Mashable

Anthropic announces today that all paid Claude users will now have memory.

In September, the AI company announced that Claude memory was available to some paid users — those on Team and Enterprise plans. Now, Claude will be able to "remember" for individual Max and Pro users.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT vs Claude vs Grok: Best vibe-coding platform for beginners

Max subscribers can enable Memory in Settings today, while Pro users will see it roll out in the coming days. When turning on the feature, you give Claude a starting point and it starts building context from there. You can also import memory from ChatGPT or Gemini by copy and pasting — and you can export memory out of Claude, as well.

Memory is optional and can be toggled on or off. Users can also delete specific memories or use Claude incognito (which the company also introduced recently).

In a press release shared with Mashable, Anthropic claims that it conducted safety tests with memory, such as whether Claude would recall conversations with harmful language or become overly accommodating with potentially harmful user requests (an issue that has been observed in other LLMs like ChatGPT, which has been criticized for feeding into some users' delusional thinking). Anthropic states that it made adjustments to how memory functions, based on these tests.

When Anthropic released its latest lightweight model, Claude Haiku 4.5, it claimed it was its safest yet, and the company reiterated that its latest LLMs are safer than their predecessors.

In terms of memory specifically, the release states that Claude provides "complete transparency," in that users can see the "actual synthesis, not vague summaries" of what the model stores.

Anthropic has released several updates to Claude in the past few months, including a new code model, the compact Haiku 4.5 model, a Chrome extension, and the ability to make spreadsheets and decks. Memory is powered by the Claude 4 model family, the company stated.

"We're building toward Claude understanding your complete work context and adapting automatically," Anthropic chief product officer Mike Krieger said in the press release. "Memory starts with project continuity, but it's really about creating sustained thinking partnerships that evolve over weeks and months."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 23, get the Hisense 55-inch E6 Series QLED 4K Fire TV for $279.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $429.99. That's a discount of 35%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hisense 55-inch E6 Series QLED 4K Fire TV $279.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Want a new and improved way to enjoy all your favorite shows and movies at home? Now's the time to start looiking into a new TV. If you're ready to take the plunge, you can scoop up a great Hisense model now that can get you and your family and loved ones together when it comes to visual quality. All you have to do is head to Amazon.

As of Oct. 23, get the Hisense 55-inch E6 Series QLED 4K Fire TV for $279.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $429.99. That's $150 off and a discount of 35%.

SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every size

This QLED TV punches far above its weight class for the price. It offers bright lighting and reduces glare better than traditional LED TVs, and this one has a special AI Light Sensor as part of the line that can automatically adjust the TV's brightness based on the lighting in your room, much like a phone does.

Other than that, it offers Fire TV integration, which means you can watch shows and movies from a variety of streamers without having to install their respective apps on a streaming stick or device. It has a Game Mode Plus feature to help reduce input lag for gaming as well, if you're interested in using it for that purpose.

Overall, it's a great budget TV if you want a QLED model that acts as an all-rounder for whatever purposes you're looking to use it for. Grabbing it for under $300 is a great idea, so don't miss it while it's up at this price.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 23, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones are on sale for just $199.95 at Amazon. That's a savings of 56% and their lowest price since Black Friday 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser Momentum 4 $199.95 at Amazon
$449.95 Save $250   Get Deal

Black Friday pricing in October? Yes, please.

As of Oct. 23, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 are just $199.95 at Amazon in black, which is 56% off their usual list price of $449.95. That's the lowest price we've seen on these noise-cancelling headphones all year — and we're still a month away from Black Friday.

The Momentum 4s earned a spot on our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying and the best headphones for 2025, mostly thanks to their outstanding battery life. On a full charge, these babies will last you 60 hours with ANC turned on. That's significantly longer than all of our other top picks and is more than enough to last you through several long-haul flights.

They also sound excellent right out of the box, no EQ adjustments necessary. Our reviewer said they made the bass on specific tracks stand out in ways they'd never heard before without losing the other complexities of the sound. In other words, audiophiles will definitely appreciate the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones. The two drawbacks we found were that the ANC is just slightly worse than our other top picks from Sony and Bose (but not enough that you'll notice a huge difference) and the touch controls are a little inconvenient. Otherwise, we'd go to war for these noise cancellers — especially at the impressively low price of $199.95.

SAVE 46%: The Vornado Velocity Cube 5S space heater is on sale at Amazon for $54.43, down from the list price of $99.99. That's a savings of $45.56 and a record-low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Vornado Vornado Velocity Cube 5S space heater $54.43 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.56   Get Deal

Across the country, summer is over. It's time to dig into the bin of winter clothing to find coats, gloves, and hats, because the chill is coming. If it's cold in your house, your office, or your workshop, you could benefit from a powerful space heater to keep your tootsies toasty. If you need the warmth of portable heat, check out this sale at Amazon.

As of Oct. 23, the Vornado Velocity Cube 5S space heater is on sale for $54.43 at Amazon with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $99.99. That's a savings of $45.56 thanks to the 46% discount. This sale price marks a record-low at Amazon.

Vornado makes some of the best portable space heaters. In part, that's thanks to their circulation of vortex heat which can actually heat an entire room. The Vornado Velocity 5S has convenient LED touch controls, a timer that can be set anywhere between one and 12 hours, and great safety features.

SEE ALSO: Some of the best Anker Solix portable power stations have never been this cheap

You get ultimate control on the Vornado Velocity 5S with three heat settings and a fan-only setting. The unit weighs just under 6.5 pounds, so it's easy to carry from room to room. The swivel base and never-hot exterior also add to the functionality and user-friendliness of this space heater. Of course, there's tip-over safety protection, too. If there's a power outage, you could even use the Vornado in a small room with the help of a portable power station.

While it's sitting at a record-low price thanks to sale and a coupon, warm up with the Vornado Velocity 5S space heater. Chilly offices will get a serious upgrade this winter.

SAVE $100: The 45-quart Ninja FrostVault cooler is on sale at Woot for $199.99, down from the list price at Ninja of $299.99. That's a 33% discount and lower than we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja FrostVault cooler (45 quart) $199.99 at Woot
$299.99 Save $100   Get Deal

The camping trips are winding down for the year, but there's likely still a need for a great cooler. Maybe you're heading out for one more weekend at the campground for leaf peeping or you'll be heading on a road trip over the holidays. Both of those will require a solid cooler to food transport and we're all in luck today thanks to a Woot sale.

As of Oct. 23, the 45-quart Ninja FrostVault cooler is on sale at Woot for $199.99, down from the list price at Ninja of $299.99. That's a 33% discount that shaves a nice $100 off the price. It's also lower than any sale price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Ninja makes some of Mashable's favorite kitchen appliances. Maybe no one needs a countertop slushy machine or an at-home soft-serve maker, but they sure up the quality of life. Ninja also excels at making thoughtful air fryers, countertop ovens, blenders, and plenty more. But their lineup of coolers is not to be overlooked.

The 45-quart Ninja FrostVault comes with tons of great features you never knew were possible on a cooler. For starters, there's a convenient storage drawer that's accessible from the outside. That means you can pack sandwiches for the car ride while ensuring they won't get smooshed or wind up sitting in wet ice.

SEE ALSO: Gardyn just launched the Studio 2, and I got a first look

Ninja also put durable, all-terrain wheels on the FrostVault, so you can roll through gravel, sand, or the through the creek. The pull handle is also a great design. Ninja mentions this model can keep ice for days and the 45-quart capacity works out to about 68 cans without ice. With ice, you're looking at a capacity of about 40 cans.

Before you try transporting holiday treats to grandmas set on the backseat in the car, upgrade to the Ninja FrostVault. The 45-quart model is on sale at Woot for $100 off the normal price. Since this is a Woot deal and those tend to sell out in a flash, it's best to hop on this one quickly. Use the cooler for the holidays and be prepared for next summer's adventures.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Price and specs The Kobo Clara Colour has the added bonus of color, letting you see book covers in all their glory. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you're deciding between the Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara Colour, one thing that won't factor into your decision is price, as both devices cost $159.99. The Kobo Clara Colour does come ad-free though, and if you want an ad-free Paperwhite, you'll need to pay an extra $20.

So if price isn't a factor, let's get into the overall design of each device. Here are their dimensions:

• Kobo Clara Colour: 6.3-inch x 4.4-inch x 0.36-inch with 6-inch display

• Kindle Paperwhite: 7-inch x 5-inch x 0.3-inch with 7-inch display

Overall, the Kindle Paperwhite's display is one inch bigger than the Kobo Clara Colours'. Plus, the Paperwhite's screen is flush to the frame, while the Kobo Clara has a raised bezel around the screen.

Each has adjustable warmth and brightness displays, so you can turn up the brightness when you're in the sunny outdoors or turn it down and warm it up in the evenings. Plus, both devices have a resolution of 300 ppi in black and white; the Kobo Clara Colour's resolution in color is 150 ppi.

Each device is also waterproof, both earning an IPX8 rating, meaning they can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes. AKA, they're safe to take in the bathtub or to the beach.

The Kobo Clara Colour, as implied by its name, has color displays, while the Kindle Paperwhite does not. If you want a color Kindle, you'll need to look at the Colorsoft. This makes the Clara ideal for readers of graphic novels or comics.

You could get rid of the Kindle Paperwhite's ads for just $20 more. Credit: Samantha Mangino

The lock screens on each device are slightly different, too. When not in use, the Kindle Paperwhite shows random ads — unless you pay the $20 extra to get the device ad-free. Meanwhile, the Kobo Clara Colour shows the last book you read, along with your progress in the book.

Each has a power button, too. The Paperwhite's is on the bottom, which is slightly annoying as it can be easy to press accidentally, while the Clara's power button rests on the back corner of the device.

Considering all of these factors, the Kobo Clara is our winner here, since it has the bonus of color displays. Plus, its smaller design makes it more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time.

Winner: Kobo Clara Colour

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: User experience

The user interface and experience on the Clara and Paperwhite are fairly similar.

A priority for many e-reader users is having access to Libby/OverDrive. Kobo has the ultimate integration, as OverDrive is built into all of its devices, including the Clara Colour. That means any e-book you borrow from your library will auto-populate on your Kobo.

To get library e-books on your Kindle requires a few extra steps, as you'll need to access the Libby app to browse books and then send them to your Kindle library.

You can access the Kindle and Kobo stores on the respective e-readers. With the Kobo, you can select which book you want to purchase, but to complete the purchase, you need to scan a QR code on your phone. It's a simpler process on the Kindle, as you're able to check out on your Kindle e-reader.

A feature that makes the Kindle stand apart is its Goodreads integration, which allows you to link your account to your Kindle.

Each device is equally intuitive and user-friendly, so for us, it's a draw.

Winner: Tie

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Reading experience The prologue of M.L. Rio's 'If We Were Villains' starts on page 12 of the Kobo Clara Colour but on page 3 of the Kindle Paperwhite. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

But how is it to actually read on each device? Each e-reader has an intuitive user interface and a responsive display as you swipe through pages. Plus, both the Paperwhite and Clara allow you to customize their swipe responses to your preferences.

Where the two devices differ in the reading experience is in page numbers and progress markers. Kindle numbers its pages like the physical book, while Kobo numbers the digital pages.

My editor, Miller Kern, and I each tested the Paperwhite and Clara and had two different opinions on how the devices numbered their pages. Miller was frustrated by how Kobo numbered its pages, so if you're reading along with someone who's reading a physical copy, it's hard to know if you're on the same page. On the other hand, I liked knowing exactly how many digital pages I had to tap through to finish the chapter or a whole book.

Where Miller and I do agree is that Kindle has better progress location options. On the bottom corner of each page, you can flip through what page you're on, how much time you have in the chapter, and how much time is left in the book. For that, I agree with Miller that the Kindle Paperwhite has a better reading experience.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Battery life

In terms of battery life, the winner is obvious. The Kindle Paperwhite blows the Kobo Clara Colour out of the water. The Kindle Paperwhite has a battery life lasting up to 12 weeks. I use my Kindle Paperwhite regularly and only need to charge it every couple of months.

The Kobo Clara Colour says it lasts 42 days based on 30 minutes of reading per day. So at best you're getting 6 weeks. But if you're reading for multiple hours a day, this is going to be much less.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Is Kindle Unlimited or Kobo Plus better?

Another thing to consider between the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Clara Colour isn't actually about the e-readers, but the special memberships offered by each brand.

Kindle has Kindle Unlimited, a membership that costs $11.99 per month and has four million digital titles that include books and magazines, as well as thousands of audiobooks. Kobo also has its own membership called Kobo Plus. It's slightly cheaper at $9.99 but has a smaller library. It has over two million ebooks and 150,000 audiobooks. However, you can just pay $7.99 a month if you only want access to either the ebooks or audiobooks.

Kindle Unlimited is the better service, with more books available. But beyond Kindle Unlimited, there are even more great programs for Kindle readers. Amazon First Reads provides Prime members with one free book a month. Not to mention that anyone shopping in the Kindle Store can enjoy Kindle Rewards points. For every $1 spent in the Kindle Store, earn three points. When you hit 300 points, you'll earn a $3 reward.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite

The best Jackery power station deals at a glance: Best standalone power station deal Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $799 (save $700) Get Deal Best budget deal Jackery Explorer 300 $169 (save $90) Get Deal Best bundle deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 with 100W solar panel $608.42 (save $440.58 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

Portable power stations, solar generators, backup power hubs — whatever you want to call them, they are having a moment right now. It was only a matter of time. With extreme weather becoming more prevalent, a major surge in camping and off-grid living, and just the sheer number of devices we all own, our need for power sources outside of basic wall outlets has become increasingly complex. If you're in the market for one of these reliable and movable power sources, one of our favorite brands — Jackery — is having a sale at Amazon. Several top models are discounted up to 47%, but the clock is ticking. Most of these deals are only live for the next 24 hours, so act fast.

Best power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $799 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $700   Get Deal Why we like it

Small, yet mighty, the Explorer 2000 v2 is a solid mid-range power station designed for both home battery backup and on-the-go juice. As part of the Explorer lineup, it's lightweight enough (just under 40 pounds) to carry with you on camping trips, tailgating, boating, and other outdoor adventures. But it's also equipped with 2,042Wh capacity, making it powerful enough to serve as an essential home backup in emergencies. That's enough juice to keep your fridge up and running for over a day or heat up some grub in the microwave. It has three AC outlets, one USB-A port, and two USB-C ports, as well as a built-in light and a super-charge emergency mode. Grab it today for 47% off and save $700. You can also pair it with two solar panels for $300 more.

Best budget option Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $169 at Amazon
$259 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

"The Jackery Explorer 300 is a great model for those who are curious about owning a portable power station but don't feel like spending a bunch of cash to make it happen," Mashable contributor Lauren Allain writes in our best power station guide. It's a more basic model, sporting just two AC ports, one USB-A, and one USB-C in a 7-pound frame. It won't power up your household in an emergency, but it can deliver essential power to your phone, laptop, camera, and more when you're off the grid. At just $169, it's down to its best price ever at Amazon today only.

Best bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 with 100W solar panel $608.42
$1,049 Save $440.58 with on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it

The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is another small but mighty power station that can power up multiple appliances with a 1,070Wh capacity. It has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port, and three AC ports, as well as LED lights on board. It's a tad lighter than the Explorer 2000 at about 24 pounds, making it a better choice if you're seeking easy portability. But the trade off is that it's less powerful. Still, you can deliver juice to everything from phones and laptops to fridges and coffee makers and power it up in an hour flat. Grab the power station along with a 100W solar panel for only $608.42 by selecting the on-page coupon before adding it to your cart. That knocks $440 and some change off the list price.

More Jackery power station deals

• Jackery Explorer 500 — $298.95 $499 (save $200.05)

• Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 with 2x100W — $699 $1,299 (save $600)

• Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 with 16ft extension cable — $819 $1,539 (save $720)

• Jackery Explorer 2000 with 2 100W solar panels — $1,099 $2,099 (save $1,000)

• Jackery HomePower 3000 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

• Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus with 2 200W solar panels — $1,499 $3,299 (save $1,800)

• Jackery HomePower 3000 with 2 200W solar panels — $1,599 $2,999 (save $1,400)

Best Anker Solix deals this week Best overall Solix deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $397.99 (save $401.01) Get Deal Best weekend camping deal Anker Solix C200X $168.99 (save $131) Get Deal Best Anker Solix pre-order deal Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $749 (save $750) Pre-Order Here

A portable power station can be useful year-round. Take it along to the campground on 4th of July weekend, use it in the yard for landscaping projects, and keep the refrigerator cooling during a power outage. These are all examples of why a portable power station is well worth its weight in gold. But when it comes to price, portable power stations tend to fall into that category of "these are almost always on sale." That's really great, yes. But it makes it a challenge to distinguish between a pretty good sale and a massive sale.

Rest assured these Anker Solix sale prices we've compiled sit in massive sale territory. Many of these beat previous record-low prices at Amazon and one is a brand new model that's on a major sale during pre-orders. Whichever you choose, you'll be in for a great deal while gifting yourself (or someone lucky) portable power. In our modern world, that's a pretty awesome present.

Best overall Anker Solix Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $397.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $401.01   Get Deal Why we like it

In testing, I was pretty smitten by the functionality of the original Anker Solix C1000, but the newer Solix C1000 Gen 2 is a refined model. It's both smaller in overall dimensions and lighter weight, but it offers a similar power capacity at 1,024Wh. While the Gen 2 lacks the lightbar I love on the original model, the weigh difference and smaller size make the Anker Solix Gen 2 perfect for camping or for keeping around the house in case of a power outage. It's a great size to keep in the living room during an outage to power a lamp and keep phones charged up.

October Prime Day saw a record-low price on the original C1000, but the new C1000 Gen 2 was kinda left out of the party. However, today, you can snag it for $397.99 at Amazon, which is a record-low. And that's just in time to get prepared before fall storms hit.

Best weekend camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C200X $168.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $131   Get Deal Why we like it

Lightweight and compact, the Anker Solix C200X even comes with a convenient carrying strap for all of your adventures. Coming in with 230.4Wh of capacity with 600W surge, the small Solix C200X is an economical choice for taking along on the weekend camping trip for keeping phones recharged. It comes with three USB-C ports, and two of those are capable of 140W.

If you're not camping again until the warm weather returns, the C200X is also super portable for if the lights go out this fall or winter. You'll have three AC ports for lights, and this model includes a great lightbar on the unit, so it can serve as your hallway flashlight when it's time for bed. Like the Solix C1000 Gen 2, today's sale price on the C200X is the lowest we've ever spotted at Amazon.

Best pre-order deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $749 at Anker
$1,499 Save $750   Pre-order Here Why we like it

The soon-to-be-released Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 comes with an impressive 2,048Wh of capacity while clocking in at a moderate 41 pounds. This model could be really great for power outages at home since Anker says it can keep a 190W refrigerator going for 32 hours or keep the WiFi router on for 105 hours.

Anker is offering an incredible deal on pre-orders which can score this new unit for $749 instead of the list price of $1,499. That's a 50% discount for the latest model that includes a 30amp plug.

More good deals on Anker Solix portable power stations

• Anker Solix C1000 — $379.99 $799 (save $401.01)

• Anker Solix F2000 — $839.99 $1,999 (save $1,159.01)

• Anker Solix F3000 — $1,468.99 $2,599 (save $1,130.01)

• Anker Solix F3800 — $2,308.99 $3,999 (save $1,690.01)

Reddit claims it caught Perplexity doing something it shouldn't have.

The popular message board website filed a lawsuit against Perplexity, a notable AI firm, alleging that Perplexity engaged in improper data scraping to feed its AI program. The complaint (courtesy of The Verge) lists Perplexity alongside three data scraping firms: AWMProxy, Oxylabs, and SerpApi. According to Reddit, Perplexity does business with at least one of these companies, allegedly using them to get data from Reddit without the site's permission.

SEE ALSO: Reddit request rate limited: Why you're seeing this message

While Reddit has signed agreements with other AI companies in the recent past, it has not done so with Perplexity. Reddit claims that it once sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity for scraping Reddit content. Per Reddit's complaint, after the letter was sent, Perplexity started citing Reddit even more than before, not less. Where this really gets juicy is how Reddit claims it caught Perplexity in the alleged act of stealing data. In Reddit's words:

"To confirm this hypothesis, Reddit created a “test post” – the equivalent of a digital “marked bill” – that could only be crawled by Google’s search engine and was not otherwise accessible anywhere on the internet. Within hours, queries to Perplexity’s “answer engine” produced the contents of that test post. The only way that Perplexity could have obtained that Reddit content and then used it in its “answer engine” is if it and/or its Co-Defendants scraped Google SERPs for that Reddit content and Perplexity then quickly incorporated that data into its answer engine."

Perplexity provided a statement defending itself to The Verge.

“Perplexity has not yet received the lawsuit, but we will always fight vigorously for users’ rights to freely and fairly access public knowledge,” the company told The Verge. “Our approach remains principled and responsible as we provide factual answers with accurate AI, and we will not tolerate threats against openness and the public interest.”

We'll have to wait and see how the lawsuit pans out, but at least Reddit's tactic for allegedly catching Perplexity in the act is funny, if nothing else.

From weight loss culture to hemlines to current pop music hits, Gen Z is holding an open online conversation about recession indicators. But is the generation also in the midst of a sex recession?

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released last year showed a decrease in the amount of sex that Gen Z has compared to previous generations. Various reports over the years on this trend have snowballed into the interpretation that this decline in sexual habits is due to Gen Z's overall feeling of sexphobia (or fear of sex). 

SEE ALSO: 70 percent of Gen Z men say porn was first exposure to sex

From being named a population of "virgins" to being called sexless, the cultural conversation around these statistics has pushed the idea that Gen Z may be a sexually repressed generation. But is that really true?

Sexual culture in a chronically online world 

While the decrease in sexual activity for Gen Z can't be boiled down to one factor, the role of the internet and social media may be a huge catalyst for this new wave of sexual behavior. With 81 percent of Gen Zers using social media daily, and half reporting that they spend three hours or more on it per day, internet usage has become a constant influence for most of Gen Z. This undeniably contributes to their general health, well-being, and understanding of sex. 

This, however, is not a black-and-white story. Whether Gen Z is having less sex, and the function of the internet within this trend, isn't inherently good or bad. We are witnessing how aspects of ourselves and our relationships are affected by the conditions under which we are forced to create our values — such as for romance and sex. While medically accurate, comprehensive sex education is the most reliable gateway to explore those values for young people, it's not accessible to everyone. (Only 19 states require medically accurate information on any sex ed topic as of 2025.) 

The internet is offering a new — yet more complicated — route.

When internet and social media use become ingrained in the everyday lives of young people, the landscape in which they are exploring sexuality moves from physical to digital. This shift creates not necessarily a generational attitude of sexphobia at large, but a sexual culture shaped by the digital environment where they're immersed. 

For some, that leads to more open and authentic sexual lives, while others internalize repressive sexual messaging. 

A different kind of sex education

Gen Zers having less sex could be a result of seeing more perspectives around sexuality that are expanding their ideas of what sex can and has to be. 

When algorithms show social media users wide perspectives of real-life people who engage with sexuality in all types of ways, we see how "online spaces have given Gen Z free sex education, which has helped them feel more confident in listening to their desires, which can lead to having less sex," says queer sex therapist Ava Shakib. 

For individuals who discover that they are asexual or have experienced pressure to have sex, online sexuality discussions can offer "education around 'compulsory sexuality,' which can help explain parts of their experience. Feeling like an outsider can really tempt us into doing things we don't want to do," Shakib notes, which may have led to people in older generations consenting to sex they didn't really want to have.

When social media is able to show content to young people that broadens their understanding of sexuality, Gen Z engaging in less partnered sex can also be an outcome of less traditional definitions of sex. Sex educator Danielle Bezalel, MPH, says, "They may be defining sex as fingering, oral, anal, licking, kissing, masturbating, etc. This definition expansion around sex should be applied to sex for all people, as it's more inclusive and has less of an emphasis on straight cis-hetero sex." 

Consequently, lower reported sexual activity for Gen Z may also be a result of a growing gap between mainstream definitions of sex (partnered penis-in-vagina sex) and Gen Z's more expansive view on what sex can be (solo sex, sexting, kissing). When Gen Z sex statistics focus on heternormative partnered sex, there is no account for sexual activity that is happening for broader ideas of what sex can be. 

However, this expansive view isn't always the case. Content on the "For You" pages of social media is not immune to replicating in-person oppressive messaging around sexuality. "Some youth get affirming content, while others are funneled toward abstinence-only or purity-culture narratives. And beyond the algorithm, patriarchal and misogynistic culture is always in the background, reinforcing shame, silence, and control over young people's bodies," says sex educator, Irma Garcia, CSE. 

While social media access has the ability to deconstruct conservative sexuality narratives for some users, it also has the power to reinforce them. These algorithms can strengthen external shame around engaging in sex — in those cases, ultimately discouraging some Gen Zers away from it.

Some youth get affirming content, while others are funneled toward abstinence-only or purity-culture narratives. - Sex educator Irma Garcia

With increased online censorship at the hands of lawmakers and tech giants blocking or banning any sexual content, even medically accurate sexual health information, young people often don't have access to it. The Trump administration's demand to remove "gender ideology" from federally funded content, as well as emergent age verification laws that can block young people from accessing essential sexual health information, reveal how governmental efforts prevent Gen Z from coming into contact with inclusive, comprehensive sex education material. Meta's history of reportedly shadowbanning sex educators, specifically Black and queer content creators, also limits the perspectives on sexuality that young people are being directed towards — supporting monolithic or even shameful narratives around sexuality. 

Heightened anxiety around sex

Dr. Laurie Mintz, author of Becoming Cliterate and sexpert at the sex toy brand LELO, adds that increased access to sexuality via digital platforms such as social media and dating apps may magnify the commodification of people through allowing users to swipe away from potential dating situations based on a perceived flaw or imperfection. These circumstances often reward whiteness, thinness, and cis-heteronormativity, comments Garcia, making relationships more fragile and redefining intimacy for Gen Z. 

When digital platforms become the main space for exploration, this can also create more opportunity for anxiety and hesitation that may lead to less sex, specifically around rejection and perfectionism. 

Bezalel discusses the rise in the number of Gen Zers who use AI to write break-up texts, noting "that number is only going to increase if we continue to teach young people that using AI and getting something 'right' is more valuable than trying your best, even if that means experiencing failure or rejection."

Time online for Gen Z may also translate to comparison through "the constant exposure to idealized bodies, idealized romance, or porn-shaped expectations can [also] heighten anxiety and make some young people hesitant to act on their desires," Garcia says. Therefore, making complicated situations like sex too anxiety-inducing to navigate. 

This hesitation around sex for Gen Z can be shaped by hearing the complexity of sex talked about so openly online. Women, especially, may encounter "misogynistic messages about sex (e.g., body-count) that turn them off to engaging sexually, especially with men," explains Mintz. 

For some, though, this may lead not to sexlessness, but rather a positive re-evaluation of wants around sex. Shakib says that, particularly for her femme clients, realizations around how sex can function as a means of validation may ignite alternate personal pleasure practices being prioritized. "My clients often find a fulfilling masturbation practice or find non-sexual activities, like dancing and reading, which fulfills their desire for pleasure."

Higher screen time, lower intimacy

More screen time for Gen Zers in comparison to other generations also means that in-person sexual experiences are getting pushed to the wayside. With most young people being raised in an era with social media and internet access being ingrained in everyday life, we can see how time spent on the internet might simply leave less time for sex. 

"Sunshine makes us more happy and horny! We're so often cooped up in our homes, at jobs, and in cars… and we're suddenly locked in a place where there isn't much mental or physical energy left to pursue horny endeavors," Shakib tells Mashable. Bezalel shares this sentiment in that time spent online is time "they could be spending with friends or a partner or a new hookup that they are likely spending alone."

Increased time on social media may also be intensifying a gap between interest in sex and engaging in it. Reports of Gen Z having less sex don't necessarily add up to sexphobia or a wide disinterest in sex as a whole; it could be an indicator of the internet creating a wedge between intrigue and action. 

Sunshine makes us more happy and horny! We're so often cooped up in our homes, at jobs, and in cars…there isn't much mental or physical energy left to pursue horny endeavors. - Queer sex therapist Ava Shakib

"Young people can explore desire through fantasy, porn, or conversation without moving immediately into partnered sex. For some, that gap is protective. It lets them be curious without being pressured, and that can be a positive shift." Garcia explains. 

"Yes, access to sex ed online can contribute to hesitation or delay. But it isn't simply fear or repression," Garcia continues. "It's discernment, survival, disappointment with the options available, and the complexity of navigating sex in a world where information is more visible than before, but safe conditions are still not guaranteed."

"They may receive the message that sex isn't the norm for everybody and that they can choose for themselves," notes Mintz. 

When young people have access to quality, comprehensive sex education classes coupled with exposure to shame-free messaging around sexuality online, sexual agency can look like having sex, not having sex, waiting to have sex, or exploring just because. 

A new email breach was recently revealed, and the number of affected accounts is pretty staggering. Some 183 million email accounts were reportedly compromised.

The breach was revealed by Have I Been Pwned, which notes it includes both email addresses and corresponding passwords. The breach occurred in April and was added to Have I Been Pwned this week. The email addresses and passwords were apparently stolen via malware.

While your email being breached might not necessarily mean you're going to be the victim of an attack of some kind, it's probably best to know if you were breached. Luckily enough, checking is pretty simple.

How to check if your email has been hacked

Simply enough, you can check on Have I Been Pwned, where the breach info was posted. They have a search page, where you just enter your email address and see if you've been hacked aka Pwned.

So, what do you do if your password has been breached? It's simple enough: Change your password and potentially enable two-factor authentication. When it doubt, it's best to be safe.

As a mom of two, I've spent many hours playing with my kids. I pay close attention to which toys and books bring them joy — and which get tossed into a corner. So when compiling this list of the best gifts for toddlers, I went right to the source. Part of our bigger series dedicated to finding the Best Gifts For Everyone, what follows is a list of the best toddler gifts, according to my 4-year-old and 1-year-old. What you won't see here is any distinction between genders: All toys are for all kids. Every single thing here is something that my kids play with often. And while the best gifts for big kids and teen girls can be heavily influenced by trends, the best gifts for toddlers are more timeless, encouraging open-ended play and learning. Every item here would make an excellent gift, whether it's Christmas, Hannukkah, a birthday, or otherwise.

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 23, get the iRobot Roomba 104 robot vacuum and mop for $249.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449.99. That's a discount of 44%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon iRobot Roomba 104 robot vacuum and mop $249.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $200   Get Deal

Tired of spending all your time manually running a vacuum to clean up your place? Think a mop bucket may be one of the grossest things you have in your home? What if you never had to deal with either again and could count on a robot to handle all of that? Well, you can. And you can save some serious cash on a robot vacuum and mop combo that can do it all with gusto right now by shopping at Amazon.

As of Oct. 23, get the iRobot Roomba 104 robot vacuum and mop for $249.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449.99. That's $200 off and a discount of 44%.

SEE ALSO: The top 5 robot vacuums for carpet all passed the cat hair test

This model uses 70x more suction than previous releases from Roomba, with a multi-surface brush, better edge and corner cleaning, an edge-sweeping brush, and a microfiber mop pad used to help tidy your hard floors. It can set up its own cleaning pathway thanks to LiDAR as well, so you don't have to be caught teaching it where to go and what to avoid since it can do all that on its own.

This combo robot vacuum and mop can even empty its own dustbin, with up to 75 days of hands-free cleaning for you. It will empty eveything into its dock with a bag that can trap up to 99% of allergens and pet dander, so when it handles its business at its dock, you're less likely to sneeze. And you can take the old bag and drop a new one in without having to see all the detritus.

With easy cleaning schedules, custom mop and vacuum modes, and other ways to change up the way this robovac works, it's a great option for getting your home tidy. And since you can save $200 on it right now, it's a no-brainer.

The Stranger Things series finale will be getting a theatrical release, Netflix revealed today.

Season 5's feature-length final episode will play in over 350 theaters in the US and Canada on Dec. 31, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026. Screenings start at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, timed to the episode's global premiere on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: The 'Stranger Things' cast rewatching Season 3 will get you pumped for Season 5

"We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and we’re so grateful to [Netflix CEO] Ted [Sarandos], [Netflix Chief Content Officer] Bela [Bajaria], and everyone at Netflix for making it happen," Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer said in a statement. "Getting to see it on the big screen, with incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans, feels like the perfect — dare we say bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure."

These theatrical screenings are a reversal from Netflix's original plans to keep the finale solely on Netflix. In a Variety piece about Stranger Things Season 5, Bajaria rejected the idea of a theatrical release, saying, "A lot of people — a lot, a lot, a lot of people — have watched Stranger Things on Netflix. It has not suffered from lack of conversation or community or sharing or fandom. I think releasing it on Netflix is giving the fans what they want."

However, Netflix has recently seen success with theatrical releases of titles that already blew up on streaming. Case in point: KPop Demon Hunters, whose summertime singalong event was so popular, it's coming back to theaters in time for Halloween.

Netflix will release more information about how to attend these fan events and what theaters they will be playing in at a later date. Mashable will report with more news on this story as it develops.

Volume 1 of Stranger Things 5 premieres Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. Volume 2 premieres Dec. 26, and the series finale premieres Dec. 31.

If you've posted a Story on Instagram lately, you may have noticed Restyle — a new AI feature that lets users edit photos directly within Stories.

With Restyle, you can remove unwanted background elements (say, a photobomber or a stray thumb), add new ones, or customize parts of your image — like changing someone's hair color or swapping in a different sky.

Instagram is testing Restyle Text and rolling out a new batch of Restyle tools, and Mashable has the first look. The lineup includes Restyle Text, Restyle Video, and improved effect discovery, giving users even more ways to edit their Stories.

Restyle on Instagram Credit: Instagram

You can find all of the new Restyle tools by taking a photo or video in Stories and tapping the paintbrush icon. You'll then see options to add, remove, change, or apply themes.

Restyle on Instagram Credit: Instagram

There are also limited-edition seasonal themes and effects, including Halloween options like "ghost face" and "haunted mirror"; Diwali presets such as "fireworks" and "diyas"; and year-round effects favorites like "anime" and "sketch." You can browse or search these in the new effects browser.

Restyle on Instagram Credit: Instagram

Restyle Text, another new tool rolling out Thursday, uses AI to generate custom fonts for Stories. You can pick from presets like "chrome" and "balloon," or write your own prompt — for example, "Give all of my letters little hats."

Restyle on Instagram Credit: Instagram

Finally, Restyle Video adds AI-driven filters to motion clips, with preset effects like "snow," "underwater," "porcelain," and "golden hour."

Restyle Text is currently testing with a small group of users and will expand globally soon. The other new Restyle features are rolling out across the U.S., India, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Australia, Ghana, Uganda, Singapore, Zambia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Malawi, and Canada.

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Oct. 23. The Cozy Mystery eBook Blast offers you the chance to download 150+ free ebooks for your e-reader.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cozy Mystery eBook Blast Cozy Mystery eBook Blast (Oct. 23)   Learn More

We did warn you that the Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule is wild towards the end of October. We've only just recovered from Stuff Your Kindle Day: Crime Edition and now the Cozy Mystery eBook Blast has arrived to deliver a fresh batch of material for bookworms to enjoy.

The Cozy Mystery eBook Blast is live on Oct. 23, and does exactly what the name suggests by offering 150+ free cozy mystery reads from your preferred retailer. And better yet, the books that you download are yours to keep forever. You don't get much for free these days, so these special events always cause a stir.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindle accessories for reading in luxury

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

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Cozy Mystery eBook Blast takes place on Oct. 23. There has been a shift away from one-day events in 2025, but this latest book blast is going old school by only lasting through the day. You don't have the luxury of perusing all your options over a number of days. You need to act fast and download tactically, because the next Stuff Your Kindle Day is coming on Oct 24.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

There are so many beautiful things about Stuff Your Kindle Day. Free books, obviously. But there's also a community of like-minded individuals who come together to celebrate lesser-known authors. And that's the truly great thing about these events: anyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them directly from your phone.

Which e-books are free?

The Cozy Mystery Book Club is hosting the Cozy Mystery eBook Blast, and is making it easy for participants to find exactly what they need by organizing everything into three sub-genres on the hub page:

• Contemporary Cozies

• Historical Cozies

• Paranormal Cozies

The Cozy Mystery Book Club also includes links for alternative retailers, if you're looking to avoid the Kindle Store.

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

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

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

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle Paperwhite. Prices start at $159.99, but you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

Microsoft developer Obsidian Entertainment has had quite the year. In February, the studio launched Avowed, its fantasy RPG, followed by the co-op sequel Grounded 2 going into early access in July. Now, it’s rounding out the year with The Outer Worlds 2, a sequel to its highly acclaimed 2019 sci-fi RPG.

Obsidian’s games are known for their deep writing and worldbuilding, with an emphasis on player choice. In Avowed and The Outer Worlds, players are encouraged to pick their own paths when it comes to tackling story missions, solving side quests, and carrying out conversations. While The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t do anything drastically different from its predecessor, it sticks with what worked the first time and does it well again. On the other hand, it has the same flaws, namely its heavy-handed writing.

The Outer Worlds 2 takes place in a new setting: a space colony called Arcadia. Here, the player works as an Earth Directorate agent, whose job it is to maintain the relationship between Earth and its other colonies. Rifts in spacetime have started appearing, and the player is sent to investigate it. After doing so, an astronomically destructive incident causes you to float around in space for the next decade before eventually being woken up. It’s a real attention-grabbing opener of a first mission.

Credit: George Yang / Mashable

Since then, Arcadia has been in a chokehold between two powerful entities: The Protectorate and Auntie’s Choice. The former has a monopoly over space travel technology, while the latter is a megacorp made up of two companies, the pharmaceutical firm Auntie Cleo and the manufacturer Spacer’s Choice. 

Throughout the game, these two forces are constantly at each other’s throats about how to use technology to control the rifts and use them for their own nefarious means. It’s an enticing setup, but it’s sometimes weighed down by the writing.

Laying it on thick

The criticisms of capitalism are too on the nose in The Outer Worlds 2. While the writing and dialogue choices are varied and entertaining, they often lack subtlety. During a side quest, I was tasked by Annie’s Choice to break a strike, and its vice president was disgusted that the workers had demands. My dialogue choices included snarky comments about collective bargaining and workers’ rights. While these themes can be explored well, such as in games like Bioshock, the holier-than-thou tone in The Outer Worlds 2 can come across as off-putting in many cases.

Credit: George Yang / Mashable

It’s also not lost on me how deeply ironic this tone is, given that the game is published by Microsoft and Xbox Studios, which has continually been laying off workers and simultaneously trying to go all in on AI. After Nintendo listed Mario Kart World at $80, instead of the standard $60 or $70 price point in the games industry, Microsoft seemed to follow the trend and raised the price of The Outer Worlds 2 to $80 before reversing the decision due to fan backlash. So the repetitive anti-capitalist quips in the game tend to lose their impact.

What really helps counteract and balance this tone is the game’s likable companions. There are six that you can recruit throughout, and they come with vibrant personalities. My personal favorites were Valerie and Aza. Valerie is a support drone that specializes in healing and damage reduction, and her personality is that of a typical dry robot who interprets what everyone says too literally. In one interaction, I asked Valerie how much she weighed to see if she could carry heavy items, but she took it as me trying to ride her like a transport vehicle. It's a different kind of sarcastic quip that’s actually a welcome change of pace to the game’s tone.

I asked Valerie how much she weighed to see if she could carry heavy items, but she took it as me trying to ride her like a transport vehicle. Credit: George Yang / Mashable

Aza is different from the other companions as she’s not affiliated with the Earth Directorate, Auntie’s Choice, or the Protectorate. Instead, she’s part of the Glorious Dawn, a cult that worships the rifts. She’s also wonderfully violent and bloodthirsty, which adds a real mean streak that reminds me of the aggressive humor found in Borderlands games.

You can also embark on companion quests, which provide deeper character development than what you'd typically experience by just sticking with the story missions. They’re always worth doing, as you’ll not only learn to appreciate the companions more, but also gain experience to level up and become stronger, and earn other valuable rewards.

Roleplaying goodness

The Outer Worlds 2’s other strong suit is its robust role-playing elements. The character creator has extensive cosmetic options, including changing your hairstyle, adjusting your head shape, and more. It’s easy to lose time trying to create your ideal character. But what makes it stand out more than other games is its trait and skill system.

You can pick up to two positive traits, such as Brawny, which gives you the ability to use brute force to open malfunctioning doors, and Lucky, which can sometimes allow you to solve sticky situations easily. For example, Lucky came in handy when I had to solve a math equation, and my character managed to get “lucky” and solve it on the first go. 

Depending on what traits you have, certain obstacles in the game can become easier or harder to clear. This simple choice made in the beginning can drastically change the trajectory of your playthrough, making each one different and increasing the game’s replayability. You’ll also have to pick. If you decide to go with two positive traits instead of just one, you also have to pick up a negative trait, like being constantly sick or dumb. The former decreases your maximum HP, while the latter permanently locks the number of skills you can learn. It’s an excellent trade-off that forces you to adapt.

The skill screen in Outer Worlds 2. Credit: George Yang / Mashable

You can also pick two skills to specialize in, which help gear your character to your specific playstyle. I like avoiding conflict and talking my way out of situations, so I chose Speech as one of my preferred skills. This lets me influence others in conversations and potentially convince them to give me store discounts. I can even skip boss fights entirely by persuading them to stand down if my Speech skill is high enough and I’ve collected specific information around the environment. Fortunately, you’re not locked to a specific playstyle, so you’re able to shift and invest in the other skills in case you discover a new approach that you enjoy more.

As you level up, you’ll also be able to unlock perks based on how many skill points you’ve allocated to certain skills. For example, after investing in the Lockpick skill, I learned how to Pickpocket, which came in clutch because, in some instances, I needed to complete a side quest to progress the story. Instead of doing what the quest giver asked for, I simply went behind them and stole what I needed from their back pocket.

There’s lots of room for synergy between the skills and perks. I loved sneaking around and killing enemies from behind, and the Sleight of Hand perk I unlocked by getting my Lockpick skill to level 8 not only made pickpocketing faster, but granted me bonus damage when executing sneak attacks. 

In fact, I spent so much time crouching and minimizing the sound of my footsteps that the game noticed, and I picked up a Flaw, an optional permanent trait that has both positive and negative effects. This particular one was called Bad Knees, and it increased my crouch speed, but every time I crouched, I would emit a cracking sound that would alert hostiles to investigate me. I decided that the pros weren’t worth the cons, so I declined the trait. There’s so much experimentation within these deep gameplay systems that makes every playthrough feel unique.

Credit: George Yang / Mashable Fighting words

Combat and gunplay were some of the weaker aspects of the first game, and that’s unfortunately the same story here. That’s partly why I also went with the stealth and speech routes that I did. I would pick off regular enemies one by one from behind, and then during boss fights, I’d convince them to step down so I wouldn’t have to attack them at all.

In any case, there are some marginal improvements. Like its predecessor, you can equip mods to enhance your weapons, such as reducing the ammo cost on certain guns. However, many of these mods make a negligible difference in the grand scheme of things, and I hardly felt these improvements during the moment-to-moment gunfights.

It’s a stark contrast to Avowed, which really showed off Obsidian’s combat systems at its best. The gunslinging in The Outer Worlds 2 just doesn’t have the same impact and satisfaction that the responsive magic hurling and swordfighting mechanics in Avowed impressed me with. Even when I started a new playthrough and picked more combat-oriented skills and perks, the shooting still felt flat and clunky in my hands.

Is The Outer Worlds 2 worth it?

If you enjoyed the first game, there’s really no reason you wouldn’t enjoy the sequel. Thankfully, The Outer Worlds 2 has an entirely new story and cast of characters, so you can jump straight in if you haven’t played the first. It’s got good writing and humorous writing, even if the anti-capitalist schtick is a bit overdone. 

The companions in Outer Worlds 2. Credit: George Yang / Mashable

The companions are genuinely deep and make the space odyssey much more bearable. And while the combat hasn’t improved much, the deep role-playing elements and the synergies between the skills and perks make the game fun to play.

The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on all platforms, including PC and PS5. It can also be played via Xbox Game Pass. With games like Keeper and Ninja Gaiden 4, the subscription is well worth getting for Microsoft’s releases this month, despite its recent price hike.

This year, Richard Linklater directed not one but two biopics about larger-than-life artists. After Nouvelle Vague, which focussed on the production of Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless (1960), there is Blue Moon, which focusses on the friendship between Broadway legends Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) and Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott).

Mashable's Head of Video Mark Stetson sat down with Hawke, Scott, and Bobby Cannavale (playing an omniscient bartender Bobbie) to discuss their roles, and how they see the Hart-Rodgers relationship.

Blue Moon opens in limited release on Oct. 17, before going wide Oct. 24.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

TL;DR: Live stream Chargers vs. Vikings in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with IPVanish.

The NFL action kicks off this week with the Chargers taking on the Vikings at the SoFi Stadium. The Chargers are looking to protect their positive record this season. The Vikings are 3-3 going into this hotly-anticipated matchup.

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

When is Chargers vs. Vikings?

Chargers vs. Vikings in the NFL starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Oct. 23. This game takes place at the SoFi Stadium.

How to watch Chargers vs. Vikings for free

Chargers vs. Vikings in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

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

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Chargers vs. Vikings for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Live stream Chargers vs. Vikings for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: IPVanish IPVanish (2-Year Plan) $52.56 at IPVanish (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

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

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

IPVanish is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• 3,100 servers in 145+ locations including Australia

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

• AES 256 encryption and operates with a zero-logs privacy policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Unlimited simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to IPVanish is on sale for just $52.56 — 83% off for a limited time. This plan includes advanced privacy features, threat protection, unlimited connections, 24/7 support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Chargers vs. Vikings in the NFL for free with IPVanish.

Editor's Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company. Any products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a sports fan.

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 17, 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: Splendid

• Green: Earnings

• Blue: Used in the Big Games

• Purple: A sack

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: Peachy

• Green: Winnings

• Blue: Pieces of Olympic sports equipment

• Purple: ___ Bag

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 #865 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Peachy: DANDY, DUCKY, FINE, SWELL

• Winnings: KITTY, POT, PRIZE, PURSE

• Pieces of Olympic sports equipment: BALL, BIRDIE, PUCK, STONE

• ___ Bag: DOGGY, GO, MIXED, SWAG

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 17, 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.