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TL;DR: Coros has officially launched the Pace 4 Pro for $449. It features a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen with up to 3,500-nit max brightness, housed in a scratch-resistant titanium bezel and sapphire glass casing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Coros Coros Pace 4 Pro $449 at Coros
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Coros has earned a dedicated following among runners and endurance athletes by delivering solid battery life into watches so light you forget you're wearing them. With the launch of the Coros Pace 4 Pro, the brand is leveling up its hardware with premium materials while sticking to its core ultralight ethos.

The main feature on the Pace 4 Pro is its 1.47-inch AMOLED touchscreen. It’s the largest and brightest display Coros has ever built, pushing a crisp 466 x 466 resolution and a peak brightness of 3,500 nits. That means reading your split times or running route in direct mid-day sunlight shouldn't require squinting.

To keep the extra screen space from feeling bulky, Coros trimmed the bezel down to an ultra-thin border made from scratch-resistant titanium, paired with durable sapphire glass over the display. The body measures just 11.8mm thick and weighs 43 grams with the standard nylon band, keeping it comfortably low-profile during long runs or gym sessions.

The Pace 4 Pro packs twice as much RAM as the base Pace 4. That extra horsepower powers a much faster mapping interface, letting you swipe through full offline global maps to check street names, trail markers, points of interest, and turn-by-turn navigation on the fly.

Coros also introduced a nice new audio feature called Voice Pins. Athletes can record quick voice notes mid-workout — like flagging a nice trail spot, noting how an interval felt, or saving a question for a coach. The notes automatically attach to your GPS location data and sync up with your workout file in the Coros app.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day deals on fitness trackers are live: Shop our favorite deals on Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and more

The Pace 4 Pro delivers up to 60 hours of continuous GPS tracking (or 46 hours with Always-On Display) and up to 21 days of daily use (seven days with Always-On Display). Onboard sensors track heart rate, altitude, temperature, pulse ox, and ECG, monitoring everything from overnight HRV to daily stress while syncing seamlessly with Strava, Nike Run Club, and TrainingPeaks.

Ready to amp up your endurance setup? Grab the Coros Pace 4 Pro for $449 at Coros.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

TL;DR: To celebrate Pokémon's 30th anniversary, The Pokémon Company released a new card set with high pull rates to stop scalpers. A factory red-ink glitch created "Blood Mew" — an accidental, creepy variant of Mew #151.

To celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary — and cool down tension around short stock and scalper buyouts — Nintendo and The Pokémon Company dropped a commemorative TCG set loaded with higher pull rates for shiny variants and fan-favorite Pikachus. The goal was noble enough: make cool, rare cards more accessible for casual fans and active players alike.

Naturally, that didn't stop the trading circuit from finding a brand-new, ultra-exclusive prize to lose their minds over.

Enter "Blood Mew."

Originally designed as a serene, golden illustration of card number 151, a batch of the new Mew cards suffered a heavy printing defect at the factory. Likely caused by a foil splice error during manufacturing, Mew appears to be floating in — or descending into — a thick pool of deep red ink saturated across half the card instead of hovering over a bright magical grove.

Card trader Miss Natoshi spotted the factory mishap, posted it online, and gave the sinister-looking misprint its instant-classic nickname.

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

In the Pokémon card world, factory mistakes are treated like gold simply because they're so rare. While standard shiny cards are printed by the millions, an accidental ink leak or misaligned foil creates a one-of-a-kind card that can't easily be remade.

Even though Nintendo tried to make this 30th Anniversary set easy for everyone to buy, the internet hype machine has already turned "Blood Mew" into an expensive viral circus.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box gets a price cut on Amazon — act fast to save $10

Hoping to hit the jackpot, resellers are listing their misprinted cards on auction sites and social media to see how much collectors will pay. Some super optimistic sellers are even listing their cards with asking prices in the six figures.

Whether the hype stays this high or cools off, one thing is for sure — a simple printer mistake just accidentally created the most Metal card in Pokémon history.

I love e-readers like a Kindle or Kobo because within minutes of turning them on, you can be reading. But I also appreciate the versatility of Boox e-readers, which run on Android and offer readers so much flexibility. With a Boox e-reader, you're no longer trapped in one e-reader's system.

Unlike Kobo and Kindle, Boox e-readers are a little less straightforward. Technically, they're E Ink tablets running Android and capable of so much more, but that also means there are more settings and features to dig through.

There's a little bit of a learning curve on the Boox, which is initially off-putting. But now that I'm well acquainted with all the settings on a Boox, I really love using this e-reader.

So if you just got a Boox tablet or are looking forward to grabbing the new Palma 3, here are my favorite settings to change on the device.

Turn off gestures and add the bar at the bottom You can control your Boox through gestures or a navigation bar, and I much prefer the latter. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Potentially the best tip I took from the internet is adding the navigation bar to my Boox e-reader. When you set up a Boox, the system prompts you to pick between gesture navigation and a navigation bar. While the gesture system works similarly to what you use on a smartphone or tablet, the navigation bar is far more convenient.

It puts common menus like a home button or an option to see all your open apps within reach. You can even customize the navigation bar in system settings.

Turn off NaviBall Not using the NaviBall feature on your Boox? Turn it off in settings. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Boox automatically turns on the NaviBall feature on its e-readers, a small button that stays on your screen and performs whatever action you assign it. I've seen plenty of people online using and loving the NaviBall, but it wasn't for me. I found that the NaviBall got in the way and was obtrusive on the already small screen. Turning it off was easy to do in settings, and the navigation bar provided plenty of guidance.

Volume buttons for page turning Any Boox can have page turning buttons when you let the volume controls turn the page. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Not enough e-readers come with page-turning buttons. Boox's Go 7 e-reader does, but if you're opting for the Palma, you can use the device's existing volume buttons. This feature is available in the Boox's native library or the Kindle app. In the Kindle app, open the book you're reading. Under the Aa setting, navigate to the More tab until you see "Turn pages with volume controls" and turn it on.

This is the best feature to turn on if you want the Boox Tappy remote too, as you can set the buttons to adjust the volume and, in turn, turn the pages in your book.

In your reading apps, adjust the EinkWise setting If the colors on your Boox aren't looking right, adjust them in the EinkWise settings. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

When I first started reading on the Boox, I thought the screen felt a little faint — more gray than black. Turns out you can adjust the color grade of each app on a Boox individually. When the app is open, pull down the control center from the top-right corner and navigate to the EinkWise display. Then adjust your color mode from there.

Boox offers preset standard and deep settings, but you can also create your own custom settings. I prefer different settings for different apps. With the Kindle App, I use the deep setting, but in the Libby app, I use the standard setting.

Change the wallpaper and screensaver Upload your own design to the Boox Cloud and add it as your own screensaver on a Boox e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Last but not least, you can adjust the screensaver (and wallpaper on certain models) on your Boox. There are some cute preloaded options, but you can also upload your own designs to the Boox cloud for a truly custom look. Plus, you can add a clock and date to your homepage, too.

What about the new iPhones?

Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and first-ever foldable iPhone Duo at its "Surprise and Shine" hardware event on Sept. 9. We just published our initial review of both Pro models and plan on adding at least one of them to this guide in the near future, once we've wrapped up a couple more performance and battery life tests. Both phones are available for preorder ahead of their release on Sept. 18.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Duo vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max: How to decide between them

As for the iPhone Duo: It's not out until Oct. 23, but Mashable's Stan Schroeder got to spend a little time with it at Apple Park earlier this month. (Read his hands-on first impressions.) It should give our current favorite foldable phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, a run for its money. Look for preorders starting Oct. 16.

Why are phones so expensive right now? The new Google Pixel 11 Pro has a $100 higher starting price than last year's Pixel 10 Pro. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

If you're in the market for a new phone right now, you should know that it'll cost you more than usual. Smartphone prices have surged in 2026 because we're in the middle of a global RAM shortage caused by the AI boom (commonly known as "RAMageddon"). New AI data centers are hogging supplies of memory and SSD storage chips, driving up their prices. Consequently, consumer tech devices that use the same components are also getting more expensive. Along with phones, laptops, and gaming consoles have also been heavily affected by RAMageddon price hikes.

So far, we've seen Apple, Google, and Samsung all raise the prices of their new releases at launch. Apple also increased the prices of some older iPhones by $100 following its iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and Duo announcements. Meanwhile, Samsung is reportedly mulling another bump for its current lineup.

With this in mind, it's especially wise to shop around for deals and carrier promotions before buying your new phone. Trading in an older device is the easiest way to save several hundred dollars on an upgrade. Some carriers will give you a new phone for free (in the form of monthly bill credits) if you also sign up for a new line or certain data plans. For example, the new iPhone 18 Pro is free with eligible trade-ins and plans through AT&T and T-Mobile.

NASA's Artemis III mission is about three months behind schedule, administrator Jared Isaacman says, putting pressure on the agency's plan to launch two moon-landing missions in 2028.

In a wide-ranging email to employees on Sunday, Isaacman said Artemis III could launch in the summer of 2027, preserving two opportunities for lunar landings the following year. But that's the "best-case scenario."

NASA doesn't plan to put astronauts on the moon during Artemis III. The agency redesigned the mission earlier this year as a crewed flight in Earth orbit, wherein astronauts would rehearse docking the Orion spacecraft with lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin. The test is intended to practice those crucial space maneuvers close to home and reduce risk before the first Artemis moon landing.

The 90-day delay represents a meaningful setback for an agency that has spent this year trying to accelerate the Artemis campaign, leveraging the momentum of the successful Artemis II flight around the moon. It also comes as Isaacman frames the agency's return to the surface as a broader competition with China. That makes NASA's current pace more consequential than a typical schedule slip.

"Perpetuating the status quo is not an achievable strategy in this race," Isaacman said. "There is simply too much on the line."

SEE ALSO: Scientists want to know what this distant galaxy ate to make it so weird

The disclosure of the schedule tension reveals how much ground NASA needs to make up if it wants Artemis IV and V, the first two landing missions of the program, to launch in 2028. If Artemis III continues to lag, NASA might be looking at just one shot to put boots on the moon in late 2028, Isaacman said in the email, published online Monday by NASA Watch, former NASA employee Keith Cowing's blog. NASA has since confirmed the email's authenticity to Mashable. 

Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Light Speed newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

The Artemis III astronauts meet an Orion spacecraft mockup at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston at the beginning of their mission training in June. Credit: NASA / Bill Stafford

NASA announced an overhaul to the Artemis architecture in February, wedging this 2027 mission in between Artemis II's lunar flyby and the first crewed landing. Since then, the agency has announced the Artemis III astronauts: Commander Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, and European pilot Luca Parmitano. 

That major redesign has meant sidelining a complicated project to build an orbiting lunar space station, called Gateway, that would have served as both a lab and pit stop for lunar missions. NASA has since pivoted to building a moon base on the surface instead. 

The base is expected to sit at the lunar south pole, a region about the size of Virginia. The area is coveted for its deep, shadowed craters that may hold ancient ice and other frozen material. If NASA can learn to harness those resources for water and fuel, astronauts could avoid needing constant resupplies from Earth and become more self-sufficient.

"Had we stayed the course with Gateway, China was positioned to advance landers equipped with rovers and hopper drones, drone capabilities we ourselves did not have in development until recently, and potentially deny access to the most desirable locations on the surface," Isaacman said. 

But the new schedule has exposed friction across the program. NASA is working directly with suppliers and subcontractors to get delayed components, including valves and parts used to steer the rocket, back on track, Isaacman said. It's even making some hardware itself to accelerate production.

In Sunday's message, the administrator reiterated that the moon campaign isn't about merely getting there and planting another U.S. flag in the moondust. 

"We are making sure that when America returns to the Moon, we can actually stay," he said.

TL;DR: Learn how to use AI more effectively with the Ultimate AI Assistant Masterclass, now $15.99 (reg. $39).

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions The Ultimate AI Assistant Masterclass $15.99
$39 Save $23.01   Get Deal

Most AI assistants are free to use, but getting useful answers out of them takes more than typing a question into a box. A vague reply and a precise one usually come down to how the request is written. The Ultimate AI Assistant Masterclass shows you how to use AI effectively, and lifetime access just went on sale for $15.99 (reg. $39).

This bundle includes six self-paced video courses, each focusing on AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity AI, DeepSeek, and Tabnine AI. Your training starts with prompt engineering fundamentals and then covers guidance on specific work, from research and content creation to coding and daily productivity. No prior experience is needed, so the courses work whether you’re new to these tools or already using them every day.

Throughout every course, there’s a throughline of learning better principles in prompt engineering. That includes learning how to phrase a request so an assistant returns accurate, usable results that you can apply to practical work. There’s even a Perplexity course that focuses on research and real-time search, along with a Gemini course that works through multimodal tasks across text and images. You’ll also get access to courses for advanced reasoning with DeepSeek, productivity improvements with Copilot, and content creation with GPT. If you work with code, make sure to check out the Tabnine courses to help you speed up your workflows without compromising quality.

Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you have access to all course materials indefinitely.

Get the Ultimate AI Assistant Masterclass while it’s on sale for $15.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

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

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

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Incapable.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

UNFIT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Boundary.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LIMIT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Malice.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 23, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 23, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SPITE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Boat transport.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FERRY

Final Hurdle hint

Stop it.

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

BRAKE

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

TL;DR: This Drime Secure Cloud Storage Advanced Plan lifetime subscription sets you up with 10TB of permanent cloud storage, and right now it’s on sale for just $359.97 (reg. $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Drime Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (Advanced++ Plan/10TB) $359.97
$1,299 Save $939.03   Get Deal

Is your digital life in need of some serious organizing? If you’ve got files on your smartphone, some on your laptop, and even more stored away on a hard drive, there’s an easier way to keep tabs on your content. Drime Secure Cloud Storage lets you secure an ample 10TB of space with this Advanced Plan lifetime subscription — on sale now for just $359.97.

If you’re looking to get your digital world in order, look no further than Drime Secure Cloud Storage. This convenient service lets you upload, sync, and share files from any device, so you can finally get all your files in order. And this Advanced Plan lifetime subscription includes 10TB of storage to keep it all safe.

Drime Secure Cloud Storage lets you pay once and enjoy your cloud storage space for life — so you no longer have to rent month after month. It also offers 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption, so you can rest easy knowing your content is secure and accessible only to you. It’s also hosted in Europe and GDPR compliant, so none of your data is even routed through the United States.

You’ll have 10 TB of cloud storage and can upload files of any size. Drime Secure Cloud Storage is also centralized, so your files are synced and updated across your devices and accessible in real time when you need them.

Once your files are in the cloud, you can use a built-in media and document editor to edit, comment, and make changes without leaving Drime. You can also easily share files with custom links, with options to set passwords and expiration dates.

Lock in a Drime Secure Cloud Storage Advanced Plan lifetime subscription for only $359.97 today.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a Grade A refurbished iPad 9th Gen for $209.99 (reg. $479).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 2021 (Refurbished) $209.99
$479 Save $269.01   Get Deal

If you’re looking for an iPad that can handle streaming, browsing, video calls, or schoolwork, you don’t need to splurge on a Pro model. The refurbished Apple iPad 9th Gen, currently $209.99 (reg. $479), offers impressive value.

Powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, the 2021 iPad handles everyday apps, multitasking, and crystal-clear video calls. The 10.2-inch Retina display offers generous screen real estate for streaming your favorite shows, catching up on reading, or tackling assignments. Touch ID, stereo speakers, and an all-day battery round out a feature set designed for both productivity and fun.

Video calls are very user-friendly thanks to the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and Center Stage, a convenient feature that keeps you in frame even if you move around. Whether you’re a student attending virtual classes, catching up with family, or just spending lots of time on calls, it’s a handy upgrade.

Choose between 64GB or 256GB of storage, and pick your style — Space Gray or Silver. If you love to keep a library of photos, videos, and apps at your fingertips, the 256GB model has you covered. Just keep in mind: this is a Wi-Fi–only iPad, so you’ll need a wireless connection or hotspot when you’re away from home.

Its Grade A refurb rating means it arrives in near-mint condition, with minimal to no scuffing, so it feels almost like new, without the new-device price tag.

And while newer iPads and iPad Pro models offer more advanced hardware, those extras aren’t necessarily essential for someone who primarily wants a tablet for everyday entertainment, communication, and productivity. If that’s your use case, this older generation can cover the basics without taking as big a chunk out of your budget.

Get the Apple iPad 9th Gen 2021 while it’s available on sale for just $209.99 (reg. $479).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Few things in the history of cinema are as consistently satisfying as watching Julianne Moore let loose a barrage of curse words. Be it her saucy adult film star in Boogie Nights, her Transatlantic-accented artist in The Big Lebowski, her shattered trophy wife in Magnolia or its playful recreation on Billy on the Street, Moore can make the most out of a four-letter word. Now, in the bouncy yet twisted comedy The Debut, she lays out her most hilarious litany of expletives yet. But that's just one reason you can't miss her latest. 

As a follow-up to his Academy Award–winning movie A Real Pain, actor turned writer/director Jesse Eisenberg offers a follow-up that's even funnier and more ferocious. The Debut stars Moore in a mousy role that might recall her work with Todd Haynes at first. But as Eisenberg's hilarious send-up of theater culture gains steam, this comedy pitches Moore into a satirical space where she soars in absurdity. A bellowing Paul Giamatti is her perfect scene partner, and it's easy to imagine both are readying for an another award season run. 

What is The Debut all about? 

Distributed by A24, The Debut centers on Mona Friedman, a New Jersey housewife so introverted she's practically invisible to her husband and teen twins. With her nest about to be emptied by high school graduation, Mona's eager to find a new place to devote her attention, and maybe even get some of her own. So, the auditions for the local university's production of an New York City-set musical farce called Nosy Neighbors seems an absolute dream. 

Approaching the audition with all the stage presence of a damp napkin, Mona earns only a sneer from the director Jerry (Giamatti), who is regarded as a god by the jubilant, nattering theater kids, led by ingenue Stef (Halle Bailey). But when regional theater legend Serena Cherry (Bernadette Peters, popping in to belt her heart out) bails on the production, Mona will have a chance to make her big debut — if she doesn't ruin her life first. 

With a frantically farcical tone reminiscent of Only Murders in the Building, Eisenberg's comedy has elements of a psychological thriller, as Mona's quest to understand the role of building super Miss Danielle leads her to a version of method acting that is utterly deranged. Jerry becomes her antagonist and an unhinged ally in this pursuit, pushing her to understand the unwritten backstory of the super through urban field trips and outlandish escapades. Together, these rightfully esteemed dramatic actors prove to be a crackling comedy duo, imbuing each scene with a savage earnestness and laughable absurdity. 

The Debut is an absolute crowdpleaser.  Credit: A24

Ahead of its theatrical release, The Debut premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, then the Toronto International Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival. An NYC crowd will surely go wild for Eisenberg's musical-within-the-movie, which parodies urban archetypes like the lonely finance bro, the naive new girl in town, and the surly super. However, the audiences in Toronto roared with laughter and even cheers over his send-up of theater culture, which includes an overzealous intern (Eldar Isgandarov), a much-tread-upon assistant (Susan Blommaert), a two-faced pianist (K. Todd Freeman), and an avalanche of giddy, over-the-top enthusiasm for their newest member. 

The screenplay is smart and irreverent, without losing touch with empathy. So, while we witness Mona descend into madness as she chases the dream of the local theater spotlight, we cringe in fear that she'll fail. This is in no small part due to Moore's ability to be a clown and a raw nerve, all at once. She marvelously plays a bad actress, moving from a stifled whisper to an atonal shout as Mona fumbles a lesson on projecting. Then, as she becomes determined not just to shine but to upstage the whole ensemble, Moore plunges into physical comedy involving janky plumbing, horrendously awkward dancing, sketchy hotel rooms, dubious binge-drinking of a booze called "monkey blood," and a makeover that is so atrociously awful that I couldn't look away. 

Alongside her, Giamatti transforms from Mona's tormenter to mentor to overwhelmed wrangler. The cast around her varies in portrayals from bubbly to bewildered, each adding dimension to this Sunset Boulevard send-up, ignited by a brilliantly saturated color palette of reds, teals, and golds. This brightness in tone and color reflects Mona's resolutely cheerful facade. As her journey grows dark, the visual contrast keeps the comedy playful. 

All of this energy, charisma, chaos, and color barrels into a climax that is jubilant, odd, and undeniably exhilarating. Eisenberg not only captures the unfettered outrageousness of being a theater kid, but also the thrilling spontaneity of live theater. Moore, who previously starred in his muddled directorial debut When You Finish Saving The World, shines in The Debut, expertly delivering comedy with a steady stream of desperation. Giamatti brings grit and grumble, as might be expected, but with a salty vulnerability that surprisingly sweet in the third act. Altogether, they create a movie that's not only hilarious and cringe-inducing, but also brilliantly life-affirming. Don't just see it. See it in theaters, where you can be swallowed by the raucous laughter of strangers. 

The Debut was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. It will open in theaters on Dec. 11. 

Sometimes, the customers love a product so much that they don't want to see it change. And sometimes, the customers are right.

The massive multinational companies that build all these products we love aren't too keen on admitting they made a mistake. But sometimes they admit it in the best possible way: by giving customers the product they wanted all along.

In 2018, Mashable's Matt Binder wrote about the "death" of the mid-2015 Retina MacBook Pro, calling it "the best laptop ever made."

That particular MacBook Pro became known amongst Apple fans as "the one with the ports," as it came with two USB-C ports, two Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe 2 connector, an HDMI connector, and an SDXC card slot. It was a workhorse for professionals who actually needed all that connectivity, and it had a wonderful keyboard and enough power to satisfy the most demanding user.

The MacBook Pro with the Touch ID was alright, but the people still yearned for the physical keys. Credit: Apple

Then, Apple changed it all up with the dreaded Touch Bar MacBook Pro. That one came with a Touch Bar instead of function keys, unlocking new features that appeared cool, but weren't actually very useful. Its Butterfly keyboard was a downgrade, and it only had four Thunderbolt 3 ports, forcing professionals who used (and still do to this day) memory cards and HDMI cables to use dongles to connect their peripherals. It was a thin, elegant, sleek machine, but Apple sacrificed too much functionality to make it so.

The rest is history. After years of user complaints, Apple redesigned the MacBook Pro in 2021, and the 16-inch model in particular was the one professionals wanted. It had a massive display, a wonderful keyboard, physical function keys, and (nearly) the same array of ports as the good, old 2015 Retina MacBook Pro.

SEE ALSO: Was the 6S really the peak iPhone?

So yes, that old workhorse from 2015 was, in a way, the best laptop ever. More than a decade later, the new MacBook Pro models still inherit most of its design and connectivity traits, wireless connection be damned. Chalk this one a victory for everyone.

Credit: Mashable "RIP mid-2015 MacBook Pro, the best laptop ever made," published July 12, 2018.

Anyone who knows anything about the online dating world has surely heard of AdultFriendFinder. It's one of the OGs of online hookups, having launched in 1996 — the early days of the internet — and becoming a top 100 website in the U.S. by the late 2000s. Pretty much everyone is horny from time to time. But despite that undeniable popularity, AdultFriendFinder has never quite managed to establish itself in the mainstream like Tinder or Hinge.

There’s a very good reason for that.

AFF, as it’s known among its users, is explicitly an “adult” dating site. And trust us when we say that we do mean explicit. Anything goes on AFF, where users are encouraged to fly that freak flag and indulge in all their kinks and desires. AFF is proud of that fact, but it's also the reason it's never gone fully mainstream. After all, users are unlikely to talk about their AFF activity over the water cooler as they might discuss their Tinder hit rate. The NSFW content (it's chock full of nudity) means there's no dedicated app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Those platforms won't allow that kind of content.

But what if you’re curious about how AFF works and whether it's a good fit for you? What if you’ve always wondered whether you’re missing out on the best-kept online dating secret and want to join the NSFW party? Or maybe you’re worried it’s more hype and chatbots than seriously spicy fun. If that all sounds familiar, there's no need to fret about AFF FOMO because we've done the work for you.

Here's a breakdown of the AdultFriendFinder experience and what you can realistically expect to get from it if you decide to dip your toe into these naughty waters.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More AdultFriendFinder isn’t a traditional dating site

If you sign up for AdultFriendFinder for a standard online dating experience, you’re sure to be disappointed. It’s not that AFF members aren’t interested in serious dating; it’s more that AFF isn't necessarily the place to go looking for that. Sex and sexuality are front and center, and everything else comes from there, so to speak.

You'll see that for the first moment to log on. Unlike mainstream dating sites, which ban nudity from profile photos, AFF allows it, so that regular dating-app selfies sit side-by-side with full-on full-frontal nudity and live webcam feeds. It might be too hot for some would-be daters to handle, and it's certainly jarring when you first sign up. There is a content filter, accessible in your profile settings, but it defaults to "off," so if you would rather not see any nudity (in which case, AFF might not be right for you), navigate to this setting ASAP. That will mean you only see NSFW content when you actively click on it.

For some people who aren't looking for a bare-all experience, this might sound off-putting, but to those who are looking for exactly that, it’s refreshing. (And if we're not using AFF to gawk at a little nudity, what are we even doing with our lives?) Unlike traditional dating apps, where early conversations revolve around figuring out what the other person actually wants, AFF members tend to be refreshingly upfront and direct about their intentions. Kinks and sexual preferences are the whole point. Plus, getting to the point is a welcome time-saver with online dating.

How to meet people on AdultFriendFinder

Every online dating site lives or dies by its algorithm, with new platforms constantly rolling out novel ways to connect singles. AdultFriendFinder, however, takes a maximalist approach to interacting with strangers.

You can search for members the conventional way, using specific criteria like gender, sexual orientation, age, location, and more, but you can also jump into themed chat rooms or follow other members’ live streams. There's also a “Who’s Hot” tab that highlights popular members and trending photo and video uploads. This helps you easily discover someone you might never have come across through regular searches.

One thing you’ll notice quickly, however, is the presence of obviously fake profiles. When I searched for singles near me, I encountered a surprising number of stunningly beautiful women in a small rural town near my city. My excitement was quickly spoiled by their obviously airbrushed photos and vague, AI-sounding profile descriptions.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Tinder subscription

The issue is that AFF makes it very easy to sign up and create a profile, requiring just a username, password, and basic personal info. It's very easy for scammers to exploit this, so you'll see lots of bots. But don't be put off. You can navigate around them easily enough. All you need to do is stay vigilant on AFF and use some good old-fashioned common sense.

To help counter this, AdultFriendFinder offers a blue checkmark verification system. It even rewards users by boosting their visibility once they've completed it. Verification requires a government-issued ID, which AFF uses to confirm your age, photo authenticity, location, and gender. It's an optional step, but one worth completing since it helps you signal to others that you are who you say you are.

If avoiding scammers and catfishers is a priority, just look for that blue checkmark before you make any moves.

What kind of success rate can you expect from AdultFriendFinder?

It all sounds good so far, but there is a catch with AFF. While you can browse and explore AFF for free, meaningful one-on-one interactions require you to fork out for a paid Gold membership, which is available in either one-month ($35.95/month), three-month ($26.95/month), or one-year ($19.95/month) packages, all of which renew automatically.

Understandably, most people hesitate to pay for a dating site from the outset. They want to be sure the site is a good fit for them first. But with AFF locking its best features behind a paywall, it takes a leap of faith to enter those credit card details. If it makes you feel better, we find that a premium AFF membership largely justifies its cost — the benefits are good enough to make the fee worthwhile.

Indeed, with an AFF Gold membership, you unlock a range of features, including unrestricted messaging, high-resolution member videos and webcam streams, expanded profile galleries, and advanced filters that make it far easier to narrow down potential matches. You'll quickly see the benefits when you take the plunge with AFF's paid tier.

Does paying guarantee attention from everyone you message? Of course not. The usual dating-app dynamics still apply — heterosexual men, for instance, should expect to work harder for responses than heterosexual women. Being attractive, fit, or witty helps. Being all three helps even more, though we're not all lucky enough to possess that particular threesome of qualities.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

What will work in your favor, regardless, is the size of the AFF community. It's huge, with members spanning a diverse range of ages, body types, orientations, and interests. That fact alone makes it easier to find someone. And you'll find all kinds of people you'd never have come into contact with otherwise. Especially if you’re hankering after something a little more casual and fun than serious and long-term.

Based on my personal experience of using AFF, as well as the limited statistics AFF has released, the platform skews male (roughly 60:40 in my area) and slightly older. That male/female ratio mirrors that of most dating sites, which tend to skew towards more men. The older skew can actually be an advantage if, like me, you prefer connecting with people closer to your own age.

Here's one parting piece of advice: Don’t ignore AFF’s broader community features. If you rely solely on search results and direct messages, you’ll face roughly the same odds as any other dating app. But if you explore the themed chat rooms — which can span everything from erotic fiction to body modification (whatever gets the juices flowing) — you’re more likely to find a connection that turns you on.

Best early Walmart Fall Days deals: Best Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30.99) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones $149 (save $20.95) Get Deal Best TV deal onn. 65-inch 4K UHD Smart TV (65S4V4) $258 (save $20) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day event is right around the corner, which means every other major retailer is currently scrambling to steal your attention with competing sales. (Honestly, in this economy, I definitely don't blame them.)

SEE ALSO: Target will host a Circle Deal Days sale on the exact same days as Amazon's fall Prime event

Walmart is taking on the retail giant with its own "Fall Deals" event that officially kicks off on Oct. 5 and runs for a full week until Oct. 11. The best part about Walmart's event is that you don't have to be a paid member to shop, though Walmart+ members will get first dibs on the discounts.

While the main event hasn't technically started, it's already teasing up to 50% off home goods, 40% off tech, and 30% off toys. Even better, there are a handful of early deals you can add to your cart right now.

Best Walmart TV deals

• FPD 40-inch 1080P Smart Google TV — $188.96 $322.98 (save $134.02)

• onn. 65-inch 4K UHD Smart TV (65S4V4) — $258 $278 (save $20)

• VIZIO 65-inch Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV (VQD65R-10) — $328 $498 (save $170)

• TCL 55-inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K TV (55QM6K) — $598 $649.99 (save $51.99)

Best Walmart headphones and earbuds deals

• JBL Tune 520BT — $34.95 $59.95 (save $25)

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $51.97 $79.99 (save $28.02)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129.99 (save $30.99)

• Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones — $149 $169.95 (save $20.95)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

Best Walmart gaming deals

• PNY GeForce RTX 5070 OC — $679 $779 (save $100)

• MSI Cyborg 15 (RTX 5070) — $1,299 $2,099 (save $800)

• ASUS ROG Strix G16 (RTX 5070) — $1,599 $1,999.99 (save $400.99)

• ASUS ROG Strix G18 (RTX 5070) — $1,849 $2,699.99 (save $850.99)

Best Walmart Lego deals

• Lego Botanicals Daisies — $9.89 $14.99 (save $5.10)

• Lego Editions Cristiano Ronaldo — $87.73 $109.98 (save $22.64)

• Lego Marvel Spider-Man vs. Oscorp — $110 $139.99 (save $29.99)

TL;DR: Eight Sleep just launched the Pod 6, featuring a completely redesigned Hub that fits under most bed frames, 18 biometric sensors, and new single-sleeper Solo sizes. Prices start at $1,999 for Solo and $2,699 for Standard sizes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eight Sleep Eight Sleep Pod 6   Shop Now

When we reviewed the Eight Sleep Pod 5, we called it a spendy miracle for hot sleepers. Having a water-cooled cover that actively chills or warms your bed based on real-time biometric tracking is game-changing. But for all its luxury, every Pod generation we’ve tested carried two massive design headaches: a tower-sized Hub that sat next to your nightstand like a mini-fridge, and the complete lack of smaller or single-sleeper mattress sizes.

The newly announced Eight Sleep Pod 6 directly tackles those long-standing complaints. Rebuilt from the ground up, this sixth-generation release slims down the hardware footprint, vastly upgrades internal sensing, and introduces the most accessible pricing structure in the line's history.

The bulky box finally hides under your bed

The biggest upgrade you'll notice right away is the central Hub. Eight Sleep halved its size and gave it a sleek, low-profile design built to slide completely out of sight under most bed frames. No more tripping over a plastic tower next to your nightstand.

And even though the box is half the size, the tech inside works faster:

• 20% faster cooling and heating — Redesigned internal coolers mean you get relief from sudden night sweats or chills way faster than on older models.

• True split-temp controls — Each side of the bed runs on its own separate water loop. You can freeze your side down to an icebox while your partner keeps theirs nice and warm, with zero bleed-over.

Credit: Eight Sleep

Older models like the Pod 5 used just two sensors inside the cover to monitor your body. The Pod 6 jumps to 18. That extra density means the system knows exactly where you are on the bed, so it won't get confused if you and your partner cuddle up close or if your dog decides to sleep at your feet.

Eight Sleep’s AI engine that tracks your heart rate, breathing, and sleep stages at near-medical accuracy — no Apple Watch or Oura Ring required. Autopilot then uses that real-time tracking to adjust the bed's temperature automatically throughout the night based on your body and bedroom environment.

SEE ALSO: Forget baby monitors, Hatch built a sleep coach for your newborn — where to buy

The Pod 6 also finally addresses the sizing problem by releasing single-sleeper options:

• Pod 6 Solo (starts at $1,999) — Built for single sleepers, these cover just one side of a Queen, King, or Cal King mattress, or fit standalone Twin and Twin XL beds.

• Pod 6 Standard (starts at $2,699) — Covers the entire bed for two sleepers across Full ($2,699), Queen ($2,899), King ($2,999), and Cal King ($2,999) sizes.

Keep in mind that, as before, using the Pod 6 still requires an Autopilot subscription (starting at $17 per month or $199 per year). The subscription covers two user profiles, unlocks all the automatic temperature shifts, and includes warranty protection (two years on the base plan, or five years on higher tiers).

By hiding the Hub under the bed and giving single sleepers an entry point under two grand, the Pod 6 solves the issues that held back older models. The Eight Sleep Pod 6 is available to order today at Eight Sleep.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 23, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor is available for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a $30 saving on the list price of $229.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal

If you're anything like us, you'll check out the best gaming deals when a sale event like October Prime Day rolls around. That's because gaming hardware doesn't come cheap, so it's always worth scoping out the chance to upgrade for less.

October Prime Day is still two weeks away, officially running Oct. 6-7, but we've already spotted some early deals, including a good discount on the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor. Alienware deals don't come around too often.

As of Sept. 23, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor is available for $199.99 at Amazon. That’s a $30 discount from the regular list price of $229.99.

At 27 inches, this is a great monitor for everyday gaming and compact gaming stations. It's not the biggest or highest spec monitor you'll find, but it's an excellent mid-level offering from Dell's dedicated gaming hardware range. Features include AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync for fluid gameplay, as well as 2,560 x 1,440 QHD resolution.

Pick up the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor and save $30 — now just $199.99 ahead of October Prime Day.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

TL;DR: As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's well under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

For Pokémon fans, there are few greater pleasures than finding product at way below market price. And that's exactly what you'll get with Amazon's current price on the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box.

As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available on Amazon for just $89.99. According to the market price listing at TCG Player, that's a total saving of $88.64 vs. the current market price of $178.63.

The catch is that you can't just rock up on Amazon and buy one. It's so in-demand that Amazon requires potential buyers to click the "request invite" button, which puts you in a random ballot to actually purchase one.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin is under market price at Walmart — buy for under $60 while stocks last

If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that will be valid for 72 hours. But don't wait around — at this price, there's no guarantee that this Elite Trainer Box will still be in stock.

If your invitation request isn't selected, Amazon will keep it on file, and you may receive an invitation after restocks. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Don't miss the chance to grab the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box at $89.99 — almost half of the current market price.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 23, the LifeStraw personal water filter is available for $14.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 16% on the list price of $17.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $14.99 at Amazon
$17.95 Save $2.96   Get Deal

It's almost time for Amazon's October Prime Day, which runs for two days over Oct. 6-7, and that start means deals are popping up already — deals on TVs, tech, and all kinds of other goodies.

One discount that caught our attention is 16% off the LifeStraw personal water filter, a must-have accessory for anyone who loves the outdoors — whether you're into hiking, camping, or survivalist activities deep in the wilderness.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day deals on power stations are already live: Shop the best deals on Jackery, Anker, Bluetti, and more

As of Sept. 23, the LifeStraw personal water filter is available for $14.99 at Amazon. Usually priced at $17.95, that's a neat saving of $2.96.

The LifeStraw personal water filter is a survival kit essential. It uses a microfiltration membrane that removes 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and parasites, so you can drink water directly from streams and lakes. The water purification system lasts for up to 4,000 liters.

Pick up the LifeStraw personal water filter for just $14.99 at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad 11-inch — $399 $449 (save $50)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

The best early Prime Day deals on gaming monitors: Best Ultra-Budget 1080p Monitor Acer 27-Inch KB272 G0bi $99.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best speed for FPS games MSI 27-Inch MAG 274CF X24 $129.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best High-Refresh 1440p Monitor Alienware 27-Inch AW2726DL $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best immersive monitor Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G5 G50F $199.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best curved gaming monitor Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G55C $234.67 (save $95.32) Get Deal

If your GPU pumps out 144 frames per second but your monitor tops out at 60Hz, you are throwing away performance you paid for. Slow refresh rates and high response times mean motion blur, screen tearing, and delayed inputs in fast shooters like Valorant, Apex, or Call of Duty.

Upgrading your panel gets your display speeds back in sync with your PC. Whether you need a 280Hz eSports display for frame-rate gains, a 1440p workhorse for sharper visual detail, or a curved screen for immersive single-player games, early Prime Day deals have slashed prices across Samsung, Alienware, MSI, and Acer.

We rounded up the best early monitor deals live right now so you can upgrade your setup for less.

Best high-refresh 1440p monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware AW2726DL (27-inch) $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Sub-$200 gaming monitors usually top out around 165Hz or 180Hz, but the Alienware AW2726DL pushes speed even further without sacrificing resolution. Delivering a blistering 280Hz refresh rate alongside sharp 1440p visuals, this 27-inch IPS panel eliminates motion blur and input lag in fast-paced competitive shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends. Combined with 1ms response times, vibrant colors, and a fully adjustable stand that tilts, swivels, and pivots, you get top-tier eSports frame rates from a premium brand at a budget price.

Best immersive gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G5 G50F $199.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Finding a massive 32-inch 1440p panel from a top-tier brand under $200 is already a steal, but Samsung loaded the Odyssey G5 G50F with solid performance hardware. The Fast IPS display gives you razor-sharp 1440p image detail with wide viewing angles, while its 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time keep fast motion smooth and tear-free. You also get an adjustable stand that tilts, swivels, and changes height out of the box — a luxury most budget displays leave out.

Best curved gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G55C $234.67 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $95.32   Get Deal Why we like it

Most curved monitors use a subtle bend, but the Samsung Odyssey G55C packs an aggressive 1000R curve that matches the natural field of view of the human eye, pulling your peripheral vision directly into single-player RPGs, flight sims, and racing games. Bumping the screen size up to 32 inches can sometimes stretch out 1080p graphics, but its sharp 1440p QHD resolution keeps textures crisp and detailed across the entire display. Pair that panoramic curve with a fast 165Hz refresh rate, FreeSync screen-tearing protection, and built-in eye saver settings to cut blue light during late-night raids, and you get pure immersion that is worth spending on.

More gaming monitor deals

• MSI PRO MP243L E14 24-inch IPS FHD — $89.99 $109.99 (save $20)

• MSI MAG 272F 27-inch FHD 200Hz — $104.99 $129.99 (save $25)

• LG 24G411A-B 24-inch UltraGear FHD 144Hz IPS — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20)

• MSI MAG 274CF X24 27-inch FHD 240Hz — $129.99 $139.99 (save $10)

• KTC H27F7 27-inch FHD 240Hz Fast IPS — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Samsung 24-Inch Odyssey G3 (G30H) IPS FHD 200Hz — $169.99 $189.99 (save $20)

• ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A 27-inch 1440p 180Hz — $199.00 $209.00 (save $10)

• Alienware AW2725DM 27-inch WQHD Fast IPS 180Hz — $249.00 $269.99 (save $20.99)

• MSI MAG 274QP QD-OLED X24 27-Inch WQHD 240Hz — $349.99 $399.99 (save $50)

• MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED 27-inch QHD 360Hz — $579.99 $629.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 40-Inch Odyssey G7 (G75F) Series WUHD — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who know Raiders history.

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

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports 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 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 before the game ends.

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

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

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

• Yellow: Around the New England

• Green: Raiders

• Blue: Golfers

• Purple: Movies

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Teams/Schools in Massachusetts

• Green: Raiders QBs, Past and Present

• Blue: Women's Golf Major Winners

• Purple: Last Words in Football Movie Titles

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #730 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Teams/Schools in Massachusetts: BRUINS, CELTICS, HARVARD, UMASS

• Raiders QBs, Past and Present: CARR, COUSINS, GANNON, STABLER

• Women's Golf Major Winners: INKSTER, KO, KORDA, PARK

• Last Words in Football Movie Titles: BLUES, LIGHTS, TITANS, YARD

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

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 23, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 23, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 23 Pips

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

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this purple space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 23 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 23 Pips

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-2 placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

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