18.6. I was ending the day with 87% battery left with light usage. Now I’m lucky if it’s above 50%," the user wrote. "It seems to consume the battery when scrolling through the Liquid Glass enhanced tabs or panels. Really disappointed with this update. I have 98% battery health but it acts like it has lost 1/3 of its capacity. Hopefully a new update will come soon to rectify the problem."

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

Naturally, you don't have to go far on X to find people mad about this, either. User @Digitalix complained that their iPhone 16 Pro is now only a "half-day phone" thanks to the iOS 26 update.

Of course, this hasn't all happened without any kind of response from Apple. The company has a support page with information about possible battery life downgrades as a result of software updates. According to Apple, it might just be temporary and could go away on its own as the company makes further updates to iOS 26.

"Immediately after completing an update, particularly a major release, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance. This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps.

New features are exciting and help you get even more out of your Apple product, though some may require additional resources from the device. Depending on individual usage, some users may notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life. Apple continually works to optimize these features in software updates to ensure great battery life and a smooth user experience."

Users in the Apple support forum and Reddit threads also suggested some possible fixes, and Mashable previously wrote about the new "Adaptive Power" setting in iOS 26. It sounds like updating all of your apps and then power cycling the phone helped some people, as third-party apps may not be optimized to run efficiently on iOS 26 right away. There are also other measures you can take, such as turning off ProMotion on higher-end iPhones or activating Low Power Mode.

Fingers crossed anyone dealing with this is able to fix it without sending their phone off to Apple for a battery replacement.

Bumble is one of the most well-known dating apps out there. Founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd started Bumble in 2014 after founding Tinder years prior. Bumble was, for many years, women's answer to Tinder. That's because it utilizes the same "swipe left or right" model to either pass or seek to match with someone else, but there is a key difference between the two: on Bumble, only women can message first ("make the first move") in heterosexual matches. 

Bumble has changed since 2014, though, and in case you're seeking answers on how Bumble works, look no further.

SEE ALSO: How to use Bumble, and is it better than Tinder? How does Bumble work?

In Bumble's early years, if you were a man matching with a woman, you had to wait until she messaged you first. But in April 2024, Bumble switched that up with Opening Moves, a way for anyone to message anyone else first. (In gay matches, or with nonbinary users, that was typically the case before this.)

With Opening Move, any user could respond to a prompt on someone's Bumble profile for matches to respond to. (If you think this is similar to Hinge, you're right. Recently, major dating apps have added features that other apps already have.)

Then, in October 2024, Bumble expanded Opening Moves so users could add up to three prompts for matches to reply.

Any user can set an Opening Move. 

How to use Bumble

First, you must create a profile on Bumble. Upload photos of yourself (Bumble recommends four to six), fill out your personal details — such as your age and gender — and set your dating intentions and filters for what you're looking for. The more information you give, the likelier it is that the algorithm will serve profiles that fit what you want.

Once you create your Bumble profile, you can find potential matches in the People tab, located squarely in the center of the navigation panel at the bottom of the screen. Swipe right if you want to match, left if you don't. Once you match with someone, you can go to the Chat tab to start the conversation. (If you have a Premium account, you can also check out who's liked you first.)

Then there's the Discover tab, which is to the left of People. Bumble highlights four profiles it thinks you'll really like (or at least, its algorithm does). You can either Like these profiles or tell Bumble they're not for you. This selection of four refreshes daily at 9 a.m.

Unlike some other dating apps, matches on Bumble expire after 24 hours of matching unless someone messages. Free users can "extend" one match per day, but you have to pay for the app for more chances to extend matches.

As mentioned above, you can also set an Opening Move to give a match a chance to message once you match. With Opening Moves, both people have to send a message, otherwise the chat will expire.

Featured Video For You 'I was cloaked.' What it's like to be blocked and stood up by your Hinge date. Is Bumble free?

Bumble does have a free tier, and you don't have to pay anything to match and message people. But if you want extra perks, you'll have to pay.

As of late 2025, Bumble has three paid tiers: Boost, Premium, and Premium+.

"We are committed to delivering the best possible value for our members with our products and as a result pricing can vary by location," a spokesperson said. "There are a number of different subscription options, you can do a week, a month, or even a year. Prices for Bumble Premium start from $32.99 for a week."

Here are the perks of each Bumble subscription, according to its blog.

Boost

• Unlimited swipes

• Rematch with expired connections

• Extend matches by 24 hours

• Backtrack accidental left swipes

• Spotlight your profile (temporarily bring it to the front of people's queues)

• Five SuperSwipes (Bumble's version of a SuperLike) each week 

Premium 

All the features of Boost, and:

• See who Liked you first

• Unlimited Advanced Filters

• Travel mode, so you can change your location when you go on a trip

• Incognito mode 

• One Spotlight per week

Premium+

All the benefits of Premium, plus (get it?):

• 10 SuperSwipes per week

• Two Compliments per week

• Two Spotlights per week

• Profile insights to see how your profile is performing 

SAVE 50%: As of Oct. 24, the Soundcore by Anker P20i true wireless earbuds are on sale for $19.98, down from $39.99, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $20.01 in savings. It's also just one cent more than these buds' record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: unknown Soundcore by Anker P20i  

Finding a decent pair of wireless earbuds doesn't have to mean dropping hundreds of dollars. Sometimes you just need something reliable for commutes, workouts, or listening to podcasts, and thankfully, there are some good budget options out there.

As of Oct. 24, the Soundcore by Anker P20i true wireless earbuds are on sale for $19.98 at Amazon, down from $39.99. That's a 50% discount and $20.01 in savings. It's also just one cent more than these buds' record-low price.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

The P20i earbuds feature 10mm drivers tuned for powerful bass, and you can further customize the sound in the Soundcore app (22 EQ presets to choose from). The battery life is also impressive for the price; you'll get 10 hours on a single charge without the case and 30 hours with it. There's also a fast-charge option that'll give you two hours of playtime in 10 minutes.

They use Bluetooth 5.3 for a stable connection, are water-resistant (IPX5-rated) to handle sweat or rain, and feature two mics with AI processing to make calls clearer. Plus, the case is small, comes with a handy lanyard, and the app even has a "Find My Earbuds" feature in case one goes missing.

If you need a backup pair or just want some solid, super-affordable wireless buds, this deal is hard to beat.

SAVE $149.02: The Home Depot's iconic 12-foot skeleton is on sale for just $149.98 (normally $299) as of Oct. 24 — a 50% savings. However, it's only available for in-store pickup.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 12 ft. Grave & Bones Giant-Sized Skelly with LifeEyes $149.98 at The Home Depot
$299 Save $149.02   Get Deal

It's been six years since the Home Depot launched its 12-foot skeleton yard decoration to viral, meme-ified acclaim. And for the past five, "Skelly" has been impossible to find in stock around Halloween — much less on sale. This year, that finally changes.

As of Oct. 24, the Home Depot's 12-foot skeleton is marked down to just $149.98. That's a whopping 50% off its usual sticker price of $299 and the first I've ever seen it go on sale in all my years covering its cult following.

There's a catch, though: At the time of writing, the 12-footer wasn't available for delivery. You can only buy it for half off if you find it in stores, and you can't reserve it for pickup ahead of time — i.e., you'll have to go on a bit of a wild Skelly chase.

The skeleton, the myth, the legend. Credit: The Home Depot

You can use the "Check Nearby Stores" feature on Skelly's product page to see if it's sitting on a shelf somewhere near you. For reference, three of the ten Home Depot locations within ten miles of me had limited stock available.

SEE ALSO: Is the Home Depot's viral 12-foot skeleton a victim of President Trump's tariffs?

If your Skelly search comes up dry, know that some of the Home Depot's other giant-sized Halloween decorations are on sale for 50% off and available for delivery (see below). I'd also recommend checking out my colleague Leah's list of the best Halloween clearance sales across all major retailers for more decorating deals.

• 5 ft. Long Grave & Bones LED Skelly's Cat — $99 $199 (save $100)

• 5 ft. Grave & Bones Skelly's Sitting Dog with LifeEyes — $124.98 $249 (save $124.02)

• 7 ft. Dead Water LED Megalodon Shark — $174.98 $349 (save $174.02)

• 8 ft. Wide Gruesome Grounds Giant-Sized Color Changing Animated LED Wyvern — $199.98 $399 (save $199.02)

SAVE 40%: As of Oct. 24, you can get the ASUS ROG Strix 24.5-inch gaming monitor (XG259CMS) on sale for $179, down from $299, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $120 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model to date.

ASUS ROG Strix 24.5-inch gaming monitor (XG259CMS) $217.49 at Amazon
$299 Save $81.51   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're a gamer, then you're probably aware that getting a super-high refresh rate usually means shelling out big bucks, especially for a reputable brand like ASUS ROG. But right now, you can get a Strix model with some seriously speedy specs at a much more budget-friendly price.

As of Oct. 24, you can get the ASUS ROG Strix 24.5-inch gaming monitor (XG259CMS) on sale for $179, down from $299, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount or a $120 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model to date.

SEE ALSO: The 50+ best gifts for gamers that they won't already have

This monitor has a 24.5-inch Full HD (1080p) Fast IPS panel with a 310Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time (GTG). Translation: motion should look incredibly smooth, and input lag minimal, which is exactly what you want for competitive shooters or racing games. It's also G-SYNC Compatible and features ASUS's ELMB Sync tech to further reduce motion blur and tearing.

It supports HDR400 for better contrast and brightness, covers 110 percent of the sRGB color space, and has a handy USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode for a cleaner connection to laptops or other devices. The stand is fully adjustable (height, tilt, swivel, and pivot), and it even has a tripod socket if you want to mount a webcam directly to it.

For under $180, getting this level of speed and features from the ROG Strix lineup is a pretty great find.

Creator IShowSpeed is not a big fan of AI deepfakes — and he's not the only one.

During a recent livestream, the streamer with more than 45 million YouTube followers watched several Sora 2 videos featuring deepfakes of himself laughing, coming out as gay ("No no chat, this is not real. This is actually AI"), kissing a fan, racing a cheetah, and visiting Nepal ("Look, bro. I haven’t even been to Nepal yet"). Reacting to the videos, he said he was "turning this shit off."

SEE ALSO: bbno$ says 'F*CK AI' — and he's putting his money where his mouth is

"Why does this look too real? Bro, no, that’s like my face," he said.

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OpenAI's Sora 2 allows users to create videos using celebrity likenesses — but only if those celebrities opt in. While IShowSpeed apparently gave permission, he admitted during his stream that it "was not the right move to do."

"Whoever told me to make it public, chat, you’re not here for my own safety, bro. I’m fucked, chat," he said.

IShowSpeed isn't the only public figure pushing back against the use of AI deepfakes. Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, recently urged fans on Instagram to "please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad," according to IGN. Steve Harvey and Scarlett Johansson have both supported legislation aimed at banning deepfakes, per CNN.

Even within influencer culture, there's growing resistance. Creator Zay Dante told Mashable that he’s “just not an AI guy,” while a YouGov survey of U.S. consumers reported by Reuters found that more than 50 percent of Gen Z and younger generations "already dislike engaging with AI-generated influencers."

Meet The Mashable 101: the creators keeping the internet interesting. From meme-makers to movement-starters, these are the people powering our timelines today.

The AI boom may be changing the meme landscape, but it also has people increasingly worried about their jobs — and seemingly with good reason. According to a recent report from The New York Times, Amazon has plans to make robots a big part of its workforce in the future.

"We just learned that Amazon plans to replace more than half a million jobs with robots," says Stephen Colbert in The Late Show clip above. "The news of Amazon's plan comes from a cache of internal strategy documents viewed by The New York Times. Wow, that's the kind of scoop you used to get at The Washington Post, if only Bezos hadn't changed their slogan from 'Democracy Dies in Darkness' to '20% Off Next-Day Delivery of Six-Pack Men's Ankle Socks.' [Amazon owner Jeff Bezos has owned The Washington Post since 2013.]

"According to the documents, in order to calm the worried workers, Amazon is avoiding terms like 'automation' and instead will be using terms like 'advanced technology,'" Colbert continued. "And to imply the AI workforce will collaborate with humans, they will replace the word 'robot' with 'cobot'. And instead of calling all that 'bulls**t', I will call that 'advanced livestock butt derivative.'"

KPop Demon Hunters is the pop culture phenomenon that has already defined 2025. The most-watched movie on Netflix proved such a smash hit that the streamer rolled out a sing-along theatrical release, not once but twice! The soundtrack hit #1 on Billboard, with "Golden" becoming the longest-running #1 hit by a girl group on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 21st century. All of this is fueled by the fans. Love for KPop Demon Hunters is everywhere online, but perhaps it's most enthralling on TikTok, where fans share their excitement through singing, dancing, and cosplaying. Just like in the movie, the KPop Demon Hunters themselves love seeing their fans express themselves.

So, when Arden Cho and May Hong, who provide the voices for Rumi and Mira, came by Mashable's Say More studio, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko presented them with some of our team's favorite KPop Demon Hunter TikToks for their reactions. Whether it's a baby bopping to Saja Boys' "Soda Pop," a fleet of little Rumis, or cosplayers recreating even the quirkiest characters, Hong and Cho were elated, sharing their thoughts on each vid.

With Halloween around the corner, KPop Demon Hunters fans will likely be out in force at costume parties and the return of the theatrical sing-along release. For more from Arden Cho and May Wong, check out Mashable's full Say More interview on YouTube. There, they reveal what it was like recording the dialogue for Rumi and Mira, what their favorite moments were, and what it means to be such a pivotal part to the movie that's appealing to kids, parents, and child-free entertainment reporters.

KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event returns to theaters on Oct. 31. KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

Amazon has launched a new incident report generation tool in CloudWatch, allowing customers to quickly build post-incident analysis reports.

The company announced the new feature in a blog post Wednesday, failing to mention that just days ago half the internet didn't work due to a massive AWS outage.

Amazon CloudWatch is a service that allows customers to monitor apps and resources on Amazon's AWS cloud, as well as other clouds. It is typically used by businesses who run their operations on AWS.

The new feature generates detailed reports by automatically capturing critical operational telemetry, service configurations, and investigation findings, according to Amazon. It's available in a number of regions, including US East, where the recent outage has happened.

The full list of the regions where the tool is available is as follows: US East (N. Virginia), US East (Ohio), US West (Oregon), Asia Pacific (Hong Kong), Asia Pacific (Mumbai), Asia Pacific (Singapore), Asia Pacific (Sydney), Asia Pacific (Tokyo), Europe (Frankfurt), Europe (Ireland), Europe (Spain), and Europe (Stockholm).

SEE ALSO: AWS outage update: Amazon, Alexa, Snapchat, Reddit, more hit by massive outage

To create your first incident report (hopefully not very soon), create a CloudWatch investigation and click on "Incident report."

Seth Meyers took "A Closer Look" at the contrast between voter concerns over rising costs in the 2024 election and Donald Trump's $250 million new ballroom a year later.

Meyers began his deep dive segment on Thursday with a look at how inflation was top of mind for voters last year. The Late Night host then contrasted this with a look at the impact of Trump's tariffs on the price of groceries, as well as the president's expensive and controversial 90,000 square foot ballroom. Demolition of parts of the White House's East Wing, built in 1902, began on Monday. By Thursday, workers had completely pulled it down — all despite Trump's promise in July that his new ballroom "won't interfere with the current building...It'll be near it but not touching it."

"So he basically promised to treat it like his marriage," said Meyers, with a trumpeted womp-womp on cue.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert rips into Trump 'going Hulk Smash on the White House'

Meyers also spoke on Trump's statement to reporters that knocking down the East Wing was decided "after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world."

"Oh yeah, who was the architect you talked to, Godzilla?" said Meyers.

"This couldn't be any more of a bait and switch," the host concluded. "Trump got elected by claiming he was going to make life more affordable for hard-working Americans, and now he's demolishing the White House to build himself a gilded vanity project. If you voted for Trump thinking he'd bring down your grocery bills, tough luck."

It turns out Adam Brody's unruffled demeanour can't even be disturbed by an onslaught of spicy wings.

In the First We Feast video above, the Nobody Wants This star takes on the Hot Ones challenge, knocking back 10 spicy wings while answering questions on everything from surfing and pre-fame jobs to his big break in TV.

Is he as calm and collected as Jenna Ortega? Hard to say, but it's certainly close.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love bright shades.

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.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 24, 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: The peak

• Green: Actions in Word

• Blue: Vibrant

• Purple: A fashion add-on

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: Best years

• Green: Things you can do to text

• Blue: Things known for being colorful things

• Purple: Ending in accessories

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 #866 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Best years: HEYDAY, PINNACLE, PRIME, ZENITH

• Things you can do to text: BOLD, HIGHLIGHT, STRIKETHROUGH, UNDERLINE

• Things known for being colorful things: KALEIDOSCOPE, PEACOCK, RAINBOW, SUNSET

• Ending in accessories: BAYWATCH, COOTIE, HERRING, KINGPIN

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 October 24, 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 interested in past events.

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 October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Through the ages

The words are related to past times.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the before times.

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 History.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 24

• Stone

• Bronze

• Iron

• History

• Industrial

• Space

• Information

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're familiar with botany.

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 October 24, 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 October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Part of a plant.

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 T.

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...

TUBER

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 October 24, 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.