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You might have to shell out more for your Star Wars, Disney, or Marvel fix. Disney+ began its password-sharing crackdown this week.

Following in Netflix's frustrating footsteps, Disney+ has limited subscription access to just one household. It detailed the new rules in a blog post in which it actually had the gall to tout the new "features and capabilities" that would expand "its paid-sharing program." In reality, it really just means you can't share your account outside your household without paying extra.

Let's get into the details.

How much will adding an "extra member" cost?

To add an "extra member" to an ad-supported plan, it will cost you $6.99 per month, while adding an ad-free plan costs $9.99 per month.

That's a pretty steep cost considering a Disney+ subscription with ads costs $7.99 per month and ad-free costs $13.99. Though those prices are set to rise to $9.99 and $15.99, respectively, next month.

No matter what, it's a pretty big increase to upgrade as an "extra member" or to get a new account entirely.

SEE ALSO: Which streaming service should you cancel? All of them (most of the time). What does an "extra member" have access to?

You might think that a hefty increase like this would get this "extra member" everything a regular user would receive. You'd be wrong.

The "extra member" is limited to one account and streaming/downloading on a single device at a time. They also "cannot have an active Hulu subscription, or an active or canceled Disney+ or ESPN+ subscription," Disney noted. The "extra member" feature is also not available to subscriptions that are part of a Disney Bundle.

So...there are definitely some limitations.

What now?

If you're stuck figuring out your next move, it seems like you might have to pay more. There may be ways to get around it, but those methods often prove time-consuming or annoying.

It's just another blow to people who stream their TV, amid frequent price hikes and constant advertisements on platforms that were once ad free. Of course, if you want to be brave, it could be time to start canceling subscriptions altogether.

Hurricane Helene is a formidable category 2 Hurricane creeping north through the Gulf of Mexico as of Thursday midday — and, importantly, it's still gaining strength. The situation is serious, with NOAA warning Floridians in particular to prepare for landfall this evening, and noting that "preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion."

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Where will it land? When? How severe will it be at or near landfall? Where will it go once its incursion into the mainland has begun, and what will conditions be like there? There are no hard answers to any of these, only forecasts — typically doled out as illustrative maps. But the good news is that forecasts are, broadly speaking, powerfully accurate.

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Here's the latest on what the immediate future holds in the form of maps:

Latest forecast cone for Hurricane Helene: SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the future

According to NOAA's forecast cone as of 11:00 a.m. ET Thursday, coastal residents should be prepared for hurricane conditions as far west as Panama City, and as far east as the Clearwater area (though Tampa might want to batten down the hatches too, as of this writing, just in case).

The cone itself — meaning the geographical range likely to contain the path of the center of the storm — was showing potential direct hits anywhere from the area of St. George Island near the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge in the west, to the proximity of Steinhatchee in the east.

Credit: NOAA

To refresh your memory, NOAA's cone graphics predict the range of potential paths likely to be taken by the center of the storm. Storm surge and other severe conditions may well occur outside the cone, while inside the cone, there will always be some areas that experience relatively mild conditions.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Helene: Watch Florida webcams live, including Panama City, Port St. Joe Landfall times for for Hurricane Helene Tweet may have been deleted

According to the North Carolina Local CBS affiliate WNCT, Helene was expected to make landfall at approximately 8:00 p.m. CT (which is 9:00 p.m. ET). Their forecast showed the storm weakening from 120 mph winds at landfall to 65 mph when it reaches the vicinity of North Carolina about 12 hours later.

Spaghetti and "wobble" maps for Helene Tweet may have been deleted

The above map, posted by a storm chaser calling himself Reed Timmer, PhD shows a grouping of potential paths as of Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, nearly all of which appear to be making a beeline for the Big Bend.

As the landfall approaches, some of what were called "spaghetti" models when the storm was further out begin to narrow and look much less spaghetti-like. They also hint at the capricious storm's final plan of attack. Crucially, a storm ends up charting a course outside of the forecast cone 1/3 of the time, according to NOAA.

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The above maps, posted by Orlando meteorologist Noah Bergren, hint that Helene's eye may be turning slightly east, or may just be wobbling slightly off course before it returns to the cone — either is possible. Though, importantly, Bergren points out that the true "center of circulation" may well still be in the cone. The storm still appears to be headed toward the vicinity of the Big Bend, but it could also veer off the expected course, impacting — for instance — Gainesville more than previously expected.

So while forecasting maps are clues about the future, it's wise to follow NOAA's more general advice at times like this, particularly the part that says "Residents in [affected] areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so."

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Mashable Tech Editor Kimmie G breaks down why Apple's latest fleet of iPhones could be worth the upgrade.

If you own an LG TV, hit up the settings menu ASAP.

That's because full-screen screensaver advertisements have infected LG televisions, FlatPanelsHD reported. These ads appear before the normal screensaver kicks in, and can be for either LG-centric promotions or third-party partners like car companies. According to FlatPanelsHD's testing, the ads are muted...for now.

SEE ALSO: Get a smart TV for less than $150 ahead of October Prime Day How to turn off screensaver ads on LG TVs

The obvious first response to this, if you own an LG TV, is "can I turn these ads off?" The good news is that, at least at the moment, you can. Here's how:

1. Open the TV's settings menu

2. Navigate to "Additional Settings"

3. Navigate to the "Screen Saver Promotion" toggle and turn it off

LG seemingly turned this on without announcing it ahead of time, and it has infected even the company's newest, most high-end sets, according to the FlatPanelsHD report. That may not sit well with people who paid more than $1,000 for a TV, especially if the ads ever, at any point, start making noise. Ditto if LG ever disables the ability to turn them off.

Best Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals Best Bluetooth speaker deal Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Speaker $68 at Amazon (Save $61.99) Get Deal Best UE speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Speaker $69.99 at Amazon (Save $30) Get Deal Best JBL speaker deal JBL Clip 5 Speaker $69.95 at Amazon (Save $10) Get Deal Best for Bass lovers Sony ULT Field 1 Waterproof Speaker $98 at Amazon (Save $31.99) Get Deal

Each day is another closer to Prime Big Deal Days. While we wait for October 8 and 9 to finally arrive, we're tracking all the early deals, which are not quite rolling in. Maybe trickling is a better word to describe it? All this to say, there aren't an abundance of early Prime Day deals at the moment.

I've been on the headphone and speaker beat this week, watching for the latest drops on our favorite brands. Unfortunately, there haven't been a ton yet, but that's not to say the deals aren't coming. Historically, we've seen big price drops on speakers from Sony, Ultimate Ears, JBL, Bose, Sonos, and more during major Amazon shopping events.

If you're in a hurry to score a deal on a Bluetooth speaker, you do have options. Some of our favorite new speakers are on sale, including the bass-heavy Sony ULT Field 1 speaker and the new Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4. So, while we patiently wait for more savings, here are the early Bluetooth speaker deals to shop now.

Best Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Bluetooth Speaker $68.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $61.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Did your Bluetooth speaker kick the dust this summer after one too many pool parties? Then October Prime Day is an especially great time to hit "Add To Cart."

The Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series Bluetooth speaker is 48% off ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. It comes with a corded strap, making it easy to tote around on your adventures. With a IP67 rating, it's water- and dust-proof, giving it a rugged build. Not to mention the 16 hours of battery life that keep the party going all day.

More Bluetooth speaker deals

• Oontz Angle 3 Speaker — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)

• Anker Soundcore 2 Speaker — $29.99 $39.99 (save $10 with on-page coupon)

• Sony SRSXB13/B Extra Bass Speaker — $38 $59.99 (save $21.99)

• JBL Clip 5 Speaker — $69.95 $79.95 (save $10)

• Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Speaker — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• JBL Flip 5 Speaker — $89.95 $99.95 (save $10)

• Sony ULT Field 1 Speaker — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)

• Ultimate Ears Boom 4 Speaker — $104.99 $149.99 (save $45)

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 26: OUR TOP PICK Blink Outdoor 4 3-camera system $99.99 at Amazon (save $160) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ coffee and espresso maker $99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST LEGO DEAL Lego Star Wars 2024 Advent calendar $35.99 at Amazon (save $9) Get Deal

Can we let you in on a little secret? You don't have to wait until Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event on Oct. 8 and 9 to score epic deals. In fact, there are plenty of pretty awesome deals already live at Amazon as of Sept. 26. We did the honor of rounding up a few that we think are worthy of adding to your cart ahead of the big day.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these do it for you, be sure to take a look back at our picks from Sept. 24 and Sept. 25. Many of those are still live, including a Blink Video Doorbell already sitting at its Prime Day price and a record-low price on the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speaker. Happy shopping, folks.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 3-camera system $99.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal

When it comes to budget-friendly security cameras, the Blink Outdoor 4 is hard to beat — especially when a three-pack is down to its lowest price on record. Great for pet owners, frequent travelers, or any homeowner hoping to keep an eye on things that go bump in the night, the Blink Outdoor 4 works seamlessly with other Alexa-enabled devices, comes with customizable motion zones, offers infrared night vision and two-way audio, and has a battery life that'll last two years. That's why it's one of our top overall picks for security cameras. As of Sept. 26, you can grab a three-pack of these cameras and cover your home's perimeter for just $99.99. That's 62% in savings and a new record-low. You basically get two cameras for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ coffee and espresso maker $99.00 at Amazon
$149.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

May the summer of "Espresso" never die. Get in on the espresso craze with your very own Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ machine while it's on sale for 34% off. It allows you to make a piping hot shot of espresso any time you desire at the press of a button. It's not a one-trick pony, though. It can brew coffee in five different ways: five-, eight-, and 12-ounce cups, or single or double espresso shots. Just pop in a Nespresso pod, fill up the 37-ounce water tank, give it about 30 seconds to heat up, and boom — you're ready to brew. Usually $149, you can pick up the sleek and slim Vertuo Pop+ machine for only $99. That matches its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars 2024 Advent calendar $35.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal

Lego makes a bunch of great Advent calendars for kids and Lego-loving adults. The Lego Star Wars one is one of the most popular, and the 2024 edition is on sale ahead of the holiday season. It contains 368 pieces that eventually assemble into 18 collectible mini toys and six Star Wars figures, including holiday Princess Leia, holiday Luke Skywalker, Millennium Falcon, TIE Fighter, Yoda's Jedi Starfighter, and so much more. The packaging also serves as a festive backdrop for all the builds. Slash 20% off and pick up the Lego Star Wars Advent calendar for just $35.99 as of Sept. 26.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Coralie Fargeat, writer / director of 'The Substance' and 'Revenge' speaks candidly about how her own experiences inspired the script for her latest film.

Google and Roblox are teaming up to combine the worlds of play and internet safety, as the companies announce a brand new gaming experience teaching young Roblox players how to better navigate the internet.

Be Internet Awesome World, a new initiative of Google's Be Internet Awesome program, invites young users into a colorful, magical world full of "Internauts" who help players work through real-world scenarios and online risks. It's a reimagining of the tech company's current safety curriculum, developed alongside organizations like the Family Online Safety Institute, the Internet KeepSafe Coalition, and Connect Safely.

"Roblox is one of the most popular online gaming platforms, with over 79.5 million daily active users," wrote Google. "Working with Roblox helps Google to reach kids where they’re already spending time to teach them the basics of online safety."

SEE ALSO: X just released its first transparency report in years. Here's what they aren't saying.

As they play through the various in-world games — which see avatars flying through forests and navigating desert castles — players will learn important safety tips and critical thinking skills related to a variety of internet safety topics, including how to identify phishing attempts and opportunities to practice how to be a kind and thoughtful digital citizen, explained the company.

Google's learning-through-gaming strategy joins other efforts to address continued threats to young people online. The company announced a $10 million Teen Mental Health Initiative in August, and has previously launched tailored AI literacy resources for teens and beyond. These efforts come in response to growing concern about the negative impact of both bad actors and digital technologies on children's wellbeing.

Spotify is expanding its Open Access API, allowing you to see your favorite creators' subscriber-only podcast episodes in the same feed as free content.

Called Synched Feeds, the update gives users a more streamlined experience on the app. Because through Synched Feeds, creators can now display their free and subscriber-only content in one feed.

SEE ALSO: Spotify wants to make you an AI Playlist for every occasion

Previously, a creator might have posted a teaser of a premium episode with a link to their content elsewhere or had two separate podcast feeds one for free and the other for subscriber-only content. Now, a subscriber-only episode will appear within the creator's feed on Spotify with the option to subscribe to listen to it.

To participate, creators enable Synced Feeds through their Spotify for Podcasters account. Creators must use Spotify's Open Access API to enable distribution on Spotify from another platform. Then, listeners link their premium account from the other platform to their Spotify account, unlocking the subscriber-only content. Spotify does not take a cut of creator revenue from subscribers.

Spotify launched Open Access in 2021 as its work around for manually uploading RSS content to the platform. According to TechCrunch, it's the only major podcasting platform that doesn't allow manual uploads, which is how users listen to subscriber-only episodes on other platforms. Last year, Open Access integrated with Patreon, Memberful, Supercast, and Supporting Cast. And beginning next month, The New York Times will make its audio subscription available for purchase through Spotify.

According to a press release, since launching Open Access with Patreon last year, nearly half of podcasters earning money on Patreon take advantage of it. Those same creators saw 15 percent of their Spotify listeners who visited their Patreon sign up for a paid membership.

A new VR immersive tool by Orbis is training ophthalmologists in low- and middle-income countries.

Stephen Colbert has responded directly to Trump's recent Truth Social post ranting about him and calling him "boring".

There is a lot of money in YouTube if you can build a big enough audience.

It's been some time since folks had to be stars in traditional media — like TV, film, and music — to rake in the big bucks. Influencers and YouTubers, especially, can make millions upon millions of dollars creating content. That's because YouTube has a direct correlation between views earned and dollars made and provides a platform to build a loyal fanbase.

Here are 10 of the highest-earners in the YouTube space, in no defined order, and how they're making their money.

MrBeast

There can hardly be a list of rich YouTubers without mentioning MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. His main schtick is giving away tons of money while also, you know, making tons of money. Forbes estimated he made $82 million in 2023.

SEE ALSO: MrBeast breaks the ultimate YouTube record

To be clear, the MrBeast brand is hardly limited to YouTube. He's launched snack foods and burger restaurants and inked a deal with Amazon Prime Video. But still, his bread and butter is his YouTube channel, which has a record 317 million subscribers.

Jake Paul

The Paul brothers have long been stalwarts of the internet, having first garnered an audience on Vine and then on YouTube. Jake Paul certainly hasn't slowed down in popularity. Forbes estimated he made $34 million last year. Paul has reinvented himself more than a few times, though recently, he's focused on a career in the ring. As a professional boxer, he's scheduled to fight Mike Tyson—yes, the Mike Tyson—live on Netflix in November.

Tweet may have been deleted Rhett and Link

While YouTube — and being online, in general — often thrives on controversy, lifelong friends Rhett and Link have thrived on a more wholesome image. Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln "Link" Neal III are comedians who've basically created a mini-empire. Their company, Mythical, puts out their shows Good Mythical Morning and Mythical Kitchen and a number of podcasts. Forbes estimated they made $35 million last year.

Tweet may have been deleted Ms. Rachel

If you have young children — or even if you have friends with toddlers — then Ms. Rachel is a household name. The former teacher makes educational videos for young kids that captivate their attention. Ask any parent, and they'll espouse their love for Ms. Rachel's work. Her videos rack up hundreds of millions of views since toddlers often watch the same thing over and over. Social Blade estimated she could make up to $16.5 million yearly on her videos.

Ryan Kaji

As we said for Ms. Rachel, there is money to be made in making content geared toward kids. Kaji is a child creator who gained popularity testing out toys. His channel, Ryan's World, has nearly 38 million subscribers. His videos rack-up millions of views, but he also makes money via endorsements, brand deals, and his own game/toy company. Forbes estimated the 12-year-old made $35 million last year.

Vlad & Niki

Again: Kids' content makes bank on YouTube. Vladislav "Vlad" Vashketov and Nikita "Niki" Vashketov have a channel with 125 million subscribers. Their videos, obviously, focus on kids activities, typically playing games or trying out toys. They even have a toy line at Walmart. Parents noted they make $54 million per year, though even for YouTubers, that seems like it could be on the high end of what's possible.

Logan Paul

Just like his younger brother, Logan Paul remains a stalwart online. His YouTube channel has nearly 24 million followers, but he also got into fighting in the ring and beverages with the uber-popular PRIME — a line of sports and energy drinks. Forbes estimated he made $21 million last year.

Markiplier

Markiplier, real name Mark Edward Fischbach, has a super-popular YouTube channel with 37 million subscribers that focuses mainly on gaming and tech. But, as Forbes noted, he also makes a lot of money running his Cloak clothing brand and via his podcast deal with Spotify. The outlet estimated he made $30 million last year.

Dude Perfect

What started as a bunch of bros doing trick-shots has turned into a major business. The college roommates began posting videos in 2009 and, more than a decade later, have more than 60 million subscribers. Axios reported they'd bring in around $50 million in revenue in 2024, while also receiving a $100 million investment from the firm Highmount Capital.

Marques Brownlee

Brownlee is perhaps the leading tech reviewer online. His videos are widely respected and his views can help shape public opinion on products — if you like tech, you've probably seen him at every major event. Decades of doing it has paid off, with his channel garnering nearly 20 million subscribers. Forbes estimated he made $8.5 million last year.

When astronomers pointed the James Webb Space Telescope at the early universe, they found an ancient galaxy with an unusual light signature. 

After a thorough study of the data, scientists determined stars within that galaxy aren't the direct culprit of its extraordinary brightness. It's space gas. 

This finding, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, could provide a missing link in cosmic history, revealing a previously unknown phase of galaxy evolution — one in which superheated gas clouds can actually outshine their stars. 

"It looks like these stars must be much hotter and more massive than what we see in the local universe," Harley Katz, an astrophysicist at the universities of Oxford in the United Kingdom and Chicago in the United States, said in a statement, "which makes sense because the early universe was a very different environment." 

SEE ALSO: Webb telescope is about to home in on these 2 exoplanets. Here's why. The James Webb Space Telescope found a galaxy in the early universe with brighter gas than stars. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Alex Cameron

In astronomy, looking farther translates into observing the past because light and other forms of radiation take longer to reach us. Webb, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, was built to study an extremely early period of the cosmos, detecting invisible light at infrared wavelengths. In short, a lot of dust and gas in space obscures the view to extremely distant and inherently dim light sources, but infrared waves can penetrate through the clouds. 

Webb has been able to observe some of the oldest, faintest light in existence, including this strange galaxy, GS-NDG-9422, as it existed 1 billion years after the Big Bang. For perspective, the universe’s age is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 13.8 billion years. 

Scientists think the galaxy is undergoing intense star formation within a cocoon of dense gas that is churning out massive, hot stars. A barrage of light particles from the starlight could be bombarding the gas, causing it to shine extremely bright. 

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Astronomers used computer models of hot, massive stars heating up clouds of gas. Not only did they demonstrate that the gas could be more luminous, but that the results closely replicated the recent telescope observations of galaxy GS-NDG-9422.

In the Milky Way’s neck of the universe, hot, massive stars generally have temperatures between 70,000 to 90,000 degrees Fahrenheit. But this galaxy has stars upward of 144,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the researchers said. 

Cosmologists have predicted that gas could outshine stars in the environments of the universe’s first generation of stars, known as so-called Population III stars. Finding these pristine, pure-bred stars is one of the top priorities of modern astrophysics. 

Given that most of the chemicals in the universe are thought to have come from exploded stars, scientists have rationalized that the firstborn must have been composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, the primitive material that emerged from the Big Bang. Over time, as stars died and enriched the universe with heavier chemical elements, subsequent generations of stars formed with more diverse ingredients.

Though the studied galaxy does not appear to have those highly-sought-after Population III stars — their light is too chemically complex — they seem to be something in between the universe’s first primitive stars and the kind that would likely inhabit more-established galaxies. Now the team wonders whether this is a common phenomenon among galaxies of this period. 

"My first thought in looking at the galaxy’s [light] spectrum was, 'that’s weird,' which is exactly what the Webb telescope was designed to reveal," said lead author Alex Cameron of Oxford in a statement. It’s discovering "totally new phenomena in the early universe that will help us understand how the cosmic story began."

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 26's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for September 26 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To show appreciation for one's actions.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

THANK.

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

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 September 26'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for September 26 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's The Mini crossword answers for September 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Decorations on the seams of something

• Green: Addition

• Blue: Ways a drink can be prepared

• Purple: Types of strings

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: Decorative Edge

• Green: Increase, In A Way

• Blue: Specifications for a Bartender

• Purple: String___

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 #473 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Decorative Edge: BORDER, FRILL, FRINGE, TRIM

• Increase, In A Way: GROW, MOUNT, SWELL, WAX

• Specifications for a Bartender: DRY, NEAT, STRAIGHT, VIRGIN

• String___: BEAN, BIKINI, CHEESE, THEORY

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moving low across the ground.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 25 Hurdle Word 1 answer

CRAWL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

It can be hard to develop a sense of this.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 25 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STYLE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A drug from the poppy plant.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 25 Hurdle Word 3 answer

OPIUM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Something you can both feel and physically be.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

STUCK

Final Hurdle hint

Quite thick. Also, not a way you'd want a cake to be described.

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DENSE

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America is at a crossroads and that means you are, too.

Come Nov. 5, the nation will cast ballots for an election that presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are billing as one of the most consequential of your lifetime.

Between now and then, every time you go online, you stand a decent chance of encountering a political ad, new polling data, clapbacks and takedowns, viral misinformation, and the digital equivalent of strangers screaming at each other in public.

You may be just as tempted to doomscroll your way through the politics as you are to sign off completely until Nov. 6. Realistically, you'll probably do a little of both.

Either way, managing election-related stress well requires a little advanced planning, says Dr. Laura Vogel, director of mental health services at the Momentous Institute, a non-profit organization focused on the mental health of children, families, and communities.

SEE ALSO: Could an AI chatbot talk you out of believing a conspiracy theory?

"It's that intentional mindset prior to engaging that can really make a big difference," Vogel says.

The Momentous Institute has published a comprehensive guide to dealing with election stress, but here are Vogel's top intention-setting tips for using the internet and digital technology thoughtfully.

1. Beware of election content that makes you feel fearful

Vogel says that a lot of online political content, like ads and sensationalized posts, is designed to make people feel scared about the future. Candidate ads, for example, are now on X, since the social media platform decided to start running such content after years of banning it because of concerns about disinformation and election tampering.

Opinion coverage, whether it's coming from your favorite podcaster or the New York Times, may also trigger more fearful feelings than traditional news reporting, Vogel says.

Regardless of the platform, Vogel says to be particularly mindful of content that makes you feel afraid. While the topic might be legitimately disturbing, Vogel says that the human brain is already primed to pay greater attention to content we find threatening as a survival mechanism.

Unfortunately, the brain doesn't understand that your fear response isn't because you just spotted a deadly snake in the brush, but rather because you just watched an ad that threatened your values.

So before you even start scrolling, Vogel recommends reminding yourself to stay alert for increased negative feelings and heightened fear. Before you experience those things, make a plan for what you'll do if that happens.

Vogel says it can be as simple as putting your phone down and choosing to do something different.

2. Set your boundaries

Similarly, boundary setting couldn't be more important during election season. If that family member who you've disagreed with over politics keeps texting you about the election, Vogel says to respectfully let them know you don't want to receive those messages anymore. Of course, if someone asks the same of you, respect their wishes.

You can also cut out news sources, influencers, and online personalities whose content stresses you out more often than not. Don't be afraid to snooze, mute, or unfollow accounts, and to skip the constant poll-checking.

Vogel says that being selective about what you consume doesn't mean becoming uninformed. Instead, the point of setting boundaries is to ensure you're getting information in a way that feels productive and empowering, instead of drowning in a firehose of digital content.

3. Know your sources

Even if you've carefully curated your social media and news feed, misinformation can still find its way into your digital ecosystem. Look no further than Janet Jackson, who recently repeated the disinformation that Harris is not Black, and you'll see that public figures who have access to the truth can still be duped by lies.

Vogel says that misinformation itself can be stressful because it often plays on people's fears while also calling into question what's true.

To combat this dynamic, she recommends vetting your information sources, including those you might reflexively trust. Vogel suggests putting greater stock in sources that fact-check their content.

Also, she says to expect to see misinformation repeatedly online as people share and respond to it. In those instances, don't be surprised if the speed at which it travels makes you feel uneasy.

4. Don't get into fruitless arguments

Election season can lead to intense arguments online or via text and direct message, both with complete strangers and people you know.

Vogel advises people to steer clear of exchanges that seem bound to end in conflict. If you feel that you can productively discuss a certain candidate or issue with a loved one or stranger, then proceed with the conversation.

But if you've had similar discussions before and they ended terribly, spare yourself the grief and skip engaging further. Vogel says you can gauge this partly by asking yourself if you're genuinely interested in the other person's perspective, and if you think it's possible to achieve a certain goal, like changing their mind.

If neither feels possible to you, do something else with your time that's more rewarding.

Also, beware of becoming a cheering bystander in the public shaming or calling out of someone whose views you don't share. While it may feel gratifying, Vogel says the dynamic can turn toxic if you spend too much time or energy on the incident. What seems amusing in the moment can actually generate feelings of frustration and anger, Vogel adds.

5. Take breaks

Taking breaks seems obvious until you realize you've been scrolling for an hour—and now you're feeling intense anxiety about how the election will go. That's why Vogel recommends remembering to take time-outs from election content.

This might look like turning off notifications for news alerts, or only checking for political news at specific times of the day and avoiding doing so while at work or with your family. Vogel says that mindlessly picking up a phone is when many people get into trouble, because they unexpectedly encounter something stressful.

She also emphasizes the importance of breaks for people who feel anxious about the election because of how it will affect them personally. They might be worried about policies that a certain candidate has championed or referendums on the ballot in their state or city.

Regardless of why you feel taxed, Vogel urges people to step away from their screens and do something that feels rewarding.

If your response to election stress becomes overwhelming or affects your ability to function, you might consider contacting the Crisis Text Line. The nonprofit launched a dedicated keyword for this election. People who text "ELECTION” or “ELECCIONES” to 741741 can be connected to a live volunteer who can offer them mental health support.

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Through September 29, you can get a lifetime subscription to this innovative app for just $34.99 with code TAKE5. Listen to stories and make language learning a more engaging and natural experience.

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By rights, a prequel to Rosemary's Baby should be an unholy abomination, offensive to the lovers of horror. Not only is Roman Polanski's seminal 1968 film iconic and beloved by critics, audiences, and the Academy Awards (which honored Ruth Gordon with a very rare Best Supporting win in a horror movie), but also, a prequel to a a 56-year-old horror classic seems destined to be a grubby cash grab. And yet, Natalie Erika James has done the impossible with Apartment 7A, delivering a horror gem that shines without detracting from its inspiration point.  

Beginning months before Rosemary Woodhouse moves into Manhattan's infamous Bramford apartments, Apartment 7A follows Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner), who was only a minor figure in Rosemary's Baby. Some might scoff that this story echoes Rosemary's in some ways, including the suffocating attention and manipulation from the nosy Castevets next door (played here by Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally). But the screenplay by Natalie Erika James, Skylar James, and Christian White manages to weave similar beats and familiar figures together with distinctive demonic dazzle and a sharp difference in their heroine's wants. 

A fantastic follow-up to James' scary-as-hell feature directorial debut, Relic, Apartment 7A is an exhilaratingly frightening tale of ambition, betrayal, and bodily autonomy that fits slyly with its source material, yet makes a timely statement all its own. 

How does Apartment 7A fit into Rosemary's Baby?  Credit: Gareth Gatrell / Paramount+

In the original film, Terry Gionoffrio has a single scene with Rosemary, in which the two bond while doing laundry in the creepy basement of the Bramford. Friendly Terry tells her new neighbor that she lives with Roman and Minnie Castevet, who took her in off the street. "I was starving and on dope," Terry confesses, adding, "I'd be dead now if it wasn't for them…dead or in jail." She also shares a look at her strange-smelling necklace, a good luck gift from Minnie. 

Apartment 7A fleshes Terry's story, detailing who she was before tumbling onto the Bramford's sidewalk and what became of her between her intro in Rosemary's Baby and her dramatic exit. Terry was a dancer on the brink of breaking out when she suffered an ankle injury that pushed her to drugs to deal with the pain and made her infamous among New York City's theater community. Desperate for her luck to change, Terry is easily wooed by the kindness of the Castevets, who offer her a free room and a private meeting with their theater producer neighbor Alan Marchand (Jim Sturgess). They even get her homemade medical polstices from their next-door neighbor Mrs. Gardenia (Tina Gray). 

Yes, Rosemary's Baby fans, the Mrs. Gardenia whose apartment Rosemary and Guy move into at the start of their movie. 

Apartment 7A connects to but is not confined by Rosemary's Baby.  Credit: Gareth Gatrell / Paramount+

While James stays true to some plot points to keep the classic canon intact, she makes some standout changes. For instance, while Rosemary comes into the laundry room in this prequel, the scene from the original is not recreated. It's not even similar; in Apartment 7A, the costumes and Terry's hair don't match that 1968-shot scene. This suggests James is embracing how Terry's perspective might shift the appearance of things, including fashion and which moments matter to her. While their meeting might have been a pivotal moment for Rosemary, for Terry, it just wasn't — she had bigger things on her mind by then. 

More fascinating is how James depicts Terry's dark night with the devil. As Terry's brain is rich with imagery from musicals, her drug-induced vision of those violating events runs like a stage production. The Bramford is transformed into a 2-dimensional stage set, a dashing Marchand leads her in a waltz, and finally a demon — bedecked in sparkling sequins — crawls upon her supine body. 

I've been saying horror movies need more song-and-dance numbers, and Apartment 7A has arrived to prove my point! This is scary and spectacular, glittery and gruesome. Sincerely, James has taken the somberly horrifying story of manipulation, bodily violation, and betrayal from the source material, but made it her own with a passion for musical theater. 

Apartment 7A not only infuses Terry's love of theatrical spectacle into her nightmares, but also into her motivation. So when she discovers she's pregnant, a baby is not a gift much coveted — like it was for Rosemary — it's an obstacle to carving out her career. Set in a time where abortion was not a legalized form of healthcare, this pushes Terry — with the support of her dear friend Annie (Marli Siu) — to a back-alley abortionist, resulting in a scene that is horrifying on many levels. 

Julia Garner is extraordinary in Apartment 7A.  Credit: Gareth Gatrell / Paramount+

It must be incredibly intimidating to walk in the shoes of Mia Farrow, specifically one her most iconic roles. But Garner seems unshaken. Perhaps because her Terry is brasher and more openly defiant to Minnie's intrusions. Perhaps because being batted around by snaking chorus girls and cruel casting directors — as one truly painful scene makes clear — has hardened her. 

Watching Garner grit her teeth, then throw on a smile to perform for the cold hearts of New York City, is not only bracingly entrancing, it also makes me wish those reports of her playing Madonna in a could-be biopic will pan out. Garner has got it, meaning a combination of screen presence and grit that makes her instantly recognizable as a force to be reckoned with. And that's exhilarating to see in this scenario, where we know damn well what she's up against. Rosemary couldn't beat them, but could Terry possibly find a way out of the wicked labyrinth that is the Bramford? 

With Relic, Natalie Erika James spun an intimate tale of mother-daughter relationships and family curses into a rivetingly scary thriller. Here, she uses that gift of emotional intelligence and skill for crafting unsettling scenes to tell a story that's familiar yet all the more frightening for it. We know where Terry's story will end because of Rosemary's Baby. Yet James keeps us at the edge of our seats as she expertly spins a web of rich drama and sly horror, working in heartfelt conversations, shattering jump scares, and defiant dazzle. From Polanski's foundation, she builds a glittering tale of girlhood stolen that is sick, stunning, and horrifyingly relevant. 

Apartment 7A comes to on-demand and Paramount+ on Sept. 27.